Tourism in Omaha, Nebraska facts for kids
Omaha, Nebraska, is a fun place to visit in the United States! It offers exciting history, cool sports, beautiful nature, and amazing cultural experiences. Two of its biggest attractions are the Henry Doorly Zoo and the College World Series (CWS). The CWS is a huge baseball event that brings in millions of dollars for the city. The Henry Doorly Zoo is also super popular, with over a million visitors every year. It's Nebraska's top tourist spot! In 2007, Omaha even hosted big events like the USA Roller Sports National Championships and auditions for the American Idol TV show.
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Omaha's History as a Tourist Spot
Omaha has welcomed visitors for a very long time. Famous people like Rudyard Kipling and General George Crook stayed in early hotels. These included the Douglas House and the original Paxton Hotel.
In 1883, the Omaha Driving Park hosted the first official Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Eight thousand people came to see it! Later, in 1898, Omaha held a huge event called the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. This was like a world's fair that lasted for over half a year. More than a million people visited from all over the United States!
Top Attractions in Omaha
The most popular place to visit in Omaha is the Henry Doorly Zoo. In 2004, Reader's Digest magazine called it the best zoo in America. It has the biggest cat area in North America! Family Fun Magazine also said it was "America's #1 Family Friendly Attraction."
Other fun outdoor spots include Fun-Plex and the Heartland of America Park. You can also visit the Joslyn Art Museum, the Omaha Children's Museum, and the historic Old Market. The Old Market is a cool area for arts and entertainment. For shopping, check out Westroads, Village Pointe, and Oakview Mall. The Qwest Center Omaha is a huge building for many different events.
Culture and Arts
Omaha has many cultural places to explore. The Creighton Orpheum Theater is a beautiful performing arts center downtown. It hosts "Broadway In Omaha" shows and Opera Omaha. Famous performers like Bing Crosby and Bob Hope have been there!
Union Station is now home to the Durham Western Heritage Museum. This museum shares the history of the Western United States. It also has special collections about Omaha's past.
El Museo Latino in South Omaha and the Dreamland Ballroom celebrate the city's diverse communities. Events like Native Omaha Days and the Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe show Omaha's rich cultural roots.
The Omaha Children's Museum is perfect for younger kids. It has a Toddler Farm for ages 4 and under. There are also creative arts areas and a dress-up section. Kids can learn through play in the hands-on science gallery.
The Joslyn Art Museum is Nebraska's main fine arts museum. It opened in 1931 and has art from ancient times to today. You can see works by famous artists like Claude Monet and Jackson Pollock. The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts has galleries and studios for artists from around the world.
Omaha also has a lively performing arts scene. The Magic Theatre is an experimental theater that's been around for 40 years. The Holland Performing Arts Center opened in 2005. It's known for events that need great sound, like performances by the Omaha Symphony.
Other cultural spots include the Artists Cooperative Gallery and the Loves Jazz and Arts Center. You can also visit the Lozier IMAX Theater and the Omaha Community Playhouse.
Sports in Omaha
TD Ameritrade Park became the new home of the annual College World Series (CWS) in 2011. Before that, the Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium hosted the CWS. Every year, eight college baseball teams come to Omaha to compete. This event brings many visitors and a lot of excitement to the city. Visitors to the tournament spend millions of dollars in the Omaha area.
Werner Park is the home of the AAA Omaha Storm Chasers baseball team. The Mid-America Center is across the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It's a big arena and convention center.
The Omaha Civic Auditorium is a large building for sports and concerts. It can hold thousands of people. It hosts sporting events, concerts, and trade shows. It's also home to the Omaha Beef indoor football team. The CenturyLink Center Omaha is another huge arena and convention center. It hosts basketball and hockey games, concerts, and big meetings.
Historical Places
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Omaha was founded in 1854 and has a rich history. The Old Market Historic District downtown is a popular spot for both tourists and locals. It's near the Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District.
Many tourists visit the Mormon Trail Center and the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery each year. The north side of Omaha also has a long history. This area includes the Fort Omaha Historic District, an old U.S. Army post from 1878.
Other important historical places in Omaha include Boys Town and the Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens. You can also see Joslyn Castle and the Malcolm X Birthsite. Freedom Park is home to two World War II ships, the USS Hazard and the USS Marlin.
Nature and Parks
Omaha has many public parks, and some are great for tourists. The Heartland of America Park downtown has a fountain that shoots water 300 feet high! You can also take gondola rides on the lake. Omaha's Lauritzen Gardens is a beautiful 100-acre botanical garden. It has a special holiday poinsettia show in December.
Other popular parks include Dodge Park and the Gene Leahy Mall. The city also has over 80 miles of recreational trails for biking, running, and walking. Soon, the Missouri River Pedestrian Bridge will connect trails across the river.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is famous for its work in animal conservation. It started as the Riverview Park Zoo in 1894. Today, it has amazing exhibits like the "Butterfly and Insect Pavilion" and the Scott Aquarium. "Kingdoms of the Night" is the world's largest exhibit for nocturnal animals. The Lied Jungle is the world's largest indoor rain forest, and the "Desert Dome" is the world's largest indoor desert.
Fontenelle Forest and the Neale Woods Nature Center offer miles of trails. They also have nature exhibits and educational activities for families.
Fun Entertainment
Funplex is a combination amusement park and water park. It has 12 rides, a junior roller coaster, and water slides. The water park has a wave pool and a lazy river. The Amazing Pizza Machine is a national award-winning family entertainment center. It was named a "Top Family Entertainment Center of the World" in 2007!
Regional Adventures
Just southwest of Omaha, you can find more fun places. The Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari is a drive-through park. You can see native North American animals like bison and elk. The Strategic Air and Space Museum is also nearby. It has a huge glass area and two hangars full of aircraft. You can even see a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird!
Mahoney State Park and Platte River State Park offer many outdoor activities. Schramm Park State Recreation Area is a unique natural area along the Platte River.
North of Omaha, the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is a home for migrating birds. In winter, over 100 bald eagles live there! Across the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, Iowa, you can visit the historic General Dodge House. There's also the RailsWest Railroad Museum. Council Bluffs also has several casinos like Ameristar and Harrah's.
Other Interesting Places
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is a large university founded in 1908. It has a strong academic reputation. UNO is home to the Peter Kiewit Institute, a modern facility for computer science and engineering.
Offutt Air Force Base is home to the Air Force's 55th Wing. About 12,000 military and federal employees work there.
Other notable attractions in Omaha include St. Cecilia Cathedral and many landmarks in North Omaha.
