Omaha
A short Midwestern city break built around a large zoo, a historic warehouse district and easy walks along the Missouri River.
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Omaha is Nebraska's largest city, on the Missouri River across from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Visitors come for the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, the Old Market, a district of restored brick warehouses with shops, galleries and restaurants, and easy walks along the riverfront. The zoo and the Old Market are the two stops most first trips are built around.
Berkshire Hathaway holds its annual shareholder meeting in Omaha each spring, which brings investors to town. Most visitors plan two or three days, enough for the zoo, a riverfront walk and a few meals in the Old Market. The trip suits families, food lovers and anyone after a short city break in the Midwest. Late spring through early fall is the most comfortable time. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold. Plan on a car for most trips across town.
Omaha in five
- Rent a car at Eppley AirfieldMost sights, hotels and restaurants sit a drive apart, so a car is the easiest way around. Eppley Airfield (OMA) is the closest airport and a short drive from downtown.Getting around
- Book rooms for College World Series weekThe College World Series brings baseball crowds to Omaha every June and fills hotels fast. Book rooms before you fix your flight dates.Sport
- Eat in the Old Market on footThe Old Market has brick streets, restaurants and shops in one compact district. Park once and walk between the blocks.
- Give Henry Doorly Zoo a full dayHenry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is the city's best-known attraction, and its exhibits need most of a day. Check ticket prices and hours on the zoo's website before you go.
- Visit Joslyn Art Museum on a cold or wet dayJoslyn Art Museum is known for its collection of Western art, and it is a good indoor stop when the weather turns.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver nationals; visa for most others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15 to 20 percent at restaurants, bars and taxis
- Time
- UTC-6 (Central), daylight saving to UTC-5 in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryCold, snow
- FebruaryCold, windy
- MarchWindy, thaw
- AprilMild, rain
- MayMild, storms
- JuneWarm, baseball
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberWarm, dry
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, dry
- DecemberCold, holidays
Right now in Omaha
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 25 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 75%
Omaha
02:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today20°16°75%Monday: Rain. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Tue18°10°64%Tuesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Wed11°9°15%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Thu14°6°18%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Fri13°4°5%Friday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat17°6°4%Saturday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun11°6°9%Sunday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 01:56 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Lincolnabout 1 hour by carThe state capital, with its own university and capitol building, an easy add-on.Read the guide
- Council Bluffsabout 15 minutes by carThe Iowa side of the Missouri River, a short drive for a different view of the city.
- Sioux Cityabout 1.5 hours by carA river city in Iowa, a longer drive for a different corner of the region.
Before you go to Omaha
Rules for Omaha, checked
- Visa Waiver Program travelers need an approved ESTA before boarding; most other nationalities need a visa. Check at travel.state.gov.Source
- The drinking age in Nebraska is 21, and bars ask for photo ID. Carry a passport or a driver's license when you go out.
Plan around Omaha
The state Omaha sits in, with road access and regional sights
Read the guideGetting aroundRenting a car and getting around the metro area
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, cash and typical costs in US dollars
Read the guideWhere to stayOld Market, downtown and Blackstone compared
Read the guideSports eventsCollege World Series and other games in Omaha
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs ESTA or a visa, and how to apply
Read the guideOmaha FAQ
How many days do you need in Omaha?
Two days cover the Old Market, Henry Doorly Zoo and Joslyn Art Museum at a relaxed pace. Add a day for a trip to Lincoln or Council Bluffs.
Is Omaha worth visiting?
Yes if you like zoos, art museums and a city with good restaurants. It suits a few days rather than a long stay, and it works as a base for day trips to Lincoln or across the river into Iowa.
When is the best time to visit Omaha?
April to May and September to October bring mild weather. June brings College World Series crowds, and July and August are hot and humid.
Is Omaha safe for tourists?
Stay alert at night in quieter areas, and do not leave valuables visible in a parked car.
How do you get from Eppley Airfield to downtown?
By taxi, rideshare or rental car. It is a short drive from downtown, and traffic is lighter outside rush hour.