When people who aren’t familiar with the Nebraska area first hear about Omaha, their mind immediately jumps to several different stereotypes: that all Nebraskans are farmers and that there is nothing in the state but cornfields. There is also a widely-accepted stereotype that there aren’t any large cities and that the state is made up of small towns. While all of these stereotypes are true to some extent, they’re grossly exaggerated. In actuality, Nebraska is home to a large metropolitan area – the Omaha metropolitan area. Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska with approximately 1.2 million in the metropolitan area. The capital of Nebraska is Lincoln, the second largest city. Lincoln is approximately an hour away from Omaha, and in the past there was quite a bit of open space in between the two cities. However, in recent years, both cities have been developed tremendously and are spreading their city lines. In fact, the area between the two cities is mostly developed now, and soon they will form one metropolitan area with a population of well over two million people. With Omaha being a thriving metropolitan city, there is plenty to do, and being an Omaha resident myself, it’s my intention to give you the inside scoop of the top ten attractions in Omaha
Top 10 Attractions in the Omaha Area:
1.) The Henry Doorly Zoo – a world renowned research and conservation zoo that is annually recognized as one of the top zoos in the nation. Reader’s Digest voted it the number one zoo in the nation above the San Diego Zoo, in 2004. There are several exhibits including: the Lied Jungle (largest indoor rainforest in the world), Kingdom of the Seas Aquarium (which features a 70 foot long transparent glass shark tunnel), the Desert Dome (the world’s largest indoor desert, Kingdoms of the Night (below the Desert Dome, features a cave, canyon, swamp, and more and shows snakes, a white alligator, and other desert animals in their artificially simulated habitat). Additionally the zoo also sports a gorilla complexe, an orangutan forest, the world’s second-largest free-flight aviary, the world’s largest indoor cat complex, a petting zoo, and more The price at the zoo is very reasonable as well, ranging from free (4 and under) to $10.25 (12-61), they also have a senior discount.
2.) The Old Market District – a restored old-town district that used to be the central market area in the city, and it included warehouses, industrial buildings, and agricultural buildings. However, now it has been fully renovated and all of the buildings are restaurants, bars, antique stores, and boutiques. The Old Market also has street performers, artists, and musicians that perform there nightly throughout the area. The Old Market is located in downtown Omaha and during the day is relatively dead (though the stores are open), though at night, especially on the weekends, it can be difficult to find parking because the area is so busy. For an added bit of romance, there are horse-drawn carriages that take you through the Old Market, the ConAgra campus, and more, for a pleasant experience Be warned however, though there is a variety of restaurants in the area (every type of cuisine, fast food, and family restaurant), the area also has several restaurants that charge upwards of $100 a plate – be sure to check the menu before you order
3.) The Strategic Air Command Museum – though not located in the city of Omaha itself, the Strategic Air Command Museum (SAC Museum) is located in a small town off I-80 roughly 20 minutes outside Omaha. This museum is one of the country’s largest aerospace museum with a collection of over 300,000 square feet worth of preserved airplanes and missiles. In the museum, there are also interactive exhibits, a movie gallery, restoration gallery, and more! This is a must visit!
4.) Lauritzen Gardens – Also known as the Omaha Botanical Gardens, this is a several acre arboretum that also contains herb gardens, rare trees, and a wide-assortment of flowers. It’s beautiful to visit the Gardens during the spring when the flowers and plants are blooming. The Laurizten Gardens are widely considered to be of world-class caliber. Next to the Gardens is also Kenefick Park, a new memorial and display of a classic Union Pacific train, that can be seen from the interstate. The display is truly classy!
5.) The Missouri River Front – Though not a specific place, along the Missouri Riverfront in downtown Omaha, there are several shops and restaurants that make this a pleasant experience. On most nights, there is also live music, concerts, and other events that occur downtown and near the world-renowned Qwest Convention Center. Additionally, there are walking paths that go through the entire area, for a nice romantic stroll.
6.) Regency Court – This is a high-class (high price) shopping center and plaza that entices not only the wealthy people from Omaha, but also throughout the world. In the court is the home to Borsheim’s, one of the world’s premier jewelry stores owned by Berkshire Hathaway.
7.) Joslyn Art Museum – The largest fine arts museum in Nebraska, with a very large permanent collection, though it also features travelling art exhibits as well. It has a wide array of art, though its emphasis is on 19th and 20th century American and European art.
8.) Durham Western Heritage Museum – Another museum that offers displays relating to the history of the United States and Midwest. The museum is accredited by the Smithsonian Institution, and thus some of the world’s foremost exhibits take place there.
9.) Heartland of America Park – This private park is adjacent to the Fortune 500 ConAgra corporate headquarters. The park is also along the Missouri Riverfront and is just a few blocks away from the Old Market District in downtown Omaha. The park features a 300 foot waterfall that is lit and changes colors during the summer months, and also features a Lewis and Clark Exhibit, ferry, and a walking path that goes through the entire area. At night, on weekends and in the summer months, there are also romantic gondola rides that are offered there.
10.) Gerald R. Ford Birth Site – The 38th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford, was born in Omaha. In dedication to the president, a recreation of his original house along with an outdoor exhibit and garden was built in his honor. The area is simply beautiful.
