4 Best Sights in Omaha, Nebraska

Formerly Omaha's Union Station, this museum highlights the history of the Omaha and Union Pacific railroads through interactive exhibits, including some beautifully restored train cars from as far back as 1890. Lifelike sculptures of soldiers, salesmen, and other rail travelers of the 1930s and '40s sit in restored train cars and "talk" about the politics, music, and the society of the time. Permanent exhibits include a re-creation of a Nebraskan home of the late 19th century and an impressive coin collection that includes pieces from ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt.

Omaha's celebrated zoo has the world's largest indoor rain forest—the Lied Jungle—and a saltwater aquarium with one of the country's largest penguin exhibits. The zoo is also home to the largest nocturnal desert exhibit below ground. You can see more than 500 species of birds take flight in the zoo’s aviary, which, at 4 acres, is the world’s second-largest free-flight aviary. There's also an IMAX theater and a number of fun rides, including an aerial lift and a miniature railway.

Nebraska's major art museum exhibits a surprisingly impressive selection of paintings and sculptures from around the world, some of which dates back more than three millennia. Here you’ll find works by Titian, El Greco, Degas, Renoir, Monet, and more modern works by the likes of George Ault and Jackson Pollock. Outside the museum, there’s a grassy sculpture garden with fountains and reflecting pools as well as the colorful “Discovery Garden,” which celebrates discovery through creation, inspiration, exploration, and education.

Although Omaha’s sunny summer days are perfect for visiting this lush botanical garden on the west bank of the Missouri River, its large selection of four-season plants makes it a popular attraction even during cooler months. It’s a good place to learn about flora, and it offers a number of different adult and children’s courses throughout the year on everything from floral arranging to nature crafting. You can take a tram ride through the 100-acre park from May through October.