Omaha, Nebraska, is located along the Missouri River directly across from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Heat indexes can exceed 100 degrees in the summer and wind chills can plummet below 0 degrees in the winter. Fortunately, Omaha offers numerous educational activity options for enriching children regardless of the season.
Gardens
Flower-loving kids may enjoy Lauritzen Gardens located at Kinefick Park, especially its children's and model railroad gardens. View additional gardens at Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Gardens or at the replica of the Mount Vernon gardens overlooking the Missouri River valley.
Transportation
The First National Spirit of Nebraska's Wilderness and Pioneer Courage Park spans two city blocks and offers over 100 bronze statues depicting the westward pioneer movement. Kids may get up close to the statues and imagine what it might have been like to travel cross-country in a covered wagon. The Freedom Park Navy Museum is also free and displays ships and submarines. Two full size train locomotives, also unfenced, are on display at Kinefick Park. Kids can learn more about the history of the development of the United States with the various railroad artifacts and kid-friendly interactive exhibits at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum.
Active Options
Take advantage of standing in two states at one time on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge; it winds over the Missouri River connecting Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa. To cool off after a walk, send kids to play in the "spray ground" style fountain near the base of the Omaha side of the bridge. Gene Leahy Pedestrian mall is also free and offers a lagoon, waterfalls and a sculpture garden for kids to view along with walking paths and a playground. For indoor active fun, head to the Omaha Children's Museum for numerous interactive and pretend play exhibits.
Lewis and Clark
Heartland of America Park and Fountain gives an opportunity to enrich children's minds with American history from the interpretive exhibits and sculptures at the Lewis and Clark's landing site. Stick around until after dark to view the 300-foot water jet fountain and light show in the middle of the lagoon; the park is free and open until 11 at night. If you are successful in piqueing your kids' interest in Lewis and Clark's landing, take them to see the exhibits at the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Visitor Center on Omaha's riverfront.
Animals
Henry Doorly Zoo fills an entire day with its indoor desert and nocturnal exhibit and indoor rain forest. It is located near downtown Omaha and also has an Imax theater. If you visit on a hot day, check out the outdoor, desert and rain forest exhibits firsts and end your day at the air-conditioned Wild Kingdom Pavilion. See live animal displays in the nature center at Fontanelle Forest and Neal Woods; the parks also have 26 miles of nature trails traversing forest, prairie and wetland environments.
Member Comments