When friends or family come to visit, you want to show them more than just the view from your living room. This guide to the Best Places to Take Out-of-Town Guests in Omaha was chosen based on local reputation and reviews, geographic coverage, distinctive experiences and amenities, and newcomer-friendly details such as parking, accessibility, and useful operating hours. The list includes free attractions, major Omaha landmarks, museums, outdoor destinations, family options, easy metro day trips, and a few classic local meals.
Signature Omaha Attractions
1. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Website: https://www.omahazoo.com/
Address: 3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107
Phone: (402) 733-8401
Hours: Daily 9 am–5 pm during the main season. Hours may change; check the website.
Plan most of a day here, especially with kids or animal lovers. Guest parking is free, and major indoor exhibits make the zoo workable during heat, cold, or light rain.
2. Lauritzen Gardens
Website: https://www.lauritzengardens.org/
Address: 100 Bancroft St, Omaha, NE 68108
Phone: (402) 346-4002
Hours: Daily 9 am–5 pm; extended evening hours may be offered seasonally.
This is an easy multigenerational stop, with a large indoor conservatory plus outdoor gardens and seasonal features. Parking is free, and the indoor areas give you a good backup when Omaha weather changes your plans.
3. The Durham Museum
Website: https://durhammuseum.org/
Address: 801 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68108
Phone: (402) 444-5071
Hours: Mon closed; Tue–Sat 10 am–4 pm; Sun noon–4 pm.
Choose the Durham for architecture, trains, and Omaha history. The former Union Station features its impressive Art Deco Great Hall, historic railcars, changing exhibits, a soda fountain, and a free visitor parking deck.
4. Joslyn Art Museum
Website: https://joslyn.org/
Address: 2200 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: (402) 342-3300
Hours: Mon closed; Tue–Wed 10 am–4 pm; Thu 10 am–8 pm; Fri–Sun 10 am–4 pm.
General admission is free, and on-site parking is free while space is available. It works well for art fans, architecture fans, and guests who want a polished indoor attraction without committing a full day.
5. Kiewit Luminarium
Website: https://kiewitluminarium.org/
Address: 345 Riverfront Dr, Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: (402) 502-3366
Hours: Tue 10 am–5 pm; Wed 10 am–7 pm; Thu–Sun 10 am–5 pm; Mon hours vary seasonally.
Hands-on science exhibits make the Luminarium a good all-ages choice, not simply a children’s museum. Free public parking lots are directly across from the entrance, and it pairs naturally with a walk through The RiverFront.
6. Omaha Children’s Museum
Website: https://ocm.org/
Address: 500 S 20th St, Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: (402) 342-6164
Hours: Mon closed except select school holidays; Tue–Fri 9 am–4 pm; Sat–Sun 9 am–5 pm.
This is one of the easiest choices when your visitors have younger children who need to move, build, pretend, and experiment. The museum has a free parking lot on the south side of the building.
7. The RiverFront
Website: https://theriverfrontomaha.com/
Address: 900 Farnam St, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: (402) 599-6565
Hours: Daily 5 am–11 pm.
The listed address is the park office, while The RiverFront itself connects Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park, and Lewis & Clark Landing. It is a free and flexible stop for playgrounds, skating, river views, public spaces, and a walk toward the Old Market.
Art, History, and Local Culture
8. Hot Shops Art Center
Website: https://hotshopsartcenter.org/
Address: 1301 Nicholas St, Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: (402) 342-6452
Hours: Mon–Fri 10 am–6 pm; Sat–Sun 11 am–5 pm.
Hot Shops is part gallery and part working studio building, with resident artists working in glass, ceramics, metal, photography, painting, and other media. General browsing is free, although individual artist studios and demonstrations can vary by day.
9. Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts
Website: https://www.bemiscenter.org/
Address: 724 S 12th St, Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: (402) 341-7130
Hours: Mon–Tue closed; Wed 11 am–5 pm; Thu–Fri 11 am–9 pm; Sat–Sun 11 am–5 pm.
Bemis is a good pick for guests interested in contemporary and experimental art, especially because general admission is free. Metered street parking and nearby garages make it an easy addition to an Old Market afternoon.
10. Joslyn Castle & Gardens
Website: https://joslyncastle.com/
Address: 3902 Davenport St, Omaha, NE 68131
Phone: (402) 595-2199
Hours: Hours may change; check the website.
Take architecture or history-minded guests for a guided look inside the impressive 1903 mansion. Interior access is tied to scheduled tours and programs, so check the calendar before promising your guests a castle tour.
11. General Crook House Museum
Website: https://douglascohistory.org/crook-house-museum/
Address: 5730 N 30th St, Omaha, NE 68111
Phone: (402) 455-9990
Hours: Mon–Fri 10 am–4 pm; Sat–Sun 1 pm–4 pm.
This restored 1879 home on historic Fort Omaha is a quieter alternative to the city’s larger museums. It is especially worthwhile for visitors interested in military, frontier, Omaha, or Victorian history.
12. Malcolm X Memorial Foundation
Website: https://malcolmxfoundation.org/
Address: 3448 Evans St, Omaha, NE 68111
Phone: (402) 934-3732
Hours: Sun–Thu by appointment only; Fri–Sat noon–5 pm.
This North Omaha site connects visitors to Malcolm X’s Omaha birthplace and his legacy. A scheduled tour provides the most context, and the foundation recommends making tour requests in advance.
13. Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters
Website: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/locations/mormon-trail-center-at-winter-quarters?lang=eng
Address: 3215 State St, Omaha, NE 68112
Phone: (402) 453-9372
Hours: Mon–Sat 10 am–5 pm; Sun 1 pm–5 pm.
The free visitor center explains the Winter Quarters settlement and westward pioneer migration through exhibits and reconstructed experiences. Allow extra time for the adjacent pioneer cemetery and surrounding historic area.
14. Boys Town Hall of History
Website: https://www.boystown.org/about/visit/attractions
Address: 14057 Flanagan Blvd, Boys Town, NE 68010
Phone: (531) 355-1185
Hours: Mon–Sat 10 am–4:30 pm; Sun 11 am–4 pm.
The Hall of History is free and gives visitors a concise look at Father Flanagan, Boys Town, and more than a century of local history. It is a natural west Omaha stop, and visitors can explore more of the historic campus using Boys Town’s self-guided tour resources.
Nature and Easy Omaha Metro Day Trips
15. Fontenelle Forest
Website: https://fontenelleforest.org/
Address: 1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue, NE 68005
Phone: (402) 731-3140
Hours: Daily 8 am–5 pm. Hours may change; check the website.
The one-mile ADA-accessible boardwalk is an easy introduction to the forest, while longer trails provide a quieter nature escape. Add the Raptor Woodland Refuge if your guests enjoy wildlife, and bring sturdy shoes after wet weather.
16. Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park
Website: https://www.wildlifesafaripark.com/
Address: 16406 N 292nd St, Ashland, NE 68003
Phone: (402) 944-9453
Hours: Daily 9 am–5 pm during the operating season. Hours may change; check the website.
This is a low-effort nature outing because the centerpiece is a four-mile drive-through wildlife route. It works especially well for mixed-age groups, with optional stops and trails for visitors who want to get out and explore.
17. Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
Website: https://www.sacmuseum.org/
Address: 28210 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE 68003
Phone: (402) 944-3100
Hours: Summer: daily 9 am–5 pm. Winter: Mon and Wed–Fri 9 am–4 pm; Tue closed; Sat 9 am–5 pm; Sun 11 am–5 pm.
Large indoor hangars filled with aircraft make this a dependable choice for aviation, military, and history fans. It is near Wildlife Safari Park in Ashland, although doing both in one day can make for a fairly full schedule.
18. Union Pacific Railroad Museum
Website: https://www.uprrmuseum.org/uprrm/
Address: 200 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Phone: (712) 329-8307
Hours: Mon–Wed closed; Thu–Sat 10 am–6 pm; Sun noon–6 pm.
This free museum is worth crossing the Missouri River for guests interested in railroads, western expansion, and industrial history. Its Council Bluffs location also gives you an easy excuse to show visitors that the Omaha metro extends across the river into Iowa.
Family Fun, Entertainment, and Classic Omaha Meals
19. Fun-Plex Waterpark & Rides
Website: https://fun-plex.com/
Address: 7003 Q St, Omaha, NE 68117
Phone: (402) 331-8436
Hours: Hours may change; check the website.
Save Fun-Plex for warm-weather visits with kids, teens, or adults who actually want water slides and amusement rides. The park is seasonal and weather-sensitive, so verify the operating calendar before leaving home.
20. Omaha Community Playhouse
Website: https://omahaplayhouse.com/
Address: 6915 Cass St, Omaha, NE 68132
Phone: (402) 553-0800
Hours: Performance and box office hours vary; check the website.
A live show here feels more like sharing a piece of local Omaha culture than checking off a tourist attraction. The free on-site Storz Parking Plaza also makes an evening here easier than many downtown entertainment options.
21. The Drover Steakhouse
Website: https://droversteakhouse.com/
Address: 2121 S 73rd St, Omaha, NE 68124
Phone: (402) 391-7440
Hours: Mon–Fri lunch 11 am–2 pm; Mon–Fri dinner 5 pm–10 pm; Sat 4 pm–10:30 pm; Sun 4 pm–9 pm.
Take steak-loving guests here for the signature whiskey-marinated steaks and an old-school Omaha steakhouse atmosphere. Reservations are a smart idea for dinner, particularly on weekends.
22. Gorat’s Steak House
Website: https://goratsomaha.com/
Address: 4917 Center St, Omaha, NE 68106
Phone: (402) 551-3733
Hours: Mon closed; Tue–Thu 11 am–2 pm and 4 pm–9 pm; Fri 11 am–2 pm and 4 pm–10 pm; Sat 10 am–2 pm and 4 pm–10 pm; Sun 10 am–2 pm and 4 pm–8 pm.
Gorat’s is another classic Omaha steakhouse option, with lunch, weekend daytime service, dinner, and on-site parking. Choose it for guests who want a traditional local steakhouse experience in a relaxed setting.
23. Block 16
Website: https://block16omaha.com/
Address: 1611 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68106
Phone: (402) 342-1220
Hours: Mon–Wed 11 am–2 pm; Thu–Sat 11 am–8 pm; Sun closed.
This downtown counter-service restaurant is a good casual choice for creative burgers, sandwiches, fries, and other comfort food. Lunch lines and limited seating can make things busy, so arrive early if your group is hungry and on a schedule.
24. Upstream Brewing Company
Website: https://upstreambrewing.com/
Address: 514 S 11th St, Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: (402) 344-0200
Hours: Mon–Thu 11 am–10 pm; Fri–Sat 11 am–11 pm; Sun 10 am–10 pm.
This Old Market brewpub works well for groups because it combines a full restaurant, locally brewed beer, and billiards in one stop. It is also handy when some guests want a brewery experience while others simply want dinner.
How to Choose Where to Take Your Guests
- Think about how much time you have. The zoo can easily fill most of a day, while Joslyn Art Museum, The Durham Museum, Bemis Center, or the General Crook House can fit into a shorter itinerary.
- Keep Omaha weather in mind. Joslyn Art Museum, The Durham Museum, Kiewit Luminarium, and the SAC Museum are strong indoor choices. The RiverFront, Lauritzen Gardens, Fontenelle Forest, and Wildlife Safari Park are better when the weather cooperates.
- Make reservations when they matter. Check tour times for Joslyn Castle, buy theater tickets in advance, and consider reservations for The Drover or Gorat’s during popular dinner times.
- Match the stop to your visitors. Younger children usually do well at Omaha Children’s Museum, Kiewit Luminarium, the zoo, and Fun-Plex. History-minded adults may prefer The Durham, General Crook House, Boys Town, Winter Quarters, or the SAC Museum.
Neighborhood Quick Picks
- Downtown and Old Market: The RiverFront, Kiewit Luminarium, The Durham Museum, Bemis Center, Block 16, and Upstream Brewing Company.
- North Omaha: General Crook House Museum, Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, and Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters.
- Midtown and central Omaha: Joslyn Art Museum, Joslyn Castle, Omaha Community Playhouse, Gorat’s, and The Drover.
- West Omaha: Boys Town Hall of History.
- Bellevue, Ashland, and Council Bluffs: Fontenelle Forest, Wildlife Safari Park, the SAC Museum, and Union Pacific Railroad Museum.
The Best Places to Take Out-of-Town Guests in Omaha do not have to fit into one packed sightseeing day. Pick two or three places that match your visitors’ interests, leave time for a good meal, and let them experience Omaha at a comfortable pace. For more ideas, see our Old Market guide at https://movetoomaha.com/the-old-market/ and our Omaha galleries and museums guide at https://movetoomaha.com/omaha-galleries-museums-guide-hours-locations-tips/.
