Omaha was born a river town in 1854 and grew on grit—railroads, stockyards, and a frontier spirit that still lingers in brick warehouses and proud neighborhoods. Today it’s a city of green parks, world-class museums, and a culinary scene that pairs steakhouse tradition with innovative, chef-driven spots. You’ll find sculpture gardens next to rail history, indie coffee next to jazz-age theaters.

Fun facts to set the mood: Omaha hosts the NCAA Men’s College World Series each June. The Reuben sandwich is widely credited to a poker game at the Blackstone Hotel. And the city’s indie music cred runs deep thanks to the Saddle Creek scene. Omaha rewards walkers with lively districts—Old Market, Blackstone, Benson—and a riverfront stitched together by striking new public spaces.

Practical notes: You won’t need a car every minute, but rideshares, scooters, and the ORBT rapid bus on Dodge Street make cross-town hops easy. Winters are crisp; summers bring festivals and patio dining. Book marquee restaurants and the zoo ahead on weekends, and always check museum hours outside peak season.

Omaha

Welcome to the Missouri River’s west bank, where vintage brick meets modern glass. Start with the Old Market’s cobblestones and iron planters, then fan out to the RiverFront’s lawns, Lauritzen’s hillside gardens, and neighborhoods like Benson (music, murals) and Blackstone (beer, bites, and the Reuben legacy).

• Top sights: Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Lauritzen Gardens & Kenefick Park, The Durham Museum (in Union Station), Joslyn Art Museum, The RiverFront (Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park, Lewis & Clark Landing), Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.
• Neighborhoods to explore: Old Market (history and galleries), Blackstone District (gastropubs, breweries), Benson (music venues and indie dining), Dundee (tree-lined streets, classic taverns), Little Bohemia and South Omaha (Latin flavors and art).
• Dining highlights: Legacy steakhouses, inventive sushi, Neapolitan pies, seasonal farm-to-table, and South O’s panaderías and taquerías.

Where to stay: For atmospheric nights, base in the Old Market or Downtown; for a foodie basecamp, pick Blackstone; for quieter tree-lined blocks, try Dundee. Browse stays on VRBO Omaha or compare hotels on Hotels.com Omaha.

Getting there: Fly into Eppley Airfield (OMA), 10–15 minutes from Downtown by car. Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: 1–1.5 hours from Denver/Chicago, ~3 hours from Phoenix, ~3–4 from the coasts with a connection; round-trips often range $180–$450 depending on season and events.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Market Stroll, and a Taste of Downtown

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs through the Old Market’s brick-lined blocks. Duck into galleries and the Passageway’s glass-roofed arcade. For a hands-on intro, try the Omaha Downtown Historic Self Guided Walking Tour, which threads Pioneer Courage Park to the Old Market and fills in pioneer lore and architectural details.

Evening: Dinner at V. Mertz (tucked in the Old Market Passageway; seasonal tasting menus and a deep cellar) or M’s Pub (a beloved staple—lavosh, steak skewers, amber-lit comfort). Nightcaps at Brickway Brewery & Distillery (house spirits and small-batch beers) or Mr. Toad (classic tavern vibes and sidewalk people-watching).

Day 2: Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium + Rail History

Morning: Coffee and a pastry at Hardy Coffee Co. (Old Market) or Archetype Coffee (Little Bohemia roastery). Spend the morning at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium—don’t miss the Desert Dome, Lied Jungle, and Scott Aquarium’s shark tunnel. It’s sprawling, so plan 3–4 hours.

Afternoon: Late lunch at Orsi’s Italian Bakery & Pizzeria (thick-crust squares, garlic bread, and the scent of history—serving since 1919). Walk or rideshare to The Durham Museum inside art-deco Union Station; exhibits on rail travel and regional history pair well with a phosphate at the restored soda fountain.

Evening: Dinner at Gather in Omaha (seasonal plates, house-grown greens) or Hiro 88 Downtown (sushi and pan-Asian mains). For cocktails, try Mercury (mid-century setting with a smart martini list) or Tiny House Bar (Capitol District courtyard and twinkle lights).

Day 3: The RiverFront, Luminarium, and the Bridge to “Kansaska”

Morning: Breakfast at Early Bird (Downtown) for inventive pancakes and benedicts. Wander Gene Leahy Mall’s lawns and playgrounds, then head to the Kiewit Luminarium at Lewis & Clark Landing—part science museum, part curiosity cabinet, great for hands-on tinkering.

Afternoon: Walk the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge over the Missouri; straddle the state line for a “Kansaska” photo and skyline views. Turn the parks-and-plazas walk into a game with the Self-Guided Omaha Scavenger Hunt: The West’s Glorious Gateway—it’s an app-led romp through landmarks and hidden corners.

Evening: North Downtown (NoDo) dinner at Hook & Lime (gulf shrimp tacos, elote, agave spirits) or Jams (American bistro with local produce). If there’s a show, catch one at the Holland Performing Arts Center or the historic Orpheum; otherwise, stroll back through the RiverFront with the skyline lit.

Day 4: Joslyn Art, Blackstone Bites, and Local Brews

Morning: Coffee at Bad Seed Coffee & Supply (cozy and craft-focused) or Archetype (if you missed it). Then, the Joslyn Art Museum—freshly expanded—with European masters, American West, and rotating contemporary shows. Leave time for the outdoor sculpture garden.

Afternoon: Head to the Blackstone District. Lunch at Early Bird (Blackstone outpost) or Noli’s Pizzeria (properly blistered New York slices and whole pies). Dessert at Coneflower Creamery (farm-to-cone flavors; watch for seasonal fruit and local dairy).

Evening: Sample the neighborhood’s beer scene at Scriptown Brewing (sessionable, Old World styles) or walk across to Crescent Moon Ale House—try their take on the Reuben, a nod to the sandwich’s Omaha origin story. For dinner, Mula (street-style tacos and tequila wall) or Stirnella (American fare with Midwestern pantry). Nightcap stroll under the vintage Blackstone Hotel sign.

Day 5: Benson’s Indie Energy—Art, Sushi, and Live Music

Morning: Brunch at Saddle Creek Breakfast Club (creative scrambles and pancakes; go early on weekends). Coffee crawl on Maple Street at Hardy Coffee (Benson) or Another Round for a playful indoor mini-golf-and-coffee combo.

Afternoon: Explore Benson’s murals, thrift and vinyl shops, and galleries. Late lunch at Yoshitomo (James Beard–recognized sushi and omakase; book if you can) or Ika Ramen & Izakaya (tonkotsu, gyoza, and Japanese bar snacks). Grab a pint at Benson Brewery (house ales and a shaded patio).

Evening: If there’s a show, The Waiting Room Lounge anchors the neighborhood’s live music scene. Alternatively, turn your bar hop into a game with the Self-Guided Bar Hunt: Oh My Omaha!—a playful, app-led crawl with trivia and challenges.

Day 6: South Omaha Flavors and Lauritzen Gardens

Morning: Dive into South Omaha’s 24th Street. Start with pan dulce and coffee at a local panadería, then stroll murals and mercados. Pick up warm tamales at Jacobo’s Grocery (a neighborhood institution) for a take-home snack.

Afternoon: Wander Lauritzen Gardens—rose gardens in season, the model railroad in the conservatory, and a short path up to Kenefick Park’s towering Union Pacific locomotives. It’s a lovely 2–3-hour escape, especially in spring and fall.

Evening: Steak night at The Drover (whiskey-marinated ribeye; classic salad bar; arrive a bit early for a booth). Nightcap in Dundee at The Homy Inn (retro tavern famous for champagne on tap) or stop for a scoop at Coneflower’s Dundee location if you didn’t indulge earlier.

Day 7: Council Bluffs Side Trip and Farewell

Morning: Brunch downtown at Lisa’s Radial Cafe (old-school diner plates) or Spezia’s weekend brunch if running. Cross the river to Council Bluffs (10–15 minutes) to visit the Union Pacific Railroad Museum (rail barons, Pullman cars, and interactive exhibits) and the historic Squirrel Cage Jail if time allows—check hours, especially in winter.

Afternoon: Quick lunch on Council Bluffs’ historic 100 Block—try 712 Eat + Drink (modern Midwestern plates) or Boxer Barbeque (pit-smoked classics). Head back to your hotel, pack up, and make the short ride to Eppley for your afternoon departure.

Evening: Travel day—if you’ve got a spare hour, take one last stroll through Gene Leahy Mall or grab a cup from Hardy to savor on the ride to the airport.

Practical Tips and Booking Shortcuts

• Flights: Compare fares and routes on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Aim to arrive by early afternoon on Day 1 and depart after lunch on Day 7.
• Stays: Find a loft near cobblestones or a quiet bungalow in Dundee via VRBO Omaha, or compare Downtown and Blackstone hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting around: Old Market and the RiverFront are walkable; ORBT buses connect Midtown and West Dodge; rideshares are plentiful at night. Parking is generally straightforward in most districts and garages downtown.

Across seven days, you’ll sample Omaha’s past and present—from pioneer statues to a science-forward riverfront, from steakhouse classics to sushi that surprises. Expect warm hospitality, easy logistics, and neighborhoods with distinct personalities. You’ll leave with a full camera roll and a short list of “next time” favorites.