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No passport? No problem. Omaha has everything you need for a staycation, packed with hidden gems and adventures—if you know where to find them. This six-stop itinerary will take you off the beaten path and show you a side of the city you’ve never seen, no plane ticket required.
Stay – Sleep with Sharks at Henry Doorly Zoo
3701 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE 68107 | omahazoo.com
Drift off to sleep with sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles gliding overhead at Henry Doorly Zoo’s Sleeping Bag Safari. After the zoo closes, guests get exclusive nighttime tours, behind-the-scenes animal encounters, and a private sleepover inside the aquarium. In the morning, enjoy breakfast and a full day of zoo exploration. Want something extra wild? The zoo also offers a 21+ Safari Campout, complete with dinner, drinks, and glamping under the stars.
Eat – Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant
4422 Cass St., Omaha, NE 68131 | lalibela-ethiopian-restaurant.restaurants-world.com
Food is one of the best ways to experience another culture, and Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant takes you on a trip to East Africa. Named after the rock-hewn churches of Ethiopia, this family-run spot is Omaha’s only Ethiopian eatery. Meals arrive on an injera-lined platter, a spongy sourdough flatbread made from teff flour. No forks here—tear off pieces of injera and scoop up spice-packed stews like doro wot (spicy chicken with berbere) or key wot (slow-cooked beef in a rich red sauce). The experience is hands-on, communal, and something most locals have never tried before.
Play – TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest
1111 Bellevue Blvd. North, Bellevue, NE 68005 | treerush.com
Soar through the trees, conquer the course, and walk away with bragging rights. TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest is the ultimate treetop playground, featuring rope bridges, swinging logs, and zip-lines soaring up to 55 feet in the air. The course is set among 1,400 acres of old-growth forest, giving you a bird’s-eye view of Omaha’s natural beauty. Six color-coded trails range from easy to expert. Kids as young as 4 can join the fun in the KidRush Adventure Park, making it a great outing for the whole family.
Explore – The Old Market Passageway
417 S. 11th St., Omaha, NE 68102 | oldmarket.com
Hidden in plain sight, The Old Market Passageway is a charming brick alley lined with string lights, archways, and greenery. Once part of a historic warehouse, it’s now home to quirky boutiques, galleries, and Trini’s Mexican restaurant. Called “one of the most photographed spots in Omaha,” it’s a popular location for engagement photos and Instagram-worthy moments. As the perfect place to wander or grab a drink, the Passageway feels more like something out of a European city than a Midwestern metro.
Experience – Hot Shops Art Center
(Glassblowing Class)
1301 Nicholas St., Omaha, NE 68102 | hotshopsartcenter.com
Forget store-bought souvenirs—why not make your own? Hot Shops Art Center is a creativity center, home to glassblowers, blacksmiths, ceramic artists, and sculptors. You can even try glassblowing yourself or craft a one-of-a-kind ornament or paperweight. Under expert guidance, you’ll shape molten glass with fire and tools, no experience needed. The warehouse-turned-art-hub’s 50-plus artist studios also offer workshops in pottery, painting, and metalworking.
Unwind – True REST Float Spa
2522 S. 171st Court, Omaha, NE 68130 | truerest.com/locations/omaha
After all that action, it’s time to unwind in the most unique way possible: floating in total silence. At True REST Float Spa, you’ll step into a futuristic pod filled with 10 inches of water saturated with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, making you effortlessly float like you’re in the Dead Sea. If the idea of total silence sounds intimidating, you can opt for soft music or colored light therapy. Float therapy is used by everyone from pro athletes to mindfulness enthusiasts, but even first-timers will find it’s an incredible way to reset—just an hour in the pod feels like a full night’s sleep.
This article originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
