Places to Visit/Things to Do
Do you like admiring beautiful art? Head over to the Joslyn Art Museum. Here, you can find mostly European and American art dating between the 1800’s to the 1900’s. Some famous artists include Winslow Homer, Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, and several more. Other than European and American art, the museum is home to an American Indian collection. One of the most admirable things in the museum is the Chihuly glass chandelier. Entrance to the facility is free. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, they are open from 10 am to 4 pm. On Thursday, they are open from 10 am to 8 pm. The museum is closed on Monday and major holidays. Hours for special events may differ.
A great zoo to visit while you’re in Omaha is Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. Here, you can really have a great animal experience with penguins, gorillas, sharks, and much more. The zoo also has an IMAX Theater, which plays documentaries. For the kids, the zookeepers hold animal presentations each day. The zoo is open everyday from 9 am to 5 pm. If you’re visiting during the winter season, there might be shortened hours. Entrance costs anywhere from $9.95 to $19.95, depending on the age of the visitor and season. For the theater and some other attractions, there are additional fees.
Another attraction you can’t miss while in Omaha, the Durham Museum is popular with both locals and tourists alike. The Durham Museum is associated with the Smithsonian Institution. At this museum, you can find exhibits which team about Omaha’s history. Some of these exhibits include those on Plain Indians, early dwellings of settlers, and more. Since the Durham Museum building is actually a restored train station from 1931, there are interesting train cars on display. The museum’s layout and exhibits help visitors understand what life was like back for the early settlers and natives. The Durham Museum is located in the Old Market area. They are from 10 am to 8 pm on Tuesday, and from 10 am to 5 pm from Wednesday through Saturday. On Sundays, they open at 1 and close at 5 pm. Admission costs $11 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $7 for kids 3 to 12. Kids under 3 get in for free.
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Omaha Children’s Museum
If you have kids with you on your Omaha visit, you MUST bring them here. Located in the Old Market area, the Omaha Children’s Museum is a place for kids to let their imaginations run wild. The Creative Arts Center, which is located within, lets kids make arts and crafts, then keep them. For the younger kids, there is also an Imagination Playground. This contains a farm, a firehouse, and a market, as well as other hands-on exhibits. Entrance to the Omaha Children’s Museum is $12 for adults and above 2. For seniors, it is $11; it is free for kids under 2. The museum is open all year; on Tuesday through Friday, they are open from 10 to 4 pm. On Saturday, they are open from 9 am to 5 pm; on Sunday, they open at 11 am and close at 5 pm. During the summer, the museum is open on Mondays from 10 am to 5 pm.
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Lauritzen Gardens – Omaha Botanical Gardens
If you enjoy nature and its beauty, you might want to consider heading over to the Lauritzen Gardens. Also known as the Omaha Botanical Gardens, it features flowers, herbs, and more. Other than outdoor gardens, there is also an indoor conservatory. Other than the gardens, there are three miles of trails on which you can explore nature’s plants. For those who don’t want to walk, a tram is available for $3 per person. The $3 covers “an hour-long narrated tour of the 100-acre property.” The tram is available only through the months of May to October. The Lauritzen Gardens – Omaha Botanical Gardens is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, but they stay open until 8 pm from between May to September. The extra hours are for the Garden Twilight, a summer event that happens every year for visitors to enjoy the garden beauty at dusk. Admission for adults is $10, $5 for kids 6 to 12, and free for those younger than 6.
Best Way to TourOmaha, NE
- The best way to tour the city of Omaha (as well as many other cities) is by chartered buses and vans. Explore at your own pace within the safety of your private vehicle. Don’t worry about ordering an Uber or Lyft when you have your own exploration vehicle. Through busneeds.com, you can order the buses you need. Busneeds.com is an amazing, affordable chartered vehicle company that caters to your every needs. Whether you need a bus for school trips, marriages, parties, campaigns, or whatever else, Busneeds.com can help you. Busneeds.com offers buses, mini buses, school buses, party buses, and more. Most activities and destinations listed above and below are accessible by chartered buses. Visit busneeds.com to book your rental bus today!
Best Places to Eat/Shop
- The Crossroads Mall –The Crossroads Mall is one of the best places to shop in Omaha. They are filled with a large selection of retailers, dining options, and services.
- Oak View Mall –Oak View is another popular mall in Omaha. This is the place for shopping at popular retailers and enjoying a variety of food from their food court.
- Old Market – Old Market is the heart and soul of Omaha. Here, you can find a variety of shops, restaurants, and more. Not only can you shop and eat here, but you can enjoy as Old Market is home to many popular attractions.
- One Pacific Place –One Pacific Place is another amazing place for shopping, as well as dining. It contains many popular retail stores, along with some of Omaha’s most popular restaurants.
- 801 Chophouse – 801 Chophouse is an American steakhouse with a high price tag. But according to its visitors, the money is worth it. 801 Chophouse is rated the #1 fine-dining restaurant in Omaha by tripadvisor (in 2018).
- Block 16 – Omaha has great local cuisine, but the Block 16 is considered one of the best. The American restaurant is vegetarian and vegan friendly, but it has the foods meat-lovers enjoy. Block 16 is rated the #1 local restaurant in Omaha by tripadvisor (in 2018).
Enjoy your Vacation!