The Ultimate Omaha Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Stay & Explore
Updated: 7 days ago
Omaha is one of those Midwest cities that deserves more than a quick drive through. From the historic streets of the Old Market to local restaurants, unique food and drink experiences, and attractions that connect two states, there’s plenty to fill a weekend here. I spent a weekend exploring Omaha and finding some of the best places to eat, things to do, and stops worth adding to your own itinerary. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or adding Omaha to a Midwest road trip, here are a few places to put on your list.
Walk The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
One of the most unique—and completely free—things to do in Omaha is walk across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. The bridge stretches across the Missouri River between Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa, with the state line marked right on the bridge. Stop at the marker and you can stand with one foot in Nebraska and the other in Iowa! It’s an easy addition to an Omaha itinerary and a fun photo or video opportunity, especially if you’ve never stood in two states at once.
Where to Stay + Eat: The Farnam & Dynamite Woodfire Grill
The Farnam, Autograph Collection is one of the most luxurious hotels I’ve stayed at in the Midwest. The rooms are spacious and elegant, and the downtown location puts you steps from Gene Leahy Mall, the Old Market, restaurants, and bars.
You also don’t have to leave for an incredible dinner. Dynamite Woodfire Grill is located inside the hotel and specializes in wood-fired and smoked dishes with creative twists. You can actually see the flames from the open kitchen while you dine, and everything we tried was unique and packed with flavor. We visited during Omaha Restaurant Week, but they have a full menu to enjoy year-round.
Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard
Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard is such a beautiful seasonal stop near Omaha! The property is incredibly well maintained, with gorgeous flowers, plenty of outdoor space, food, and drinks made right at the orchard and vineyard.
We originally came to try their soup flight, but we were a little too early in the season, so we switched things up with a wine slushy flight instead! They also offer wine, cider, and cider flights, so there are plenty of options to try.
Depending on when you visit, you may also find live music, performers, and special events. There was even a little market happening while we were there, which made it such a fun place to hang out for a while.
Definitely check their seasonal hours and events before visiting, and add this one to your Omaha-area list when they're open!
All in Thyme
If farm-to-table dining is on your Omaha list, add All in Thyme. The focus here is on fresh ingredients, vibrant dishes, and letting the natural flavors shine.
We stopped in for breakfast and ordered the Monte Cristo breakfast sandwich, layered with farm-raised meats and an incredibly flavorful jam, with bacon and potatoes on the side. We also tried the broccoli salad, which was fresh, perfectly seasoned, and way more memorable than I expected a broccoli salad to be!
This was one of the farm-to-table spots we specifically wanted to experience in Omaha, and it absolutely delivered!
Farm to Table Dining at Block 16
Block 16 was one of my favorite farm-to-table stops in Omaha, and you can definitely see why it’s so popular. It’s a casual spot with a handful of tables inside, a small patio, and a large communal table where everyone can grab a seat.
We had to try their legendary poutine fries. It was my future SIL’s first time having poutine, and she loved them! We also split the Block 16 Burger, and you could genuinely taste how fresh everything was, from the meat to the tomatoes and pickles.
Absolutely worth adding to your Omaha food list!
Ice Cream & Sweets at Centi
Can’t decide on one ice cream flavor? Centi lets you build an ice cream flight with four flavors to share with a date, friends, or keep all to yourself. We loved how true-to-flavor everything tasted, but the pistachio was easily our favorite! They also serve crepes and have a great patio for a nice Omaha afternoon or evening.
A Catered Affair
A Catered Affair ended up being one of my favorite meals in Omaha. We tried their tender flight with three unique flavors and a fry flight with three varieties of fries + four dipping sauces. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and honestly exceeded my expectations.
There’s a beautiful interior plus a patio for nice weather, and make sure you save room for dessert! Their pastry case is filled with treats to grab before you leave — and the ones we took home were delicious.
Early Bird
Early Bird is a popular Omaha brunch spot, and I can see why! We tried the When Pigs Fly bacon flight, which comes with three different types of bacon plus syrup and jam for dipping. Such a fun way to start brunch, and everything was delicious! We only got a taste of what they offer, so we already want to come back and try more of the menu. Highly recommend adding Early Bird to your Omaha brunch list.
PS: if you like Irish bars and food, make sure to stop by the Cunningham Bar next to the Early Bird! We are on a mission to visit as many "Cunningham" locations as possible (because of my soon-to-be last name). Although we didn't go inside, there were a lot of people inside have a really good time!
Drinks at the WestEnd
We stopped at The WestEnd specifically to try their martini flight, where you get to choose four drinks to create your own flight. Our favorites were the Gummy Bear Martini and Espresso Martini! They’re served in cute smaller glasses rather than traditional martini glasses, making it a fun option to split with someone.
We were way too full to order food, but they have a large menu and everything coming out of the kitchen looked great. The atmosphere is also a nice balance — casual enough for a night out with friends but a little more sophisticated than your typical sports bar. It would be a great date-night stop too!
Zen Coffee Company
Looking for a coffee shop where you can actually hang out for a while? Zen Coffee is spacious, bright, and a great option for working remotely in Omaha. We tried a coffee flight with a mix of flavors and both hot and cold drinks — perfect if you’re indecisive like me! They also have pastries and plenty of other drinks to choose from.
Omaha Farmers Market — Old Market
The Omaha Farmers Market is such a fun way to spend a Saturday morning! There’s live music and vendors selling everything from fresh fruits and veggies to baked breads, lemonade, coffee, handmade accessories, and more.
My favorite stop was a Czech kolache stand. The owner was so excited to share his Czech heritage and baked goods with us, which made the experience even better. Definitely worth adding to a weekend in Omaha!
2026 Season: Saturdays, May 2–October 10 | 8:00 AM–12:30 PM.
Explore Cunningham Lake
Cunningham Lake was the perfect place to walk off all the food we ate around Omaha. 😂 We spent some time walking by the lake and enjoying the scenery, but there’s plenty more to do here — picnic, fish, play, explore the trails, or simply enjoy some time outside.
A great little nature break from exploring the city!
Omaha makes an easy Midwest weekend getaway with a mix of great food, local experiences, historic neighborhoods, and plenty of stops you might not expect. I’m always adding new finds as I explore, so I’ll continue updating this guide with more places worth visiting in Omaha.
Have a favorite Omaha restaurant, stay, or hidden gem I should check out next? Send it my way—I’m always looking for an excuse to come back!
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