Arrive at the Omaha Zoo with time. The park covers more than 130 acres and houses more than 17,000 animals. The exhibits include many outdoor spaces, including gardens and trails and indoor shows such as Kingdoms of the Night, The Hubbard Gorilla Valley and the Desert Dome.
Make time to eat at the zoo’s own Durham's Tree Tops Restaurant. The restaurant, which cost $15 million to build, features gigantic windows that look right into the Lied Jungle and allow for a unique insight into the dome from the comfort of the air-conditioned room.
Give special attention to the Lied Jungle, the world’s largest artificial indoor rain forest. The 123,000 square ft. structure is 80 feet high and houses almost 100 different species of animals, including some in danger of extinction. Aside from the animals, the exhibit also features many unique plants and trees and a series of trails and bridges that allow you to walk throughout.
Visit the zoo’s official website to find out what’s new, including animals arriving to the park, temporary or traveling exhibits and special discounts for members. The website also offers chances to sign up for volunteer work or to see photos of new exhibits. There is also a live web cam that allows you to see different exhibits throughout the year. See the Resources section for a link below.
Make the Desert Dome a main stop. The 42,000-square ft. indoor structure is the world’s largest man-made desert and the only one featuring a combination of species from the world’s largest deserts, including some from Africa, the United States and Australia. The 137-foot (42 m) high Desert Dome is also home to some unique species such as the Central Bearded Dragon and the American Badger, which are seeing in very few zoos around the world.
