Omaha

Around Omaha

Photo: Pub. by General Distributors Company, Omaha, Nebraska. "Tichnor Quality Views… · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · Nebraska · 1.0M people

Omaha

“Gateway to the West”, “The Big O”

The good life starts here.

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Welcome to Omaha! Whether you're here for the College World Series, exploring the Old Market's cobblestone streets, or just grabbing a Runza, you'll find a friendly city with a big riverfront heart. Enjoy your time in the River City!

Clubs for Omaha

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The room

One room for everyone around Omaha. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Omaha. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Henry Doorly Zoo World-renowned, with indoor rainforest and desert dome.
  • Old Market Cobblestone streets, shops, galleries, restaurants.
  • Charles Schwab Field Home of the College World Series.
  • Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Spans the Missouri River, connecting Omaha and Council Bluffs.
  • Joslyn Art Museum Largest art museum in Nebraska.
  • Durham Museum Housed in Union Station, showcasing regional history.
  • Outdoors Walk or bike the Keystone Trail
  • Outdoors Kayak or paddleboard on the Missouri River
  • With kids Visit the Henry Doorly Zoo
  • With kids Explore the Omaha Children's Museum
  • Evenings Bar-hop in the Old Market
  • Evenings Catch live music in Benson
  • Locals love Steakhouses
  • Locals love Local breweries

Through the year

  • College World Series June NCAA baseball championship.
  • Omaha Summer Arts Festival June Arts and crafts fair.
  • Taste of Omaha June Food festival.
  • Maha Music Festival August Music festival.
  • River City Roundup September Rodeo and parade.

Omaha has a continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The best times to be out are spring and fall when temperatures are mild. Best: Spring and fall

Talk like a local

“Big Red”
Nebraska Cornhuskers
“Runza”
A local meat-filled pastry, also the restaurant chain
“River City”
Nickname for Omaha
“OMA”
Shorthand for Omaha (airport code)

Getaways

  • Lincoln State capital, college town, Haymarket district.
  • Sioux City Riverfront, casinos, Hard Rock Hotel.
  • Beatrice Homestead National Monument.
  • Fremont Small town charm, historic sites.

Local flavour

Teams

  • Creighton Bluejays NCAA Division I
  • Omaha Mavericks NCAA Division I
  • Omaha Storm Chasers Triple-A (MiLB)
  • Union Omaha USL League One
  • Omaha Lancers USHL

Also rooting for Nebraska Cornhuskers (college football), Kansas City Royals (MLB)

Eat and drink

  • Runza Stuffed bread pocket with beef, cabbage, and onions; a local chain born in Nebraska.
  • Omaha steak The city is a historic meatpacking hub, famous for high-quality beef.
  • Cheese Frenchees A grilled sandwich with ham and cheese, often served at Runza restaurants.

Where people go

  • Old Market Historic district with brick streets, indie shops, and restaurants.
  • Henry Doorly Zoo One of the world's best zoos, known for its geodesic dome and aquarium.
  • Missouri Riverfront Parks and trails along the river, including the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.
  • Steakhouses Classic Omaha institutions like Gorat's and the Drover, known for prime beef.
  • Casinos In Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the river, offering gaming and entertainment.

Heritage and traditions

Omaha is proud of its frontier and railroad heritage, its world-class zoo, and a vibrant arts and music scene, all wrapped in a friendly, down-to-earth Midwestern attitude.

This time of year in Omaha

  • Omaha Marathon Fall Annual marathon and half-marathon held in the fall.
  • Farmers Market Spring–Fall Seasonal market with local produce and crafts, running spring through fall.

Say it like a local: “Pop” — Soft drink; soda.

Festivals

  • Native Omaha Days August Biennial celebration of African American culture and history in North Omaha.
  • Cinco de Mayo May Large celebration in South Omaha with music, food, and parades.
  • Greek Festival June Hosted by St. John's Greek Orthodox Church, featuring Greek food, music, and dance.
  • Holiday Lights Festival December Downtown Omaha lights up with displays and activities during the holiday season.
  • Omaha Film Festival March Annual film festival showcasing independent and local films.

Landmarks with a story

  • General Crook House Historic Victorian home at Fort Omaha, now a museum.
  • Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters Museum and visitor center commemorating the Mormon pioneers' winter encampment in 1846–47.
  • Kanesville Tabernacle Reconstructed Mormon meetinghouse in Council Bluffs, significant in Latter-day Saint history.
  • Union Pacific Railroad Museum Located in Council Bluffs, this museum tells the story of the transcontinental railroad.
  • Gerald Ford Birthsite and Gardens The birthplace of President Gerald Ford, marked by a monument and garden.
  • St. Cecilia Cathedral A historic Catholic cathedral known for its Byzantine architecture.

Food traditions

  • Reuben sandwich Claimed to have been invented at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha, this grilled sandwich of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing is a local point of pride.
  • Czech kolaches Czech immigrants brought these sweet pastries filled with fruit or poppy seed, now a beloved local treat.
  • South Omaha taquerias A rich Mexican food tradition in South Omaha, with family-run taquerias serving authentic tacos and tortas.

Music and arts

  • Indie rock scene Omaha is known for its indie rock bands like Bright Eyes, The Faint, and Cursive, with a vibrant local music culture.
  • Omaha Community Playhouse One of the largest community theaters in the US, producing a wide range of plays.
  • Omaha Symphony Professional orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
  • Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts A contemporary art center with exhibitions and artist residencies.

A little history

  • 1854 Omaha founded as a river town
  • 1862 Union Pacific Railroad began construction of the transcontinental railroad from Omaha
  • 1913 Easter Sunday tornado devastated Omaha
  • 1960s Civil rights movement in North Omaha
  • 1953 Swanson introduced the first TV dinner, made in Omaha

Rivalries

  • Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Iowa Hawkeyes College football rivalry.
  • Creighton Bluejays vs Nebraska Cornhuskers In-state basketball rivalry.
  • Game day Husker football watch parties
  • Game day Creighton Bluejays basketball
  • Outdoors Picnic at Memorial Park
  • Outdoors Run the Omaha Corporate Cup
  • With kids Union Pacific Railroad Museum
  • With kids Omaha Community Playhouse

People speak with a Midwestern accent, often using 'pop' for soft drinks and saying 'Nebraska nice' to describe the friendly, polite attitude. The pronunciation of 'Omaha' is typically 'OH-muh-haw'.

Only here

  • The TV dinner was invented in Omaha by Swanson in 1953.
  • The Reuben sandwich was invented at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha.
  • The Henry Doorly Zoo houses the world's largest indoor rainforest and desert.
New here? A few tips
  • Be prepared for cold winters and hot, humid summers; dress in layers.
  • Pronounce the city as 'OH-muh-haw' — not 'oh-MAH-ha'.
  • Try a Runza and a Cheese Frenchee early on; they're local icons.
  • In June, the College World Series takes over downtown — expect crowds and excitement.
  • Traffic can be heavy on I-80 during rush hour; consider using the Keystone Trail for commuting by bike.

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Part of Omaha area

Nearby

Every area
FremontNebraskaWhere the Platte meets the prairieNebraska CityNebraskaWhere the river bends and the orchards growRed OakIowaWhere the hills roll and the corn grows tall.AtlanticIowaWhere the cornfields meet the sky and the neighbors still wave.LincolnNebraskaBig skies, scarlet Saturdays, and the friendliest folks on the prairie.DenisonIowaSmall towns, wide skiesColumbusNebraskaWhere the Platte runs through the heart of the prairieCarrollIowaWhere the cornfields meet the sky.

Omaha, NE-IA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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