Eylul Tunc 
Welcome to Omaha, Nebraska! One of the most underrated cities in the USA that offers picturesque parks, historical buildings, beautiful art galleries, and fun attractions for all! This cute city will give you more than you’ve expected and there is definitely something for all kinds of travelers here!
Omaha, Nebraska lies next to the beautiful Missouri River and seamlessly combines historic attractions and modern architecture together. It is home to one of the best zoos in the world, Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, and many great museums such as Joslyn Art Museum and Union Pacific Railroad Museum.
Since Omaha is surrounded by farmland, here you will be able to find many incredible restaurants that serve food from farm to table, and you can also expect to find countless delicious local breweries. So get ready to have a feast!
In this blog post on where to stay in Omaha, Nebraska I will talk about the 3 best areas to stay in the city and give you the top hotels for all budgets. Before we start, I just want to remind you that in order to get better deals on hotels and secure your place, do not forget to make a reservation in advance. Many Omaha Hotels have a free cancelation, so don’t worry if you change your mind!
Shall we start our Omaha, Nebraska city tour?
If you are in a hurry
Here are the best places to stay in Omaha, Nebraska with hotels from luxury to budget. They all have good reviews and great locations!
- Downtown Omaha : for first-timers
- Council Bluffs : on a budget
- University of Nebraska : a vibrant atmosphere
1. Downtown Omaha – where to stay in for the first time
Downtown Omaha is the heart of the city and the place that best blends the modern city vibe with historical sites. You can expect to find a bit of everything here from trendy restaurants, to lush parks, fun attractions, and great museums.
Start your day with a stroll along the cobbled streets of the beautiful Omaha Downtown Old Market, then go for a walk along the scenic Missouri River. Stop when you reach one of the best zoos in the world, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. This world-renowned zoo is where you will find the largest indoor desert, rainforest, and glazed geodesic dome on the planet! How cool is that?
When you’ve had enough of the adorable animals (is that even possible?), head north to reach the Capitol District to shop and have a coffee in one of the cool cafes. You see, there is so much to discover in Downtown Omaha!
In Downtown, you will find the best hotels in Omaha and I’ve already picked the top 4 for you. In order not to miss them, do not forget to make your reservation in advance! While you’re at it, why not get ahead and book your next trip too? If you need some travel inspiration, check out the best places to stay in Kansas City.
Here are the best places to stay in Omaha Downtown:
Located in the city center, this 4-star hotel features spacious rooms with amazing city views, a business center, complimentary breakfast, a fitness center, free shuttle service to Eppley Airfield airport, and free wifi. I love the outdoor pool on the rooftop with a panoramic city view. 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 wifi, complimentary breakfast, and a central location
Hampton Inn & Suites Omaha features an indoor pool, fitness center, 24-hour business center, and comfortable rooms
Located near the Capitol District, this Airbnb features an amazing city view from its private balcony, a spacious family-friendly room, and free wifi
Since this is the most popular area to stay in Omaha and the hotels I gave you above are the best of the best, they may book out quickly. For those of you like me who aren’t quite so organized, here are some other great places to stay in Downtown Omaha:
- Luxury: Hyatt Place Omaha – Centrally located hotel that has spacious rooms with luxury amenities, free airport shuttle, and a nice indoor pool
- Mid Priced: Courtyard Omaha Downtown – A great place to stay in downtown Omaha that features a fully-equipped fitness center, a bar, and comfortable rooms
- Budget: Even Omaha Downtown – A modern budget hotel that offers an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and spacious rooms with a nice city view
- Airbnb: Unique Private Studio – A beautifully decorated house with a fully furnished kitchen, spacious rooms with great amenities
Things to do in Downtown Omaha
- Visit the Joslyn Art Museum and the Durham Museum
- Go shopping and have dinner at Omaha Downtown Old Market
- See an exhibition at Bemis Center For Contemporary Arts and Hot Shops Art Center
- Walk a portion of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Have a stroll at the beautiful Lewis & Clark Landing
- Go shopping at Gene Leahy Mall
- Visit Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
- See an impressive performance by Omaha Performing Arts or an event at the CenturyLink Center Omaha
- Find OMAR the troll under the Kerrey bridge
2. Council Bluffs – the best area to stay in Omaha, Nebraska on a budget
Council Bluffs is located 4 miles (6 km) east across the river from Downtown Omaha and is the best place to stay if you are traveling on a budget. While it is technically part of Iowa, not Nebraska, thanks to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge it is very well connected to Omaha.
FUN FACT: Most people affectionately call the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge that connects Iowa and Nebraska, “Bob”. Bob even has his own Twitter account and standing on either side of the state line here is called “bobbling”.
In Council Bluffs, you will be able to find relatively cheaper accommodations and will still have easy access to the city center. This area also offers good shopping centers, interesting museums, nice restaurants as well as many nice lush green parks that are perfect to have a picnic or afternoon walk.
In this area, there is no luxury hotel option but I found the best accommodations in this area for you. In order to get better deals on hotels 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.
Other accommodation options in Council Bluffs
This hotel features 24-hour room service, a great breakfast, comfortable guest rooms, and a nice bar
Holiday Inn Hotel features an indoor swimming pool, family-friendly guest rooms, a great breakfast, and free wifi
This loft-style Airbnb is located near the city center and has a beautifully decorated room and free parking
Things to do in Council Bluffs
- Visit the Union Pacific Railroad Museum
- See the Lincoln Monument
- Go for a trip to Lake Manawa State Park
- Test your luck at Horseshoe Council Bluffs Casino
- Visit the historic Pottawattamie County Squirrel Cage Jail and Museum
- Go “bobbing” and stand in two states at once on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
3. University of Nebraska Area – most vibrant atmosphere
The University of Nebraska is located 4 miles (6 km) east of downtown Omaha and is the largest university in the state. Thanks to its young population it is one of the most vibrant areas in Omaha with its lively bars and restaurants.
Here you can go for a walk to the beautiful Elmwood Park Grotto in Aksarben Village, check out art galleries, shops and find trendy cafes. At night you can go bar hopping or have a great meal in one of the many international restaurants. If you go just 2 miles (3 km) east you will reach Omaha Midtown which is also a nice area with cute cafes and shops, perfect for people watching on a sunny afternoon.
Near the University of Nebraska, you will find so many nice hotels, and don’t worry I’ve already handpicked the best ones for you. Let’s check out the best places to stay in Omaha near the University of Nebraska:
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. This pet-friendly hotel is within walking distance to bars and restaurants and Eppley Airfield Airport is just 6 miles (9 km) away.
Other options Near the University of Nebraska
Located near the University of Nebraska, this hotel offers a nice comfortable room, a heated indoor pool, and free wifi
This budget Airbnb has a beautifully decorated room, free parking, and is within walking distance to shops and restaurants
Located near the University of Nebraska, this Airbnb offers a beautifully decorated room, a fully furnished kitchen, and a nice terrace
Things to do near the University of Nebraska
- Visit the beautiful gardens at the University of Nebraska
- Have dinner at JINYA Ramen Bar
- Go for a stroll at Elmwood Park Grotto in Aksarben Village
- See the historic Saint Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha Midtown
- Take a pint at Maloney’s Irish Pub
- Go bowling at West Lanes Bowling Center
- Have an ice cream at eCreamery Ice Cream & Gelato
| 👑 Luxury price: | $200 |
| 💵 Mid-range hotel: | $150 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | $110 |
| 🏠 Airbnb: | $130 |
| 💰 Accommodation prices: | Medium |
| 📍 Best Area: | Downtown Omaha |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Omaha Marriott Downtown |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | Hampton Inn & Suites |
FAQs about hotels and lodging in Omaha
❌ What are the bad areas of Omaha, Nebraska?
North and South Omaha are bad areas to stay in Omaha, Nebraska due to the high crime rate.
🤔 Is Omaha NE dangerous?
Omaha, Nevada is a moderately safe city. That’s why I suggest you leave your valuable items at your hotel and stick to the main streets when you are walking at night but in the tourist areas, you should be fine during the day.
🛎️ Which are the best hotels near Omaha zoo, Nebraska?
There aren’t any good hotels right near the Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha but Holiday Inn Hotel and Residence Inn Marriott are good options, both within 10mins drive.
🕺🏻 What are some fun places to stay in Omaha, Nebraska?
Residence Inn Marriott and Omaha Marriott Downtown are some of the best hotels close to the fun attractions and have indoor pools and rooftop bars.
🏢 What hotels in Omaha, Nebraska are near the I-80?
Best Western Plus and SpringHill Suites are nice hotels close to the I-80 in Omaha, Nebraska.
🎯 What should not miss in Omaha, Nebraska?
Here are some of the main attractions you should not miss in Omaha, Nebraska:
● Pottawattamie County Squirrel Cage Jail and Museum
● Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo
● Aquarium Joslyn Art Museum
● The Durham Museum
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed reading this city tour in Omaha, Nebraska. In this blog post, I talked about the best hotels to stay from luxury to budget as well as Airbnbs in each area. I also gave you some information about the things you can do there so you could pick the perfect one for you!
As I’ve already mentioned, being close to all attractions, Downtown Omaha is the best area to stay for first-timers. However, if you would like to stay in a more affordable area you can pick hotels from Council Bluffs. That being said, if you like a hotel in another area I say go for it as distances between attractions are not too far in Omaha, Nebraska.
I would like to remind you again that in order not to miss your favorite place to stay in Omaha, Nebraska, and get better deals on hotels, do not forget to make a reservation in advance!
For those who are having difficulty picking among the many hotel options, let me sum up. Here are the best 2 hotels in Omaha, Nebraska that have convenient locations as well as good reviews. I definitely recommend you to stay in one of these if you can’t decide between the awesome options in this list!
- Omaha Marriott Downtown – Located in Downtown one of the best places to stay in Omaha
- Residence Inn Marriott – A great place to stay in Omaha that has a comfortable room with a city view
If you have any other suggestions or questions about Omaha, Nebraska, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. I’ll be glad to leave a reply to them!
Enjoy your time in Omaha, Nebraska,
Eylul
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