Top Things to Do in Omaha
Nebraska’s largest city blends a famous zoo, top-notch museums and world-class dining into a lively downtown on the Missouri River. See our recommendations for what to do, where to eat and where to stay in Omaha.
Do
The Berry and Rye Craft cocktails- such as Debonair Pear made with gin and pear liqueur flamed with green chartreuse- reflect the sexy appeal of this bar in the Old Market. theberryandrye.com
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Spanning 3,000 feet across the Missouri River, the footbridge links Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, and connects to trails and parks. visitomaha.com
Brysons Airboat Tours Zip up the Platte River at up to 40 mph, stopping to watch eaglets on nests or to explore a sandbar. Tours leave from Fremont, 30 miles northwest of Omaha. brysonsairboattours.com
Driftwood Paddleboard Adventures Glide along Zorinsky or Standing Bear lakes on a stand-up paddleboard excursion. Guides make even first-time paddleboarders feel at ease. driftwoodpaddleadventures.com
Durham Museum A restored Art Deco train station celebrates the state's pioneer history and railroading legacy with exhibits, such as a streetcar, passenger train and gallery, illustrating life 100 years ago. durhammuseum.org
Heartland of America Park Lighted fountains sparkle at night above ConAgra Lake in this park along the Missouri River. Gondola rides take visitors on short cruises. visitomaha.com
Holland Performing Arts Center Outstanding acoustics and contemporary design draw patrons for the Omaha Symphony and world-class entertainers. omahaperformingarts.org
Joslyn Art Museum One of the nation's finest examples of Art Deco architecture houses more than 12,000 pieces, including the glass sculpture Chihuly: Inside and Out. joslyn.org
Lauritzen Gardens More than 2 miles of paths wind through gardens along the Missouri River; tropical and temperate plants thrive in the conservatory. lauritzengardens.org
Old Market Cobblestone streets crisscross the 20-square-block revived warehouse district with nearly 100 shops, galleries, taverns and restaurants. Special events include a Saturday farmers market and First Friday art walks. oldmarket.com
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium The new $22 million Asian Highlands exhibit transports visitors to the land of red pandas, Amur tigers and snow leopards. It joins other immersive habitats such as the African Grasslands, ocean, desert, rainforest, nocturnal and butterfly exhibits. omahazoo.com
TD Ameritrade Park Omaha The NCAA Men's College World Series in June draws more than 300,000 fans to this open-air stadium along the Missouri River. cwsomaha.com
Eat
Au Courant Regional Kitchen The dishes change frequently as local harvests provide new ingredients at this Benson neighborhood restaurant. Sample the best of the New European cuisine with the Chef's Pick tasting menu, a six-course dinner. aucourantrestaurant.com
Avoli Osteria White walls and stark black booths and chairs keep the focus on inventive northern Italian food. Not to be missed: the Bistecca Grilliata, a rare and tender 30-ounce ribeye from a Piedmontese, an Italian cow bred in Nebraska. avoliosteria.com
Block 16 Order from a chalkboard menu with options such as a Croque Garcon Burger with cheese, ham and a fried egg. Imaginative fry toppings at the downtown spot include dragon sauce, cheese curds and crushed fortune cookies. block16omaha.com
Dario's Brasserie Think Cheers with a French accent. The friendly waitstaff serves Trappist monk ales, quiches, crepes and mussels. dariosbrasserie.com
Dinker's Bar Just off Interstate-80, a sign on the plain exterior boasts Omaha's Best Burger. You'll be sold after one bite of the Haystack Burger topped with honey-smoked ham and a fried egg. dinkersbar.com
The Flatiron Surf and turf is the way to go at this downtown classic. Think poached lobster with king crab and truffle-oil risotto or grilled beef tenderloin. theflatironcafe.com
Gorat's Steakhouse Hometown billionaire Warren Buffett favors this classic spot that serves tender steaks and seafood in an old-school, family-friendly setting. goratsomaha.com
Grey Plume An ever-evolving organic menu celebrates ingredients from Nebraska farms, such as a bison burger oozing with juicy flavor. Recycled wood floors and tabletops add warmth to the contemporary setting. thegreyplume.com
HIRO 88 Patrons come to this hip Old Market restaurant for the sushi, but the Japanese and Chinese entrees are delicious as well. Try the mild peanut butter chicken. hiro88.com
J. Coco In an old Dundee-neighborhood grocery store, the chef delights guests with the likes of spice-dusted ribeye with mashed potato balls and collard greens. jcocoomaha.com
Johnny's Cafe The Kawa family ages its own beef. Omaha's iconic steak house has been located in South Omaha since 1922. johnnyscafe.com
Modern Love New York City transplant Isa Moskowitz cranks out comfort food and desserts in this 13-table vegan beacon. The Mac and Shews-creamy with cashews-won us over. modernloveomaha.com
Mula Mexican Kitchen and Tequileria In the up-and-coming Blackstone District, sip a margarita with strawberry tequila while deciding between a torta sandwich or tacos in hand-rolled corn tortillas. mulaomaha.com
Nite Owl Eclectic '70s- inspired decor, craft cocktails, juicy burgers and fun dishes like fried Oreos make the Nite Owl one of the city's hippest bars. niteowlomaha.com
Over Easy Ingredients from area farms, gardens and dairies flavor creations such as fruit-filled toaster pastries and Dutch baby pancakes. overeasyomaha.com
Plank Seafood Provisions In this Old Market spot, an oyster bar and the skeleton of a boat hanging from the ceiling inject coastal flair. Visit during happy hour for $1.25 oysters. plankseafood.com
Saddle Creek Breakfast Club Go vegan (chickpea toast, tofu rancheros) or traditional (ham and eggs, French toast) at this breakfast hot spot northwest of Midtown. Saddle Creek Breakfast Club Facebook
Stirnella The seasonal menu might include toasted beef ravioli, sweet corn risotto and halibut with tomato butter at this new gastropub in the Blackstone District. stirnella.com
Via Farina Chefs make pasta by hand and pull pizzas from a wood-fired oven in the open kitchen. Try the Egg Yolk Raviolo, with ricotta and a sunny yolk oozing out of a single piece of filled pasta. goviafarina.com
Zio's Pizzeria There are three around town, but the Zio's Old Market location is convenient for downtown visitors. Mix and match 40 toppings to create a slice of pizza perfection. ziospizzeria.com
Stay
Element Omaha Midtown Crossing Full kitchens, rain shower baths and posh mattresses-along with free bikes and an included breakfast-make for great stays in an ecofriendly hotel. elementomaha.com
Hotel Deco XV The lobby and 89 rooms in this 1930s building blend Art Deco and modern elements. A remodeled first floor features the Monarch Prime & Bar, which specializes in steaks. hoteldecoomaha.com
Magnolia Hotel Omaha Guests sink into comfy beds with custom linens at the 1923 building near the Old Market. magnoliahotelomaha.com
Residence Inn Omaha Downtown A vintage FBI poster, vault door and terrazzo tile remind guests of the all-suite hotel's days as the Federal Building. A free shuttle to nearby attractions, such as the Old Market, saves parking hassles. marriott.com
More information: Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau visitomaha.com