Omaha, Nebraska is as Midwest of a town as you can get, tucked nicely between all the cornfields and along the Missouri River. Omaha is truly a fun destination to discover, and not one to be skipped over. Catch a NCAA baseball game at Charles Schwab field, rent a bike for a day to explore the Old Market area or take a quick trip over the bridge to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Dive in and explore all that Omaha can offer.
Over 35 recommendations are included in this guide:
🏨 Where to Stay
🏙️ Things to do in Downtown
🍽️ Where to Eat & Drink in Omaha
🛣️ Alternative trip options
If you are flying into Omaha, you will arrive at Eppley Airfield just north of downtown. It is a smaller, regional airport making it easier to navigate. It takes about 12-15 minutes to drive into downtown Omaha depending on where you are staying. If you’re driving, there is tons of easy parking around the city and it’s relatively safe to explore by car in Omaha.
A smaller regional airport servicing the Omaha region. They offer a decent number of flights daily
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Where to Stay
There are a wide array of options for places to stay in Omaha. Depending on what you plan to do, we recommend staying closer to downtown if you don't have a rental car. The city is very walkable and bus transportation is available as well.Â
A pretty standard Double Tree hotel experience with a pool, gym and coffee shop inside for the mornings. They have a free shuttle to and from the airport as well. Breakfast is available for a fee and coin operated laundry is located inside as well. Staff was helpful to handle any concerns that may arise during your stay.
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Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area
Located close by the Baseball field, it is a great spot to stay if you are planning to be on this side of town.
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Things to Do - Day 1Â
Looking for a cup of coffee not from Starbucks, this local coffee shop has a mixture of drink offerings and small pastries. Stop by before starting your adventure around Omaha.
A small coffee shop and bookstore that is inclusive to all. Has great pastry items and drinks to sit and enjoy. They have the best seating space in the windows. I had a lovely visit here!
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The famous and well known Zoo and Aquarium are a must see destination while in Omaha. They offer special events and is great for families.Â
They have delicious steamed veggies and french fries.
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Finish your day by relaxing at the Green Room. Located close by a bus stop or within walking distance of most hotels downtown, this hip cocktail bar is worth checking out. They do not serve any food, but you can order food in from other local restaurants.Â
Local cocktail and bar spot with a pool table. Some outdoor seating is available and they will often host live music for guests to enjoy. Bar tenders are knowledgable and have great recommendations. They DO NOT serve food here, but allow you to order food from elsewhere and bring in.
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Things to Do - Day 2
Enjoy a relaxing morning wandering around the Old Market section of downtown Omaha to explore local stores, enjoy great eats and check out some of the special oddities located in town.Â
Kick start your day with a fresh baked muffin or a nice cup of coffee from Sozo. This place is unique with pool tables, study rooms to rent and a foosball table. A great spot to meet with friends.
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For a great lunch spot, check out the Untamed Kitchen. Well known for their vegan bowl options, this place has a variety of choices to pick from and is on the healthier side too.
Vegan food option located in downtown Omaha. Great for friends with food sensitivities.
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Explore The Old Market Area - Downtown Omaha
About 3 blocks of fun located on the Southside of downtown Omaha. Full of restaurants, local stores, coffee shops and much more! Check out our favorite stops in town listed below. Lots of easy parking in this area for those with a car.
Unique store with fun shirts, stickers, paper goods, and much more. Mainly focused on Midwest items and equality for all. Connected to a records store.
Worth it to stop by this little ally way home to an art gallery, a few shops and a restaurant. Please be mindful of their rules for photos in this space as it is private property.
Not JUST a candy store but a whole experience focused on nostalgia, fun and lots to look at. The whole experience can be a bit overwhelming with stuff everywhere and endless rows of items. Take your time exploring the store to not miss something.
Homemade ice cream, and when they say homemade they make it just inside the doors. A unique way to see the behind the scenes of the ice cream scene. They feature tons of unusual flavors specific to their brand only. Worth a visit!
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Sit back and relax at the Gene Leahy Park space located along the RiverFront. Recently redone to include a top notch playground, large grass space to throw a ball around, lots of seating options and a hammock section.
The river no longer runs fully through this area but can still be seen from the slide section. Highly recommend checking out this space. Perfect for families and individuals of all ages. A great way to enjoy good weather.
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For a night out, check out Laka Lono Rum Club for a tiki bar vibe or Moe & Curly's Pub for karaoke! Both are great places for a group of friends for a night out on the town.
Looking for a place to drink and sing your heart out to karaoke, look no further. This place is great to have a fun night singing and dancing with friends. Not a fancy vibe.
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Special Events - Live Entertainment, Concerts, Sports Games and More!
Baxter area is the perfect place to catch a college hockey game or special concert performance.
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Alternative Trip Options
There is so much to see and do in Omaha that one weekend just isn't enough. Check out these alternative trip options to make your visit as enjoyable as possible.Â
Popular on weekends and is more of a speakeasy vibe, this cocktail bar is a nice change of pace from the dive bar scene. Dress up and enjoy an evening here.
The perfect place to enjoy on a rainy day or to beat the winter weather. Staff was very welcoming and we had a blast at the adult skate on Tuesday night.
Fun for children or adults or the whole family together, this is a unique museum like experience to enjoy while in town. Perfect for an adult date night on Thursdays, or for rainy days.
Located along the riverside, this park space is perfect for a spring or summer day with good weather. In the winter, they also have a skating ribbon to enjoy!
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Be sure to let us know on Instagram @weekendpostcards all about your favorite experiences in Omaha.
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