The Omaha Zoo is the 3rd best zoo in the country (behind Cincinnati and Austin Zoos!). So if you haven't been, take the short 3 hour trip to Omaha and get ready for a fun weekend!
On the way home from my grandma's funeral in Iowa last weekend, we decided to take an extra day and take the kids to the zoo. The last time we went Wake was 4 and he's 8 now so we thought it was time to visit again, and this time with Dayne!
Tip 1 to the Omaha Zoo: Get to the zoo at 9 am when it opens! We got there about 10:30 am after traveling from Iowa and when it hit closing time at 5 pm, we still hadn't seen everything!
Tip 2 to the Omaha Zoo: You will be walking, A LOT! So wear your most comfortable shoes, bring snacks and water, and strategically do the indoor items when you need a break from the heat (aquatic center, jungle building, desert dome). Of course, they do have a tram and train for those not able to walk that far.
The Omaha Zoo has some really great food options throughout, however, there is usually at least a 30 minute wait because all of them are usually jammed packed! So if you have kids that are HANGRY, having a quick snack is a great way to handle the wait!
Tip 3 to the Omaha Zoo: Bring a swimsuit, towel, flip flops and a bag to put them in! At least for the kids! We unfortunately forgot the first 2 times we went when Wake was smaller and we hid his eyes as we walked by the GIANT Alaskan Adventure Splash Park! It really is an amazing area with giant whales, barking sea lions and squirting water everywhere! And a great way for the parents to take a breather while the kids cool off!
Right beside the splash park is a kids area with a giant tree house and very shallow river that kids can walk around and play in the sand!
They really did make this zoo with kids in mind!
Our kid's favorite animal area was the sea lions! Not only could you stand by their pool and watch them show off their awesome swimming abilities, they had lots of cave-like areas where you could watch them underneath the water and they swim right by you! Sea lions are actually quite playful and fun to watch! After watching them for a bit, Dayne decided sea lions where her favorite animal and we bought her a stuffed sea lion which she named Sealy!
After a long day, we settled into an amazing hotel called the EVEN Hotel in downtown Omaha. I got a great deal on it and it really emphasizes fitness and healthy living! They feature a great workout facility, but also have a workout ball, yoga mat, yoga block and foam roller in each room! Plus, the guide on the TV has about 30 workout videos specific to the hotel and equipment they offer in the rooms! How cool is that!?!?! And they have ping pong and Connect 4 in the lobby, which the whole family loved! Their food options were healthy and delicious! I had a frittata with a side of fruit for breakfast that was super scrumptious!
Both B and I feel like Omaha is a town that a lot of people look over for vacations. We've spent several vacations here and are always impressed! It's a short 3 hour drive, with a colorful and vibrant downtown, lots of delicious food options, unique shops, breweries and coffee shops, and entertainment. All of these are musts on a vacation for the Finchams!
Have you been to Omaha for a vacation? What is your favorite thing to do?