I randomly saw something about the Thomas Dambo troll exhibit the week before I was due to be in Des Moines for a dog event, so I made a note to try to stop by on my way home if it worked out. I was done with the event a little after lunch time, so was passing through Omaha at about 3 PM - a couple of hours before the garden closed. It was a cooler, overcast day so it was safe for my dogs to hang out in my car for an hour or so. A good bit of luck, since I'm not sure I would have been able to find a shady parking spot. Admission to the garden is roughly $18 for non-members, and when you buy your ticket with a credit card at the self-serve kiosk it gives you an option to cover credit card fees - which I chose to do so all told I paid $21 to see these trolls. I will not that there is one troll that is outside of the entrance to the garden - the one with the little car - so even if you can't justify the admission price it is still worth taking a few minutes to come see that troll. They are all built of reclaimed wood and recycled materials, with incredible detail right down to their fingernails. While I came primarily to see the trolls, the grounds are beautiful. It is still early enough in spring that just a few things were in bloom, but those things were pretty spectacular - such as the field full of dafodils. There were beautiful plantings of other spring bulbs and several magnolias were in bloom. The gardens have some beautiful hybrids as well as traditional cultivars. The trolls were scattered throughout the gardens, but it was not a difficult walk to see them - though there are some short inclines I think it would take no more than an hour to see all of them if that were your only agenda. There is also a troll tram available for a nominal cost. I found strolling through the gardens to be a peaceful break from highway driving. You can still hear some traffic noise, but there's plenty of birdsong as you get away from the entrance. Each of the trolls was unique, but there wasn't any signage to tell you about their unique personalities (you can look that up online, though - and Thomas Dambo's website is a wonderful rabbit hole to go down if you are so inclined). My favorites were the one with the birdhouses and the buddha-like one in the Japanese garden. I almost left right after seeing all of the trolls, but then decided to exit through the conservatory an I am glad that I did. It was warm and humid inside so I didn't stay for too long, but it is packed with tropical foliage including beautiful orchids, pitcher plants, ferns, tropical trees, and a koi pond with the biggest koi I have seen in a very long time. I didn't have much in the way of expectations of Omaha or these gardens when I thought I'd stop to see the trolls, but I am impressed. People were friendly. The gardens are beautiful and it seems family friendly - a children's playground takes up a good chunk of real estate within the garden - and starting in May four-legged friends can walk with you in the gardens on Monday (I think?) evenings. Well worth a visit. read more

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A must visit spot while in Omaha! We got hit with beautiful 70 degree weather and took advantage of it by coming here. We got our steps in while admiring the greenery and well thought out flowers. My toddler enjoyed Sophia's garden playground the most. While I enjoyed the super massive greenhouse. There were so many photo opportunities. They don't allow outside food or drinks which is a bummer for those traveling with kids! However, there are two cafes that offered food for purchase. It looks like they offer events during the holidays. Looks especially fun during Christmas time, we'll definitely be back! read more

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Lauritzen Gardens was a last minute addition to our Omaha trip and it really surprised me. First of all a friend had recommended this place to me and while it was on my list, we built an itinerary around the zoo and this wasn't really on my radar as something we'd plan to do. Come our last morning we were all packed up and after exploring a local park my parents suggested this and we thought why not, it was afterall on the way out of town. What I learned is that we should have actually planned this into our trip as it was a very close second to the zoo for our family. I have a lot I could say but I'll keep it as short as I can: 1. If you have young kids this botanical garden features hands down the absolute best playground for kiddos aged 1-8 that I've ever seen. There was stuff for my 16 month old and my 5 year old had an absolute blast. It felt safe, unique, and was beautiful. 2. There are incredible family restrooms here. Whoever designed this place had families in mind and all of the restrooms are equipped as gender neutral, with fully closing doors, individual sinks, and a toddler toilet and changing table. Really it makes it so any parent can take care of any child and parent with a toddler and a baby would have an easier time taking them to the restroom. I don't often write about restrooms in my Yelp reviews but one is noteworthy and honestly incredible. 3. The gardens are so beautiful and I loved the trolls. I wish I had more time here but we mostly just let the kids play and it was still worth the cost to us. Anyways I'm basically begging you to make this part of any Omaha trip - I can't wait to return. read more

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I truly had no idea how expansive Lauritzen Gardens is! As a FTM with an infant, I wanted to get a membership to several places that would allow us to get out of the house and be outdoors. This is the perfect place. Not only can you get your steps in, but you can also explore a ton of beautifully manicured gardens. The new Sofia's Playground for kids is AWESOME. My little guy is too young for it right now, but it is exactly the kind of place I would have loved as a kid. read more

Lauritzen Gardens - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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Outstanding gardens!! They have two restaurants and a coffeehouse, but most of them are only between the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM. M-F are busiest in afternoons with School tours. The tram sells out early!! I called several times and was never told this information. We arrived at 12pm and sold out for the next 3 sessions. Only 20 people can fit each time. Make sure you get there earlier since these tickets are only available in person at the counter. They start lining up 45mins in advance. The trams do have stops along the way. They have manual wheelchairs available but the terrain is hard with the up and down hills on the path. Bring water not many places to refill them. read more

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This is a review of the gardens for someone who visited in February. Because it's winter, majority of the plants were in dormancy except for those in the conservatory and plant production centers. Since there was not a lot to see, it was a relatively quick walk. There were some inclined areas but they were not steep. Seeing pictures taken in spring/summer, I imagine that this place is beautiful at those times of the year and 2 hours would probably the amount of time you'll spend walking the entire park if you take your time seeing the attractions. Children would enjoy Sofia's play garden. In fact, this was the busiest part of the entire gardens when I visited. The gift shop is located at the visitor center where you check in. It carries a lot of items from displays, books, magnets, chimes, and so many others. There's also a cafe inside the visitor center. I am giving it a 3/5 because I did not see much when I visited in winter. Spring/summer would probably be the best times to go here. read more

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Walking through nature is wonderful. Walking is good for you. Buy a membership. Allow yourself to walk through nature all year long read more

Lauritzen Gardens - The Trolls are magnificent! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

I love the update they did to the greenhouse! It will take a while for everything to grow back in but I will be so excited to see it when it all grows in more. read more

We have a family membership that my wife takes regular advantage of, but it's been over 10 years since my last visit. The entry process was sort of strange, having to wait at the door until a person at the check in desk was available, but not too bad. I was amazed at all the new features throughout the gardens for kids. Years ago we brought our kids but they there wasn't much for them to do. We never brought out grandchildren since we thought they might be bored. But the new playground near the entrance was great and I wish my grandchildren were still in the area so we could take them. Lot of new attractions under construction and additions to existing ones. We hit about all the open attractions and had a great time. We'll definitely be back to see some of the areas currently closed due to construction. Easy, free parking. Cafeteria on site, plus gift shop. read more

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Enjoyed a morning visit. Really appreciated the many shady areas where we could escape the blazing sun. The kids garden area and splash pad were very imaginative and I could imagine our nieces and nephews enjoying this place very much. The gardens are vast and it makes sense they have a trolley you can pay extra to ride from garden to garden. Lots of special spots to stop and enjoy along the way. We especially liked the train gardens and rose garden. Saw several people hard at work weeding and tending the gardens, can only imagine the army of laborers who keep this place beautiful! We spent a leisurely two hours here but it would be easy to spend twice that long if you wanted to examine all the varieties of plants more closely. Parking was free, plentiful and close to the entrance. read more

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Got free admission thanks to my library, (shout out to OPL!) A calm walk, surrounded by a border of towering trees and gorgeous garden arrangements. I wish free admission was granted more than once annually, so residents can enjoy the beauty of the Lauritzen Gardens, more read more

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First stop in Omaha: Sophia's Play Garden in Lauritzen Gardens -- and wow, this place blew us away. Hands down the most incredible playground we've ever been to. Our 4-year-old twins were in heaven, bouncing between the make-believe houses, sky bridges, and a dreamy water section where steam rises and kids can "water" rocks. There's a cozy little café on site with drinks and snacks, and the giant sky net? Total hit. They ran across it like it was their own personal obstacle course. I wandered through more of the gardens while my partner held down playground watch -- this place is massive. I was basically out of steam by the time I made it to the forest trains, but I'm so glad I did. They wind right through the woods and are just magical. We ran out of time to ride the tram or fully explore, but even a taste of this place was enough to make us want to come back. Didn't know what to expect here -- but Sophia's Garden went way beyond anything we imagined. read more

My family and I attended the Merry Nights display two days before Christmas. Entrance was fast and easy, plenty of staff and volunteers to help and welcome guests. My husband and I got drinks before walking the property. He got a beer and I ordered a coconut themed snowflake cocktail with peppermint schnapps, RumChata and coconut. The cocktail was the perfect drink to sip as we looked at all of the beautiful flowers and light. The drink cost was reasonable as well, I expected to pay more than $12 for two alcoholic beverages at a holiday event. Sophia's garden was lit up by tons of festive colorful lights. Pictures with Mrs.Claus and Santa were available. Fire pits with a s'more kit you can purchase for $6 were popular with many guests the night we visited. I was excited for the lights and the Thomas Dambo trolls. I was a little disappointed I only saw two of the trolls. The rest must be on the trails that were off limits since it was night time. The two we saw were impressive. The indoor area with the rains and poinsettia tree was lovely and festive as always. The indoor area with plants and flowers was lit up by luminaries and there is a coffee bar at the top of the trail with a sitting area to enjoy your drink. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was the entrance price. I understand the facility needs to charge to operate, but $22 a person seemed a little high for the hour we spent at the gardens. Overall, worth visiting to get in the holiday spirit, just be prepared for the entrance price. read more

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We made reservations for Easter Brunch at Lauritzen Gardens a month prior, arrived ten mins prior to our seating time and got seated 20 minutes after the reserved time. However, our party of 13 was split up because they didn't have one large table to accommodate our group. The buffet was very disappointing. The eggs were not hot; french toast wasn't fresh; the peach cobbler was more cobbler than peach; the biscuits were cold & hard, the dessert selection was small. Very disappointed in the overall experience. Every table had a centerpiece but the one we were seated at. First experience two years ago was great; this time it was a very great disappointment. read more

Nice botanical garden! We came on a rainy day so we unfortunately did not see the acres outside however the inside had a lot of festive decorations alongside the many plants. There is also a cute gift shop (which I did not get any photos of) with lots of things to look at and purchase. The only thing I wish they had more of was magnets and more post card options as I collect both as I travel! read more

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Such a fabulous event at Lauritzen Gardens during the holidays! We walked around and enjoyed the light displays through the indoor sections of the buildings. I particularly thought the little hut for writing Santa letters was very cute, perfect for all ages. I did feel like the price was a bit steep for what we were able to see and the sidewalks were packed with attendees, but still enjoyed the event nonetheless! read more

Lauritzen Gardens - Poinsettia Tree - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Very nice place with a wide variety of gardens! It's large -- I recommend adding the tram ride for older or very young guests because they are going to get quite tired walking to the far end. We were disappointed that the Conservatory was closed; hence 4 stars instead of 5. read more

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The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory was closed. In the Model Railroad Garden, the trains are not running at this time of year. We passed by Sofia's Play Garden near the front and it is under construction. There are quite a few gardens, but we went in November so not much was in bloom. The major draw for me was the red torri gates at the Japanese Garden. read more

Lauritzen Gardens - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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Lauritzen is a beautiful space in Omaha, and I'm so eager to see the fruit of their expansions with a new kids/interactive nature play area (coming in 2024/25?) Our favorite parts to enjoy are always the indoor/tropical plant portion up near the front, and the natural forest just behind it. I love that they added a small coffee cart in the upper 'lobby' of this area now, too. Their accomodations - from the coffee cart to the cafe to the gift shop - make it easy to spend a whole day without much thought! I will note that they have asked guests NOT to picnic on the grounds - and as a SAHM who generally has at least my kids (and often a playmate or two) in tow, we've not had any issues bringing snacks for the kids, but just be aware that you shouldn't plan to pack in a lunch. Their cafe is handled by Abraham's catering and the offerings range from grilled cheese and hotdog meals to signature salads and burgers. Lauritzen kind of handles some of their displays similar to a museum, rotating different themes and events throughout the year so even while you might be trekking past the same garden beds, there's always new things to interact with and bring the space to life during the cooler months. read more

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Visited the gardens for the first time in April 2025. Though at least two large exhibits were closed due to construction, I was still charged full price admission. Thankfully, there were plentiful daffodils in bloom. Otherwise, this would've been a pretty boring excursion. Not in a hurry to go back any time soon. read more

Lauritzen Gardens is truly one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Omaha. No matter the season, it always manages to feel magical in its own way. I've had the chance to visit both in summer and winter, and both times left me feeling completely in awe. Whether you're a nature lover, a photography enthusiast, or just looking for a peaceful place to walk and unwind, Lauritzen Gardens is an absolute gem. Let's talk about summer first -- the gardens are in full bloom, and every turn along the path reveals something new and vibrant. From the meticulously maintained flower beds to the shaded woodland trails, everything is just lush, colorful, and bursting with life. You can easily spend hours here and not get bored. It's the perfect place to slow down, take in the fresh air, and enjoy the serenity that only a thoughtfully designed garden can provide. The walking paths are wide and easy to follow, and it truly feels like you're being guided through an ever-changing landscape of beauty. Then there's winter, and wow -- the transformation is nothing short of enchanting. When I visited during the colder months, the garden was decked out with stunning light displays, and the atmosphere was absolutely magical. They somehow manage to make the entire space feel cozy and festive, even when it's cold out. There's something surreal about walking through a snow-dusted garden with thousands of twinkling lights surrounding you. It's not just a winter garden -- it's a full-on holiday experience, and one of the best light displays I've ever seen. What I love most is that the walk itself is the best part. You don't have to rush. You're free to explore at your own pace, and there's always something interesting around the corner -- a sculpture, a koi pond, a themed garden, or just a perfect patch of sunlight filtering through the trees. It's the kind of place that gives you space to just be -- and that's such a rare and wonderful thing. And of course, let's not forget: it's perfect for photos. Whether it's a summer selfie surrounded by bright blooms or a cozy, glowing winter shot under string lights, every corner of Lauritzen Gardens is photogenic. If you're someone who loves capturing beautiful spaces, this place will give you plenty of material. read more

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Going to the gardens is a fantastic pass time, whether the weather is fantastic or not so great. My toddler thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of the Lego dinosaurs in the current exhibit. I love how they do such a fantastic job of integrating their installations in with the existing plants. Our favorite dinosaur to see was the plesiosaur in the water! Lauritzen gardens also does a fantastic job at creating experiences for children! They had some games and toys to play with that tied in with the theme of Lego's and dinosaurs. It is always nice going when it isn't too busy. It is a very peaceful place and the scenery is beautiful. I especially love that they partner with the Omaha public library so that you can sign up to get a free ticket. Definitely a money saver! read more

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Late August isn't the best time to go cause so much had died. Maybe we'll get to go back one spring. Overall though, it was a nice day strolling the gardens, seeing all the birds, and even a groundhog. Extremely affordable, too! read more

Whenever I travel somewhere new I check to see if they have some type of botanical garden and if it's on the list for the Reciprocal Admissions Program from the American Horticultural Society. We are members at the Desert Botanical Garden in AZ so that gives us free admission to other gardens across the US that participate in the program. I've been to some really great gardens this way. Lauritzen Gardens does, so my admission was free, and then paid for my parents. Overall, the garden is very beautiful and I enjoyed my time there. It was a bit warm that day so another time of year may be better time to visit, but I was there in June so that's when I went. They have a shuttle ride you can purchase for $5 more dollars. I thought that should be included in the price of admission. Non-member is $15 per adult which is reasonable but if you have people that can't or don't want to walk, it would be nice to provide a complimentary ride IMO (or raise your ticket price a few dollars to offset the cost so it's "included"). I'm someone that will always choose to walk but my mom has a health condition that makes is hard for her to walk long distances so she struggled and didn't see much. But she enjoyed the spaces she did get to. And she refused to pay for the shuttle ;) lol so not much to say about that haha. I'm sure she's not the only person like that. Info for that garden pass I mentioned above, here's the info from their website- A current membership card from the American Horticultural Society or from a garden participating in our Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP) entitles you to special admission privileges and discounts* at 345+ gardens throughout North America! https://ahsgardening.org read more

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Love this place because of all their unique events and rotating exhibits. Really enjoy coming here to get my steps in and enjoy some nature, even in bad weather with the greenhouse. Recently went to see the bricklive dinosaurs and they were very cool. Particularly loved the one coming out of the fountain that I somehow forgot to get a picture of . Also recommend everyone going when the daffodils are in bloom - so colorful and beautiful, and again, such a nice walk outside. read more

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I love the gardens and I have been here many times but I'm here to talk about the food. The Conagra cafe is probably one of the worst places I have eaten. 2 sandwiches was 36$. And they aren't even that good... read more

Lauritzen Gardens - This is the sandwich that was 15$$$$$$$$!!!!! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

We went to Bright Lights at Lauritzen Gardens and it was stunning!! Staff was cheery and knowledgeable! Such a fun holiday activity! The only downside was since it was indoors it was a little loud and overly crowded. read more

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This place is gorgeous!! We attended Bright Lights last weekend and really enjoyed ourselves. Everything was so magical! The 12 Days of Christmas were represented across the expansive buildings, with my favorite scenes being day 1 and day 6. There were several places for photo ops, with beautiful lighting and detailed scenery throughout. Our little one really loved the lights, miniature trains and roasting marshmallows around the fire pit on the patio. We highly recommend this event to other families looking for a wonderful holiday experience! read more

Lauritzen Gardens - Watching the miniature train go by - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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Lovely place right off the highway! The greenhouse was lush with tropical plants and little waterfalls. I enjoyed lunch outdoors under the tent- $8 for a sandwich, chips and a soda was a great deal. The gardens are a short walk downhill & though I didn't have great walking shoes on it was still manageable. They have a tram available for a small fee. I didn't have time to explore all the gardens but what I was able to see was beautiful. Each garden has a theme and sculptures that have been installed as well. read more

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Loved visiting the gardens! The tram tour gave such a great overview before we ventured out on our own. There's so much to see. The conservatory is full of beauty. And don't forget the gift shop with all kinds of goodies for gardening and nature fans. The atrium was being decorated for a wedding reception and it was the things of which fairytales are made! Such a beautiful place. read more

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We visited the gardens on a lazy Saturday in early May and it was the best time! Flowers in bloom and the great walking path. Without detouring on the side paths, it is a 2 mile round trip path. But the side paths are great! There is a tram for those not interested in that much walking. It is a great place year-round, but especially in the spring and early summer. read more

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During our visit, we were absolutely captivated by the stunning beauty that surrounded us. The entire day was spent marveling at the incredible scenery, and I was filled with a deep sense of tranquility and peace. I plan on visiting again late summer/early fall to experience the change the season brings! I really do recommend going and checking this place out. Enjoy! read more

We were deeply underwhelmed. It sounds like it will be better in a year or two though! The conservatory is closed until late November 2024 and most of the rest of the experience feels very unfinished. Phase two will close it again in 2025. To be fair they did note that the conservatory is closed when we came in, but we were already there. It is also on the website, but it is not a banner at the top and is not the first thing you read. It's somewhat of an important item. The price was too high for the offering at this time. There's really nothing to experience besides the gift shop, closures and construction for the first half of your walk. The rose garden was stunningly beautiful. The train display was very fun to see from multiple angles! The bird sanctuary and the Lithuanian sculptures were both neat. The Victorian garden was in disrepair and seems to be lacking some attention. The ticks infesting the benches there were not a fun discovery either. The Japanese garden is 3 ponds with water-lilies, goldfish and a pile of dirt with grass growing on it. The gas-powered weed-eater being used at the entrance in the middle of the day provided great ambiance and smells. The towed-behind coffee hut with it's loud generator just outside the rose garden also a special touch. Several other attractions on the map were non-existent but not noted as under construction or such. There definitely needs to be significantly better wayfinding signage in some spots. I'm sorry this couldn't be a more positive review. We truly love the efforts places like this make in a community's mindfulness toward nature and conservation. read more

Took a Sunday morning stroll though the gardens, inside and out. The conservatory is always one of my favorites but right now (early September) so many butterflies and moths outside that we stayed much longer than expected. We had our first experience with the cafe, and im impressed. It's delicious, fresh, made to order selections of sandwiches and wraps with a daily soup offering and desserts. My Veggie & Hummus wrap on a spinach tortilla was crunchy, creamy and nice and flavorful veggies. Hubby's Chicken Caesar Wrap was nicely seasoned meat with good amount of dressing and veggies with Parmesan cheese. We may just head there for lunch during the week. Go there for the flowers and plants, but stay for a great meal! read more

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Every year Lauritzen does a Bright Lights show. You can get a timed ticket online or at least check ahead if it's crazy busy to help avoid the crowds. Lots of activities available for the kiddos including Letters to Santa. They have a lot of the structures out still from the Fantastical Forest exhibit a few months back which really made this year special for me. It probably took us 20-25 minutes to walk through the greenhouse and the Poinsettia exhibit (we have a membership and come often) but if you want to take in all the inside sights or have kiddos plan on an hour plus. It's winter so not a lot going on in the outdoor gardens. read more

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Really lovely place to spend a rainy day We went when they had the orchid show Stunning plants read more

We bought tickets at the kiosk Outside the front door Nowhere was there any notification that the conservatory was closed When I complained I was told it was on the website The rest of the gardens were great but there should have been a discount because of the closed conservatory read more

For the price and comparing to things like the zoo, luminarium, childrens museum, if you can't enjoy the outside (due to weather/the cold), I think they should have off peak season pricing. Our son (15 months) liked it but we were probably there about hour. It is cool that they have rotating exhibits/ever changing. read more

Highly recommend coming here but plan to come for a long day this place is HUGE! This lush garden is beyond beautiful, with many waterfalls and seating areas to just sit back and take in the beauty. Grab a coffee at the coffee shop or food in the cafe, enjoy the gift shop that is very reasonably priced. They have a tram that will give you 50 minute tour or you can enjoy the stroll. Along with the wonderful views you will also enjoy the sound of birds, art work and lego art as well. read more

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If you haven't brought your kids here it's definitely a field trip ! It was our first time here and didn't really know what to expect. But the front desk lady was super helpful and made sure we had a great time. She gave us a map and suggestions for my boys I think we spend maybe 3hrs here. We came around 3 and the cafe was closed so come earlier if you want to grab a bite or bring your own snacks. Definitely bring water , the water fountains in the trail weren't always working. If you come make sure you visit the train station garden It was a highlight for my kids. read more

Lauritzen Gardens - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska