Omaha Brims with Group Tour Possibilities 

With seemingly endless itinerary options, Omaha, Nebraska, welcomes groups with open arms. 

The city is home to one of the world’s best zoos, a vibrant botanical garden, a diverse culinary scene, and an invigorated downtown with revitalized riverfront parks, world-renowned art, rich performing arts venues, green spaces for gathering, and plenty more things to see and do.

“Visit Omaha has curated itineraries for a diverse array of interests, including culture, history, railroad, Warren Buffett, military, and holidays,” says Jasmyn Goodwin, vice president of marketing and communications at Visit Omaha. “Travel around the world without a passport or transport yourself back in time. Thrill in the cheer of holiday lights and sweets. Experience the city like a billionaire or immerse yourself in military history. Whatever your group’s interest or pace, you’ll find a fit in Omaha.” 

To truly experience all Omaha has to offer, groups should plan five days and four nights to explore the city. Goodwin says there are a handful of attractions and experiences that are commonly found on group tour itineraries, like Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium—home to the world’s largest indoor desert and North America’s largest indoor rainforest. Another popular stop is Boys Town, where groups can take a guided tour of the National Historic Landmark District that was founded by Father Edward Flanagan in 1917 as a home for orphaned boys. Today, the national nonprofit continues Father Flanagan’s mission of saving children and healing families, and visitors are welcome to tour the village’s sites like the Hall of History, Father Flanagan’s restored home, and even the world’s largest ball of stamps.  

Groups can explore the history of the Great Plains region at The Durham Museum, Omaha’s former Union Station. View the museum’s permanent displays and its broad range of Smithsonian-affiliated traveling exhibits before walking through the train cars and sipping a phosphate at the station’s original 1931 old-fashioned soda fountain. Old blends with new at Old Market Entertainment District, Omaha’s historic art, shopping, and dining district—where cobblestone streets are lined with unique shops, local restaurants, and more. Add a horse-drawn carriage ride to enhance the experience. 

Hop on a narrated tram tour at Lauritzen Gardens, a 100-acre urban oasis featuring 20 themed outdoor gardens and an indoor conservatory. Tours also include Kenefick Railroad Park, home to the largest and most powerful diesel-electric locomotives ever built, as well as sweeping views of the bluffs between Nebraska and Iowa.

Outlook Nebraska Inc. is another great, though perhaps lesser-known, tour stop in Omaha. Groups can go behind the scenes of the factory that produces toilet paper for the United States military. Visually impaired employees create this everyday product and visitors take home a useful souvenir.

Days full of touring make for hungry travelers, and Omaha is rich in dining options for groups. “Omaha has many group-friendly restaurants, as well as group meal options that offer a more private setting with an immersive experience,” Goodwin says. Don’t miss Big Mama’s Kitchen & Catering for authentic soul food dishes created by Big Mama and her family, complete with food presentations.  

Groups visiting Omaha will also find many new developments underway. “Big things are happening in Omaha,” Goodwin says. “As we speak, the city is undergoing an $8 billion transformation from street to skyline.” New developments include the reopening of Gene Leahy Mall last summer, the first of three parks that are part of a $325 million development known as The RiverFront. Gene Leahy Mall boasts amenities like a performance pavilion with lawn space for 5,000 people, a state-of-the-art playground, a sculpture garden, and places to gather and relax. The RiverFront’s two other parks, Heartland of America Park and Lewis and Clark Landing, will open in late summer. A multimillion-dollar STEM museum called Kiewit Luminarium—one of Lewis and Clark Landing’s jewels—opens in April. The Joslyn Art Museum is also undergoing an exciting new expansion and renovation, which will deliver light-filled galleries with a growing permanent collection in 2024.

“We hope groups soak up the depth of Omaha’s culture, the warmth and hospitality of the people here, the deliciousness of its dining, and the beauty of our city,” Goodwin says. “We hope groups discover how unique Omaha is and connect with its community, and that they learn something new from a conversation with locals and create memories they will treasure forever. The best experiences are when we are able to interact with people, and we believe Omaha provides that through the unique group experiences we offer.”

To learn more about Visit Omaha’s group offerings, check out visitomaha.com. 

Lead image:
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium Courtesy of Visit Omaha