Omaha Haunted Cemetery Trolley Tour
A two-hour autumn trolley ride through Omaha's cemeteries, haunted landmarks and mansions, led by costumed historians dressed as undertakers who trade in ghost stories, gangster lore and the city's rowdier past.
Nebraska
Omaha
Omaha is the river city that keeps surprising people: a top-ranked zoo with an indoor rainforest and a desert dome, a brick-paved Old Market of patios and carriage rides, a rebuilt riverfront with a footbridge that crosses into Iowa, and a railroad past that lives on in the Art Deco Union Station.
It is also a town with a darker, funnier side, and the trolley tours here, from the haunted cemetery ride to the speakeasy and dive bar circuits, turn gangsters, brothels and ghost stories into some of the best evenings in the Midwest. This guide books the city properly, pairs it with the museums, gardens and day trips that fill a long weekend, and matches you to the right hotel, from the restored Blackstone to suites beside the Old Market.
Don't miss
Omaha Haunted Cemetery Trolley Tour
A two-hour autumn trolley ride through Omaha's cemeteries, haunted landmarks and mansions, led by costumed historians dressed as undertakers who trade in ghost stories, gangster lore and the city's rowdier past.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
One of the best zoos in the United States, with an indoor rainforest, the world's largest indoor desert dome, a huge nocturnal exhibit, a shark tunnel and an aerial tram. Plan a full day, or two.
The Old Market
Omaha's brick-paved warehouse district turned dining, shopping and nightlife quarter. Horse-drawn carriages, galleries, bars and some of the city's best restaurants, all within a few walkable blocks.
The Durham Museum
Omaha's history museum lives inside the 1931 Art Deco Union Station, a soaring Great Hall with restored railcars, a vintage soda fountain and exhibits on the city's rail, river and stockyard past.
Things to do in Omaha
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Omaha Halloween and Holiday Lights Trolley Tours
Evening trolley rides built around Omaha's seasonal decorations, with Halloween and holiday light tours from a local trolley operator. A warm, seated way to see the city dressed up without driving in the dark.
Omaha Speakeasy and Dive Bar Trolley Tours
A grown-up trolley circuit of Omaha's drinking history: a Prohibition-themed speakeasy tour, a dive bar tour, Bloody Mary rounds and Taco Tequila Thursdays, all from a local trolley operator.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
One of the best zoos in the United States, with an indoor rainforest, the world's largest indoor desert dome, a huge nocturnal exhibit, a shark tunnel and an aerial tram. Plan a full day, or two.
The Old Market
Omaha's brick-paved warehouse district turned dining, shopping and nightlife quarter. Horse-drawn carriages, galleries, bars and some of the city's best restaurants, all within a few walkable blocks.
2 to 4 hoursGet tickets →
Joslyn Art Museum
Omaha's art museum in a pink Georgia marble Art Deco palace, with European and American masterworks, Karl Bodmer's watercolors of the Missouri River frontier and a modern wing by Norman Foster.
The Durham Museum
Omaha's history museum lives inside the 1931 Art Deco Union Station, a soaring Great Hall with restored railcars, a vintage soda fountain and exhibits on the city's rail, river and stockyard past.
Lauritzen Gardens
Omaha's botanical garden, with a Victorian-style conservatory, rose and woodland gardens, a model railroad and Union Pacific's giant Big Boy steam locomotive next door at Kenefick Park.
Kiewit Luminarium
A hands-on science museum on the Missouri River in downtown Omaha, with large interactive exhibits on light, sound, motion and natural phenomena, built for curious children and adults alike.
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
A curving, cable-stayed footbridge across the Missouri River, linking Nebraska to Iowa. Walk about 3,000 feet over the water, stand in two states at once and watch the skyline from the middle.
1 hourDetails →
Omaha RiverFront Parks: Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park and Lewis and Clark Landing
Three downtown parks along the Missouri River, redone in 2022 with a large play area, lagoon, lawns, gardens and event space. A free, family-friendly stretch between the Old Market and the water.
1 to 3 hoursGet tickets →
Charles Schwab Field and the College World Series
Omaha has hosted the NCAA Division I baseball finals since 1950. Every June the city fills with fans for the College World Series at Charles Schwab Field, with FanFest, tailgates and a baseball-first atmosphere.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel
Blackstone District
The restored Blackstone Hotel, an Omaha landmark with a long social history, reopened as a boutique Kimpton in the Blackstone District. Character, a lively lobby scene and a short drive from downtown.
Check rates →Hilton Omaha
Capitol District / Downtown
A large downtown tower beside the CHI Health Center in the Capitol District, with full-service amenities and a short walk to the Old Market, the RiverFront and the College World Series ballpark.
Check rates →Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
Capitol District / Downtown
A modern full-service Marriott in the Capitol District, a short walk from the CHI Health Center, the Old Market and the riverfront, with a restaurant, fitness center and Bonvoy perks.
Check rates →Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market
Old Market / Downtown
Two-room suites in a hotel beside the Old Market, with an atrium, a cooked-to-order breakfast typical of the brand and easy walks to dining, the Durham Museum and the riverfront.
Check rates →Magnolia Hotel Omaha
Downtown / Old Market area
A boutique hotel in a historic downtown building, with a classic look, an on-site restaurant and a location a short walk from the Old Market and the Capitol District.
Check rates →DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Downtown
Downtown
A mid-priced downtown Hilton with the brand's signature welcome cookie, on-site dining and a central position for walks to the Old Market, the riverfront and the arena district.
Check rates →Hilton Garden Inn Omaha Downtown Old Market Area
Old Market area / Downtown
A reliable, moderately priced Hilton Garden Inn in the Old Market area, with comfortable rooms, an on-site restaurant and a short walk to downtown dining and the riverfront.
Check rates →Homewood Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown
Downtown
An all-suite extended-stay style hotel downtown, with kitchens, separate living space and a complimentary breakfast typical of the brand. Best for longer visits and families who want room to spread out.
Check rates →Hilton Garden Inn Omaha Aksarben Village
Aksarben Village / Midtown
A modern mid-priced hotel in Aksarben Village, a lively midtown neighborhood near the university, with easy access to the zoo, Joslyn and Dundee and free of downtown event-night prices.
Check rates →Omaha guides
Omaha for First-Timers: What to See, Where to Eat and How the City Fits Together
A practical first-visit guide to Omaha: how the downtown, the Old Market, the riverfront and the zoo fit together, what is worth your time and what to book in advance.
Omaha in Three Days: Zoo, Old Market, Museums and a Haunted Trolley
A three-day Omaha itinerary that sequences the zoo, the Old Market, the museums and the riverfront, with rainy-day swaps and options for each season.
Where to Stay in Omaha: Downtown, the Old Market, Blackstone or Midtown
Choosing a base in Omaha: how downtown, the Old Market, the Capitol District, the Blackstone District and Aksarben Village differ, and which hotel suits which kind of trip.
Haunted Omaha: Cemeteries, Gangsters and Trolley Tours
Omaha's darker history and how to explore it: the Haunted Cemetery Trolley Tour, Prospect Hill Cemetery, Prohibition-era speakeasies, light tours and tips for ghost-minded travelers.
Omaha with Kids: Zoo, Science, Parks and Rainy-Day Plans
A family guide to Omaha: Henry Doorly Zoo, Kiewit Luminarium, the RiverFront play area, trains and gardens, with age tips, rainy-day plans and where to stay.
The Best Time to Visit Omaha: Seasons, Events and What Each Month Offers
When to visit Omaha: spring, summer, autumn and winter compared, plus the College World Series, shareholder weekend, trolley seasons and zoo lights.
