Visit Omaha
Sponsored by:
Tourism Milestone: Deborah Ward to Retire from Visit Omaha
Deborah Ward, executive director of Visit Omaha, will retire on July 31 after more than 18 years dedicated to growing the city’s tourism economy. Ward became executive director in 2020, steering the organization through the pandemic and laying the groundwork for three straight years of record-breaking tourism numbers. Under her leadership, Omaha’s tourism industry grew into a $2 billion annual economic driver for the city supporting more than 15,000 local jobs. A former journalist, Ward brought a storyteller’s perspective to destination marketing. She led award-winning advertising campaigns that boosted visitation by 25 percent, helped secure a 10-year funding agreement between the City of Omaha and Douglas County, and led the City of Omaha Hotel Stimulus Program that delivered millions of dollars in relief to Omaha hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ward gave a voice to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, producing unique videos that gave “Bob” a chance to speak as only a bridge...
Building an Inclusive Omaha: Year-Round Support for the LGBTQ+ Community
This summer, Omaha’s Pride celebrations highlight the city’s growing visitor economy and welcoming spirit, with Heartland Pride’s July 12 parade and festival expected to draw thousands downtown. Colorful floats will travel down Capitol Avenue to CHI Health Center Omaha for post-parade festivities. But Omaha celebrates its LGBTQ+ community all year in its sports, its arts and its community. Union Omaha’s “One Means All” motto is a promise of inclusivity on and off the field. Omaha ForUs advances equity across the region by hosting support groups, educational workshops and social events that create space for connection, growth and empowerment. Omaha’s arts scene embraces diverse voices in theater, music and visual art — from the long-running River City Mixed Chorus to Benson First Fridays and performances at Blue Barn Theatre and the Omaha Community Playhouse — showcasing work that reflects many experiences and identities. In Omaha, belonging isn’t about a single month — it’s about...
Plan a Train-Themed Staycation in Omaha
Omaha’s deep train roots make it a perfect destination for a family-friendly staycation packed with history, fun and locomotive magic. Start at The Durham Museum, where you can walk through vintage train cars and admire the grandeur of Omaha’s former Union Station. Interact with a depot and diorama representing Union Pacific’s double track main line from Omaha to Ogden during the 1950s. Then cross the river to Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs – free to visit and full of historic treasures, including china, menus and uniforms from the golden age of passenger rail. Hop aboard the Omaha Zoo Railroad at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium for a real steam train ride. Or visit the Watson Steam Train in Missouri Valley for pint-sized thrills. At Lauritzen Gardens, tiny trains glide through garden landscapes in the model railroad display. Grab a photo at Kenefick Park, where two massive engines tower over the city skyline. For active fun on rail trails, walk or bike the...
Sponsored by:
Subscribe
To our newsletter
Omaha and NCAA Men’s College World Series Make a Winning Team
The NCAA Men’s College World Series continues to be a winning signature event for Omaha, drawing visitors—and their tourism dollars—from across the country. During the 12-day event, 86% of the hotel rooms in Douglas County were filled, compared to 83% last year. More than 139,000 out-of-town visitors attended games at Charles Schwab Field Omaha, according to data from Placer.ai, an independent analytics tracking. Fans of the visiting teams provided us an opportunity to showcase our city to new visitors. Top visited attractions included Old Market Entertainment District, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, The RiverFront Parks, Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Steelhouse Omaha and Slowdown. Omaha enjoyed another year of showing off its dynamic attractions and warm hospitality, creating economic opportunities for the community and cementing our reputation as an MVP player in national sporting events.
Hagan Scholarship Awardees Experience Omaha, Attend Workshop at CHI Health Center Omaha
More than 800 Hagan Scholarship recipients from across the country are attending the 2024 Hagan Scholarship Foundation Workshop at CHI Health Center Omaha from Sunday, July 14 to Tuesday, July 16, and exploring the city during their free time. The Hagan Scholarship is a selective nationwide, need-based, merit scholarship that allows recipients to achieve their goals and graduate debt-free. Omaha hosts this year’s mandatory workshop to instruct scholarship recipients in essential life skills. Among the promising college students, 95 percent will come from outside the Omaha metro area. Not only will the students’ visit provide an economic bump to Omaha, but introducing our vibrant city to these talented young people from across the nation also plants a seed about opportunities for achieving your potential here. This four-day event is estimated to bring more than $1.1 million worth of visitor spending to the Omaha community.
Another Major Event at Charles Schwab Field
The NCAA Men’s College World Series was not the only national baseball event to be held at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha this summer. The best high school teams from across the country battled it out in downtown Omaha over the past several days as part of The High School Baseball National Championship Series. Teams from 12 states, including from as far away as Hawaii, California, Florida and Massachusetts, arrived in Omaha Wednesday, June 26 and played through yesterday (Sunday, June 30th). The teams also played on UNO’s Tal Anderson Field and at Creighton Prep with some of the games airing live on ESPN+. The championship game took place yesterday at Charles Schwab Field and broadcast live on ESPNU. Team California beat Oklahoma 10 to 0. This four-day event is estimated to bring more than $1.1 million worth of visitor spending to the Omaha community.