Omaha has plenty of places to get outside and explore! From unique playgrounds and neighborhood parks to trails, lakes, and outdoor recreation areas, we put together some of the best spots around the Omaha area to enjoy a little fresh air. Pack a picnic, bring the kids, hit the trails, or spend the day just exploring somewhere new!
UNIQUE PLAYGROUNDS
Gene Leahy Mall | @omaha_riverfront
Gene Leahy Mall is a family-friendly park in Downtown Omaha featuring a unique playground, slides, swings, a splash pad, dog park, and plenty of green space to run around!
Location: Downtown Omaha at 1001 Douglas St.
Lewis & Clark Landing | @omaha_riverfront
A RiverFront park in Downtown Omaha featuring a large playground, sand play area, swings, an urban beach, and plenty of space to play and explore!
Location: Downtown Omaha at 345 Riverfront Dr.
Sofia’s Play Garden | @lauritzengardens
A nature-inspired play area inside Lauritzen Gardens featuring interactive garden spaces, climbing structures, water features, and plenty of hands-on fun for kids!
Location: Inside Lauritzen Gardens in Downtown Omaha at 100 Bancroft St.
Dream Playground at Lake Manawa State Park | @iowadnr
A massive inclusive playground featuring climbing structures, slides, swings, and accessible play areas for kids of all abilities!
Location: Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs at 93 Dreamland Rd.
Children’s Adventure Trails | @theomahazoo
Children’s Adventure Trails at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium lets kids climb, splash, explore nature, and get up close with animals in an interactive play area!
Location: Inside Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Downtown Omaha at 3701 S 10th St.
TreeRush Adventures | @treerushomaha
An outdoor aerial adventure park with zippiness, suspended bridges, climbing obstacles, and courses for a variety of skill levels!
Location: Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue at 1111 Bellevue Blvd N Suite A
Kipp | @kippomaha
A unique indoor playground designed around climbing and adventure, with towering play structures, trampolines, a turf zone, kid city, arcade, and parent lounge!
Location: Millard at 14445 W Center Rd. Suite 101
The Skate Ribbon | @omaha_riverfront
The Skate Ribbon at Heartland of America Park offers year-round fun with roller skating in the warmer months and ice skating during the winter!
Location: Heartland of America Park in Downtown Omaha at S 8th St. and Farnam St.
MidAmerican Energy Adventure Tower | @omaharockgym
Operated by Approach Climbing Gym, this one-of-a-kind attraction features Olympic-standard climbing walls, aerial rollgliders, simulated caving, and great views of the Omaha skyline and Missouri River!
Location: Council Bluffs at River’s Edge Park at 4200 Avenue B
NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
Benson Park & Playground | @omaha_parks
A spacious neighborhood park with a playground, walking trails, sports fields, a splash pad, and scenic lake!
Location: Benson at 7028 Military Ave
Halleck Park | @papiorecdept
Halleck Park in Papillion has something for everyone with playground, walking trails, sports courts, a fishing lake, and plenty of open green space!
Location: Papillion at Halleck Park Rd.
Seymour Smith Park | @omaha_parks
A large recreation park with an accessible playground and splash pad, plus disc golf, a skate park, sports fields, and trails!
Location: Ralston at 6802 Harrison St.
Stinson Park | @aksarben_village
A lively green space in Aksarben Village with a playground, walking paths, and open lawn, and a pavilion that hosts concerts and community events throughout the year!
Location: Aksarben Village at 2285 S 67th St.
Walnut Grove Park | @omaha_parks
A neighborhood park with a large playground, walking trails, sports fields, picnic areas, and plenty of green space!
Location: Walnut Grove neighborhood in Millard at 15050 Q St.
Memorial Park | @omaha_parks
A scenic park known fir its WWII memorial, beautiful rose garden, large green spaces, playground, and walking trails!
Location: Dundee at 6005 Underwood Ave
Elmwood Park | @omaha_parks
A historic park with a playground, swimming pool, walking trails, golf course, and a unique stone grotto tucked among the trees!
Location: Aksarben at 808 S 60th St.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Chalco Hills Recreation Area | @papionrd
This outdoor recreation spot is centered around Wehrspann Lake and has more than nine miles of paved trails, playgrounds, fishing, boating, picnic areas, and a dog park!
Location: Chalco Hills at 8901 S 154th St.
Fontenelle Forest | @fontenelleforest
A nature preserve in Bellevue with miles of hiking trails, a one-mile boardwalk, a raptor refuge, and Acorn Acres, a nature-based play area for kids!
Location: Bellevue at 1111 Bellevue Blvd N
Zorinsky Lake | @omaha_parks
A popular West Omaha recreation area with a 255-acre lake, paved walking and biking trails, playgrounds, fishing, boating, sports fields, and picnic areas!
Location: Millard at 3808 S 156th St.
Standing Bear Lake | @omaha_parks
An outdoor recreation area with trails around the lake, a playground, fishing, no-wake boating, picnic areas, and an accessible floating walkway with a paddlecraft launch!
Location: Northwest Omaha at 6404 N 132nd St.
Walnut Creek Recreation Area | @papiorecdept
A 450-acre park in Papillion with a 105-acre lake, a paved loop trail, playground, fishing, boating, a dog park, and RV camping!
Location: Papillion at 11601 S 96th St.
Lake Cunningham | @lakecunningham_thec
A 1,050-acre outdoor recreation area with a 390-acre lake, a 6.2 mile paved trail, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, disc golf, camping, and nature trails!
Location: Northwest Omaha at 8965 State St.
River’s Edge Park | @cityofcouncilbluffs
River’s Edge sits along the Missouri River in Council Bluffs and is home to Belles’ Play Garden, known for its 15-foot pelican climbing structure. You’ll also find trails, open green space, a water play area, and great views of the Omaha skyline!
Location: Council Bluffs at 4200 Avenue B
OPPD Arboretum | @omahapublicpowerdistrict
A free 26-acre outdoor space with two miles of walking trails, gardens, native prairie, a pond, gazebo, and plenty of trees and wildlife to explore!
Location: Northwest Omaha at 10600 Blondo St.
Platte River State Park | @negameandparks
A great outdoor escape located just 30 minutes outside Omaha. Spend the day exploring miles of hiking and biking trails, take in views of the Platte River from two observation towers, check out the nature center, try the archery range, and more!
Location: Louisville at 14421 346th St.