Omaha is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska, with about 486,000 residents in 2020. Tourist attractions in Omaha include history, sports, outdoors and cultural experiences. Its principal tourist attractions are the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Men's College World Series. The Old Market in Downtown Omaha is another major attraction and is important to the city's retail economy.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
It is on the Missouri River border with Iowa, along Interstates 29 and 80. Omaha has some unusual traits, as it has the most millionaires per capita in the nation, and is also home to billionaire Warren Buffett, one of the world's richest and most famous investors. Conversely, it also has one of the highest rates of African Americans living under the poverty line.
Neighbourhoods of Omaha are generally ill-defined and rarely used. When describing a location, Omahans are more likely to give an intersection. For example "39th & Davenport" for Joslyn Castle or "156th & Center" for Zorinsky lake. Roughly speaking: Downtown is between I-480 and the Missouri River, Midtown is between I-480 and I-680, and West Omaha is west of I-680. By far the easiest and most convenient way of getting around. The city is a grid and easily navigable, numbered streets run north-south and increase in number as you go west. Parking is plentiful and often free outside of downtown, and traffic jams are rare.
1 Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, 3701 S 10th St (take Exit 454 on I-80, for 13th St South toward Stadium-Zoo), ☏ +1 402-733-8401. 9AM-5PM. This nationally renowned zoo is Nebraska's number one paid attraction. It features an expansive and aquarium, "Kingdoms of the Night" (world's largest nocturnal exhibit and indoor swamp), the Lied Jungle (world's largest indoor rainforest), and the "Desert Dome" (world's largest indoor desert). $29.95 adults, $22.95 children, $28.95 seniors and military.
Many parks and recreational areas are scattered throughout Omaha. 1 The RiverFront. Urban park and greenspace stretching from 13th Street to the Missouri River, between Douglas and Farnam Streets. Completed in 2023, it replaced the Gene Leahy Mall and Heartland of America Park. Includes a concert/ performing arts stage, roller skate rink, and an observation deck with views of Iowa and the Missouri River. The park hosts concerts and plays in the warmer months and allows pedestrians easy access to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and Lewis and Clark Landing to the north. Free. (updated Aug 2024) 2 Heartland of America Park. Runs along the riverfront and has two fountains.
It's said that Omaha has more restaurants per capita than almost anywhere else in the world. Omaha and much of Nebraska are known for high quality corn-fed beef. Smoking is illegal inside all restaurants in Nebraska. Smoking on outdoor patios is legal, but is rare and usually prohibited. Below are a selection of locations to eat in Omaha. 1 California Tacos and More, 3235 California St (from US-6/Dodge St, head north on 33rd St), ☏ +1 402-342-0212. Mon-Sat 11AM-9PM, closed Sun. Specializing in fried "puffy-shell" tacos, this small taco place offers filling Mexican food, quick and cheap. Tables get scarce in the afternoon. Happy hour is 4PM-5PM.
All restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in Omaha are smoke-free indoors. Smoking on outdoor patios is legal, though rather uncommon. All bars in Omaha must close by 2AM. Beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased in grocery stores. Hard liquor cannot be served or sold before noon on Sunday. 1 The Crescent Moon, 3578 Farnam St, ☏ +1 402-345-1708. Tue-Thu 11AM-1AM, Fri Sat 11AM-2AM, Sun Mon 11AM-11PM. A large pub with a German Bier Hall down below. Checkout Max and Joe's tasting room next door. If you find a drink you like, stop in Beertopia to grab a six-pack of it, or any other craft beer you'd like, both owned by the same people. A must visit for all lovers of beer.
Omaha is generally a safe city, but still use common sense. Simply using caution and avoiding any situation in which you are uncomfortable will basically keep you out of trouble. The vast majority of violent crime occurs in North Omaha, roughly defined as the area North of Cuming St, between 24th and 72nd St. Exercise a bit of additional caution when in this area, especially after dark. Omaha is in Tornado Alley, so severe weather can erupt between the months of April and August with the main threats being hail, high winds and street flooding, but tornadoes can sometimes be a threat. Tornado alert sirens are located throughout the city.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Sep, Omaha typically sees ~26°C daytime highs and 5 rainy days.
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