Top Family-Friendly Omaha Attractions Through the Eyes of a Local

Omaha delights visitors with its variety of things to do, including impressive museums and attractions. Our Henry Doorly Zoo is world-class, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Having spent a lifetime exploring my hometown, I’ve got my list of favorite Omaha attractions that I return to several times a year with my family. From forest hikes to an Imagination Playground, Omaha is one of the coolest cities you’ve yet to discover—especially when you have kids in tow.

Travel back in time at the Durham Museum

Behold the Great Hall of the Durham Museum—the fabulous, art deco building formerly known as Union Station. Photo Credit: Durham Museum

You can’t help but get swept up in the region’s history when you visit the Durham Museum. This massive, art deco style Omaha attraction was once Union Station, and remnants of railroad history remain, from the ticket counters to the old-fashioned soda fountain, where you can order a root beer float to enjoy as you marvel at the Great Hall. On the lower level, tour train cars and a trolley, as well as permanent and temporary exhibits. Kids will love the large model train exhibit and the buffalo.

Find artistic inspiration at Joslyn Art Museum

The kids get their chance to play at Art Works, a hands-on studio at the Joslyn Art Museum. Photo Credit: Joslyn Art Museum

Just a short drive from downtown, the Joslyn Art Museum is an easy Omaha attraction to add to any visit—admission is free (unless you want to see the ticketed temporary exhibition). iPad tablets are available in some galleries to help you dive further into the stories behind the artwork. Plan on taking your kids to the lower level for Art Works, a hands-on studio with a stop-motion animation station, digital painting, building and still-life sketching. Kids can even play in the fountain in front of the museum.

Let your imaginations run free at Omaha Children’s Museum

Kids will love the colorful, interactive exhibits at Omaha Children’s Museum. Photo Credit: Omaha Children’s Museum

If your children are younger than 9 years old, there’s no better indoor Omaha attraction than Omaha Children’s Museum. (Full disclosure: I work at the museum, but I was a member years before working there.) This two-story gem has permanent and temporary exhibits, a carousel and multiple shows daily to get kids excited about science, reading, engineering and more. Younger kids will love the Imagination Playground with a mini grocery store, water table and barn. Older kids will love the science center and Tinker Lab, where they can build things using real, kid-size tools and even a band saw. (Yep, it’s been made safe to use with adult supervision.)

Explore the world’s best zoo at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

The Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium, located within Henry Doorly Zoo, features a 70-foot shark tunnel among its massive display of underwater life.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is often No. 1 in world zoo rankings, and for good reason. Exhibits not to be missed at this top Omaha attraction include the indoor rainforest, the Desert Dome, the shark tunnel in the aquarium, and the African Grasslands, where you’ll find elephants, giraffes and other creatures. When the weather’s nice, pack swimsuits and a towel and take the kids to the Children’s Adventure Trails and Alaskan Adventure, which features dozens of unique, bronze sculptures—including an 18-foot high version of a humpback whale—that spray water through their “snouts.”

While there are plenty of great , you should plan to eat at the zoo during your visit. My favorite spot with a view is the Durham TreeTops Restaurant, where you can sit at a table overlooking the indoor rainforest! For a truly unique experience at this Omaha attraction, stay overnight at the zoo during one of their Family Sleeping Bag Safari events. For the remainder of your stay, you can choose from a variety of a conveniently located, family-friendly hotels in Omaha.

Stop and smell the roses at Lauritzen Gardens

There's an endless supply of outdoor activities in Omaha. Start your adventures in the Great Outdoors by visiting Lauritzen Gardens. It's a year-round destination thanks to a beautiful conservatory that makes strolling through the gardens of this Omaha attraction possible even on the coldest winter day. When the weather cooperates, I head outside and stop at the picturesque Victorian Garden. My kids love the Model Railroad Garden, which is a seasonal garden with model trains running along bridges and past Omaha landmarks made out of twigs and other natural materials.

Hit the trails at Fontenelle Forest

One of my favorite places to hike is Fontenelle Forest. There are miles of dirt trails at this Omaha attraction, as well as a boardwalk that makes the forest accessible for all abilities and families traveling with strollers. There’s a kids nature playscape you’ll want to stop at if you have little ones. I recommend visiting the Raptor Woodland Refuge to learn about the rescue program and see some of the rehabilitated birds.