Top Twenty Things To Do in Omaha During the College World Series
Many folks know Omaha is the home of the College World Series every June. But do you know what else to do in the area while your favorite team isn’t playing? Let me show you around! Here are twenty things to do in Omaha during the College World Series and beyond.
#1 Idea - Go to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo! The zoo was recently voted #1 in a national poll by USA Today, so go check it out! There is a Desert Dome and Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night, the Lied Jungle, the Asian Highlands, the Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion, the Hubbard Gorilla Valley, the Hubbard Orangutan Forest, Owen Sea Lion Shores, Scott African Grasslands, and Scott Aquarium and much more. There is a large and fabulous play area for kids in the Children’s Adventure Trails. Also for kids is also a large merry-go-round and a wet play area in the Scott Alaskan Adventure Splash Park so be sure to bring swimming suits or a change of clothes for the kids.
For admission fees, hours, zoo transportation, and more information about the zoo, go to the following website.
#2 Idea - Go to Omaha’s Lauritzen Gardens! Lauritzen Gardens is a large botanical garden containing twenty different display gardens. It is a magical place to go for those who love flowers and plants. There are two children’s gardens, including the year-old Sophia’s Play Garden right by the main building. Gardens include a fabulous rose garden, an herb garden, a unique Japanese garden, an arboretum with a bird watching area and a sculpture walk, a Victorian garden, a shade garden, and much more. This summer the gardens will feature twelve life size dinosaurs so bring those dinosaur-lovers along! Options for transportation in the garden include a tram that runs each hour from 10:00 to 3:00 plus an electric bus-like vehicle called the People Mover which continuously shuttles folks from Sofia’s Play Garden to the rose garden. The People Mover operates daily from 11:00 to 4:00. Please note there is a fee to ride the narrated tram tour but the People Mover is free. For more information about the gardens, check out the website.
#3 Idea - The Joslyn Art Museum. The Joslyn is Omaha’s art museum and it recently expanded in size with the addition of the newer Hawks Pavilion. The Joslyn is proud to be the country’s #1 art museum for 2025-2026 based on a poll by USA Today. The collection spans 5000 years and is spread out among three connected buildings. There are more than 30 permanent galleries, plus an outdoor sculpture garden. There is an interactive children’s room called Art Works that is fun for kids. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday during the day and is open late until 8:00 pm on Thursday evenings. For more information about The Joslyn and its collection go to the following website.
#4 Idea - Visit Omaha’s Old Market! More than 45 restaurants, numerous art galleries, and a variety of unique shops await you in the revitalized old warehouse district that is Omaha’s Old Market. You will find plenty to browse in the Old Market. The Old Market contains some of my favorite restaurants in the area including Spaghetti Works, M’s Pub, Ted & Wally’s Ice Cream, the Upstream Brewing Company, the Twisted Fork Grill and Bar, and many others. Some of my favorite shops include City Limits, the Old Market Candy Shop, the Old Market Emporium, Tannebaum Christmas Shop, the Amazing Imaginarium, and Hollywood Candy. For more information about this vibrant hub of the city, find the website below.
#5 Idea - Spend some time at the downtown parks - The Gene Leahy Mall, The Heartland of America Park, and Polina Gardens! The Gene Leahy Mall and the Heartland of America parks are located within easy walking distance of Charles Schwab Field. They are part of the Omaha Riverfront area and are connected to each other. Both parks have been completely redone recently and have something for all ages. The Gene Leahy Mall has a large play area for the kids as well as an area with fun slides and swings for all ages to try. Both parks feature plenty of seating, covered picnic areas, lovely public art, and water features. Looking over the riverfront in The Heartland of America Park is the Farnam Pier, a small bridge-like area that juts out over the Missouri River. The park also includes a small dog park, a video wall, and bocce courts. There are lovely flowers and plantings scattered throughout the park. There is always something to see and do at these parks!
Lewis and Clark Landing is a park by the Missouri riverfront where you can play volleyball and look at public art.
For more information, check out the Riverfront website.
Polina Gardens is a brand new city garden that is a satellite garden of Lauritzen Gardens. It opens on June 3 so will be brand new for the College World Series. The garden is located at 727 S. 13th street and features more than 120 trees and shrubs, 25,000 plants, public art and more. I’ve only seen it driving by but it looks like it will be a wonderful addition to the downtown area.
#6 Idea - Explore the Kiewit Luminarium! Omaha’s science museum is a fun attraction for all ages. In the Kiewit Luminarium you will find more than 100 interactive exhibits on two floors. There is even an indoor geometry play area for kids. Explore waves, sound, water, structures, cells, shapes, light, and much more. Right outside is a fabulous playground so be sure to save some time for that! For more information, go to the museum website.
#7 Idea - Spend some time at the Durham Museum. Omaha’s museum for history and transportation is a gem. The Durham contains a large collection of historic artifacts and exhibits and is affiliated with the Smithsonian. Want to see what life was like when the settlers moved west across the U.S.? This museum has you covered. The museum contains several historic trains and a streetcar you can walk through. There are several hands-on areas for kids. In addition, there are always several special exhibits. This summer’s exhibit is called Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes and Villians: The Art of the Disney Costume and is sure to be of interest to all ages. I personally can’t wait to see that exhibit myself. It will be showing through October 25.
One of my family’s favorite parts of this museum is the old fashioned soda fountain, where you can get a great lunch or snack. The ice cream treats are yummy - just sayin!’ For more information about The Durham Museum, check out the website below.
#8 Idea - Explore Art Galleries in downtown Omaha! There are numerous local art galleries and cooperatives in downtown Omaha. Some larger galleries include The Hot Shops Art Center (just north of Charles Schwab Field), Kaneko, The Passageway Gallery, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, and the Artist Cooperative Gallery. For opening hours and additional information, look at the websites below.
#9 Idea - Walk Across The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and visit Omar the Troll! Do you like to get outdoors for little exercise? The Omaha riverfront boasts a large pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River that is perfect for biking or walking. You are sure to get great views of Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa while crossing the bridge. Near the base of the bridge on the Omaha side is a friendly blue troll named Omar who also makes for great photo opportunity. Near the base of the bridge on the Iowa side is a great playground for the kids. The bridge makes a great night walk as well, as the bridge is lit up by thousands of lights in the evening. Click below for more information.
#10 Idea - Make your kids’ day at the Omaha Children’s Museum! If you have young children, this is the place for you! Keep them learning and entertained at this museum with several themed areas. Your kids can take your blood pressure or make a bank deposit at the Imagination Station, create a masterpiece in the art area, shop and bag your groceries at the grocery store, explore science and technology concepts via shows and exhibits, and much more. In addition, the museum features large traveling exhibits on the second floor. This summer’s special exhibit is called Super Sports Squared. Be sure to bring a change of clothes or swim suits for the little ones to enjoy the splash pad outside! For hours and additional information, consult the OCM website.
#11 Idea - Pay a visit to the Omaha Art Fair at Aksarben Village! This year’s Art Fair will be held June 12-14, 2026 and will feature more than 160 artists from across the nation. Art of all types will be for sale and there will be activities for kids. For more information, go to the following website.
#12 Idea - Learn about Lewis and Clark at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Headquarters, and Visitor Center! Located on the Missouri Riverfront, this building is part of the National Park Service. There are ranger programs, some small exhibits, and a visitor center that will assist you in learning about and planning a trip on the Lewis and Clark Trail. Outside there is an interpretive garden that often features beautiful plants and flowers native to the area. There is free parking and the entrance to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is right behind the building, making it a great place to park to explore both attractions. For more information, explore the following website.
#13 Idea - Buy some local treats, flowers or produce at the Omaha Farmer’s Market! If you enjoy street fairs with delectable foods of all kinds, you will want to check out the Farmer’s Market. The market is held on Saturday morning in downtown Omaha’s Old Market and is held on Sunday mornings at Aksarben Village. It is a great place to pick up beautiful flowers, locally grown and made food, and even some local art or crafts. It has a festive atmosphere and plenty to browse. Some personal favorites of mine are the Greek bakery in the back (can you say baklava?) and Erick’s Enchiladas but there is so much more available! For more information, check out the website below.
#14 Idea - Get wet at Fun-Plex Waterpark and Rides! If you have kids and love amusement parks, this is the place for you! The park has numerous waterslides, a wave pool, a spray park, a lazy river, a wet play area and pool for young kids, rides for all members of the family (and especially young members of the family), bumper boats, and go-carts. It is Nebraska’s largest amusement park and sure to be a good time for your family. There are several picnic areas plus lockers and changing rooms. For more information, click the link below.
#15 Idea - Take in a show at one of city’s theaters or venues! Omaha has several great performing arts venues and, depending on when you are in town, you will find a show you and your family will enjoy. Some performing arts venues to look for shows are the Orpheum Theater, The Rose Theater for Young People, the Holland Performing Arts Center, the Steelhouse, and the Blue Barn Theater. Check out the links below to see if there’s show you will enjoy when you’re in town.
#16 Idea - Take a tour through an historic home! Omaha has the lovely Scottish Baronial Joslyn Castle and Gardens which is a 35 room mansion. You can see how Omaha’s first wealthy folks lived! Also in Omaha is the Fort Crook House Museum. In Council Bluffs, an easy drive across the river from Omaha, you can explore the General Dodge House. For more details, check out the three links below.
#17 Idea - Explore the sculptures at First National’s Spirit of Nebraska’s Wildness and Pioneer Courage Park! Find more than 65 sculptures at this downtown park dedicated to Nebraska’s first settlers and the gateway to the west. For more information, see below.
#18 Idea - Play indoor miniature golf at the Fat Putter! This downtown large mini-golf center houses four fun and challenging 9 hole mini-golf courses. Not only do you get to play miniature golf, there are bonus games like cornhole and foosball to play while you are playing certain holes. Note that the facility is family-friendly during the day and only open to to 21 and older after 6 pm. I’ve played several courses here and loved it! See below for more information.
#19 Idea - Visit the new Omaha Central Public Library! While I know this may not be an attraction for some folks, if you’re looking for something cool and different to do while you’re in the city, I say check it out. Not only does it have a unique building, it contains more than twenty works of public art. You can also explore new technology at the Do Space, take your kids to a story hour or program, or check out the new automated system for bringing you the item you want out of storage. I can’t wait to get there myself!
#20 Idea - Explore nature in Bellevue’s Fontenelle Forest! If you enjoy hiking or walking in nature, this is your place! Fontenelle Forest is a nature area only fifteen minutes from Omaha’s downtown offering 17 miles of hiking trails for all abilities. Guests can enjoy a one-mile boardwalk, play at a half-acre playground called Acorn Acres, and learn at an indoor play area called Habitat Hollow. Visitors using the trails can see a variety of habitats, including walking along the bank of the Missouri River. For more information, check out the website below.