While it probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind in terms of travel destinations, Omaha, the largest city in the state of Nebraska, really is a hidden gem. Located in Douglas County, Omaha is situated on the Missouri River, making the riverfront a star attraction of this Midwestern city. It’s also the anchor of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area (more commonly referred to simply as the Omaha metro area), an eight-county, bi-state (five counties are a part of Nebraska and three a part of Iowa) region. But, what is the great city of Omaha, Nebraska best known for?
What is Omaha Known For?
Whether you’re traveling there for work or pleasure, there’s no doubt that you’re going to want to get the most out of what the city has to offer. But what exactly is it that Omaha offers?
Surprisingly, Omaha is known for a lot!
There’s a lot more to this great city than you’d probably think. Omaha, NE has a rich history, thanks to several Native American tribes, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the pioneers (who established several fur trading outposts here), railroad workers, and even meat packers, who all played a crucial role in building Omaha’s vibrant and diverse culture.
With that said, you might be wondering what Omaha is most famous for. Believe it or not, there are quite a few things that have helped to put the 29th largest US city on the map. Here’s a look at three that top the list.
Omaha Steaks
Hands down, steak tops the list of things that Omaha is most famous for. In fact, it’s hailed as one of the best cities for steak in the United States. Since the largest industry in the state of Nebraska is beef, this hardly comes as a surprise. In fact, Omaha has been the center of the country’s meatpacking industry since the 1950s.
To this day, the state city takes great pride in its grass-fed, grain-finished, Grade A beef. Not only does the meat offer an intense flavor, but it also features this fantastic deep marbling, which makes it super juicy.
If you’re a beef lover, you’re definitely going to love tender, melt-in-your-mouth Omaha steaks. While there are plenty of places where you can get a great steak, some of our favorite spots include Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, Gorat’s Steak House, the 801 Chophouse at the Paxton, and Omaha Prime. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it…
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
If you’ve been researching “things to do in Omaha”, it’s a guarantee that the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is going to be one of the top recommendations that you see on every list. There’s a good reason for that: it’s consistently ranked one of the best zoos, not only in the United States but in the entire world!
The zoo features an impressive collection of exhibits and programs, as well as thousands of species of animals from all corners of the planet that call this 160-acre zoo home.
One of the most notable exhibits is the Lied Jungle. At 1.5 acres, it’s the largest indoor rainforest in the United States, and one of the largest in the world. The Lied Jungle houses about 90 different species, including ring-tailed lemurs, gibbons, and otters. The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is also home to the world’s largest indoor desert, the Desert Dome, an 84,000-square-foot awe-inspiring exhibit.
There’s so much to do at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium that you’d need to spend an entire week there (at least) in order to take it all in.
Baseball
If you’re a fan of America’s favorite pastime, then you’re definitely going to love Omaha. Every summer, Omaha is home to the NCAA College World Series, one of the world’s most anticipated sporting events. In June, thousands of fans head to Charles Schwab Field to cheer on the top 8 teams in college baseball and watch them battle it out for a chance to be crowned National Champions.
The NCAA College World Series, which has taken place in Omaha, NE since 1950, is one of the biggest events in baseball. It was initially held at the Rosenblatt Stadium located next to the Omaha Zoo, but in 2011, moved to TD Ameritrade Park in Downtown Omaha. In 2019, the NCAA announced that they signed a contract that committed the series to continue in Omaha until 2035, at least, so there’s no shortage of baseball games to attend.
Omaha, Nebraska: Somewhere in Middle America
Omaha might seem like a random Midwestern city with not much to do, but in reality, it’s one of the best cities in the United States. The three items mentioned on this list are just the start of what this city is famous for. We guarantee that you’ll be impressed by what Omaha has to offer.
Other Things Omaha is Known For:
Fortune 500 Companies
- Berkshire Hathaway – Warren Buffett
- Union Pacific Corporation
- Kiewit Corporation
- Mutual of Omaha
Culture
- The Reuben sandwich was invented in Omaha at the Blackstone Hotel (now Kimpton Cottonwood) during a high-stakes poker game in the early 1900’s.
- Cake mix, Butter brickle ice cream, and TV dinners were invented in Omaha, NE.
Additional Information:
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