Top Things to do in Nebraska
Top Hotels in Nebraska
- 1. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham North Platte
- 2. Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites
- 3. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lincoln Airport, NE
- 4. Hampton Inn Omaha West-Lakeside
- 5. Husker Inn
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lincoln North Hotel and Conference Center, NE
- 7. Hampton Inn Lincoln Airport
- 8. La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Omaha West
- 9. Best Western Plus York Hotel & Conference Center
- 10. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Sidney, NE
What to do and see in Nebraska, United States: The Best Zoos & Aquariums
Nebraska has something for everyone. From cowboys to wine industry, you’ll find many attractions when you visit this Great Plains state. If you are planning a family vacation to Nebraska, you won’t want to miss the Lincoln Children's Zoo in the state capital. Featuring more than 400 animals, you and the kids can see Amur leopards, Bactrian camels, river otters, eagles, crocodiles, reindeer, and more. At the zoo’s Butterfly Pavilion you can watch as butterflies emerge from their cocoon. The Aquacourt Family Water Park in Hastings features a wave pool, climbing wall and waterslides. In Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city, you won’t want to miss the Omaha Children's Museum. For history buffs, Lincoln is your place. This city is home to the Nebraska History Museum, with permanent exhibits that interpret more than 12,000 years of human experience on the Plains. You can make history personal in Lincoln with a visit to the Nebraska State Historical Society Headquarters, where you can research your family history. Omaha is also home to The Durham Museum, featuring restored train cars, 1940's storefronts and other historical artifacts. For a bit of Nebraska heritage, make sure you visit Front Street and Cowboy Museum in Ogallala and the Tri-State Old Time Cowboys Memorial Museum in Gordon. Learn about the area’s wine industry and history on a Nebraska Cork & Bottle Tour through Raymond, Pawnee City, Lexington and St. Paul, sampling fine wines and taking in the scenic views.
Restaurants in Nebraska
1. Lincoln Children's Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 352 reviews
Lincoln Children's Zoo is rated among the best zoos for children by Parent Magazine and is home to over 400 animals, including the world's smallest monkeys (pygmy marmosets), ring-tailed lemurs, dromedary camels, red pandas, meerkats, and more!. Over 40 of our animals are endangered, including the Humboldt Penguin, Amur leopard and Matschie's tree kangaroo. Featuring interactive Zoofari stations with Larry the Cable Guy, up-close animal encounters and the historic ZO&O Railroad, the Zoo is the perfect destination for the entire family. Lincoln Children's Zoo's mission is "to enrich lives through firsthand interaction with living things."
Reviewed By Charrigo - Chicago, United States
This was the perfect thing to do for myself and two teen girls after visit the UNL campus. We were looking for something fun to do that was not college related and this fit the bill. Close to downtown (about a 10 minute drive) and just the right size for a few hours fun. Don’t leave without feeding the giraffes, and look for the peacocks, penguins and flamingos! They also have some goats, camels, turkeys, snow leopards, an anteater, and lots of monkeys!
2. Henry Doorly Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,840 reviews
This world-class zoo is famous for its involvement with breeding endangered species from around the world.
Reviewed By StephanieMRS - Omaha, United States
I have been to a couple of Zoos, but Henry Doorly is truly something special. A good place to visit at all times of year (since they have indoor exhibits too), their IMAX is great and has plently of educational options for those interested in learning more about animals or nature through documentaries. Don't forget that the dome has an underground exhibit as well! They allow you to bring food and water to be sure to save money on that front!
3. Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 256 reviews
Drive-through adventure zoo's road leads visitors through several different 'lands' featuring Sandhill Cranes, antelope, deer and a large buffalo herd. Most of the animals freely roam this corner of the county. All can be seen from visitors' cars, but Wolf Woods section requires a short walk. The interactive nature exhibits can be explored hile out of the car.
Reviewed By torpdo - Des Moines, United States
I saw a sign for this park on the Interstate and decided to check it out. What a great place! There are elk, bison, pelicans, trumpeter swans, cranes and other animals. This is a drive-thru park with opportunities to pull off to the side to spend time looking at the animals. Some cranes were walking on the road so it was easy to get close-up pictures. Elk were feeding at a station. Raccoons were stealing food at stations. You can spend as much time as you want and even go for a second loop around the bison.
4. Riverside Discovery Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
We are a small AZA facility whose focus is to inspire a sense of awe and stewardship for the natural world by supporting conservation, education, discovery and recreation.
Reviewed By Wendiwe
Riverside Discovery Center & Zoo offers many family activities. I especially like the weekly "Lil' Explorers" program for preschoolers. It's an hour or so long program that includes a themed lesson, craft, snack, & story presented by the most enthusiastic and patient staff members. The zoo also has a new troupe of chimps and the bear habitat is coming soon (to house the new brother bears)! There is a splash pad in the summer, a playground area, picnic tables throughout, a petting area, meeting/teaching room, and gift shop. There are numerous events throughout the year that provide family fun and community interaction. This is definitely a wonderful asset to the area.
5. Schramm Education Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
The expanded and fully renovated Schramm Education Center is open! The state-of-the-art Schramm Education Center allows visitors to learn about Nebraska’s aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through unique, interactive exhibits. Additionally, visitors can access the ponds, nature trails and historic fish hatchery at Schramm Park, located directly east of the facility. The Schramm Education Center features: Newly renovated and expanded aquariums featuring Nebraska’s natural aquatic habitats – cool water streams, rivers, reservoirs and farm ponds. Six smaller tanks focusing on some of Nebraska’s smaller, lesser-known fish species. Seventeen live animal tanks featuring Nebraska’s reptile and amphibians. Educational nature center areas including a reading nook, maker’s space, bird watching area and pre-school play area. Interactive activities including digital topographical map, touch screens focusing on the species and virtual mountain biking!
6. Nebraska Wildlife Encounter
The Nebraska Wildlife Encounter-Zoozeum is a children’s natural history museum that features several interactive animals and activities.
