10 Omaha Fun Facts

In 2023, USA Today Readers’ Choice awards named Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium the best zoo. (Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park in Ashland was also named the best safari park.)

At the zoo, check out the world’s largest indoor desert (located in the world’s biggest geodesic dome). Afterward, head to North America’s largest indoor rainforest. Finally, trek to the park's African Grasslands to trumpet the zoo’s “biggest” conservation success – a group of baby African elephants.

The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge – or Bob, as he’s more commonly known – is a 3,000-foot bridge floating over the Missouri River. Bob links more than 150 miles of hiking and biking trails and connects Nebraska and Iowa. Standing on Bob’s state line (or, you know, doing a back bend) and taking a photo is called “Bobbing.” Tag your photo with #ItHappensonBob to make an appearance on his Instagram (@bobtbridge). You can also find Bob on Twitter.

In 1945, a Japanese balloon bomb exploded over Omaha’s Dundee neighborhood. Few of these Japanese bombs made it that far inland. Today, a plaque commemorates where the bomb set off and sits surrounded by the neighborhood’s hot restaurants, bars and shops.

The legend was born in Omaha in 1925 when Reuben Kulakofsky, a local grocer, whipped up the sandwich for a group of late-night poker players at The Blackstone Hotel. One of the players, Charles Schimmel, who was also the hotel’s owner, liked it so much that he put it on the hotel restaurant's menu. Today, Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel – the revived Blacksone –  serves three different Reuben sandwiches, one classic and two with different proteins, at its Orleans Room restaurant. For more Reuben destinations to sink your teeth into, visit our Reuben page.

Don’t be fooled into thinking all we grow is corn. Dante, Kitchen Table, 402 Eat + Drink, Gather in Omaha, Coneflower Creamery and more Omaha eateries put their ideals where their utensils are by sourcing the freshest locally grown ingredients – like creamy eggs, crunchy vegetables, luscious fruit, farm-bottled milk, free-range poultry, heritage pork and pasture-raised Nebraska beef.

Terence “Bud” Crawford is ESPN’s No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer with a 40-0 record and 31 KOs. He recently dismantled Errol Spence Jr. in a dazzling performance to capture the undisputed welterweight championship. Crawford reps Omaha with pride. He wears the city’s name on the back waistband of his boxing shorts. Crawford also co-founded B&B Sports Academy, where he trains.

Fans from across the nation flock to see the best in college baseball battle for the championship title. Eight teams play in two four-team double-elimination brackets. The winners of each bracket play in a best-of-three championship series.

The Omaha Supernovas will soon begin play as part of the brand-new Pro Volleyball Federation. Omaha’s team was built from former Olympians, collegiate All-American athletes and decorated international players. Catch the action at CHI Health Center Omaha starting in February 2024.

From the 1920s through the 1960s, North Omaha was a jazz destination. From the mid-1990s, Omaha's indie rock scene grew, in large part thanks to Saddle Creek Records. Bright Eyes, Cursive, The Good Life, Rilo Kiley, Azure Ray, 311 and more bands originated or found support in the scene. Spots to catch live indie, alternative, Americana, hip hop and more include Steelhouse Omaha, Slowdown, The Waiting Room, Reverb Lounge, and The Admiral. The Jewell stages jazz and blues acts. 

• Berkshire Hathaway  - Omahan Warren Buffett’s multinational holding company. Each year, thousands of visitors arrive for the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting (30,000 in 2023) and seek out Buffett’s favorite spots, including Nebraska Furniture Mart and Gorat’s Steak House.
• ​Union Pacific Railroad - The largest U.S. rail network serving 23 Western states.
• Mutual of Omaha Insurance - Known for its popular “Wild Kingdom” TV and now web series.
• Kiewit Corporation - Construction, engineering, and mining. Kiewit is one of the world’s largest employee-owned companies.