Oh My! Take These 20 Exciting Day Trips from Omaha
Do you love traveling to different states? Are you looking for the perfect day trip starting point? If the answer to both questions is yes, look no further than Omaha, Nebraska. Within three hours of Omaha, eager travelers can visit five different states, three state capitals, and many charming small towns.
So if you’re looking for a new destination to visit, jump in your car, head out from Omaha in any direction, and prepare to have a good time!
Leon Myers Stamp Center
About 25 minutes away
If you’re looking for a (very) quick day trip from Omaha, head for Boys Town and the Leon Myers Stamp Center. This hidden gem is home to the world’s largest stamp ball. Measuring 32 inches around and weighing 600 pounds, the massive ball is thought to contain over 4 million stamps — and visitors can see and touch it!
On your way back to Omaha, visit the Joslyn Castle. This massive mansion was once the home of George and Sarah Joslyn and visitors can take guided tours of the home and the estate’s beautiful gardens.
Ashland, Nebraska
About 30 minutes away
Ashland may be just 30 minutes away, but there’s so much to do that visitors can find plenty to fill an entire day. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari offers a thrilling drive-through adventure; the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum invites travelers to explore the worlds of space and aviation; and Mahoney State Park is an outdoor haven, offering mini golf, an aquatic center, and opportunities for hiking and fishing.
RELATED: Explore more of the best small towns in Nebraska.
Arbor Lodge State Historical Park
About 45 minutes away
Curious travelers can visit the former home of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day. The home is open for tours and has dozens of rooms and countless family artifacts. The rest of the property includes a whispering bench, a log cabin, an arboretum, an Italian terraced garden, and scenic walking trails.
Nebraska City, Nebraska
About 45 minutes away
History buffs will love a trip to Nebraska City. Why? Because enthusiasts can find several sites tracing Lewis and Clark’s famous route westward. Start your trip by visiting the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center and spend the day retracing the steps of two of the nation’s most famous explorers.
RELATED: Explore more of the best hidden gems in Nebraska.
Lincoln, Nebraska
About 1 hour away
A visit to Nebraska’s State Capitol is a must in Lincoln, which stands out with a majestic 400-foot tower. After visiting the capitol, enjoy the serene beauty of Sunken Gardens — a beautiful, landscaped garden with walking paths, flowers, and reflecting pools. Thrill seekers can visit the Museum of American Speed to see a fascinating collection of US automotive artifacts.
Atlantic, Iowa
About 1 hour away
Nestled just an hour from Omaha, curious travelers will enjoy a trip to Atlantic to see the Atlantic Coca-Cola Center and Museum. This is one of the biggest Coke museums travelers can find anywhere in the country and, in September, visitors can enjoy Coca-Cola Days, which features a host of fun events.
Seward, Nebraska
About 1 hour, 15 minutes away
A day trip here on the Fourth of July is something special because Nebraska’s “Fourth of July City” pulls out all the stops for Independence Day. Visitors can soak in the festive atmosphere as they enjoy a grand parade, historical reenactments, flag ceremonies, craft and food vendors, and carnival games. The day culminates with a spectacular fireworks show.
Le Mars, Iowa
About 2 hours away
Ice cream is a fun addition to any road trip and one of the best places to get it is Le Mars, the “Ice Cream Capital of the World.” Visitors can learn about the town’s ice cream history and production, visit a gift shop for ice cream swag, and of course, enjoy their favorite ice cream treats.
Winterset, Iowa
About 2 hours away
The “Bridge Capital of Iowa” features six covered bridges that are so famous they inspired the Bridges of Madison County book and movie. History buffs, photographers, and even bridge enthusiasts can take self-guided and guided tours to discover one of the most scenic and historic parts of Iowa.
Des Moines, Iowa
About 2 hours away
The second state capitol building on your day trip journey brings visitors to the golden-domed Iowa State Capitol, where visitors can take fun and educational tours. Outdoor enthusiasts can walk or bike around Pappajohn Sculpture Park downtown; nature lovers can stroll through the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden; and art enthusiasts can contemplate works at the Des Moines Art Center.
Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer
About 2 hours, 15 minutes away
This vast campus in Grand Island, Nebraska allows visitors to experience historic exhibits, living history attractions, cultural programs, and a recreated railroad town from the 1890s to be transported to the heyday of pioneer life.
Nebraska Bigfoot Crossroads of America
About 2 hours, 30 minutes away
One of the most unique day trips from Omaha anyone can take is to Hastings, Nebraska, and the Nebraska Bigfoot Crossroads of America. Here, Bigfoot hunters, enthusiasts, and curious travelers can explore exhibits related to the legendary figure, learn about Bigfoot hunting, and take photos with life-size statues.
RELATED: Explore more of most unique museums in the Midwest.
Museum of Nebraska Major League Baseball
About 2 hours, 30 minutes away
Baseball fans of all ages won’t want to pass up a trip to learn about Nebraska’s baseball history at this museum that celebrates more than 100 players with Nebraska ties who’ve played baseball at the highest level. Visitors can see exhibits dedicated to former major leaguers Grover Cleveland Alexander, Wade Boggs, and dozens of others who left their mark on America’s Pastime.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
About 2 hours, 40 minutes away
No trip to Sioux Falls is complete without a visit to Falls Park, the city’s namesake where visitors can have their breath taken away by the site of waterfalls on the Big Sioux River.
Elsewhere, visitors can also enjoy the Butterfly House & Aquarium to see hundreds of butterflies or see hundreds of live animals at the Great Plains Zoo & incredible mounted at the Delbridge Museum of Natural History.
Kansas City, Kansas
About 2 hours, 40 minutes away
Get ready because there are two Kansas City trips on this list. A day trip to Kansas City, Kansas can be a shopper’s delight with a trip to the Legends Outlets, an open-air mix of entertainment, eating, and shopping options. NASCAR fans can visit Kansas Speedway for one-of-a-kind-thrills and history buffs can peruse farming history at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame.
Pioneer Village
About 2 hours, 45 minutes away
Daytrippers who love travelers back in time can visit Minden, Nebraska’s Pioneer Village — a 26-building complex that houses more than 50,000 items related to innovation and pioneer history. Displays are arranged by order of development, and visitors may end up spending more than a day here looking at all of the pieces on display.
DID YOU KNOW: Minden is also Nebraska’s Christmas City, and the spectacular Christmas Lights on Kearney County Courthouse can be seen for miles each winter.
Kansas City, Missouri
About 2 hours, 45 minutes away
A day trip to Kansas City seems to go by in a flash because there’s so much to do.
K.C. is known as a barbeque mecca, a city of fountains, and a big sports town. It also has some of the most unique museums in the nation — including the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum and plenty of can’t-miss events throughout the year. The only thing you’ll ask on a Kansas City day trip is “What do I do first?”
Topeka, Kansas
About 2 hours, 45 minutes away
A day trip to Kansas’ capital city offers a diverse array of experiences and plenty of Midwest hospitality. Visitors can take guided tours of the Kansas State Capitol or explore the Brown v. Board of Education and Ward-Meade historic sites for glimpses of civil rights and Topeka history. Families can visit the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center to see exciting animals in a variety of habitats.
Spomer Classics
About 2 hours, 50 minutes away
A journey to Worthington in Southwest Minnesota allows car enthusiasts to visit a one-of-a museum. Spomer Classics is open by appointment only — but those who make one are treated to the sight of over 200 vintage glowing neon signs, and classic cars like a Pontiac Trans Am, an Oldsmobile, and a Chevy Thunderbird.
Wamego, Kansas
About 3 hours away
Visitors of all ages will be delightfully transported to the Land of Oz in Wamego, Kansas. Here, visitors can follow a Yellow Brick Road to the Oz Museum, which features displays and artifacts dedicated to L. Frank Baum’s books and their various adaptations. Several “Oz Cluster” businesses allow visitors to soak up local flavor with unique Oz-inspired touches.
Choose Your Own Adventure As You Take Off From Omaha
With so many directions to go and so many activities to choose from, Omaha may be the perfect starting point for a Midwest road trip. Whether you want to see Iowa’s famous covered bridges, indulge in Kansas City barbeque, or hop from one museum to the next, the possibilities are endless for a memorable road trip when you take off from Omaha.