If your travel plans include Omaha, here are some fun things to do with children when you visit one of Nebraska's largest cities.
Omaha is home to one of the nation's top rated zoos: Henry Dorley Zoo at 3701 South 10th Street.
Unusual animals at the zoo include white tigers, snow leopards, white rhinos, sun bears, and African elephants. The one hundred and ten acre zoo also includes rain forest habitats from Africa, Asia, and South America. Gorillas are allowed to roam free in a two acre outdoor valley and visitors experience one of the world's largest indoor deserts. Caves and swamps are home to nocturnal animals. Visit the aqaurium to see underwater views of shark and other ocean creatures through a 70-foot long glass tunnel. A petting zoo and IMAX theater are also on site along with much more.
Take a ride on the River City Star, a steamboat operating on the Missouri Rivers from Miller's Landing, located just north of downtown on Abbott Drive. Public sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises, and more are offering aboard the River City Star. Outdoor enthuasists will also enjoy Fontanelle Forest on North Bellevue Avenue in adjacent Bellevue. The forest area offers hiking trails as well as "Habitat Hollow" where children can view forest creatures in their natural setting.
Go for the thrill and splash at the Fun Plex Amusement Park, south of I-80 on Q Street. This combination water and amusement park offers traditonal rides such as a Ferris Wheel, bumper cars and bumper boats, a lazy river, water slides, a wave pool, and more including the awesome Thriller, Spider, and Chaos rides.
Salute the military at Freedom Park, home to both the USS Hazard, a World War II era Navy ship now berthed on the Missouri and the USS Marlin, a training submarine from the 1950's. Both vessels are open for self-guided tours. Aircraft, military vehicles, guns, and more are also on-site. Freedom Park is located at 2497 Freedom Road.
The West comes to life at the Durham Western Heritage Museum at 801 South 10th Street. Housed in the Art Deco landmark Union Station, the musuem includes a covered wagon, tee-pees and an earth lodge, early city homes, train cars, and various traveling exhibits.
Another site that focuses on history is The Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Headquarters and Pioneer Cemetery on State Street. Once the resting place for Mormon pioners on their way West - hence the name - you'll find exhibits that focus on Mormon migrations between 1846 and 1890. Log cabin, covered wagon, handcart, maps, models, and more can be seen.
Boy's Town, as famous as the founder, Father Flanagan, is now the national headquarters for the Girls And Boys Town programs that help troubled youth. Tour the history museum, shrine, stautes, chapels, gardens, and Father Flanagan's restored home site. Tours are free of charge but donations are accepted.
See where former president Gerald Ford was born in 1913. at the Ford Birthplace site at 3212 Woolworth Avenue. This historic site includes the reconstructed replica home (the original was destroyed by fire in 1971), a museum, the Betty Ford rose garden, and outdoor park.
One hundred acres of flowers, foliage and fruit are found at the Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha's Botanical Center at 1st and Bancroft. These gardens include a rose garden, children's garden, Victorian garden, bird sanctuary, and a blooming meadow with native wildflowers and grasses. Inside the visitor's center, don't miss the seasonal flower displays, exhibit hall, and more.
Experience an earthquake or work on a construction site at the Omaha Children's Museum at 500 South 20th Street. A minature supermarket, farm exhibit, toddler exploration area and creativity center are just part of the hands-on fun for kids. Children can even produce their own television news program or build with giant Lego blocks.
Don't miss the Heartland of America Park at 8th and Douglas. A one and a half million gallon fountain shoots water 300 feet into the area. Other features include a 15 acre lake with boat rides, walking paths, and a waterfall.
Look to the stars at the Mallory Kountze Planetarium on the University of Nebraska at Omaha Campus at 6th and Dodge.
Test your skills as a skater at the Motto Mc Lean Ice Arena in Hitchcock Park.
Take a trip into Omaha's part with a visit to The Old Market Association, a historic district located from Harney to Jackson streets and between 10th and 13th streets. Restaurants, speciality shops, a brewery and more are featured.
Modern shopping can be found at any of numerous local malls. These include Crossroads Mall, Mall of the Bluffs, Westroads Mall, and Oak View Mall. Countless shopping centers and districts are found throughout Omaha.
230 city parks, ranging from large to small, can be found in Omaha. Opportunies to picnic and play are abundant.
Take a stroll across the mighty Missouri River with a pedestrian bridge that links Omaha with Council Bluffs, Iowa. It's part of a riverfront project that includes the bridge, the 422 acre
Qwest Convention Center and Arena, and the midwest headquarters of the National Park Service.
For additional information or details about visiting Omaha, contact the Greater Omaha Convention and Visitor's Bureau at 1-866-YESOMAHA.
