Awards & recognition
About this city
Also known as: Gateway to the West, River City
Commanding a spectacular position on the eastern bluffs of the Missouri River, Omaha is Nebraska's largest city and the undisputed economic, cultural, and corporate anchor of the state. Founded in 1854 during the opening of the Nebraska Territory, the city grew with astonishing speed as a vital gateway for westward migration and was selected by President Abraham Lincoln as the eastern terminus for the Union Pacific Railroad. Omaha became a colossal worldwide industrial hub for meatpacking and stockyards during the 20th century. Today, the city is a sophisticated global mega-city housing Fortune 500 headquarters—including Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway—a world-class arts and culinary scene, the world's top-rated zoo, and a booming central hub for global finance, technology, and insurance.
Location & Administrative
Transportation & Accessibility
Weather & Timing
Economics & Local Vibe
Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 2–4 days
Explore the massive, world-class desert dome and subterranean indoor rainforest habitats at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Walk the historic cobblestone streets of the Old Market district to explore independent galleries, boutiques, and historic eateries. Walk across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, a suspension bridge straddling the state line over the Missouri River.
Must-See
Museums & Culture
10Museums7
Great Plains Black History Museum
Kiewit Luminarium
Omaha Children's Museum
The Durham Museum
General Crook House Museum
El Museo Latino
