Things to do in Omaha with kids – weekend itinerary

Omaha might surprise you – it surprised us big time! Tucked along the Missouri River, this Midwest gem has the charm of a small town with all the adventure of a big city. Between its world-class zoo, nature escapes, and creative food scene, it’s a perfect spot for a long weekend with kids.

We’ve been here with our two kids twice now, so if you’re wondering how to make the most of your time here as a family, here’s our favorite things to do in Omaha with kids, with the best places to eat, play, and explore.

Things to do in Omaha with kids

Play at Sofia’s Play Garden

Located inside Lauritzen Gardens you’ll find Sofia’s Play Garden. We’ve travelled all over and have never experienced such a cool place for kids! Here you’ll find outdoor play buildings, a giant rope bird’s nest, a splash pad, and natural play areas (our kids loved playing with the sticks the most!). It’s sensory friendly and make sure to explore the rest of the Lauritzen botanical gardens while there.

Drive through the Wildlife Safari Park

About 25 minutes outside of Omaha, the Wildlife Safari Park is one of those stops that’s worth the drive. You stay in your car for most of it. It’s a four-mile loop through Nebraska prairie where bison, elk and deer just wander past your windows. Once you park, you can explore Wolf Canyon, where you can actually spot the wolves hanging out in the trees if you’re patient. There’s the Hands-On Corral, where the kids can pet and feed the animals up close, and then there’s Dinosaurs Unearthed, a walk-through trail lined with life-size dinosaurs that move and roar. Give yourself at least two hours here, and go earlier in the day when the animals are most active

Experience Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

If you do only one thing in Omaha, let it be a day at the Henry Doorly Zoo. It’s consistently ranked among the best zoos in the world for good reason! We easily spent 5 hours here but could have spent more. Each habitat is immersive, shaped not just by the animals but by the culture and even the food of the places they come from. I couldn’t get enough of the desert dome (the kids loved spotting snakes) and the skyfari ride that allows you to see animals from above – an absolute must!

Shop local at Made in Omaha

We stayed in the Old Market area which is a fun, walkable area with cobblestone streets, string lights, and plenty of restaurants nearby. We popped into @madeinomaha, a shop filled with local goods, art, a photobooth, and even a cool build-your-own mini tote bag bar!

Climb trees at Fontenelle Forest

Fontenelle Forest is one of Nebraska’s most beautiful nature areas. There have stroller-friendly boardwalks through the trees and a great nature center and playground for kids. Our favorite part, though, was the @treerushomaha ropes course. Think zip lines, bridges, and climbing fun high up in the canopy. It was our such a highlight of the trip!

Explore the Omaha Riverfront Parks

Omaha’s @omaha_riverfront area blew us away. There are connected parks, creative playgrounds, and plenty of space to rent bikes or roller skates. The kids were obsessed with the giant climbing nets and splash features that can be found throughout the city. We rented electric bikes and cruised along the river before switching to roller skates, easily one of the most fun things we did all weekend.

Airboat thrills on the Platte River

Get an adrenaline rush while also getting a tour of the natural area along the Platte River. Woody’s Airboat Tours fly across the river (literally, they skim the surface because it’s only a few feet deep), and it’s such a blast for kids and parents alike. Expect speed and bald eagle spotting!

Get creative at the Omaha Children’s Museum

The Omaha Children’s Museum is one of those places where you plan on an hour and end up staying three. Right now the big draw is Super Sports, where kids can play their way through a bunch of different sports and sneak in some learning about angles, timing and strategy without realizing it. Beyond that there’s the Art Smart Center and the Tinker Factory for the crafty ones, a science center, and even a ball play area. It genuinely works whether you’ve got a toddler or a ten-year-old. Pro tip: it’s closed on Mondays, so plan around that!

Catch the Aksarben Tirc Bike Race

If your visit lines up, don’t miss the Aksarben Tirc bike race which takes place mid-May! Streets close down and the whole area turns into a family-friendly festival with food trucks, music, kid-friendly activities, and racers zooming past.

The best Omaha food, drinks, and treats

Ice cream at Ted and Wally’s or Coneflower Creamery

Cool off with homemade ice cream at Ted and Wally’s (first photo) or Coneflower Creamery (second photo), or both! Ted and Wally’s has wild rotating flavors like honey lavender and cookie monster, they were out of this world! Coneflower Creamery also makes their own ice cream and cones sourced from local farmers. Both have two different locations in Omaha.

Get dinner at Dolomiti Pizzeria

Just a few minutes North of the Old Market area, you’ll find Dolomit Pizzeria, a great local pizza joint! Their pizza is homemade with their very own sourdough crust and local ingredients. A crowd please for the whole family! Make a reservation ahead of time as this spot gets busy.

Check out Inner Rail Food Hall

Inner Rail Food Halls is a modern food hall with tons of great options like tacos, sushi, ramen, burgers, you name it. The atmosphere is casual but lively, perfect after a full day outside. Everyone found something they loved (always a parenting win).

Get world-class sushi at Yoshitomo

If you’re able to sneak away for a date-night while in Omaha or if your kids like high-end sushi, Yoshitomo is a MUST. t’s run by chef David Utterback, a James Beard nominee who’s gotten national attention for doing sushi in a way nobody else really is: think Japanese technique mixed with Midwest ingredients. The Washington Post actually called it some of the most original sushi in America, which feels like a big deal for a landlocked city! The space is small and buzzy, so make a reservation ahead of time.

Grab local coffee

We ended up at two coffee shops in Omaha and loved both for totally different reasons. The Mill on Leavenworth is where you go to actually sit and stay a while. It’s in a gorgeous old Art Deco building with gold details, a huge library wall, and a patio with fire tables, plus a solid breakfast menu. Con Azúcar Café is the opposite energy: bright, colorful, and absolutely made for photos, with Mexican coffee drinks and pan dulce that taste even better than they look.

Omaha is such an unexpected gem: a mix of outdoor adventure, city fun, and midwestern charm. Between airboats, treetop climbs, and world-class animals, there’s so much here for families. If you’re planning a Midwest getaway, add Omaha to your list – it’s one of our all time favorites with kids!