Parks and the outdoors in Omaha

12 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Omaha.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Drink
Blue Line Coffee
Resides in a walkable area of Omaha, the Dundee neighborhood. Stop in and get "Green Beret", then walk down the block to 'Great Harvest' for a free slice of bread of your choice. Alternatively, walk west to the Bread Oven, a French bakery featuring traditional French breads.
Eat
Charlie's on the Lake
A lively atmosphere with some of Omaha's finest martinis, including the Pelini Martini named after Huskers coaching legend, Bo Pelini. Lush patio environment features breathtaking lakeside view and easy access to live duck sanctuary where restaurant owner Yves Menard gavages the stock. During summer months, patrons can select a duck and enjoy some of the finest foie gras and wine pairings in the Midwest.
Do
Elmwood Park
Adjacent to Memorial Park. Has an 18-hole golf course, two baseball fields, a swimming pool, and many other things.
See
Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens
It pays homage to the late U.S. president. Twice destroyed by fire, the gardens stand where his house was.
Do
Heartland of America Park
Runs along the riverfront and has two fountains. The Heartland of America fountain shoots water into the air and has a colorful nighttime show. There are also boat rides for a quarter per person.
Eat
Jade Garden
Chinese restaurant serving up a variety of traditional dishes. As of Apr 2021, take-out only.
Mon-Thu 11AM-9:30PM, Fri Sat 11AM-10:30PM, Sun noon-9:30PM
Do
Lauritzen Gardens
This botanical garden and arboretum boasts plants from all over the world, situated in exhibits designed to represent their natural habitat. Water features and manicured plants are also on display. Gift shop and cafe are available on site. The garden also hosts the annual Omaha Antiques Show.
Mon-Tue 9AM-8PM, Wed-Sun 9AM-5PM$15 adults, $9 children
See
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters
The National Park Service regional headquarters contains a small free visitor center about Lewis & Clark on its first floor.
Summer Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM, Sat Sun 9AM-5PM; Winter Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PMfree
Do
Memorial Park
A playground, a baseball field, paths, trails, and plenty of open space. The park is unique because of its floral displays and historical monuments.
See
Mormon Trail Center
It has various monuments, including part of the route the Mormons took. The site known as the Winter Quarters marks the pioneers' winter camp of 1846, and 359 Mormons are buried in a nearby cemetery.
Daily 9AM-9PMFree
Eat
Spencer's for Steaks and Chops
Aged, hand cut and seared meats. Featuring USDA prime beef from Stockyards Beef of Chicago, Spencer’s restaurant offers sizzling hot porterhouses, juicy filet mignon and the bone-in ribeye for which Spencer’s is named. Validated parking in the Hilton Garden Inn Garage. Reservations preferred.
Sun-Thu 5-9PM, Fri Sat 5-10PM, bar opens at 4PM
Do
The RiverFront
Urban park and greenspace stretching from 13th Street to the Missouri River, between Douglas and Farnam Streets. Completed in 2023, it replaced the Gene Leahy Mall and Heartland of America Park. Includes a concert/ performing arts stage, roller skate rink, and an observation deck with views of Iowa and the Missouri River. The park hosts concerts and plays in the warmer months and allows pedestrians easy access to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and Lewis and Clark Landing to the north.
Free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Omaha (CC BY-SA 4.0).