Omaha, Nebraska is home to quite a few family-friendly attractions and is well worth a visit. This city was recently recognized by a national magazine as the "Best Bang-for-the-Buck" City so for families on a budget (and who isn't?) Omaha is a good option. With a moderate climate and a central location to much of the Midwest, consider Omaha when creating your family's summer vacation plans.
This city has a deep-seated reverence for history and has several historic districts, including quite a few buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Two fun places for kids to see include Joslyn Castle, former home of local newspaper magnate George Joslyn; Bank of Florence, the oldest building in Omaha and current home of Bank of Florence Museum where tourists can view the original vault.
The Henry Doorly Zoo is fantastic fun for all ages, and you may want to plan for more than one day. The Desert Dome is the world's largest indoor desert and features 84,000 square feet. Not only does the dome feature animals and plants found only in the desert, it sits on top of the world's largest nocturnal animal display. Underground is a winding maze of exhibits featuring live bats behind cages, alligators in a swampland, and plenty of other creatures of the night.
Also worth a look is the Joslyn Art Museum, made possible by a donation from George Joslyn's wife. This museum is not of the stuffy look-but-don't-touch variety: it boasts an art-making area specifically for kids and a Family Fun Guide for the special exhibitions. It even offer a printable treasure hunt so that during your visit, the kids can actually enjoy looking at the art (and hunting for treasures). Of course there's also Omaha Children's Museum, which is known for its kid-friendly exhibits that make education fun.
Omaha has plenty of outdoor fun available too and with many area parks to choose from, it's hard to decide on just one. You may want to check out Memorial Park for a picnic or game of tag, Freedom Park for its naval history (kids can climb in a submarine), and Heartland of America Park for a riverfront walk or even a gondola ride.
This city is home to many golf courses, amusement parks, and even an ice rink so you won't be bored during your trip. Check out www.visitomaha.com for more ideas about things to do, where to stay, and how to make the most of your trip.
About the Author:
Josefin O'Brien is a staff writer for FamilyCorner.com
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