Visit Omaha

For many Omaha families, a spring break staycation keeps downtime simple while hands-on museums, live performances and neighborhood dining make the metro feel new again. March is packed with family-friendly events, exhibits and programming. Exploring close to home supports local attractions, restaurants and small businesses between peak travel seasons. Here are some ideas to get your planning started: Head to Lauritzen Gardens to meet the towering creations of Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS: Save the Humans, crafted from reclaimed wood and designed to spark conversations about sustainability. Catch “Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends” at The Rose Theater, where curiosity and STEM learning take center stage. At The Durham Museum, Get Building! features detailed LEGO models of Omaha landmarks alongside hands-on construction zones for young builders. Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit at Omaha Children’s Museum invites kids into the McStuffins Toy Hospital for imaginative play reinforcing lessons about...

If you’ve ever told an out-of-town guest, “We have to take you here,” this is your moment. The public has narrowed the field for the 2026 Omaha Metropolitan Tourism Awards, with 42 finalists selected from nearly 900 nominations across Douglas and Pottawattamie counties. Voting is open now at OMATourismAwards.com through April 2. Winners will be selected in each county in four categories — Best Attraction, Best Hotel, Best Restaurant and Best Retail Business — through a partnership between Visit Omaha and Unleash Council Bluffs. The awards recognize the attractions and businesses that help make the metro a great place to visit. Winners will be announced May 4 during National Travel and Tourism Week and will receive promotional support, including social media spotlights and billboard exposure. Voting is quick and easy — and it can make a big difference for the businesses and attractions you love. Photo of Yoshitomo courtesy of Visit Omaha

Youth hockey teams will take over Omaha ice rinks for two weekends — February 26-28 and March 5-7 — as the Omaha Hockey Club hosts the annual Omaha Stampede tournament. The tournament will bring a combined 64 teams to the metro area. Week 1 includes 43 teams, and week 2 hosts 21 teams. Games will be played at multiple venues across the city, including Motto McLean Ice Arena, Moylan Iceplex, Liberty First Credit Union Arena, Baxter Holland Ice Arena and Grover Ice Rink. Games begin midday Friday on week 1 and run from early morning through evening on Saturdays, with championship play wrapping up Sunday afternoons. Week 2 follows a similar format The tournament represents a solid economic boost for Omaha’s hospitality sector, generating an estimated total of 1,770 hotel room nights. Sports tourism continues to be a steady driver of weekend hotel occupancy in Omaha, particularly during late winter months.

Omaha Beer Week kicks off Saturday, February 21, with two fan-favorite events that make it easy to explore the metro’s craft beer scene. The Craft Beer Bus Tour runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. across multiple routes and costs $40.25 per rider — less than the cost of an Uber from CHI Health Center Omaha to Werner Park. It will shuttle ticket holders among more than 20 breweries, tap houses and craft beer bars. Riders can hop on and off rotating buses, stay for one pint or linger for the vibes and catch beer specials and pop-up events along the way. Routes span east and central Omaha, with connector stops linking the network. Wristbands are required for boarding. Organizers encourage riders to plan ahead and close tabs before the final loop. Firkin Fest returns to Upstream Brewing Company from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The intimate festival centers on event-exclusive cask-conditioned and barrel-aged beers from Nebraska breweries and homebrew clubs. Tickets include unlimited samples, a souvenir...

One of the country’s largest youth volleyball tournaments is returning to Omaha. The event is an ace for local hotels, restaurants and sports venues. The Asics Presidents’ Day Classic runs February 13 through 16. An estimated 13,000 athletes, families and college coaches will visit the metro area. This year’s event is maxed out, with 570 teams registered from across the United States and Canada. About 90 percent of attendees are traveling from outside the Omaha area, generating demand for more than 10,000 hotel room nights across the city. Games will be played at multiple venues, including CHI Health Center Omaha, Union Bank & Trust Sports Complex and Iowa West Fieldhouse. Tournament play begins early and runs late each day. Organizers note that attendees tend to seek quick, affordable dining options during their downtime. That surge in patronage will boost nearby restaurants, coffee shops and fast-casual spots. Large youth sports events like this continue to be a reliable driver...

Get on the route for fun. The Omaha Streetcar Future Riders Passport Program encourages locals and visitors to explore businesses along the future streetcar line and win prizes. Here’s how it works: Pick up a free passport at any participating venue, collect stickers at shops and restaurants, then enter to win prizes like a free coffee date or dinner date. The Omaha Streetcar Authority runs the program. The route covers some of Omaha’s most walkable areas, including Blackstone District, Midtown Crossing and downtown. In Blackstone, you can visit several spots in one night: Grab dinner, see a comedy show or browse local stores. Midtown Crossing centers around Turner Park, with shops and dining within a few blocks. Downtown deserves extra time to explore restaurants, art galleries and boutiques. The program runs through March 31, 2026. Collect five to 10 stickers to enter the prize drawing. The more stickers you get, the bigger prizes you can win, including a staycation with hotel...