Omaha

METRO

Nebraska’s cities sparkle with cutting-edge cuisine and inspiring art, music and theater.

OMAHA

With its vibrant neighborhoods, beautiful parks, abundant arts and bustling restaurant and bar scene, Omaha punches above its weight.

Omaha’s thriving performance arts and entertainment scene owes much to Omaha Performing Arts, a nonprofit group dedicated to presenting the best local, national, and international artistic performances at the Orpheum Theater, Holland Performing Arts Center and beyond.

The Holland Performing Arts Center is the home of the Omaha Symphony. In 2022, the symphony will perform everything from the dreamy works of Ravel, Debussy and Mendelssohn to the robust cinematic score of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. The Holland Performing Arts Center also features nationally renowned comedians, scientists, and world musicians. 1200 Douglas St. (402) 345-0202

The Orpheum Theater features Opera Omaha’s lavish performances as well as touring Broadway productions in its iconic Italianate building. A ballet troupe, Irish dancers and South Korean illusionists also grace the stage. 409 S. 16th St. (402) 661-8501

The Omaha Children’s Museum features two floors of imaginative and interactive exhibits. Permanent exhibits include a massive ball machine with pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical sections; a tinker lab filled with tools and materials to build or invent; and an imaginative play area, where kids can dress up, grocery shop, change a tire, build a river dam or slide down a chute in a play fire engine. Special exhibits for 2022 include Namaste India and Moon to Mars. 500 S. 20th St. (402) 342-6164

The Durham Museum, located in the former Union Station railroad depot, preserves Omaha’s prosperous railroad days and the history of the community. The massive 124,000 square-foot building was the first of Union Pacific’s Art Deco stations. Built by Omaha’s Peter Kiewit and Sons, its construction began in July 1929, only months before the stock market crash. The station emulates the strength and power of the railroad. The last train rolled out in 1971. Visiting train fans stroll through an elegant passenger car and see a steam locomotive up-close. Irreplaceable Omaha items enshrined here include Titanic victim Emil Brandeis’ pocket watch, an 1866 Omaha plat map, chandeliers from the Blackstone Hotel, where the Reuben sandwich was invented, and a cash register from the Buffett & Son Grocery Store that operated in the Dundee neighborhood from 1915 to 1969. 801 S. 10th St. (402) 444-5071

The Joslyn Castle is the former residence of early Omaha businessman George Joslyn and his wife, Sarah. It’s an architectural wonder near 39th and Dodge Street. Built in 1903, the lavish 5.5 acres of manicured gardens are open to the public. Call for public tours. 3902 Davenport St. (402) 5952199

The Joslyn Art Museum is known for its diverse collections of European, American and Native American art. Described as “pink marble glory,” 38 types of marble from seven

countries were hand-hammered to produce the unique exterior. The museum’s Discovery Garden includes sculptures that are bright and bold with interactive art meant to be touched. Sarah Joslyn gifted the museum to Omaha in memory of her husband. 2200 Dodge St. (402) 342-3300

Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s botanical center, is a garden oasis in the city. With 100 acres of plants, sculptures and fountains, the landscape is designed to show beauty in all four seasons. Special events and programs are offered year-round, but it’s the perfect place to enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty any day. 100 Bancroft St. (402) 346-4002

The Rose Theater is the premier place for children and families to experience performing arts in Omaha. The former movie palace is named for Rose Blumkin, founder of Nebraska Furniture Mart. Rose helped Omaha save and preserve the theater’s unique Moorish and classical architecture. The Omaha Theater Co. performs childhood classics and new favorites. 2001 Farnam St. (402) 345-4849 Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is home to the world’s largest indoor desert and largest indoor rainforest in North America. The zoo has successfully bred African elephants and has two babies on display in 2022. Sharks and sea turtles delight in the aquarium. In a sting ray exhibit, visitors can feed and pet them. An Alaskan-themed splash pad cools off visitors. 3701 S. 10th St. (402) 733-8401 Downtown Omaha skyline

Visit Omaha

This is no stagnant skyline. In 2022, Mutual of Omaha announced plans to build what could be Omaha’s biggest skyscraper downtown. The city also aims to have an operational streetcar by 2026.

The Old Market’s historic cobbled streets come alive at night with street performers, jazz clubs and horse-drawn carriages. Harney and 11th streets.

The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge has a bird’s-eye view of the Missouri River. 705 Riverfront Dr. (402) 444-5900

In Omaha’s Central Business District Pioneer Courage Park pays tribute to early westward settlers with largerthan-life bronze and stainless steel sculptures. Intended for visitors to engage with, the sculptures have soulful faces. Looking at them, it’s possible to imagine how much hope it took to traverse and settle the prairie. 1601 Dodge St.

Nearby, Spirit of Nebraska Wilder-

ness and Pioneer Courage Park

showcases monuments of pioneers and indigenous animals, such as bison and Canadian geese. 101 S 16th St.

The General Crook House Museum is the home of the Douglas County Historical Society. The building went up in 1879 as the residence of U.S. Army Gen. George Crook, commander of Fort Omaha. The 7,500 artifacts includes political buttons, art, antiques and a collection of vintage costumes and clothing from the 19th and 20th centuries. 570 N. 30th St. (402) 455-9990

The Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters marks the location of the main settlement on the Missouri River of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A free museum filled with historical displays tell the story. 3215 State St. (402) 453-9372

Brigham Young oversaw the building of Florence Mill for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Winter Quarters in 1846. The main floor of the historic mill is now a museum, and the top floor is an art gallery. Live musicians play during bustling weekend farmers markets. 9102 N. 30th St. (402) 551-1233

President Gerald R. Ford Birthsite

and Gardens honors the 38th President of the United States. His grandparents’ ornate Victorian home burned, but the site now includes a portico that resembles the West Wing and a garden dedicated to wife, Betty. 3202 Woolworth Ave. (402) 444-5900

experience extraordinary

Omaha Performing Arts brings the best of touring Broadway, music, comedy and more to the Holland Center, Orpheum Theater and Steelhouse Omaha (opening 2023). Plan your visit!

WICKED © Joan Marcus

The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts houses gallery space for local, regional, national and international artists. Exhibits are free and open to the public. 724 S. 12th St. (402) 341-7130

The Omaha Community Playhouse is the largest community theater in the U.S. It presents 10 or more productions annually. omahaplayhouse. com. 6915 Cass St. (402) 553-0800

El Museo Latino is a celebration of Latino culture featuring art, dance and music. 4701 S. 25th St. (402) 731-1137

There’s always something fun happening at Aksarben Village at 67th and Center streets. Home to a diverse offering of bars and restaurants and the state’s biggest farmers’ market, it hosts Omaha’s annual two-day Maha Music Festival every summer on the great green lawns of Stinson Park. 2279 S. 67th St., AksarbenVillage.com

In Benson, The Waiting Room offers an industrial space and live bands. 6212 Maple St. Newly renovated historic gem Benson Theatre stages plays. 6054 Maple St. WaitingRoomLounge.com. (402) 991-4333

Independent and foreign film lovers flock to one of two Film Streams locations – one downtown at 13th and Mike Fahey St., and one in Dundee at 49th and Dodge streets. FilmStreams. org. (402) 933-0259

Elmwood Park is a historical Omaha park with majestic older trees, new playground equipment, a golf course, swimming pool, covered picnic areas and ball fields. 6232 Pacific St.

Every year, Fourth of July revelers gather in Memorial Park. A monument honors those killed or missing during service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. 6005 Underwood Ave.

Kids with or without wheelchairs have a blast at Pipal Park. The 15-acre park features an accessible barrier-free playground with a bridge, slides, a water feature, art sculptures and picnic areas. 7770 Hascall St.