Does Omaha have the best zoo in the country….???!!
Omaha was our starting point for states #43–46, and it ended up being a much better kickoff than we expected.
This trip was taken July 2023.
Check out whole vlog here:
Zoo
Our first stop on a trip through Nebraska, Iowa, South and North Dakota was Omaha!
We flew into Omaha, picked up our rental car, and immediately headed toward the main event: the famous Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
We’ve been to a lot of zoos — Cincinnati, Columbus, San Diego, and plenty of others — so we don’t say this lightly… but this one genuinely surprised us. It might have been the best zoo we’ve ever visited.
What stood out most was how immersive everything felt. The swamp/bayou exhibit had boardwalks winding through dark, humid paths with alligators everywhere, and it honestly felt like walking through Louisiana at night. The rainforest-style monkey exhibit was massive and multi-level, letting you view animals from above in the trees and down at ground level.
Every section felt thoughtfully designed, clean, and full of animals. It wasn’t just “look at animals in enclosures” — it felt like walking through completely different ecosystems. Easily a 10/10 and worth building a whole Omaha stop around.
Where to Stay
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Council Bluffs, which worked well for a quick visit. It wasn’t walkable to attractions, but it was more budget-friendly and close to downtown.
Click for our lodging reco: Holiday Inn
What to Eat!
Food highlights included:
- Taqueria La Fogata — a small, no-frills taco spot near the airport with really good food
- Omaha Tap House — easy downtown stop with burgers and beers
- Zen Coffee — coffee flights + an unforgettable pistachio iced latte
Exploring Downtown
Downtown Omaha was another surprise. The Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront is a huge, modern riverside park with playgrounds, open green space, outdoor event areas, and plenty of places to just hang out. It felt designed for families and actually delivered on it.
We also walked across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, which lets you literally stand in both Nebraska and Iowa at the same time — a fun, quick “two states in one stop” moment.
We caught a local farmers market, wandered downtown, and even did the classic drive-by of Warren Buffett’s house on the way out.
Wrap-Up
Omaha turned out to be way more fun than just a travel stop — between the zoo, the riverfront parks, and the easy downtown feel, it made a strong first impression for Nebraska.
And from here, the road trip really started: we continued on into Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota — picking up even more unexpected stops, wide-open landscapes, and a few “we didn’t plan this but we’re glad we did” moments along the way.
Want to see the rest of this road trip?
South Dakota Itinerary
North Dakota Itinerary
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