Visitor’s Guide to Omaha, Nebraska: Crossroads of the Nation
The city is rich in history and played a vital role in American expansion. Long called the crossroads of the nation, Omaha outfitted many of the early prospectors and explorers headed West. Some of the Mormons en route to Utah wintered near the site of Omaha. After the Omaha Native People (from which the city gained its’ name) signed a treaty with the United States government in 1854 that opened the region to settlement, newcomers began arriving in large numbers. Fort Omaha was created by President Lincoln to protect the budding railroads and the post was vital during the years of Native American wars.
Today, Omaha is a diverse business and cultural center. More than five hundred restaurants serve up meals daily, eighty performing arts venues and galleries provide cultural enrichment, fifty eight attractions draw visitors from across the nation and around the globe, fifty golf courses bring avid sportsmen to try the greens, and more than 10,000 hotel rooms are waiting for visitors.
One of the best known attractions in Omaha is a world class zoological park. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo spreads over 110 acres and features several recreated habitats that include the world’s largest indoor desert. Other areas include rain forests from Asia, South America, and Africa; endangered species that include white tigers, African elephants, white rhinos, snow leopards and lowland gorillas; an aquarium with a seventy foot long glass tunnel with underwater shark viewing; an IMAX theater, polar bear exhibit, children’s petting zoo, and more. The zoo is open daily from 9:30 am until 5pm, closed on major holidays. Another popular attraction at the zoo is the steam train that rides visitors over a 2.5 mile track. The zoo also operates the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Drive-Through Zoo in nearby Ashland. The Henry Doorly Zoo is located at 3701 South 10th Street, exit 454 from I-80.
For nature without the animals, visit the Lauritzen Gardens – Omaha’s Botanical Center at 1st and Bancroft. The one hundred acre site offers thirteen cultivated areas that include a Victorian garden, rose garden, children’s garden, a bird sanctuary and a native meadow. The visitor center also houses floral exhibits, season flower displays, and a library. Just a few miles away in Gretna, the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium can be found in Schramm Park State Recreation Area. Twelve tanks feature fish and other underwater creatures in native habitats.
History buffs may enjoy the Durham Western Heritage Museum on South 10th. Housed within the Art Deco historic landmark Union Station, this museum displays train cars, an earth lodge, teepee, early homes, a covered wagon and traveling exhibits. The historic Old Market area of the city can be found bounded by Jackson, Harney, 10th, and 13th streets. Cobblestone streets set the scene for pubs, street vendors, boutiques, galleries, specialty shops, and restaurants. The look and feel is that of the late 19th century. While in the area, don’t miss the Heartland of America Fountain and Park, east of the Old Market along the river.
In contrast to the streets of the past, buildings such as the Mutual of Omaha Dome at 33rd and Dodge are modern edifices that draw the city into the 21st century. When completed, the riverfront project will feature the Qwest Convention Center and Arena along with a pedestrian bridge linking Omaha to Council Bluffs.
Learn more about the Mormon exodus to Utah at the Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Headquarters and Pioneer Cemetery. Exhibits here bring to life the Mormon pioneers and their long westward trek. Other local museums of note include the Omaha Children’s Musuem at 500 South 20th Street. Here, kids of all ages can experience an earthquake, build with giant Legos, or produce a television news program.
President Gerald Ford is remembered at the Ford Birthsite and Gardens at 32nd and Woolworth Avenues. A replica of the house where former president Ford was born in 1913. The original home was destroyed by fire in 1971. Visit the Betty Ford Rose Garden on site as well.
At the General Crook House Museum at Fort Omaha on the Metropolitan Community College campus, visitors can enter the house that served as home to General Crook in the 1870’s. Crook was once Commander of the Platte – a region that encompassed Nebraska, Iowa, Utah, Wyoming as well as portions of Montana and Wyoming.
Father Flanagan’s Boys Town remains at 13628 Flanagan Boulevard. Boys Town was made famous in a 1938 movie but the home for boys was founded by Father Edward Flanagan in 1917. Today, a campus of 900 acres is home to Girls and Boys Town. Troubled children still learn to become responsible citizens here. A history museum, shrine, chapel, gardens, and Father Flanagan’s restored home can all be seen here.
Military history can be seen at Freedom Park along the banks of the Missouri River. The USS Hazard and USS Marlin – vintage World War II era ship and submarine – are berthed here. Both are open for self-guided tours. Other exhibits within Freedom Park include airplanes, a helicopter, and other military equipment.
Works from ancient Greece, Egypt, and Italty along with Europeans works that date to the Middle Ages can be viewed at the Joslyn Art Museum. Karl Bodmer’s water colors can be seen here along with other artists’ work that includes that of Thomas Hart Benton, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Matisse, Renior, and Grant Wood among others.
Another exquisite place of art is St. Cecila’s Cathedral between Webster and Burt Streets on 40th. This Spanish Renaissance style cathedral has a white Cararra marble altar from Italy, a hand carved mahogany pulpit, and the Our Lady of Nebraska chapel with 16th century Spanish stained glass windows.
When it’s time to play, take the family to the Fun Plex Amusement Park off I-80 on Q Street. This combination water and amusement park has a tilt-a-whirl, Ferris Wheel, bumper boats, bumper cars, go-carts, a wave pool, water slides, kiddie rides and much more. Enjoy shopping at any of Omaha’s three major malls – Crossroads Mall at 72nd and Dodge has more than one hundred stores including anchors Sears, Dillards, and Yonkers. Oak View Mall at 144th and West Center or Westroads Shopping Center at Dodge Street just off I-80 also offer many fun shopping opportunities.
With more than five hundred restaurants it may be hard to choose where to eat but try Famous Dave’s BBQ in the Old Market area. The Flat Iron Cafe downtown occupies a former hotel that dates from 1912. Their specialty is blue crab baked with havarti cheese and garlic butter. Gorats on Center Street has been a local institution for more than fifty years. Although well-known for excellent steaks, Gorats also is family friendly with value pricing. Kids may enjoy the Spaghetti Works downtown. Not only can diners enjoy all-you-can-eat-spaghetti but the salad bar is housed in an antique fire truck!
Discover all that Nebraska’s river city has to offer with a family trip to Omaha.
