Here, we’re breaking down the most underrated things to do in Omaha. Check out these examples, from free roller skating downtown to an oh-so spooky museum.
Nebraska is home to some beautiful sights, both natural and manmade, but a lot gets lost when locals and tourists alike only hit up the biggest attractions. Sure, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a stunning experience each and every time one visits, as is The Durham Museum. But everyone knows these sprawling buildings as the city’s go-to activities. That’s precisely why we’re here to curate some underrated things to do in Omaha—the things you’d want to see or do without even realizing it.
In our research, we found underrated food recommendations, a niche museum, historical attractions, and more. So, buckle up because we’ve got eight activities that you need to add to your Omaha bucket list—and Instagram feed—ASAP.
1. This dinner and dessert duo is one of the best things to do in Omaha
There are many fun things to do in Omaha, but if you want something a little more delicious than adventurous, you need to check out a winning combination of local food establishments. In a Reddit conversation about the most underrated activities across the Omaha area, one Redditor mentioned that Pizza King (located at 1101 N Broadway in Council Bluffs) is a must-visit restaurant—and, yes, it serves far more than just pizza. Additional menu items include spaghetti, hot beef with mashed potatoes, steaks, and fried catfish.
A second user added that Christy Creme (located at 2853 N Broadway) is the perfect dessert after an unctuous meal at Pizza King. Christy Creme, now in its third family-owned generation, serves some of the best ice cream cones, milkshakes, floats, and malts in the area. When combined with Pizza King, this dessert shop gives you a memorable experience that will make you reminisce about warm summer nights long into the future.
2. Eat the ‘best sushi in [the] USA’ in Omaha
If Asian flavors are more your speed, you’re in luck: According to another Redditor in the conversation about the most underrated things to do in Omaha, our beautiful city has the “best sushi in [the] USA.” Specifically, the user recommended Yoshitomo, located at 6011 Maple St.
Yoshitomo’s central goal is to serve high-quality seafood, including sushi, nigiri, and small plates. The restaurant sources fresh seafood to serve its clientele, which lands on the upscale end of things.
Guests tend to love the fare here, with Yoshimoto’s Google rating sitting at a lofty 4.7 stars from more than 1,100 reviews. “I was in Omaha for the very 1st time, on a work trip. … This was, without question one of the best sushi meals I have had. The food was delicious, presentation exquisite and the service incredible,” one visitor shared in their review. We’ll cheers our sake to that!
3. Snap pictures of the Old Lincoln Highway
Of the many fun things to do in Omaha, seeking out the Old Lincoln Highway is one of the most unique. You may not envision historic highways as the most visually appealing landmarks to check out, regardless of whether you’re a lifelong Omaha resident or a visitor, but you might be surprised to learn that we have the longest in-tact bit of the Lincoln Highway in the country.
According to Atlas Obscura, the Lincoln Highway debuted in 1913 and stretched far and wide, allowing folks free movement across the U.S. To be more precise, its two end points were New York City and San Francisco, so it offered a lot of freedom. But more than that, it was also beautiful. The Lincoln Highway was built with brick à la everyone’s favorite golden road in Oz, and although the highway has long been discontinued for everyday use, you can still find three miles of it in Omaha. Snap some pictures of it, and the moodiness of your next Instagram carousel will skyrocket.
4. Learn about gardening and support local food distribution at City Sprouts
We can’t think of many activities that would be more fulfilling than stopping by City Sprouts, Omaha’s first community garden that opened in the ‘50s. City Sprouts grows produce to help lower food insecurity rates in the community, and it accepts volunteers who want to help plant seeds and harvest ripe vegetables so they can get safely and quickly into local residents’ hands. The nonprofit organization also offers educational opportunities to help folks learn about growing food, as well as why it’s so important.
5. Do a bout of roller skating to get your heart racing
Who knew one of the best things to do in Omaha is actually free, especially in this economy? Roller skating is an incredibly fun way to not only get your heartrate up for some light exercise but also have beautiful social time with family and friends, and if you’re in Omaha, you can do it without paying a dime at the Skate Ribbon at Heartland of America Park. (Yes, it’s really shaped like a ribbon.)
The only catch is that you have to bring your own skates to enter for free. If you don’t own roller skates, you can rent them for $5 (or $4 for those under 12 years of age). What’s more, in the colder months, the Skate Ribbon morphs into a true winter wonderland where you can ice skate for free. The ‘80s vibes never go away here, and you’re bound to love it.
6. Take an eerie trip to the Museum of Shadows
We all love a sprawling museum, but sometimes, you simply need a small, niche museum that won’t make your ankles feel like they’re going to fall off by the time you exit it. That’s precisely what the Museum of Shadows is. This enchanting attraction, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, celebrates everything otherworldly, including dolls and other paraphernalia that may just be haunted.
The Museum of Shadows has created a whole culture around it, making it one of the coolest things to do in Omaha. With a podcast, an appearance on the Travel Channel, and more than 5,000 items from across the world under its belt, this museum is the real deal. It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday each week at 1110 Douglas St, and tickets cost $25 per person.
7. Take the Keystone Trail for a spin
One of the best outdoor things to do in Omaha is hit up the Keystone Trail. Bikers love this trail for its well-maintained pavement, but runners and walkers can also get a lot out of it. As detailed by TrailLink, the Keystone Trail stretches for a little over 17 miles, so you can even take this trail out of the city and return on it. This trail crosses bridges and runs over the Little Papillion Creek’s levees, so you’re bound to get great views of nature each time you take it, too.
8. Visit the Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness
Our city has a lot of history, which is why learning about it will always be one of the most important things to do in Omaha. One way to do that is by walking through the Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness area. It lasts for eight city blocks and features well-maintained bronze and stainless-steel statues of geese, bison, and even humans. The statues tell a story of pioneers crossing into the local area for the first time, seeing animals they’d never encountered to the east.
This long art installation is a sobering reminder of American history, including manifest destiny and how land was stripped from the area’s indigenous populations. The craftsmanship of the statues is also beautiful, making this a must-see attraction—a perfect evening stroll no matter the time of year.
