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Omaha, NE Area Guide
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska and is the county seat of Douglas County. Omaha is the nation’s 42nd largest city with a population approximately of 428,000. Nestled along the Missouri River, Omaha is where you will find a unique brand of adventure. Come get lost in the world’s largest indoor rain forest or explore the city’s ever-changing cultural landscape. Savor legendary Omaha steaks and watch as history comes to life. Come shop in the Old Market District, where restaurants, pubs and galleries line authentic cobblestone streets. Omaha has a strong and vibrant business community and the city is home to four Fortune 500 companies. In 2008, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine named Omaha the nation’s third best city to live, work and play. So come experience Omaha, the city genuinely committed to making your stay relaxing and memorable.
History
 Various Native American tribes first inhabited in the land that eventually became Omaha, including the Omaha and Ponca, Pawnee, Otoe, Missouri and Ioway. The word “Omaha” means “Dwellers on the bluff”.
In 1804 the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed by the riverbanks where the city of Omaha would be built. Between July 30 and August 3, 1804, members of the expedition, including Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, met with Oto and Missouria tribal leaders at the Council Bluff at a point about 20 miles north of present-day Omaha. Immediately south of that area, Americans built several fur trading outposts in succeeding years. There was fierce competition among fur traders until John Jacob Astor created the monopoly of the American Fur Company.
Through 26 separate treaties with the United States federal government, Native American tribes in Nebraska gradually ceded the lands currently comprising the state. The treaty and cession involving the Omaha area occurred in 1854.
The economy of Omaha boomed in its early years. Omaha was a stopping point for settlers and prospectors heading west, either overland or via the Missouri River. The jobbing and wholesaling district brought new jobs, followed by the railroads and the stockyards. Groundbreaking for the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1863 provided an essential developmental boom for the city.
Throughout the 20th century, Omaha continued to grow substantially. Since the 1970s, Omaha has continued expanding and growing, mostly to available land to the west. In 1975 a major tornado, along with a major blizzard, caused more than $100 million in damages in 1975 dollars. Downtown Omaha has since been rejuvenated in numerous ways. In the 1980s, Omaha's fruit warehouses were converted into a shopping area called the "Old Market."
Parks and Recreation
Omaha’s Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable outlet for residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors. Omaha features many recreational centers, parks, pools, ice rinks, leagues and much more.
For more details on Area Parks and Recreation, please visit: http://www.cityofomaha.org/parks/
Attractions and Activities
For a detailed list of Area Attractions, please visit http://omaha-douglasconnection.com/local-attractions
Omaha is home to many attractions and activities that are sure to please you and your family throughout the year. Come visit the Omaha Zoo, the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, Historic Fort Omaha and more. Be prepared to make great memories here in Omaha!
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo features a great number of animals and exhibits. Come visit the Butterfly/Insect Pavilion, the Cat Complex, Cheetah Valley, the Giraffe Complex, Hubbard Gorilla Valley, Lagoon Island and many other exhibits.
Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's Aquatic Education Program is about water, how fish live, and what they need to survive. Aquatic education at Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium is about fun. It is about learning or teaching fishing skills.
Since 1986 the Aquatic Education Program has been providing high quality teaching materials for classroom use, free educational field trips at the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium and fishing skills workshops to Nebraska youth through our Youth Fishing Program.
Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs
Ameristar Casino is a leading Las Vegas-based gaming and entertainment company known for its premier properties characterized by innovative architecture, state-of-the-art casino floors, superior dining and lodging. The Company has eight casinos in seven markets: Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles; Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City; Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs; Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg; Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago; Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk; and Cactus Petes Resort Casino and The Horseshu Hotel and Casino in Jackpot, Nevada.
Historic Fort Omaha
The mission of the Historic Fort Omaha is to collect, preserve, and present to the public the history of Douglas County, Nebraska. Historic Fort Omaha features the National Indian Wars Library, tours of the General Crook House Museum, public lectures, exhibits, classes, seminars and much more.
The Durham Museum
Memories of an era gone by combine with gorgeous architecture at Union Station, one of Omaha’s state treasures. Take a look at the history of the region and the traveling exhibits that take you back in time for a look at the history and culture of Omaha. The Durham Museum offers a broad range, thanks to its affiliation with the Smithsonian Institute and strong alliance with the Library of Congress, National Archives and Field Museum. Come gaze in wonder at our ties to the past!
Joslyn Art Museum
Since 1931, the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha has been the premier center for visual arts in Omaha with its collection of works from antiquity to the present with attention on 19th and 20th century European and American art. Highlighting the works of Lorenzi di Credi, El Greco, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Hart Benton, they are complemented by American masters like Grant Wood, Jackson Pollock, Dale Chihuly and George Segal. Long celebrated for its collection of American West art and celebrated world wide for its collection of Karl Bodmer’s watercolors, The Joslyn also displays prints documenting his 1832-1834 journey to the Missouri River frontier with German Prince Maximilian of Wied.
An outstanding example of Art Deco, the original building was built of 38 marbles from seven countries. In addition to the art galleries, Joslyn boasts a 1,000 seat concert hall, fountain court, lecture hall and library as well as an education technology gallery, café and gift shop.
Each year, several special exhibitions are presented to complement the permanent collection and offers a broad range of art for everyone. Musical performances, education lectures and art classes for all ages bring a fullness to the Joslyn experience not found anywhere else in Omaha.
Lauritzen Botanical Gardens
Make your escape to the Lauritzen Botanical Gardens and visit a living museum with four season plant displays. Make your own discovery of a hidden sanctuary, in the heart of Omaha and enjoy. Rest your body while you relax your soul and visit this gorgeous botanical garden located in the beautiful riverfront hills.
Old Market
Come visit the Old Market and enjoy a myriad of activities from shopping to fine dining, corporate meeting facilities to sought after real estate. Just minutes from Omaha Eppley Airport, its location in downtown Omaha puts in close to nearby attractions including the Henry Doorly Zoo, the Durham Western Heritage Museum and the Omaha Civic Auditorium. Old Market is home to the new Holland Performing Arts Center, The Omaha Symphony calls Old Market home as well.
Crucial to the commercial development of Omaha during the 1880’s, The Old Market has continued well into the twentieth century, and now it has blossomed into a multi block collection of beautifully renovated brick warehouses, whimsical storefronts, and is accented by old fashioned lampposts, uneven brick streets and horse drawn carriages, taking you back to a simpler time.
Walk in the steps of history as you make your way down brick paved streets, enjoying an area rich in history and alive with the flavor of modern times.
Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge
Named for former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey, who was key to securing funding for the new bridge, it connects Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska. Originally called the Missouri River Pedestrian Bridge, for die hard Omaha-Council cyclists, it’s known as “the new bridge.”
Events
Omaha is the place to be if you are looking for fun throughout the year. The city offers everything from music, arts, festivals and sports. Come experience all that Omaha has to offer you.
"Creating Wonderland"
May 01, 2010 - May 31, 2010
This group show is inspired by Lewis Carroll's books Alice's Adventure in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Admission is free at the Hot Shops Art Center.
3rd Annual Benson Farmers Market
May 01, 2010 - September 25, 2010
Come purchase fresh produce, flowers, plants, baked good, meats, crafts and community services. The market is located between on Military Avenue at Maple between 61st and 62nd Streets. Pancake Feed May 1 from 8-10:30am. Cost is $4 for adults and $2 for children.
MAY DAY! MAY DAY!
May 01, 2010
The Omaha Rollergirls are excited to announce the lineup for their 2nd Annual concert: After The Fall, Sarah Benck, The Dive, Kings, 24 Hour, Cardlock, Desire to Destroy and The Bishops Army of 2600. Enter to win prizes from local music stores and others.
Nebraska Renaissance Faire
May 01, 2010
The Nebraska Renaissance Faire is the featured event at the region's newest theme park. See a full-scale pirate ship, faerie tree houses, the enchanted pond, horseback jousting, four stages of entertainment, a children's realm, a beer garden, and dozens of unique merchant shops, various historical displays and exhibits.
For a detailed list of community events, please visit http://www.omahachamber.org/chamber/calendar.aspx
For more details about Omaha, NE please visit: http://www.cityofomaha.org/city-home
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