localtravelguide. Nebraska · Old Market & the Riverfront

Cobblestone Streets, Desert Domes & Riverfront Parks

Omaha,
Nebraska.

From the Henry Doorly Zoo's Desert Dome and the cobblestones of the Old Market to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, the Joslyn Art Museum and the riverfront parks: discover the friendly heart of the Great Plains.

Information reviewed October 2026 · Live National Weather Service forecast for Omaha, NE.

The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge over the Missouri River at sunset
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

01 / Getting Here & Around

Fly Into OMA, Then Explore Downtown on Foot.

Downtown, the Old Market and the riverfront are walkable, while the zoo, Joslyn and other neighborhoods are a short drive or bus ride away.

Airport

Eppley Airfield (OMA)

Omaha's airport is just a few miles northeast of downtown, about a 10-minute drive, with rental cars, taxis and rideshares at the terminal.

One of the most convenient airports to a downtown in the region.

OMA Airport Info ↗
Getting Around

Metro Buses & ORBT

Omaha Metro buses and the ORBT rapid bus along Dodge Street connect downtown, midtown and west Omaha.

A car is handy for the zoo and day trips.

Metro Routes ↗

College World Series: Each June, the NCAA Men's College World Series fills Charles Schwab Field and downtown hotels. Book early if your trip overlaps.

02 / Interactive Map

Omaha Riverfront & Old Market Map.

Filter by area or type, tap a pin for details, and save places to download as a shareable image.

03 / Iconic Stops

Desert Domes, Cobblestone Markets & River Bridges.

A world-famous zoo, a historic warehouse district and revitalized riverfront parks.

South Omaha

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

A top-rated zoo with the Desert Dome, the indoor Lied Jungle rainforest and a large aquarium.

Plan Your Visit ↗
Downtown

Old Market

Brick warehouses and cobblestone streets filled with shops, galleries, restaurants and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Old Market Guide ↗
Riverfront

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

A 3,000-foot pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River where you can stand with one foot in Nebraska and one in Iowa.

Riverfront Guide ↗
Midtown

Joslyn Art Museum

A free art museum in a 1931 Art Deco landmark with a modern pavilion and collections spanning ancient to contemporary art.

Museum Info ↗
Downtown

The RiverFront Parks

The revitalized Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing offer gardens, playgrounds, slides and water features.

Park Info ↗
Downtown

The Durham Museum

Omaha's restored 1931 Art Deco Union Station, now a museum of regional history with a classic soda fountain.

Museum Info ↗

04 / Omaha Eats

Steakhouses, Reubens & Runzas.

Beef country classics and Old Market dining.

Classic Steakhouses

Omaha is famous for its beef, and old-school steakhouses across the city serve thick-cut steaks in dimly lit dining rooms.

Steakhouse Guide ↗

Reubens, Runzas & the Old Market

The Reuben sandwich is said to have been invented in Omaha; try one alongside a Runza, Nebraska's beef-and-cabbage bread pocket, and Old Market cafés.

Local Food Guide ↗

05 / 3-Day Plan

The Essential Omaha Itinerary.

Zoo adventures, riverfront walks and Old Market evenings.

  1. Day 1: Henry Doorly Zoo

    Spend the day at the zoo exploring the Desert Dome, Lied Jungle and aquarium, then have dinner at a classic steakhouse.

  2. Day 2: Old Market & Riverfront

    Browse the Old Market's shops and galleries, walk the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, and play at the RiverFront parks.

  3. Day 3: Museums & Midtown

    Visit the Joslyn Art Museum and the Durham Museum's Union Station, then explore the Blackstone District's restaurants and bars.

Storms & Seasonal Extremes

Great Plains Conditions.

Spring and summer bring severe thunderstorms, hail and occasional tornadoes. Keep weather alerts on and know where to shelter.

Summers are hot and humid, while winters can be bitterly cold with snow and wind. Dress for the season and check road conditions before driving.

NWS Omaha/Valley Office ↗ · City of Omaha ↗
Cobblestone street and brick buildings in Omaha's Old Market
Omaha's Old Market

06 / Official Resources

Handy Links & Portals.

Tourism, transit, attraction and weather links for planning your Omaha visit.

Frequently Asked Questions.

How long should I spend at the Henry Doorly Zoo?

Most visitors spend a full day, as the zoo covers more than 130 acres with large indoor exhibits like the Desert Dome and Lied Jungle. Arrive early on summer weekends.

Can you really stand in two states on the pedestrian bridge?

Yes. A marker on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge shows the Nebraska–Iowa state line above the Missouri River, a popular photo spot.

When is the best time to visit Omaha?

Late spring and early fall offer comfortable weather. June brings the College World Series, while winter is cold but quieter.

How does the saved places list work?

Clicking "Save" on any location card or map marker stores it directly in your browser's local storage. You can filter the view to "Saved" or choose "Save list as image" in the place list beside the map to generate a clean PNG containing all your chosen stops and addresses for offline navigation.