One Day in Omaha: An Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

I’ll be honest: Omaha, Nebraska, wasn’t high on our travel wish list. When it came up as an option with cheap flights for a quick weekend away, we still got a frequent, “Omaha? Really?” from friends and family.

We knew almost nothing about Omaha beyond steaks and Warren Buffett. I mean, there’s certainly some of that, but it was also unexpectedly fun.

Between the brick streets of the Old Market, a nice riverfront, and an eating scene beyond the steaks, there’s more going on here than you’d expect.

If you’re visiting Nebraska’s largest city for work, a wedding, or, as several Lyft drivers suggested, a funeral, here’s how to spend one day in Omaha.

Quick Tips for Your Omaha Visit

Your Flight: You’ll likely arrive at Eppley Airfield, or Omaha Airport, just north of downtown. Use Skyscanner to watch flights. Love deals? Subscribe to Going.

Your Accommodations: We stayed at the Hyatt Place Omaha Downtown Old Market and would recommend it. Browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for more options. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.

Your Ride: Downtown Omaha is very walkable. If you’re traveling elsewhere, book a rental car ahead of time.

Top Spots: Walk the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, explore the Durham Museum, and visit the world-class Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

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One day is enough to see Omaha’s highlights.

A full day is enough to experience the best of Omaha if you focus on downtown and nearby neighborhoods. You’ll have time to wander the historic Old Market district, explore the riverfront parks, and still fit in a visit to Omaha’s famous zoo.

If you stay longer, Omaha makes a decent destination for a slow weekend, especially if you like a good steak. I keep talking about the meat because it is, indeed, a thing here.

How to Spend a Day in Omaha

You can spend a day in Omaha like this:

Explore the Old Market district.
Walk the riverfront parks and the Bob Kerrey Bridge.
Tour the Durham Museum.
Eat the original Reuben sandwich.
Visit Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
Grab a drink at a local brewery or wine bar.
Finish with a classic Omaha steak dinner.

Stop 1: The Old Market

A horse and carriage trot down the street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska.

Start your day wandering the Old Market, Omaha’s best neighborhood. This 15-block district is full of brick streets, historic warehouses, and old railroad tracks that run right through.

Stop by Hollywood Candy if you want something sweet for later (or for now). The retro candy store is filled with vintage memorabilia.

Stop 2: The Riverfront Parks

A bridge over the river in Omaha, Nebraska

From the Old Market, walk toward the Missouri River to explore several connected parks.

Start at Heartland of America Park, a scenic green space with a lake and walking paths. Continue north to Lewis and Clark Landing, the historic landing site of the 1804 expedition.

If the weather cooperates, keep walking to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

The 3,000-foot walkway stretches across the Missouri River and connects Nebraska to Iowa. It’s a fun walk, and technically lets you stand in two states at once. I’m all about efficiency.

A man straddles two states in Omaha, Nebraska.

The bridge also connects to a network of bike and walking trails if you want to plan a ride or boost that pedometer.

The riverfront is also a great place for people-watching. During our visit, shirtless men were trying to catch Asian carp that were practically jumping into their boat in the nearby river.

If you’ve never heard a carp-catcher yell, “Did you see those f*ckers?!?” you haven’t lived.

Stop 3: Durham Museum

A woman has some fun at an exhibit in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Durham Museum sits inside Omaha’s historic Union Station, and the building alone is impressive enough to warrant a quick visit.

Admire the 13-foot chandeliers and patterned terrazzo floors, and grab an old-school malt or phosphate from the vintage soda fountain.

Fun fact: A phosphate is a classic American soda fountain drink made with carbonated water, flavored syrup, and a dash of phosphoric acid. It’s a nostalgic bevvie that predates modern sodas.

Downstairs, you’ll find vintage train cars you can walk through, along with exhibits covering everything from the Omaha tribe to the invention of the TV dinner.

Stop 4: Lunch at Crescent Moon Ale House

The famous Reuben at Crescent Moon Ale House in Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha claims to be the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich. As it’s top-tier for me when it comes to my favorite sandwiches, I obviously had to taste the original at Crescent Moon Ale House.

Their famous Blackstone Reuben is made in the classic way: corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing piled high on grilled rye bread. It was messy and delicious.

While you’re here, try a beer flight featuring local breweries like Infusion Brewing Company. Their Vanilla Bean Blonde is a local favorite.

Stop 5: Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

The lemur exhibit at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska

We don’t generally make time for zoos if we’re only in a destination for a short period of time, but we had to make an exception here.

The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is consistently ranked among the best zoos in the world, and the conservation work being done here made me feel better about the stop.

Highlights include the Desert Dome, one of the world’s largest indoor deserts, their lemur exhibit, and the aquarium complex.

Note: The Desert Dome can turn into stroller gridlock, especially on warm, sunny days when the kids are out of school, so enter at your own risk.

Even if you’ve visited great zoos before, including ones in cities like San Diego, Omaha holds its own.

Stop 6: Pre-Dinner Drinks

A man has a beer at a brewery in Omaha, Nebraska.

Before dinner, head back toward the Old Market for a drink. We liked La Buvette, a French-style wine bar with good charcuterie and an extensive wine list.

While it didn’t make me feel like I was in France, especially after having lived in France, it was a pleasant surprise. If you’re hungry, let the kitchen build a charcuterie plate and settle in with a glass of wine.

If you like the sound of a brewery right now, we liked Upstream Brewing Company. Their food was just OK, but the beer and service were both great.

Brickway Brewery & Distillery is another fun option if you’re traveling in a group with folks who can’t decide between beer and single-malt whisky. I had their house hard seltzer here, which was just fine. (I would just go for beer next time.)

Stop 7: Dinner at Gorat’s Steak House

A cutout of Warren Buffet in Omaha, Nebraska

You can’t visit Omaha without having steak. I mean, you can, if you’re vegan or off red meat, but it’s one of the things this city is famous for. I don’t eat much red meat myself, but when in Omaha, or however that goes.

One of the most famous places in town is Gorat’s Steak House, a classic Italian steakhouse that’s been open since 1944.

It’s also known as the favorite restaurant of Warren Buffett, who reportedly orders a 22-ounce T-bone when he visits.

During our dinner, the closest we got to Buffett was a cardboard cutout, but the steaks were excellent. We had the filet and a whiskey buffalo steak, cooked to perfection.

Fun fact: Buffett usually eats in a private side room and tends to tip a very predictable 20 percent. It seems low all things considered, but I’m no billionaire.

If you like options for Omaha restaurants, Brother Sebastian’s was an alternative on our list for steaks. M’s Pub is a popular local favorite for bistro fare.

Stop 8: Dessert at Ted & Wally’s

End your day in Omaha on a sweet note at Ted & Wally’s, a local ice cream institution. Their old-school machine churns right in front of you for rich, creamy ice cream.

Note: There are two locations in the city, but opt for the downtown address for efficiency’s sake.

One scoop is usually plenty. Flavors rotate regularly and often include inventive options like apple spice, cinnamon sweet potato, and Girl Scout cookie varieties.

With More Time in Omaha

A man looks at a waddling goose in Omaha, Nebraska.

If you have more than a day in Omaha, here are a few extra stops to consider:

Visit the Joslyn Art Museum for a mix of classical and contemporary art in a historic building.
Explore the Omaha Children’s Museum for interactive exhibits if you’re traveling with kids.
Discover more local history at the Great Plains Black History Museum, with exhibits on civil rights and community achievements.
Spend an afternoon at the Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s botanical gardens, featuring themed gardens and a model train exhibit.
Bike ride along the Keystone Trail, a scenic path that winds through the northwest side of Omaha.
Take a stroll through Benson, a lively neighborhood with murals and a decent nightlife scene.
Visit the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts for cutting-edge art installations and artist residencies.

What’s the best time of year to visit Omaha?

Omaha has a mix of seasons, so the best time to visit depends on what you’re looking for:

Spring (March-May): Spring is perfect for mild weather and outdoor activities like walking along the riverfront or enjoying the Omaha Zoo.
Summer (June-August): Summer is great for festivals and events, but it can get hot. Be prepared for temperatures in the 90s.
Fall (September-November): Fall brings cooler temps and fewer crowds, and the fall colors make the parks even more picturesque.
Winter (December-February): This is the season for cozy indoor activities. The city is less crowded, but the temperatures are cold.

Where to Stay in Omaha

Staying downtown makes the most sense if you’re just here for the day. The Old Market is the best area for first-time visitors for its walkability, and that’s what we did.

We stayed at the Hyatt Place Omaha Downtown Old Market, which was comfortable and centrally located for exploring. If you’d like to browse a bit, check out the map below for more accommodations in Omaha:

Omaha Visit FAQs

What’s Omaha known for besides steaks?

While steaks are a big deal, Omaha is also famous for Warren Buffett. The Oracle of Omaha’s influence can be felt all over the city, from the annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting to his favorite steakhouse (Gorat’s).

The city is also known for the beloved Omaha Zoo, the Old Market District, and the College World Series. The annual baseball championship held at Charles Schwab Field every summer draws college teams from across the country.

Is Omaha safe for tourists?

Omaha is generally considered a very safe city, especially in tourist-heavy areas like the Old Market, downtown, and the riverfront. Like any city, it’s a good idea to stay aware of your surroundings and keep valuables out of view.

Can I visit Omaha without a car?

Absolutely! If you’re sticking to downtown or the Old Market, you can easily get around on foot, by bike, or via rideshare. If you’re planning to visit the zoo, museums, or other outlying spots, you might need a Lyft or Uber.

Is Omaha a good destination for families?

Omaha is very family-friendly. The Omaha Zoo is perfect for all ages, and the Durham Museum is a great educational stop. For younger kids, the Omaha Children’s Museum and The Big Garden are fun places to explore.

Omaha is more fun than you think.

Omaha might not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a trip, but it makes for a surprisingly enjoyable stop.

Between the historic downtown, riverfront parks, decent food scene, and one of the best zoos in the country, there’s plenty to fill a day. If nothing else, you’ll leave knowing where to find a really good Reuben sandwich.

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