Omaha

by The Linguist

Omaha, Nebraska – The Gateway to the West

With a population of 486,051 as of 2020, Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County. Nicknamed the “Gateway to the West”, Omaha is located on the Missouri River and has a long history as a transportation hub and center of trade.

History

Omaha was founded in 1854 by settlers from neighboring Council Bluffs, Iowa. It was named after the Omaha Native American tribe that inhabited the area. Omaha quickly grew as railroads were built connecting it to the eastern United States. It became an important transportation and telecommunications center for the region. To learn more about Omaha’s history, visit the History of Omaha page on Wikipedia.

Government

Omaha has a mayor-council form of government. The Omaha City Hall is located at 1819 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68183. Phone: (402) 444-7000. Visit the City of Omaha’s official website to learn more about city government, services, initiatives and more.

Economy

Omaha has a diverse economy based around industries like financial services, insurance, telecommunications, transportation, tourism, and food processing. Major employers include Mutual of Omaha, Union Pacific Railroad, Offutt Air Force Base, First National Bank, Werner Enterprises, InfoUSA, and Conagra Foods. To learn more about Omaha’s economy and business climate, visit the Omaha Economic Development website.

Attractions & Landmarks

Some of Omaha’s top attractions and landmarks include:

  • Henry Doorly Zoo – Rated as one of the best zoos in the world. Address: 3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107. Phone: (402) 733-8401.
  • Old Market – Historic warehouse district with restaurants, shops and art galleries. Location: bounded by 10th to 13th and Jackson to Leavenworth Streets.
  • Durham Museum – Museum housed in historic train station. Address: 801 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68108. Phone: (402) 444-5071. Website.
  • Lauritzen Gardens – 100-acre botanical center and gardens. Address: 100 Bancroft St, Omaha, NE 68108. Phone: (402) 346-4002. Website. GPS Coordinates: 41°15’29″N 95°56’55″W.
  • First National’s Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness Park – Large bronze sculpture in downtown. Address: 1120 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68102. GPS Coordinates: 41°15’23.9″N 96°00’00.6″W
  • Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge – Foot bridge connecting Iowa and Nebraska over the Missouri River. Address: Bridge connects Omaha, NE to Council Bluffs, IA. GPS Coordinates: 41°15’14.0″N 95°55’59.6″W

Check out Visit Omaha for more attractions and things to do during your visit.

Sports

Omaha is home to several professional and college sports teams, most notably:

  • Kansas City Royals – Major League Baseball team located across the river in Kansas City, but Omaha hosts the Royals’ Triple-A affiliate Omaha Storm Chasers.
  • Omaha Storm Chasers – Minor league baseball team playing at Werner Park in Omaha. Address: 12356 Ballpark Way, Omaha, NE 68138.
  • Omaha Lancers – USHL junior ice hockey team playing at Ralston Arena. Address: 7300 Q St, Ralston, NE 68127.
  • Creighton University Athletics – NCAA Division I sports including basketball, soccer, baseball and more.
  • University of Nebraska Omaha Wrestling – Perennial powerhouse wrestling program.

Transportation

Omaha is served by Eppley Airfield for air travel and has an extensive highway system including Interstates 80, 29, 480 and 680. Public transportation is provided by Metro Transit. The Omaha Streetcar began service in 2022, connecting downtown destinations. Visit the Metro Transit website for maps, schedules and more transportation information.

Education

Omaha Public Schools serves most of the city while other areas are served by school districts like Millard, Ralston, Elkhorn, Westside and Papillion-La Vista. There are over 20 colleges and universities in Omaha including the University of Nebraska Omaha, Creighton University, College of Saint Mary, Clarkson College and more. Find out more at the Omaha Education website.

Additional Local Resources

Location Map