Amazing art center. Artists from all over the world come here for residencies. Go to an Open…read moreHouse/Open Studio event. Absolutely world-class creativity and innovation right here in Omaha. Fantastic music performances and public events. Free.

The museum is housed in a stunning building and features exceptional exhibits. I particularly…read moreappreciate the 12 to 15 artists in residence at any given time in the upstairs area. This museum is genuinely dedicated to promoting quality arts and programming. I make it a point to visit and support it every time I'm in town to see what new displays they have. Highly recommended!

Really enjoyed walking around the Old Market. It's a cool little pocket of Omaha that's full of…read morecharm. Cobblestone streets, brick buildings, art galleries, quirky shops, and restaurants tucked into alleyways. It's a great place to just wander with no agenda. If you're exploring Omaha, this area is a must!

Brick paved streets and buildings. The was a police officer on a horse clip clopping. We walked…read morearound after lunch and checked out a few stores. I was able to find some souvenirs at the "Old Market Sundries." Make sure you check out the Passageway- loved the green plants. U.S. National Register of Historic Places

I randomly saw something about the Thomas Dambo troll exhibit the week before I was due to be in…read moreDes 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.

A must visit spot while in Omaha! We got hit with beautiful 70 degree weather and took advantage of…read moreit 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!

Great venue for a Fashion Show!…read more Looking forward to coming back and seeing the actual exhibits. From what I could tell they have some amazing artwork here too!

I've seen a handful of exhibits here, and love that they're doing something for the community. The…read moreparking is also ideal as it's right on the outskirts of the old market. It's nice that it's free admission but I implore you to donate what you can to help keep these exhibits open. I attended the common senses festival last year and it was so beautiful to see how they were accommodating folks to see these interactive exhibits. The staff is really friendly, and chatty and can share a lot more anecdotes to some of the displays. Looking forward to checking out the next exhibit there.

A great after dinner walk here!…read more You'll be treated to majestic views of the river, a journey between state lines, and if you're lucky, some wildlife here and there. I always love getting near a big river, packed with symbolism and paradoxes as it is. It looks still, yet it moves. It reflects the surface, but goes deep within. It shapes the landscape millimeter by millimeter. It's wild and unpredictable, but also calm and steady. I saw a speckled baby deer walking nearby, and a few birds as well. There were lots of people out jogging, walking, kids exploring. It's just a nice vibe here, especially on a late summer evening. Bonus points for having a fun troll statue below the bridge. Whether you're local or passing through, this is a great spot to stretch your legs and take in the scenery. Omaha has done a wonderful job bringing life to their riverfront, and this is a nice chapter in that.

I'll admit that this was a much better stop than I thought it was going to be…read more I was really disappointed that the National Park service building that stands next to the bridge was closed because of the government shut down. There was an elderly lady at the door trying to get in who said she really needed to use the restroom and I felt so bad for her. From the parking area you can walk under the bridge and up over and across. We also considered taking our bikes out and biking the bridge, but the bridge itself is just not long enough to merit that. You can also rent a bike to ride if you want just at the foot of the bridge , which is really convenient . We enjoyed our walk. We were able to find the little troll under the bridge, it's a free activity, there is nice scenery, and as silly as it sounds, it was kinda cool to have one foot in Nebraska and one foot in Iowa :)

You will find this little structure at the end of Gene Leahy Park. It is an iconic photo…read moreopportunity in the heart of downtown Omaha. Contrary to what I thought, the arches do not have any historical significance. They are remanants of the former US National Bank Building that once stood at the corner of 12th and Farnam Streets. They are made of Ohio bluestone and was constructed in 1887. They were reconstructed in it current location in 1979. The arch is currently owned by the city of Omaha. It has a kind of odd placement and looks like a arch just dropped downtown. It is not hard to find and I located it relatively easy. Parking to see this attraction is simple enough. There is tons of metered parking within a reasonable walking distance. This howevre is probably not a destination attractioon. Most of it visitors will come here with this stop as part of a larger itinerary. The arch seems to be in great shape, and has a placard on it that gives some brief information. Anyway, as with most attractions such as this that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes, got my pictures and then I was out. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

The Arches, built in 1887 by stone are a very majestic way to signify you are about to enter Gene…read moreLeahy Park in downtown Omaha, NE. When I first saw them, I almost thought I was in Paris! They look just like the Arch de Triomphe. When the former US National Bank Building was originally built, it had two of these very impressive stone arches as it's entrances. However, when the bank was remodeled in 1979, one of the arches was reconstructed here at it's current site along Farnam Street, where it stands today. Owned now by the city of Omaha, the Arches have "stood like silent sentinels at the 12th and Farnam entrance to Gene Leahy Mall," said a story on www.omahabydesign.org. Made of Ohio bluestone, the Arch is a very dignified presence in the Old Market downtown area. I just adore noble pieces of public art such as this, so 5 YELP STARS for sure. But this Arch might need some help. In the omahabydesign story, it mentioned that the "recent condition survey completed by the Omaha Public Art Commission cited the piece as in need of extensive restoration. Although the arches appear complete and sound, there is staining, discoloration, crystalline deposits and drainage problems. It appears as though the drainage system may be clogged or insufficient to remove water from the top of the structure. Water is seeping through the mortar joints along the inside curve of the arch." Not good. Someone with local money needs to step forward or a fund-raising effort should be started to get Arch-y in better shape. Also troubling: minor abrasions, accumulated dust and dirt, bird droppings, lichen and self-adhesive stickers. I imagine some Midwestern graffiti has found it's way onto the Arches. I hope the Omaha-ians can find a way to fix up this distinctly classy reminder of what a lovely city this truly is.

This site is closed. Gates are shut on both roads leading to the parking lot and building…read more Sadly, the building is in disrepair. Looks like no one has maintained it for quite some time. Some markers on the walking path near the building have been damaged. Meanwhile, there are some interpretive walls with depictions of the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery which still look good.

The Durham Museum in Omaha is much better than this museum, but I think all railroad enthusiasts…read morewill really enjoy seeing the trains they have on display. The trains are outside and there is a very small indoor section with lot's to read. I have never spent much time in there since I'm always with my family. Nothing really interactive.

We were walking inside the passageway at the old market downtown Omaha and discovered this cool…read morehidden jem! The gentleman working inside the art exhibit talked to us about the zodiac garden in back of their store. The garden is not very big with statues of all of the zodiac signs. I'm sure it'll look nicer once all of the greenery starts to come alive in the Spring. They have some interesting art that may capture your eye.

Such a pretty surprise to take out of town visitors. Not only do you walk through the "famous" old…read moremarket passageway, but I love stopping in to see the current art exhibits. The Garden of the Zodiac is quaint but peaceful. It changes throughout the seasons so be sure to stop in multiple times of year if you can!

I bring everyone visiting Omaha to this beautiful hidden gem, because when I first moved here I…read morehappened to stumble upon the area, which was unbeknownst to me! The stores lining the passageway are beautiful, fun, and eclectic. The lighting is beautiful and very ethereal, especially at night. I would highly recommend visiting!

Stumbled on this hidden gem in the Old Market district. Beautiful greenery growing from everywhere!…read moreLots of little shops as you stroll the hallways on various levels.

The Durham Museum is in the old Union Station. I'm glad they were able to preserve the building…read morebecause it really is spectacular. There are many permanent displays about Omaha history, and there are train cars you can walk through; enthusiastic docents are often there to answer any questions. There are temporary exhibits here as well, and in the summers they will have something cool that the whole family will enjoy. There are lots of programs here, many of them free with admission or membership. I do recommend getting a membership if you think you might want to come at least a couple times in a year. And you probably will want to! There is a soda fountain/snack bar area. The ice cream is great! The food is okay. It's a museum and not a lunch destination. The museum is located right next to Omaha's Old Market.

This was my second time visiting The Durham Museum, and it continues to impress. My first visit was…read moreduring a free event honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and this most recent trip was with a group for the "Negro Motorist Green Book" exhibit. From start to finish, the experience was excellent. The museum provided discounted tickets for our nonprofit group, communicated clearly throughout the planning process, and had a tour guide ready who found us right away. That level of organization and customer care made a big difference. The exhibit itself was powerful and deeply educational, highlighting the history of the Green Book and the realities African American travelers faced during segregation. Through artifacts, photographs, and personal stories, it sparked meaningful conversations--especially among our younger visitors. I also really appreciate the museum's intentionality around inclusivity and programming. You can feel that it's a space designed to educate and welcome a wide range of audiences. The museum itself is on the smaller side, with exhibits primarily on the lower level, which actually made it manageable for our group to move through at different paces. My kids love the super long train you can walk through and the nearby play area. Practical perks matter too--there's plenty of parking (a huge plus), and they even offer umbrella strollers to borrow, which is incredibly thoughtful for families. Overall, a meaningful, well-run experience that I would absolutely recommend--whether you're visiting on your own, with family, or as part of a group.