Omaha Travel and Things to Do Guide

Omaha is frequently recognized as a best-value destination, offering competitive venue costs, convenient transportation, and a wide range of group-friendly attractions. For event planners, this combination makes it possible to host large conferences, trade shows, and corporate gatherings while still delivering memorable experiences for attendees.

Beyond its meeting capabilities, Omaha offers cultural attractions, distinctive event venues, historic landmarks, and a vibrant culinary scene that give conference programs additional depth.

Accessibility and Transportation

One of Omaha’s strongest advantages for event planners is its central location and easy accessibility.

Whether attendees are traveling by air or by road, the city is well connected to major markets across the United States. Omaha is served by several major airlines with nonstop flights to more than 30 major cities, including Chicago, Dallas, New York, Denver, Seattle, Washington, DC, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City.

The city’s primary airport, Eppley Airfield, is located just four miles from downtown and handles more than four million passengers annually. The short travel distance between the airport and the convention district simplifies logistics for conferences and large events.

Many Omaha hotels also offer complimentary airport shuttle services, making it easy for attendees to reach their accommodations and meeting venues quickly.

Omaha’s Expanding Downtown Convention District

Omaha continues to invest heavily in its visitor infrastructure. In recent years, billions of dollars have been directed toward improving the city’s downtown convention district, riverfront development, and transportation facilities.

The downtown area has evolved into a compact and walkable event hub that allows conference attendees to move easily between meeting venues, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment districts.

Within the downtown convention district, planners will find:

A large convention center with extensive meeting and exhibition space

More than 3,300 hotel rooms within walking distance

Numerous restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues suitable for networking events

This concentration of amenities simplifies event planning and improves the overall attendee experience.

CHI Health Center Omaha: The City’s Premier Convention Venue

At the heart of Omaha’s meetings industry is CHI Health Center Omaha, one of the region’s most important convention facilities.

The venue provides extensive space for conferences, trade shows, and exhibitions, including:

Approximately 346,000 square feet of convention center space

194,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space

63,000 square feet of flexible meeting space spread across 16 meeting rooms

A 30,996-square-foot Grand Ballroom for large banquets or general sessions

More than 42,000 square feet of pre-function space

The convention center is also connected to an 18,000-seat arena, which regularly hosts large sporting events and entertainment programs. Major events held here have included NCAA basketball tournaments, NCAA volleyball championships, and U.S. Olympic Swim Trials.

For event planners, this flexibility allows the venue to accommodate a wide range of event types, from industry conventions and exhibitions to corporate presentations and large-scale gatherings.

Unique Event Venues in Omaha

Omaha offers several distinctive venues that help planners create memorable meeting and event experiences.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
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One of Omaha’s most famous attractions, Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is widely recognized as one of the top zoos in the world and also serves as a unique event venue.

Highlights include:

Event spaces inside the world’s largest indoor desert dome

Access to the largest indoor rainforest in the United States

Hubbard Gorilla Valley, which can host receptions for up to 300 guests

These immersive environments provide memorable settings for corporate receptions, evening events, and incentive programs.

The Durham Museum
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Housed in a restored Art Deco train station, the Durham Museum combines historic architecture with elegant event space.

Key venues include:

Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall – accommodates up to 800 guests

Stanley and Dorothy Truhlsen Lecture Hall – a 256-seat theater for presentations and keynotes

The venue is ideal for galas, formal receptions, and corporate dinners.

Joslyn Art Museum
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Known for its pink marble exterior, Joslyn Art Museum offers several versatile event spaces, including:

ConAgra Foods Atrium – up to 456 guests

Storz Fountain Court – around 350 guests

Witherspoon Concert Hall – a 1,000-seat venue

Peter Kiewit Sculpture Garden – outdoor receptions for up to 400 guests

These spaces make the museum a popular choice for corporate events, presentations, and cultural gatherings.

Creative and Outdoor Event Spaces
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For more creative or outdoor settings, Omaha offers additional distinctive venues.

Hot Shops Art Center features working artist studios, gallery spaces, and industrial-style areas suited for creative workshops, networking events, and receptions.

Lauritzen Gardens, a 100-acre botanical garden, offers scenic indoor and outdoor venues within its visitor center and garden spaces, accommodating small meetings to receptions of over 300 guests.

Omaha’s Culinary Scene

Omaha’s dining culture is closely tied to its history as a major American beef industry hub, making steakhouses a key part of the city’s identity. Many classic and modern restaurants offer excellent options for group dinners and client entertainment.

The city is also known as the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich, which originated in Omaha before becoming popular nationwide.

For meeting planners, Omaha’s culinary scene provides strong options for networking receptions, private dining, and food-focused incentive experiences.

Why Event Planners Choose Omaha

Omaha offers a combination of affordability, accessibility, and distinctive venues that make it an appealing destination for conferences and corporate gatherings.

Event planners can design programs that include:

Large conventions and exhibitions at CHI Health Center Omaha

Private receptions at museums, zoos, and cultural venues

Team-building experiences with local artists or outdoor gardens

Group dining experiences highlighting Omaha’s steakhouse heritage

Entertainment and networking opportunities in the downtown district.