Day Trips from Omaha. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Nearby Destinations

Council Bluffs, Iowa (10-15 minutes): Positioned directly across the Missouri River. It has casinos, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, and the Western Historic Trails Center.

Ashland, Nebraska (30-minute drive): Site of the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum and Platte River State Park.

Further Destinations

Lincoln, Nebraska (1-hour drive): The state capital. Experience the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the beautiful Sunken Gardens, the Museum of American Speed, and the impressive State Capitol Building.
Missouri River National Recreational River (various access points): Beautiful river drives and outdoor pursuits.
Most excursions from Omaha are easily done independently with a rental car, offering flexibility.
Plan for a full-day in Lincoln, or a half-day in Council Bluffs/Ashland.

Natural Escapes

Discover Nebraska's natural beauty with these day trip options.

Parks and Nature Reserves

Explore state parks for outdoor activities.

Featured Parks

Platte River State Park (near Ashland): Hiking, fishing, and cabins. A waterfall and beautiful vistas of the Platte River await.
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (near Ashland): Lodge, aquatic center, climbing tower, golf, and trails. Activities suitable for all ages.
Indian Cave State Park (near Shubert, NE, ~1.5 hours): Historic sandstone cave, hiking, and Missouri River views.

Scenic Landscapes

Enjoy picturesque drives.

Drive Routes

Loess Hills Scenic Byway (Iowa side): Unique geological formations and scenic vistas.
Missouri River Valley Scenery: Drives along the river reveal charming small towns.
Bird Migration: Platte and Missouri Rivers are flyways in spring and fall, ideal for birdwatching.

Cultural Excursions

Historical Sites

Ashland: Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum for Cold War history.
Lincoln: Nebraska State Capitol Building, known for its Deco design.
Council Bluffs: Union Pacific Railroad Museum for westward expansion history.
Boys Town (within Omaha): An inspiring look in its prime mission and legacy.

Rural Life

Small towns around Omaha give a glimpse into rural Nebraska.
Farm-to-table initiatives connect visitors with local producers at farmers' markets.
Agricultural tours are not widely organized for tourists.
Consider supporting local farmers directly at markets.

Multi-Day Extensions

Combine with Lincoln1-2 days
Loess Hills1-2 days
Western Expansion2-3 days

Kansas City, Missouri2-3 days
Chicago, Illinois3-5 days
Great Plains Road Trip4-7 days
Midwest Cities Loop7-10 days

Travel Tip

Road trips using I-80 or I-29 are easy. Amtrak connects to Chicago or Denver, and Eppley Airfield (OMA) gives flights for longer travels. Book Day trips and tours for these destinations.

Cultural Excursions & Multi-Day Options

Step outside Omaha for more historical and cultural exploration, or extend your adventure.

Union Pacific Museum

Discover the history of the railroad in Council Bluffs.

SAC Aerospace Museum

Explore Cold War aviation history near Ashland.

Nebraska State Capitol

Visit the impressive Art Deco building in Lincoln.

Day Trip Transportation

Options for getting to nearby attractions from Omaha.

Getting There

Council Bluffs: Easy by car, taxi, or ride-share. Limited bus routes.
Ashland: A car is needed as public transport is not available.
Lincoln: Reach by car, Amtrak, or long-distance bus (Greyhound, FlixBus). Driving gives exploration flexibility.

Day Trip Itineraries

Suggested timeframes for excursions.

Duration Recommendations

Council Bluffs: Plan for a half-day to a full-day.
Ashland: A half-day trip covers the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum and Platte River State Park.
Lincoln: Dedicate a full-day to its main attractions.

Multi-Day Travel Options

Extend with LincolnState capital exploration

Loess Hills ExplorationUnique landscapes

Kansas City, MissouriBBQ, jazz, museums

Chicago, IllinoisMajor metropolitan city

Great Plains Road TripWest into Nebraska

Midwest Cities LoopOmaha, Des Moines, KC, St. Louis

Regional Travel Routes

Great Plains Road Trip: Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island (Crane Trust), Kearney (The Archway), Scotts Bluff, Chimney Rock.
Midwest Cities Loop: Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, and St. Louis for a comprehensive experience.
Utilize I-80 (east-west) or I-29 (north-south) for road travel.
Amtrak for connections to Chicago or Denver.
Eppley Airfield (OMA) for flights to other main urban centers.

Regional Exploration & Extensions

Consider extending your trip beyond Omaha for a broader regional experience.

Add 1-3 Days

Maximize your visit by including nearby attractions.

Extension Ideas

Combine with Lincoln: Extensive exploration of Lincoln and state parks.
Loess Hills: Dedicate more time to this unique region in Iowa.
Western Expansion: Extend west into Nebraska for Sandhills or Southern Dakota for Badlands/Black Hills.

Logical Next Destinations

Cities that pair well with an Omaha visit.

Further Journeys

Kansas City, Missouri (3-hour drive): Known for BBQ, jazz, fountains, museums.
Chicago, Illinois (8-hour drive or Amtrak): A major metropolitan city with world-class attractions.
Amtrak: For layovers to Chicago or Denver.

Transportation Connections

Ways to move between Omaha and other regions.

Getting Around

Road Trip: Use I-80 (east-west) or I-29 (north-south) for easy travel.
Amtrak: For connecting flights to Chicago or Denver.
Flights: Eppley Airfield (OMA) has flights to other large cities for quick connections.

Suggested Routes for Longer Travel

Ideas for extensive regional road trips.

Extended Journeys

Great Plains Road Trip: Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island (Crane Trust), Kearney (The Archway), Scotts Bluff, Chimney Rock.
Midwest Cities Loop: A circuit including Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, and St. Louis for a comprehensive experience.
Each route promises unique regional charm and attractions.

Rural Areas & Pilgrimage Sites

Explore rural life and inspiring historical places.

Rural Villages

Little towns around Omaha give a look into rural Nebraska life and agricultural landscapes.

Farm-to-Table

Local farmers' markets connect you with producers and offer fresh goods.

Boys Town

An inspiring historical and ongoing home for children within Omaha.

Explore Further

A longer stay gives opportunity for a slower speed and greater immersion into the broader region.

Additional Excursion Information

Further details to enhance your extended trip planning.

Organized Tours vs. Independent Travel

Independent Travel

Most day trips are easily done independently with a rental car, offering flexibility.

Organized Tours

Organized tours for specific attractions or historical sites are available but less common for general day trips from Omaha. Book them on GetYourGuide.

Custom Itineraries

Personalize your journey to align with specific interests and preferred pace.

Rural Areas & Agriculture

Little towns around Omaha give a look into rural Nebraska life.
Agricultural tours are not widely organized for tourists.
Farm-to-table initiatives connect you with producers at local farmers' markets.
Vast agricultural landscapes and quaint small towns characterize the heartland.
Experience a different pace of life.
Discover locally sourced products.

Seasonal Natural Phenomena

The Platte and Missouri Rivers serve as important flyways.
Excellent birdwatching opportunities during spring and fall.
Witness diverse bird species on their migratory journeys.
Specific viewing points for optimal birdwatching.
Consider visiting during peak migration seasons.
Check local wildlife calendars for up-to-date details.

Nebraska Natural Features

No Mountains

Nebraska does not have highlands or ocean beaches.

Rural Charm

Rural zones surrounding Omaha give a look into heartland life.

Prairie Ecosystem

Consider extending west to visit the unique Sandhills region.

Planning Tip

Always check local opening hours and availability, especially for attractions that are seasonal or special events.

Day Trips from Omaha