Eylul Tunc 
Hello traveler, and welcome to Omaha! Commonly known as a flyover state, Nebraska and its biggest city have much more to offer than cornfields and cows, so you’re really in for a treat! I’ve crafted this where to stay in Omaha guide to help you plan your trip like a pro and make the most of it!
I watched all the YouTube videos and travel guides, compared all the areas, and cherry-picked the top-rated hotels in Omaha! I also sorted the areas nicely by interest and included hotels for all budgets so you can pick the best spot for you in seconds!
Downtown, and more precisely, the Old Market, is the historic heart of the city and the center of all the action. I wholeheartedly recommend it as the best place to stay for first-time visitors and Omaha veterans!
And even though Nebraska isn’t the most popular destination in the U.S., you can still get better deals by booking your hotel in advance, so make sure you do that!
Quick Picks for Your Stay
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Contents
This handy map will help you visualize the areas of Omaha I’ll discuss in this post:
- OLD MARKET: for first-timers
- DOWNTOWN OMAHA: for attractions
- MIDTOWN: for families
1. Old Market – where to stay in Omaha for the first time + without a car
The Old Market district in Omaha is the heart of the city’s Downtown area, and it’s the best place to stay for first-timers! It is walkable, well-connected to the rest of the city, and, honestly, it’s every foodie’s dream! I could tell right away that I’d love to stay here just by checking all the cool places on Gmaps to eat and drink!
The area is actually pretty small, consisting of only 9 tiny blocks. However, inside, you’ll find one of the largest concentrations of restaurants, bars, and hotels in Omaha, catering to visitors of all budgets! The vibrant bar scene makes Old Market one of the best places to stay in Omaha for nightlife!
The reason I put Old Market first and Downtown second is because, from a tourist perspective, you want to be centrally located. Old Market has plenty of places to eat and shop. Plus it’s easy to move around freely to attractions that are all around you with or without a car.
Start your day with a stroll along the cobbled streets of the Old Market, then grab breakfast at Jams Old Market (map) and get fueled to explore the best attractions in Downtown Omaha! You’ll find plenty of quirky shops and art galleries in Old Market, but the central museums and top attractions are actually in the broader Downtown area, and I’ll talk about them in the next section.
Old Market is home to Omaha’s largest seasonal farmers market! You can treat yourself to local fresh produce every Saturday from May to October!
HIDDEN GEM: Check out the Old Market Passageway (map), the most stunning place in the Old Market area with shops, galleries, and the cutest decorations, including lights and plants hanging from the walls!
I love how you can walk to the beautiful Gene Leahy Mall (map) and Conagra Lake from the Old Market in less than 10 minutes! This area is really beautiful, especially around the Heartland of America Park at the RiverFront (map)!
You can rent a bike or scooter or just spend quality time outdoors with your family. There are clean bathrooms, outdoor tables, a walking path around the lake, and a large fountain with neon lights. They also have the cutest Christmas lights and an ice skating rink here if you’re visiting in winter!
I’ve learned that in the past few years, local authorities have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in revitalization projects by the Riverfront and in other parts of Omaha, giving the city a fresh new vibe. You can really feel that in many places!
The Farnam, Autograph Collection
One of the best new luxury hotels in town, The Farnam has fabulous rooms, a fitness center, 3 delicious on-site restaurants, and private parking on the property. The rooms have the best city views, while the central location near Riverfront makes it a great place to stay for families!
Other accommodation options in Old Market
A centrally located hotel that has spacious rooms with great amenities, a free airport shuttle, and a nice indoor pool
A new hotel with compact rooms and a gym; slightly lower rating than I’d like, mostly due to untrained staff complaints, but it’s the only budget hotel in the area
A cozy and modern loft at an affordable price and a central location, ideal for couples
Things to do in Old Market
- Check out the international restaurants in the area
- Walk in the romantic Old Market Passageway and buy souvenirs there
- Visit the seasonal farmers’ market
- Enjoy the tropical vibes while sipping cocktails at Laka Lono Rum Club (map)
- Satisfy your sweet tooth in the city’s most famous candy store (map)
- Go beer tasting at the Upstream Brewing Company (map)
2. Downtown Omaha – where to stay near the attractions
Downtown Omaha is the perfect place to explore the city’s museums, galleries, and really most of the attractions, especially if you’re staying for the weekend. If the hotels in the Old Market area are not right for you or you simply want to stay in the broader Downtown, I’m sure you can find the perfect place here!
The Capitol District in Downtown Omaha is great to shop and stop for a coffee in one of the cafes. It’s also where the CHI Health Center Arena (map), one of the main concert venues in town, is located.
Nearby is the 3,000-foot pedestrian Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (map) on the Missouri River. This bridge separates Nebraska and Iowa, and it’s a huge attraction by itself! There’s a point in the middle of the bridge with a line marking Iowa and Nebraska, and you can snap a selfie while standing in two states at the same time!
The bridge also has beautiful trails for bikes, so feel free to rent one and drive yourself to Iowa’s Council Bluffs (the city on the other side of the river) on 2 wheels!
FUN FACT: Most people affectionately call the Bob Kerrey Bridge “Bob.” Bob even has his own Twitter account, and standing on either side of the state line here is called “Bobbing.”
The top attraction in the city and one of the top 5 zoos in the world, according to many travel magazines, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, is located just South of Downtown! Many people visiting with kids plan a 2-day trip to the Zoo only, and it’s no wonder, given how gigantic this place is!
Stop by the Little Bohemia District (map) on S 13th Street on your way to Omaha Zoo! It’s a tiny melting pot of cultures with fun bars and cafés!
Other must-visit attractions include the Durham Museum, Omaha’s former Union Station, to learn about the area’s history, and the Museum of Shadows, with 3,000 haunted artifacts and sculptures built into buildings!
PRO TIP: The Museum of Shadows, Gene Leahy Mall, Kiewit Luminarium, and Heartland of America Park are all part of the big riverfront renovation project and can be visited on foot in one go!
NOTE: Many streets in Downtown Omaha are one-way streets, so be careful if you’re a first-time driver here!
s do not forget to make your booking in advance. For those of you looking for another cool city to travel to in the USA, check out the best places to stay in Chicago.
Located in the City Center, this 4-star hotel features spacious rooms with amazing city views, a business center, complimentary breakfast, a fitness center, and a free shuttle service to the Eppley Airfield airport. I love the outdoor pool on the rooftop with a panoramic city view, and I’m sure you will surely love their chic bar with a great selection of drinks!
Other accommodation options in Downtown Omaha
Situated in the Capitol District, this hotel features a fitness center, family-friendly rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a complimentary breakfast
A modern budget hotel that offers an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and spacious rooms with a nice city view
This historic condo has almost a perfect rating, can fit 4 guests, and it’s near all the attractions
Things to do in Downtown Omaha
- Walk the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge to Council Bluffs in Iowa
- Take the kids to Omaha Children’s Museum
- Learn about the American West’s history at the Durham Museum
- Visit the iconic Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
- Drive to the stunning Lauritzen Gardens further South (map)
- Visit the Kiewit Luminarium for fun science experiments
- Find the statue of OMAR, the troll, under the Kerrey bridge (exact location – map)
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3. Midtown – where to stay in Omaha, Nebraska, with kids
Midtown Omaha is an up-and-coming neighborhood and entertainment district that sees major upgrades every year. I recommend it to families with kids and anyone looking for an active vacation! The area’s hotspot, Midtown Crossing, is just 1.7 miles (2.7 km) West of Downtown.
A must-visit attraction here is the Joslyn Castle and Gardens (map)! This historic property dates back to 1903 and has stunning architecture, interior, and gardens to walk around! They offer tour guides so you can have an immersive experience learning about the family that built and lived in this castle!
The Joslyn Art Museum is another top attraction featuring beautiful art examples and a theater.
There’s also the lovely Turner Park (map) with movie screenings, free jazz concerts, and tons of other fun activities year-round!
Locals also say that Midtown is slowly becoming the central place for dining, with top-rated restaurants lining Farnam Street, including the Crescent Moon (map)! By the way, the Crescent Moon is a top-rated place to try the Rueben sandwich in Omaha!
Apparently, the Rueben sandwich originated in Omaha, not in New York (I’m not making any claims; it’s just what the locals say!) The Omaha version is chopped, while the New York version is sliced!
I also recommend Midtown for anyone who is traveling with a car. It’s less crowded, so you’ll find parking easier, and you’ll be near Dodge Street (US-6 route) that connects North and South Omaha, as well as have easy access to routes 680 and 480.
You can make it both East to Downtown and to attractions West of Midtown, like Ashland’s Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum (SAC) or the Wildlife Safari Park just next to SAC!
PRO TIP: If you’re coming to town for an event at the Baxter Arena or to visit the University of Nebraska, there are nice hotels in the lively Aksarben Village less than 3 miles West of Midtown! I recommend Residence Inn as it’s the top-rated hotel here!
NOTE: Check VRBOs for the best rentals in Omaha Midtown! There are so many good ones that it’s hard for me to choose just one!
Located in Omaha Midtown, this 4-star hotel features a great breakfast, an outdoor terrace with beautiful city views, spacious guest rooms with stylish decoration, and room service. I love the chic dining area in this hotel, where you can have gourmet foods and a great breakfast!
Other accommodation options in Midtown
A modern hotel with a pool, continental breakfast, family rooms, and a gym on-site
A top-rated private rental home for the whole family, just a short drive to Omaha’s attractions
An apartment with a projector, lovely interior, and plenty of space for 4 guests
Things to do in Midtown
- Try the best Reuben Sandwich at Crescent Moon Restaurant
- Take a tour of the beautiful Joslyn Castle and Gardens
- Catch a free jazz concert at Turner Park
- Eat out in the Inner Rail Food Hall (map) in the adjacent Aksarben Village
- See the historic Saint Cecilia Cathedral (map) in Omaha Midtown
| 👑 Luxury price: | US$160 |
| 💵 Mid-range hotel: | US$120 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | US$80 |
| 📍 Best area: | Old Market |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel |
| 🧳 Best mid-range hotel: | Hyatt Place Omaha |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | EVEN Hotel Omaha |
FAQs about hotels and lodging in Omaha
🛎️ Which are the best hotels near Omaha Zoo, Nebraska?
All the top-rated hotels in Downtown Omaha are less than a 10-minute drive from the Zoo. The best ones are the Farnam Hotel for luxury and the Residence Inn Marriott for mid-range travelers.
🏢 What hotels in Omaha, Nebraska, are near the I-80?
Comfort Suites and Tru By Hilton are nice hotels close to the I-80 in Omaha, Nebraska.
🏅 What is the best part of Omaha to stay in?
The Old Market area, together with the rest of Downtown, is the best place to stay in Omaha! It’s lively, has plenty of hotels, restaurants, shops, bars, and everything else touristy!
🚶 Is Omaha a walkable city?
Absolutely! The Downtown area, especially the Old Market and Riverfront, are super walkable. The further you stay from these areas, the less walkable the city becomes.
✔️ Can you get around Omaha without a car?
Yes, if you stay in the Downtown area. The city has a metro system, shuttle buses, taxis, and car rental services you can use if you’re visiting without a car.
🏨 Where are the best places to stay in Downtown Omaha?
The Farnam Hotel in the Old Market area and Omaha Marriott Downtown are the best places to stay in Downtown Omaha!
🤨 Which is better Omaha or Kansas City?
It depends on your preferences. Kansas City is larger and has more activities to offer, but Omaha has one of the best zoos in the world and overall a better quality of life. Both cities are worth visiting!
❌ What are the bad areas of Omaha, Nebraska?
North and South Omaha (around the Zoo) are considered less safe areas to stay in Omaha, Nebraska due to a higher crime rate. There are very few hotels in the sketchy areas anyways.
🤔 Is Omaha, NE, dangerous?
Not really. Omaha is a moderately safe city. I recommend the usual precautions like not leaving your valuables exposed in the car and sticking to the touristy areas.
Final thoughts on where to stay in Omaha, NE
This is all I have in store for you when it comes to where to stay in Omaha, Nebraska! I hope my area and hotel recommendations helped you pick the perfect area for you!
Omaha is a small but a vibrant city with a charming atmosphere that keeps developing year after year! So a stop here, even if it’s just for the weekend, is a great addition to any traveler’s bucket list!
Now I know I’ve given you plenty of recommendations, so here are 2 of my favorite hotels just in case you still can’t make up your mind:
- The Farnam – Located in the Old Market, this is one of the best luxury places to stay in Omaha
- Residence Inn Marriott – A great place to stay in Omaha that has comfortable rooms with city views
If you have any other suggestions or questions about Omaha, Nebraska, do leave a comment below!
Enjoy Omaha,
Eylul
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