Omaha, Nebraska has become a cultural and commercial hub because of its central location in the United States. You'll find many interesting attractions in this midwest city.
Nebraska sits almost in the middle of the continental US and it's largest city is Omaha. Because of location, Omaha has been a central point for most of the western movement in this country.
Named for the Omaha Indians that once inhabited the area, it began it's life as a ferry station for crossing the Missouri River, then grew to a thriving cultural and commercial center. It has been the hometown to the Union Pacific Railroad, the Western Union Telegraph Company, food processor Kellogg, and well-known folks like: Marlon Brando, Nick Nolte, Paula Zahn and Warren Buffett (second richest billionaire in the world).
Today Omaha sports some of the best things to do in the Midwest.
1. Along the banks of the Mighty Mo is the Henry Doorly Zoo. This is a world-class facility, 130-acres with over 18,000 specimens, displaying over 600 species, dedicated to research, conservation, education and recreation. It began in 1894 from the small Riverview Zoo. In the beginning it started out with just a few animals from the surrounding prairie including some loaned from Colonel William F. Cody's Wild West Show. Now it leads in providing knowledge of the natural world. A visit to this zoo should be considered an all-day event. Plan to visit the newly completed Orangutan Forest, which provides a habitat that allows the apes to climb to the top and view the park from above where you stand. The Lied Jungle is the largest indoor rainforest exhibit of it's kind. In the Desert Dome, the world's largest geodesic dome, you can see three desert habitats and then take the elevator to the basement to view nocturnal animals and a Louisiana swamp complete with alligators, an underground river and waterfalls. The Scott Aquarium has it's own walk-through shark tank, and the IMAX Theater shows films on everything from Lewis and Clark's journey to Beauty and the Beast, depending on when you visit. Then you can take a ride on the old-fashioned carousel, or hop the train for an overview of the zoo.
2. Opened in 1931, Durham Western Heritage Museum is located in the refurbished Union Pacific Railroad Station. This museum celebrates Omaha and the region's history. There are year-round exhibits that include a restored soda fountain, model trains, period home furnishing replicas, train cars, trolleys, and a theater. One of the permanent exhibits is the Omaha at Work gallery that portrays the spirit of entrepreneurial efforts that built Omaha into the city it is today. After you have visited the exhibits, you can quench your thirst at the soda fountain and shop for Omaha memorabilia in the train station's gift shop. Occasionally special touring exhibits come to town and are added to the museums offerings.
3. The Joslyn Art Museum features works from antiquity to the present and specializes in 19th and 20th century art from Europe and America. It offers a wide array of exhibitions, music and educational opportunities. The permanent collection includes art from the following collection titles: ancient, European, Western and Native American. Special exhibits are ever changing and currently include the work of John James Audubon in his recent portrayals of mammals.
4. Shopping and entertainment can be found at Old Market. The brick streets and buildings create a turn-of-the-century marketplace in downtown Omaha, and are home to quaint shops of all kinds with some of the area's best restaurants and entertainment. You can take a carriage ride through the market or just wander about. The Omaha Farmer's Market is held every Saturday morning from May to October.
5. Father Flanagan's Boys Town is a must see for your itinerary. Now a National Historic Landmark, this is the National Headquarters for Girls and Boys Town. You can tour the historic buildings on the scenic grounds and learn about Father Flanagan's dream to help children. He founded Boys Town in 1917. Since then its mission has been to help abused, neglected, handicapped, and abandoned children. The Hall of History is an interactive museum that tells the story of building Boys Town. You may remember the 1938 movie "Boys Town" that netted an Oscar for Spencer Tracy.
6. The Omaha Botanical Gardens, also known as Lauritzen Gardens, is over 100-acres and includes a bird sanctuary, an arboretum, herb and rose gardens, Victorian and children gardens, woodland trails and flowering spring walks. You can attend horticulture workshops or enjoy the ever-changing seasonal displays in the 5000-square foot floral display hall. These gardens are a result of Helena Street's vision that began in 1982 and has led to the area's most beautiful cultural attraction.
7. The Children's Museum is all about kids and works hard to entice the imagination and create excitement about learning. It was founded in 1976 as a traveling workshop and later found a permanent home. It is called a participatory museum where kids and adults alike can play and learn together. Some of the permanent exhibits include the Charlie Campbell Science and Technology Center which focuses on hands-on displays dedicated to physical sciences. Another is the Creative Center for the budding artists to explore a wide-variety of mediums. There is also a baker's store and a construction zone for the kids to try their hand at building everything from cupcakes to bridges.
8. Freedom Park Navy Museum is something you don't expect to find in middle America. It is related to the World War II Pacific Theater and is home to the minesweeper, USS Hazard; a training submarine, the USS Marlin; and an amphibious landing craft.
9. The General Crook House at Fort Omaha is the authentically restored home of General George Crook, built in 1879. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places. He was a Civil War hero and a National Indian Wars hero. He is considered the greatest Indian fighter in US history. This living history museum includes period furnishings, arts and crafts, costumes, and an heirloom garden with over 100 varieties of plants, trees, and flowers native to Nebraska. The museum is housed at Fort Omaha, which in its time, was a supply fort rather than a defense fort.
10. The River City Star riverboat is one of the more unique attractions in Omaha. Public tours are available and include hour-long sightseeing tours, luncheon and Sunday brunch tours, plus dinner cruises. There are also private charters available, great for an unusual wedding reception or a family reunion. The boat, River Star, began as a river barge in 1961 and after its renovation, it is now a three and a half deck showplace that plies the waters of the Missouri River.
