Omaha, Nebraska is a quick three hour drive from Kansas City and one of the top family vacation spots of KC families. While many primarily travel to Omaha to visit their world class zoo, there are dozens of other family friendly activities available. We’ve compiled a guide to the best attractions, hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops to help you plan the perfect family trip.
Mom Pro Tip: Memberships at local spots like Science City, Wonderscope, the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, and other spots can save you a significant amount of money with their reciprocity programs.
Omaha Attractions
Arbor Day Farm
This is a great stop on your way to or from Omaha. It’s located about 45 minutes south of Omaha. Kids will love the Tree Adventure area, which is a treehouse lover’s dream! Kids can explore and play in the forest canopy and visit 11 different treehouses, all connected by bridges and netted walkways. The best part is adults get to play alongside their kids!
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Take a walk from Nebraska over the Missouri river to Iowa. You can stand with one foot on either side of the state line! Look under the bridge for Omar, the blue bridge troll.
Durham Museum
This museum inside Omaha’s Union Station has a variety of exhibits that cover the area’s history as well as science, industry, and lots of trains! Make sure you stop by the soda fountain and candy shop. Kids 2 and under get in free.
Fontanelle Forest
This is located a little south of Omaha near Bellevue. There are lots of fun activities for families including hiking, nature play areas, and the raptor woodland refuge. There are also ropes courses for both younger kids and older kids and adults.
Funplex Waterpark and Rides
If visiting during the summer months, check out the rides and waterpark for a day of family fun. Make sure to purchase tickets online for the best price.
Gene Leahy Mall at The Riverfront
If you haven’t been to Omaha in recent years, make sure you get down here to explore. Visit arches playground, the slide hill, splash pad (during the summer), hammocks, and lots of public art and community events.
Heartland of America Park at the Riverfront
This park along the riverfront is a great addition to all that Omaha has to offer. Check out the Omaha Mom guide here for all the details.
Kiewit Luminarium
This is a newer attraction in Omaha that we visited last year and absolutely loved. It is an incredibly interactive science museum located on the riverfront next to the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge and the amazing Discovery Playground. All of the exhibits are interactive and you can literally spend hours here. Kids will love the indoor Geometry Playground when they want some unstructured play time. Kids 4 and under get in free. Teachers and children of teachers get a discounted admission rate.
Lauritzen Gardens
Enjoy over 20 themed gardens including a model railroad garden, the Sofia Play Garden, and the nearby Kenefick Park trains. If you have a membership to the Overland Park Arboretum or Powell Gardens you can save on admission with the reciprocity program.
Old Market
This is the place to be for great restaurants, art galleries, live music, and special events. Kids will especially love stopping by Hollywood Candy and Old Market Candy Shop.
Omaha Children’s Museum
You can spend hours at this immersive children’s museum. My kids loved the mini grocery store and Omaha Steaks grilling area. We had to drag them away from the ball room! KC families with Science City memberships get free admission and Wonderscope members can save 50% on admission. Kids under 2 get in free.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
If you’re visiting Omaha your primary reason is likely to visit their world class zoo! With so many exhibits inside and out you can really visit any time of year and have a great experience. You can spend an entire day exploring the zoo or if you have small kids that need a nap you could split it up into two half days. A 50% discount is offered on the second day as long as it is consecutive. Some things to keep in mind: in the summer the Alaskan Adventure splash pad area is open, so bring a swimsuit or a change of clothes. In the fall the Children’s Adventure Trails area closes for parts of October due to their Halloween events. We’ve also found that on weekdays in the fall they don’t always have all their transportation running so visiting on weekends is your best way to take advantage of their train rides, sky safari, etc.
Kansas City Zoo members get discounted admission but must show their membership and ID and purchase tickets at the zoo. The discount varies depending on the time of year but kids under 2 always get in free. You are welcome to bring in your own food so that’s a great way to save some additional money!
Storm Chasers Game
This is a KC Royals Triple-A affiliate team so you may get to see some future Royals players at these games!
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
This museum is located between Omaha and Lincoln and it is near the Wildlife Safari Park. Perfect for the plane and space lovers in your family. Make sure to check out their planetarium shows and the future fun lab! Kids 3 and under get in free.
Union Pacific Railroad Museum
Across the state line in Council Bluffs, Iowa the train lover in your family can explore railroad history at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum. They are only open a few days each week but admission is free!
Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard
Calling this a pumpkin patch feels like a huge understatement. You can spend an entire day here and not do everything. We didn’t even make it to the actual pumpkin patch! Look at the map to get a better feel for the scope of this place! They have dozens of attractions and amazing food to enjoy. Highly recommend visiting on a weekday if at all possible when it is less crowded.
Wildlife Safari Park
This has been voted the No. 1 Safari Park in the country. It is a drive-thru experience but there are also spots to get out, hike, and observe the animals. Kids will love the hands-on corral where they can interact with farm animals. Kids under 3 get in free.
Where to Stay in Omaha
Consider airbnbs and hotels in both Omaha and across the state line in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Our family often sleeps better in an Airbnb than a hotel but there are of course trade offs like no free breakfast and no pool (unless you book a house with one!).
Hotels
- Best Western Plus Midwest Inn. No suites but there is a free breakfast and a small indoor water park great for young kids.
- Embassy Suites Downtown Old Market. Great central location just a couple of miles from the zoo and a short walk to the Old Market. Indoor pool, free breakfast, and suites perfect for families.
- Holiday Inn Omaha Downtown – Water Park. This hotel offers suites including ones with bunk beds and trundle beds. The water park includes a three story water slide, splash pad area, and pool. Kids under 12 eat free at the on site restaurant.
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Omaha-Downtown. This is our personal favorite because they have 2 bedroom suites so all of us can sleep on real beds, and we can be in a separate bedroom than the kids. Breakfast is free and they have an indoor pool.
- Home 2 Suites – multiple locations. This is our other preferred hotel chain because they also offer two bedroom suites, free breakfast, and an indoor pool.
- Hyatt Place Downtown Old Market. Offer suites with two queen beds and a sofa bed, indoor pool, and free breakfast. This hotel is right in Old Market so it’s a great location with nearby attractions and restaurants.
- Residence Inn Omaha Downtown/Old Market. Offers one and two bedroom suites with full kitchens. Free breakfast, but no indoor pool.
Where to Eat in Omaha
Breakfast
- Brunch Box. Located in Old Market and serving up delicious “boxes” of whatever combo you’d like. Extensive kids menu that will make the kiddos happy (and only $5!) Vegan and gluten free options as well. A robot even delivers your food!
- Early Bird Brunch
Breakfast at Early Bird Brunch Two locations in Omaha. Extensive brunch menu with tons of options to choose from.
- First Watch. Sometimes kids want to eat at a familiar restaurant so if you are First Watch fans, you can dine at one of several locations in Omaha.
- Timber Wood Fire Bistro. Offers a delicious brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. They even have bottomless mimosas and bloody marys!
- Tupelo Honey. Brunch with a southern flair! This restaurant has a great location not far from Gene Leahy Mall.
- Love donuts? Check out this Omaha Mom guide to the best donuts in Omaha!
Lunch and Dinner
- Amazing Pizza Machine. This is a popular family spot with a pizza buffet, bowling, laser tag, go-karts, and arcade games.
- Blatt Beer & Table. Three locations in Omaha. Lots of craft beers on tap, a kids menu, and they take reservations.
- Charred Burger + Bar. Perfect spot if you’re craving a burger! Voted best burgers in Omaha.
- Inner Rail Food Hall. This spot has several restaurants to choose from, live music, and outdoor space with yard games.
- Jukes Ale Works. Local craft beers and a menu with options for everyone.
- Lazlo’s Brewery and Grill. Offers an extensive kids menu that includes a drink, side, and ice cream.
- Mama’s Pizza. Three locations in the Omaha area. Menu offers a variety of options, not just pizza.
- The Old Spaghetti Works. Very popular restaurant in the Old Market area. Specializes in Italian food but the kid’s menu has a variety of other options to choose from.
- Ollie & Hobbes. Really fun kids menu that lets them pick an entree, side, drink, and they can decorate a cookie or build their own ice cream sundae!
- Pitch Pizza. More upscale pizza joint with a variety of other dishes on the menu. Visit Monday thru Friday for happy hour from 2-6 p.m. for great deals.
- Roja Grill. Tex-mex, margaritas, and they take reservations, that’s my dream right there.
- Surfside Club Famous for fried chicken and catfish. This spot even has a bounce house on site for the kids.
- Check out the Omaha Mom guides to family friendly pizza joints and breweries.
Sweet Treats
- Brownie Bar Bakery. They had me at “build your own brownie.”
- Coneflower Creamery. They specialize in”farm to cone” ice cream. Locally sourced ingredients with a focus on what is in season. Currently have two locations in Omaha.
- Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop. Serving sweet and savory pastries and baked goods.
- Ted and Wally’s. This is our personal favorite ice cream spot. They’ve been scooping since 1984!
Coffee Shops
- CTRL Coffee and Cereal Bar. Not just coffee but 33 kinds of cereal and retro arcade games! Located in downtown Omaha.
- Stir. Woman owned coffee bar with drinks, food, and a seasonal menu. Located in west Omaha.
- Stories Coffee Company. Several locations including a drive thru.
- Zen Coffee Company. Coffee and toast flights! What more can you ask for? Three locations in Omaha.
- This roundup of the best coffee shops in Omaha will help you find exactly what you’re looking for!
