Families who visit Omaha and enjoy outdoor activities can visit the Henry Doorly Zoo (omahazoo.com) to see the wildlife habitats and exhibits. Built in 1894 as Riverview Park, the zoo expanded in 1963 thanks to a donation from Margaret Hitchcock Doorly in honor of her husband Henry who was chairman of World Publishing Company. The zoo is open daily year round except Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The City of Omaha Parks and Recreation (cityofomaha.org) department also maintains many city parks ideal for family picnics, swimming and recreational activities such as Hitchcock Park with its tri-level swimming pool aquatic complex, tennis courts, ball fields and indoor ice rink.
Omaha parents looking for educational yet fun pursuits for their children can opt for an afternoon at Omaha Children's Museum (ocm.org). Permanent exhibits, special events and workshops designed for children's learning are available and kids can observe artisans-in-residence create and form their artwork. Kountze Planetarium (physics.unomaha.edu/planet) on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus helps kids and parents learn about astronomy with nighttime public star observation shows highlighting constellations and current-sky astronomical events such as eclipses. Special weekend matinee programs geared especially towards children are offered by the planetarium.
Adults in Omaha who like to bowl can visit one of Omaha's bowling alleys, such as Maplewood Lanes (maplewoodlanesomaha.com). Bowling rounds can be followed by dinner or drinks at the establishment's bar and grill. League action is available to groups who wish to form a bowling team. Omaha Funny Bone comedy club (funnyboneomaha.com) is another Omaha weekend night-out venue for adults. Pre-show dinner is available; the club hosts nationally known touring stand-up comics.
Fun indoor venues ideal for children are available year round in Omaha, such as The Amazing Pizza Machine (amazingpizzamachine.com) arcade and gaming complex. Families can dine at the buffet, enjoy attraction rides and cash in tickets won for prizes. The complex is open daily to the general public attendance if no private party rental is booked. The Rose Theater (rosetheater.org) provides a performing arts theater program designed for children; parents can enroll their children in its various drama workshops and performing arts classes. Costume rentals are available for the young performers-in-training; visiting children can purchase tickets to watch individual performances.
