Start here
Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
A full-scale zoo and aquarium day in south Omaha. Families should protect most of a day for it rather than treating it as a downtown add-on.
Best for: RiverFront and East Omaha, Indoor + outdoor
Destination guide
Things to do in Omaha
Omaha has enough to fill a trip without trying to cover every corner. Start with the places that fit the way you want to spend the day, then keep nearby choices together.
Places to put on the list in Omaha
Build around a few anchors, then choose nearby additions that match your pace. The main Omaha guide has itinerary ideas if you want help putting those pieces in order.
Start here
The Durham Museum
A Beaux Arts Union Station museum that gives an Old Market day a weather-proof history anchor, especially when the riverfront forecast turns.
Best for: Old Market and Downtown, Indoor
Start here
Joslyn Art Museum
A substantial art museum near Midtown with a collection and building worth giving a real afternoon, not a hurried stop between meals.
Best for: Midtown and Blackstone, Indoor
RiverFront and East Omaha
Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
A full-scale zoo and aquarium day in south Omaha. Families should protect most of a day for it rather than treating it as a downtown add-on.
Best for: RiverFront and East Omaha, Indoor + outdoor
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
5 hoursMorning$$Plan ahead
Visit official site 
Omaha's RiverFront
A riverfront walk and public-space layer between downtown stops. It works best as fresh air around a museum or meal rather than the entire day.
Best for: RiverFront and East Omaha, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
2 hoursMorning$$
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Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Walk the Missouri River bridge for skyline views and the state-line marker, ideally early or near sunset when the exposed deck is more comfortable.
Best for: RiverFront and East Omaha, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
1 hoursMorning$$
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Heartland of America Park
A compact waterfront pause with paths and views close to downtown. Pair it with the RiverFront or Old Market rather than driving across town for it.
Best for: RiverFront and East Omaha, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
1 hoursMorning$$
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Lauritzen Gardens
A botanical-garden half-day with seasonal color and broad paths. It belongs on a fair-weather plan, not in a rushed downtown itinerary.
Best for: RiverFront and East Omaha, Outdoors
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
3 hoursMorning$$Plan ahead
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Gene Leahy Mall
A downtown lawn, play, and riverfront pause that helps families reset between the Old Market and the bridge. It is better as connective tissue than a destination by itself.
Best for: RiverFront and East Omaha, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
1 hoursMorning$$
Visit official site Old Market and Downtown
Best for first-time visitors who want museums, riverfront walks, and dinner within one walkable base.
The Durham Museum
A Beaux Arts Union Station museum that gives an Old Market day a weather-proof history anchor, especially when the riverfront forecast turns.
Best for: Old Market and Downtown, Indoor
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
3 hoursMorning$$
Visit official site 
Old Market Historic District
Brick streets, galleries, shops, and restaurants make this Omaha's easiest first-night district. Go early for wandering and return later for dinner.
Best for: Old Market and Downtown, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
3 hoursMorning$$
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Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts
A free, contemporary-art layer in the Old Market that is easy to pair with a late lunch or rainy afternoon.
Best for: Old Market and Downtown, Indoor
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
1 hoursMorning$$
Visit official site Midtown and Blackstone
Best for restaurant evenings and Joslyn access, with a short ride needed for the Old Market and zoo.
Joslyn Art Museum
A substantial art museum near Midtown with a collection and building worth giving a real afternoon, not a hurried stop between meals.
Best for: Midtown and Blackstone, Indoor
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
3 hoursMorning$$
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Omaha Children's Museum
Hands-on exhibits make this a genuine young-family weather backup, particularly when a zoo or river day needs to be replaced.
Best for: Midtown and Blackstone, Indoor
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
3 hoursMorning$$Plan ahead
Visit official site North Omaha and Florence
The Union for Contemporary Art
A North Omaha arts stop with studios, exhibitions, and a different local lens than downtown's larger institutions. Check current programs before timing the visit.
Best for: North Omaha and Florence, Indoor
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
2 hoursMorning$$
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Malcolm X Memorial Foundation
A North Omaha history stop that rewards travelers who want context beyond the usual downtown circuit. Confirm current visitor access before setting a fixed time.
Best for: North Omaha and Florence, Indoor + outdoor
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
2 hoursMorning$$Plan ahead
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General Crook House Museum
A small historic-house visit in North Omaha with a focused Civil War-era story. It works for history-minded travelers with room beyond the headline museums.
Best for: North Omaha and Florence, Indoor
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
1 hoursMorning$$
Visit official site Dundee and West Omaha
Best for a calmer neighborhood rhythm and dinner-led evenings, not for travelers trying to walk to downtown landmarks.
Dundee Historic District
A leafy neighborhood walk for coffee, small shops, and dinner. Use it as an evening district after Joslyn, not as a substitute for a core attraction day.
Best for: Dundee and West Omaha, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
2 hoursMorning$$
Visit official site Plan the rest of your Omaha trip
See neighborhoods, trip ideas, and the full destination planner in one place.
Hours, tickets, seasonal access, and reservation policies can change. Check the official source before you go. Last destination review: 2026-09-22.