“Gateway to the West” the majestic city of Omaha, is the largest city in the U.S State of Nebraska. Perched on the Missouri River, Omaha is a picturesque town with a rich history showcasing elegant 19th-century buildings that have become a present day shopper’s delight and foodie haven. It’s the home to the eminent Fortune 500 companies and companies being headed by the ever-famous Warren Buffett. Abode to thriving community of nearly 1.5 million people, the city is one of the best places to start a tour, spend an afternoon, or enjoy a meal in the evening. Omaha has plenty of interesting museums and family-focused attractions including Children’s Museum and notable Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Read the blog to find the best things to do with Fareferry’s list of top sights in Omaha, Nebraska:
Flanked on a hill in Gold Coast District, the twin bells of the cathedral make up for the city's key landmarks. The cathedral is said to contain more than three million bricks and since its completion in 1907 it has become one of Omaha’s defining landmarks. Visitors find the 500 years old beautiful stained glass with the Virgin Mary shown holding an ear of corn as something out of this world. The Spanish Renaissance architecture in the exterior of the Cathedral is quite imminent and it's quite a sight that stands 220 feet tall.
In the United States, you've only a handful of pedestrian only bridges that connect two states, the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge spans more than 3000 feet across the Missouri River and takes you from the Omaha City to Council Bluffs in Iowa. This iconic cable-stayed bridge is a major landmark of Omaha since the year 2008 and a plaque marks the spot where the two states meet. Many fitness freaks use this as a beloved spot for exercise and getting to and from either city. A great way to experience the bridge is with a bike rental and watching the scenic sunset from over the bridge. You can even stroll over the bridge after dinner or move towards the beautifully restored Old Market part of town.
Built on a unique concept, the Omaha Children's Museum has gained popularity with the locals and visitors alike. The museum has been renovated few times since it was first founded in the year 1976. In the present day, the museum has eight permanent indoor exhibits and one outdoor exhibit. The themes at the Omaha Children's Museum have focus on creativity, arts, science and technology, zoology, and many more fields of children’s interests. Children love to explore the museum's special exhibit Sandy's Splish Splash Garden, which is outside and typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is only open in the summer months. The museum is hosting special exhibitions on regular basis for kids and even adults love being part of them.
This free of charge Omaha's attraction is one of the novel permanent outdoor art installations in the United States. Imbibed in bronze and stainless steel, it is considered to be one of the largest of its kind in the world. This unique sculpture park has been spread out over five city blocks but the installations are not adjacent. The visitors will find it very easy to follow the flow from one piece to the next. The series of statues displays a wagon train and pioneers making their way through hilly and muddy terrain, alongside a herd of bison and a flock of geese. Visitors are able walk right up to and around these strong sculptures, which are almost 1.25 times life size with the meandering procession terminating at the First National Tower.
Located right in the heart of downtown Omaha, visitors can find the Old Market District, where a variety of historical buildings from the 19th century line up the cobblestone streets. It's a blissful place to roam around, and you can find some of the Omaha's best and most interesting cafés and restaurants are situated in this area. If you're are looking for a place to stay, the you can also find a wide assortment of hotels located nearby. The district has plenty of galleries, and their offerings are diverse, ranging from eclectic to more contemporary. The Old Market allures the locals and tourists alike and is relatively compact and well signposted for easy navigation.
This vast facility has been spread out far and wide over 160 acres, with home to unique exhibits and is amongst the state's most famous attractions. The zoo's claims to fame is indeed the Dome Desert, well-known for being the largest indoor desert in the world, and together with the Lied Jungle which is North America's largest indoor rainforest. Don't forget to visit the Kingdoms of the Night exhibit, also publicized as the largest nocturnal exhibit of its kind in the world, and it even allows for a close-up look at creatures of the dark, from bats to beavers and other animals that most visitors may not even have heard of before.
Even the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium sets the sparks flying, where visitors can walk through a 70-foot-long shark tunnel. In case you work up an appetite, the Zoo's Glacier Bay Landing which is a re-creation of an Alaskan port town, has a variety of dining options for its visitors. The visitors can also find a children's play structure located here and even they've the changing rooms even.
For train buffs and even if you're not, driving along the Interstate 80, make a detour when you'll see two locomotives perched on a high bluff and you'll arrive at the Kenefick Park. The monster world's largest diesel-powered locomotive, the Centennial 6900 is the largest ever built in the United States. The park has plenty of extra-large locomotives and it also entails the world's largest steam locomotive, named Big Boy No. 4023. Visitors can also take solace from several plazas, benches, and informative plaques built into the ground.
Flanked on the banks of the Missouri River, a large outdoor park and museum has the aircraft and artillery being displayed for the visitors. You can easily stretch your legs and catch up on military history which comprises of your choice of a mine sweeper. Prominent among them are the USS Hazard (AM 240) and a submarine, the USS Marlin (SST-2). Do check out the Anchor and Propeller Garden and shipboard rocket launchers that are on exclusive display. Get a great photo opportunity with a Douglas A-4D Skyhawk fighter jet. The Freedom Park Navy Museum is free and open during the daylight hours and tours can be taken on Saturdays.
The 100-acre gardens located in the riverfront hills area of the city and make a delightful place to visit to experience nature in its purest form. Founded in the year 1995, the Lauritzen Gardens in the modern day, have grown and expanded their displays from the initial rose, herb, and shade host a garden among others. Visitors are likely to discover gardens focusing on plenty of themes, from English and Victorian, to one on exclusive Nebraskan prairies, called Song of the Lark Meadow. These lush green gardens also highlight a model railroad, education center, and a bird sanctuary.
A memorial built by Sarah Joslyn in memory of her husband, George; the Joslyn Art Museum is famed to be the Nebraska's principal fine arts museum. For art buffs when traveling to Omaha, they shouldn't give Joslyn a miss, as it includes a sprawling concert hall, a fountain court, an educational technology gallery, a lecture hall, a café and a gift shop. An outstanding collection of Greek ceramics with works by European masters, including Titian, Rembrandt, El Greco, Degas, Monet and Renoir are leaving the visitors spellbound.
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