The RiverFront in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska is a popular day or weekend destination for those in Central Iowa. Most people are familiar with the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Omaha Children’s Museum. The Omaha RiverFront, just five minutes from the zoo, has transformed downtown Omaha making this area a must-see for families visiting the city.
The 72 acres of the RiverFront offers three different parks–Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park, and Lewis and Clark Landing, each with different elements for the whole family.
Check out these other fun places to visit in Nebraska:
- Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
- Things To Do in Ashland, Nebraska
- Wildlife Safari Park
- Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska
Gene Leahy Mall
The Gene Leahy Mall starts at 13th Street and Farnam Street. This area is home to The Arches Playground. This fully fenced playground with one entrance/exit is home to the most spectacular three large orange arches that kids can climb over and under. The park has endless elements to discover from a hidden rock wall, hanging rope area, and landscaping stones that welcome children to climb and discover. In this park alone my kids would have played for hours. (Public restrooms are found near this playground.)
Near South 11th Street of the Mall, you will find The Cascades Fountain. Open seasonally 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily (closed on Tuesdays.) This beautiful immersive fountain with stones, steps, mini waterfalls, and flowing water is captivating to both kids and adults.
Next to The Cascades, you will find the classic slides that downtown Omaha is known for, two tall wavy slides along with the longest roller slide I have ever seen.
As you continue to walk through Gene Leahy Mall, you’ll see many nooks and crannies with beautiful statues and video artwork, the pond with landscaping that makes you stop and say wow, plenty of places to take it all in from unique benches, swings, and hammocks scattered throughout.
Heartland of America Park
The next park at the RiverFront is the Heartland of America Park. This area is home to the Skate Ribbon–a year-round outdoor skating area (ice skating in the winter.) If you bring your equipment, the skate ribbon is available for free. If you leave your roller skates or ice skates at home, you can cheaply rent skates to use ($5 for adults and $4 for children.) The Skate Ribbon is open 2 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 2 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
In the Heartland of America Park, you will also find Congra Lake. Around the lake, you will find a pocket playground with swings and slides, a gorgeous amphitheater, and again many nooks and crannies with hidden hammocks and benches.
This Park is also home to Farnam Pier. This pier jets out over the Missouri River and is the perfect place to take pictures, especially under the lights at night.
Lewis and Clark Landing
Next, if you take the pedestrian bridge, you will find Lewis and Clark Landing. The first area you will see is the Discovery Playground. This fully fenced-in playground with one entrance/exit is breathtaking. With two huge rocket ship-like climbing structures, a huge wooden wave for you to climb (that your kids will want to race you on,) zip lines, swings, and unique climbing aspects, this park offers endless, highly unique elements. Seasonally there is an area with water play. This area has multiple ways to move water by pulling levers, spinning wheels, and pumping. (Public restrooms are found in the fenced area and outside the fenced area of the playground.)
Near the Discovery Playground is an urban beach (sandy area for kids to play and adults to lounge) with firepits. My daughter loved playing in the sand here. The nearby Riverfront Plaza is a great place to relax and eat a packed lunch.
The Kiewett Luminarium is also found at the Lewis and Clark Landing. This interactive science center is designed to inspire curiosity and hands-on learning. A whole day could easily be spent here discovering every part. The Luminarium is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is $24.95 for adults and $19.95 kids 5-17, under 5 are free.
If you continue past the Luminarium along the river, you will see the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge going across the river. This bridge was the highlight of my daughter’s trip. Halfway across the bridge, there is a black line with Iowa written on one side and Nebraska on the other. My daughter loved taking pictures here with me being in different states.
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters Visitor Center
While Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters Visitor Center is not officially a part of the RiverFront, it is nestled in the park by the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and a perfect free air-conditioned (or heated) activity for your family to learn and explore. This visitor center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Make sure you ask the park rangers about the Junior Park Rangers program to get our kids their badges!
