Nebraska is not just a fly over state, it holds a gem to be seen when crossing this state off your bucket list. The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha is a MUST see and a fun, easy getaway for your family.

Omaha is pretty easy to get to in the midwest, wherever your starting point is. We are based out of Fargo, ND and the drive was a quick 6 hour run down I-29. An easy feat for the perfect long weekend getaway for our family.

Get ready for a new adventure as we take you to Omaha, and the Henry Doorly Zoo + Aquarium!

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Table of Contents

1. Bonus Adventure in Omaha.
2. About the Zoo.
3. Onto the Animals!
   1. Habitats/Exhibits at the Zoo
4. Other Attractions at the Zoo
5. Food at the Zoo
6. Commonly Asked Questions

Bonus Adventure in Omaha.

For our trip we left on a Saturday and got home on a Tuesday. Two full days were spent at the zoo and two full days were spent driving. Depending on where you are starting from and/or how you are getting there this will change.

With only six hours to drive, we had time in the evening for a little fun. So we got our Walk to Remember on (iykyk) and spent time in two places at once.

The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is a beautiful bridge that crosses Missouri River and connects Iowa and Nebraska. Along the bridge is the boarder between the states. With one foot on either side of the line you can factually say you are in Iowa and Nebraska AT THE SAME TIME! This was one of my oldest son’s highlights!

In addition to the bridge, in the same parking lot, is the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters. Our little learners loved viewing the visitor center and doing the jr. ranger activity book. Much like the National Park Junior Ranger program, our kids completed a booklet and took the pledge to earn their badges. This activity is FREE and a fun way to learn and get the kiddos interacting with the spots you are visiting.

About the Zoo.

When going to a tourist place like the zoo, opening time is your best friend! In our family we live by the Lombardi rule: if you aren’t 15 minutes early, you are late (At least we try… with four kids it’s hard sometimes but it’s always the GOAL, at least to be early). Getting to the zoo before opening time ensures you have time to get your tickets, if not purchased ahead of time online, and secure a place in line.

We arrived in the parking lot about 8:45AM.

We choose to buy tickets day of, because with our home zoo memberships we received a reciprocal discount.

Check out pricing below for SUMMER (May 1- September 30):

For additional pricing click here

A week before our trip my mom broke her ankle. She had to have surgery and was in a soft cast and restricted to zero walking and/or weight. We got in line early and rented a motorized scooter. It worked SO WELL! The only two things she could not participate in were the skyfari and splash pad. This zoo is VERY handicap and stroller friendly!

Now that we got in the gates and have a scooter for my mom we were ready to see some animals!

BUT WAIT! Don’t forget to study your map before hand. Click Here to download one before you arrive.

Onto the Animals!

There are so many amazing animals in this zoo. The exhibits and theming are beautifully done. I see why it is in the top (if not the top) zoos in our country!

A fun thing to enhance your time with the animals are visitor experiences. Pick your favorites and plan your route around them. Not only will your kids (and you) learn about some amazing creatures, but you get a closer look into the animals and see how the keepers train and take care of them.

We went to the penguin feeding, Amur tiger enrichment/training, and the sea lion training. We would have loved to experience them all but it was not possible in our time frame.

With your chosen experiences in mind the next thing is to think about is indoor versus outdoor habitats/ exhibits.

Summers in Omaha can get hot! When we were there (early June), it claimed to be 72 degrees. However, that was a HOT 72 degrees! We were all sweating and seeking water and AC quickly. I can only imagine what it would be like in mid July!

There are lots of amazing indoor habitats to see for a needed reprieve from the heat. But when it’s cooler in the morning, I suggest tackling the big outdoor areas of the zoo.

Habitats/Exhibits at the Zoo

Asian Highlands

The theming of this zoo is beautiful! In the Asian Highlands outdoor exhibit, you experience an immersive journey through the grassland foothills of Northern India all the way to the Himalayan Mountains. The walk is stunning enough without all the unique and exotic animals.

Scott African Grasslands

Home to my favorite animals (besides Gorilla Valley- stay tuned!). I love the animals that call Africa home. My daughter and I share a love of zebras and were happy watching them for a long time. Also, a bucket list highlight for myself was feeding a giraffe! New in 2022, the zoo welcomed TWO baby elephants. We saw them both in the Elephant Family Quarters. This exhibit is mostly outdoors.

Desert Dome

The Desert Dome features plant and animal life from three deserts around the world: the Namib Desert of southern Africa, the Red Center of Australia and the Sonoran Desert of the southwest United States. Below is just a portion of what you might see! This is an indoor exhibit.

Eugene T. Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night

Located indoors, beneath the Desert Dome, the Kingdoms of the Night exhibit is the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit! Personally, I stayed above with our baby while she napped. However, my husband and two sons went downstairs for the experience and said it was one of their TOP exhibits! Be aware if you have small children to keep them close in the dark and around the water.

Lied Jungle

Americans largest indoor rainforest! Inside the exhibit showcases rainforests from South America, Asia and Africa. Another beautiful exhibit that immerses you into the landscapes and homes of these special animals.

Hubbard Expedition Madagascar

Madagascar is a world all of its own! An island that is home to some animals you can’t find anywhere else on Earth. Not everyone can visit the real island of Madagascar, but at the Omaha zoo you can get a real amazing taste. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is dedicated to the conservation work on the island of Madagascar. Throughout the building, each exhibit is linked to ongoing projects in Madagascar as part of the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership, for more information on the zoo’s conservation work click here. This is mostly an indoor exhibit.

Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion

This is another habitat I personally did not see. We split up this time of the day, my oldest son went with my brothers family (my nephew is a HUGE insect enthusiast) while we took our other three kids and niece to the aquarium again. I don’t have any personal pictures therefore, unfortunately, but it was reviewed very highly!

• Butterflies
• Moths
• Hummingbirds
• Ants
• Spiders
• Scorpions
• Walking Sticks
• Mantids
• Centipedes
• Roaches
• Beetles 

Hubbard Gorilla Valley

This was a favorite by ALL in our family. Personally, gorillas are one of my favorite animals, and I was obsessed as a kid. Seeing them so close you could touch (through glass) and watching them interact with my kids and other zoo guests was a highlight for sure! Beautifully done, amazingly planned out indoor exhibit.

Hubbard Orangutan Forest

Closed for construction while we were there and still as of May 19, 2024.

Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium

I saved the best for last! The zoo is 100% amazing and worth it on its own merit, but what tipped it over the top was the amazing aquarium. This was my kids’ first time visiting an aquarium. Our little animal lover couldn’t stop talking about it for weeks BEFORE our trip he was so excited. Like I mentioned earlier, it was so loved we had to go back the second day to see it again! Loved by all ages from our (then) 5 month old to our 65 year old Papa.

Other Attractions at the Zoo

As if the animals and amazing scenery wasn’t enough, there are also a wide variety of family friendly attractions to magnify your day(s) at the zoo!

Lozier Giant Screen Theater® 

Summer (May 1 – September 30) Zoo + Theater Combo Rate

For more pricing and info click here

Stingray Beach

Open daily from 9:00am- 4:00pm you are given the opportunity to touch, feed and interact with Southern and Atlantic stingrays.

• $5 for non-members
• $4 for Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium members
• $2.50 for school groups

Scott Alaskan Adventure

Cool off on those hot summer days at the splashgrounds! Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. weather-permitting. Free with zoo general admission.

Bay Family Children’s Adventure Trails

Open daily from 9:00am- 5:00pm. Let your little ones run off some steam or explore and play while you rest! Located in the Glacier Bay Area of the zoo, this is a fun unique playground for kids of all ages. My mom, in your motorized scooter, was also able to get a large way into the park with the handicap accessible trails!

Location for the Baby Care Center. Nice family restrooms and nursing rooms at the base of the park. Great place to change for the splash pad after heating up running around.

Sue’s Carousel

Open daily during the (summer) season 10:00am- 4:00pm. Guests must be minimum of 42 inches tall to ride Sue’s Wildlife Carousel without an adult. Cost is $4.00 per person, per ride.

Train

Open daily 10:00am- 4:00pm, hop on for a round trip or one way ride on the Train! I highly recommend a round trip, as the stop from the African lodge to the Omaha Depot is very short!

I am happy to say this was handicap accessible and friendly! We were able to park my moms motorized scooter near the entrance, and with help from my husband and brother lift her into the bench seating. However, if she had chosen they also have train cars with lifts.

One-way ticket: $3.50 per person
Roundtrip ride: $7 per person
Children 2 and under are free.

Tram

We personally chose the train over the tram, thinking it would be more of an “experience” for the kids. In hindsight, they might have seen more animals from the tram. Whereas the train is on real tracks that goes along parts of the perimeter of the zoo, the tram is a glorified golf cart with extended carts that drives right along the walkways.

Open daily 9:00am- 4:00pm

One-way ride: $1.25 per stop (four stops)
Round-trip ride: $5 per person
Children 2 and under are free.

Skyfari

There are some things you suck up your fears in return for experiences and adventures for your kids. The Skyfari is prime example of that for me! I am TERRIFIED of heights. When I saw this advertised I instantly thought, “Oh fun the kids would love this!” I completley overlooked the fact that it is a chairlift… hanging wildly high… and moving!

With my fears aside, the rest of our family loved the experience. It is truly something you don’t see at most zoos, especially with the wide variety of animals it travels over. Put this on your list! If I can do it you can too!

Open daily form 10:00am-4:00pm, round trip only.

Roundtrip ride: $7 per person
Children 2 and under are free.

Food at the Zoo

A great way to save on your trip is to pack your own food. Outside food and beverages are allowed into the zoo. Pack in a cooler or bag. Please note, glass containers and alcohol are NOT permitted.

If cold lunch sandwiches are not your style, there are several food options in the zoo too. Check our your map for all the options.

We ate at Durham TreeTops Restaurant the first day for lunch. The food was standard cafeteria quality, with a variety of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, fires and more.

Day two we split up, our family ordering at at the Sea Turtle Cafe for pizza. And my parents and brothers family ordering at Glacier Bay Landing Grill (which had similar items and options to Tree Tops).

Be warned, food is NOT cheap. It is basic and but it is good, nothing over the top and extravagant. But it is vacation right 😉

Commonly Asked Questions

There you have it! All that the wonderful Henery Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has to offer! Lastly, however, I have compiled some commonly asked questions from the website you may be thinking to help with any of those inquireries.

I hope this post makes you think twice about Nebraska, at least Omaha! This is the perfect destination for families and an experience I promise the kids will remember.

From our family to yours, we hope you have a blast!

Leave a comment if you have any questions or highlights you enjoyed after your trip.