Omaha Spraygrounds
Thirteen city spraygrounds are open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily, May 23 through September 1. Local favorites include Benson with canopied picnic tables, and Miller with 37 spray features across 4,000 ft. The ALLPLAY Complex is home to one of the country’s best barrier-free sports complexes and an impressive splash pad with features that spray, drip, shoot, sprinkle and mist water. Learn more about these and other Omaha parks from the City of Omaha Parks.
Alaskan Adventure Splash Park
Located in the world-renowned Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, this massive exhibit features dancing waters flying up among 75 bronze sculptures. Families run around an 18 ft. high humpback whale, 30 jumping salmon, 25 puffins, 15 sea lions, and more. A mix of water and air is arranged around the sculptures to simulate the water made by the animals as they breech, porpoise, splash, and spray.
Water Play in Omaha
Attractions throughout the area offer folks a chance to cool off – without having to get completely submerged. Sofia’s Play Garden at Lauritzen Gardens is a one-acre nature-inspired playground featuring eight themed areas with hands-on fun, including a water area. Downtown at The RiverFront, the Cascade Fountain at Gene Leahy Mall offers a unique multiple pool cascading water feature, and the Imagination Playground at Lewis and Clark Landing has interactive sand and water features.
Tubing and Tanking on the River
For a slow-paced water experience, try tubing and tanking down the Elkhorn River west of Omaha. To choose between the two, first determine how wet you’re willing to get. Tanking entails riding in an 8-ft. diameter stock tank complete with custom made picnic tables, while tubing is more of an all-in experience involving sitting in commercial grade inner tubes and floating in the river.
Airboat Tours
Hop aboard an Airboat Tour for a different kind of river adventure. Take off on a 60 mph wind-in-your-hair trip down the Elkhorn River. Airboats comfortably and safely carry passengers in a movie-theater style seating so everyone gets a great view.
Paddleboard Adventures
Enjoy the water in a more active way with a stand up paddleboard. Driftwood Paddle Adventures and Neighborhood Offshore offer a variety of ways to explore Omaha’s picturesque lakes. Yoga, tours and other courses are available for every skill level.
Fun-Plex
Omaha’s waterpark is filled with wet rides that zip, zoom, splash and slide. Families can spend the day running through Fun-Plex hopping on slides, floating down the lazy river, flying down gigantic waterslides, and more.
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Nestled along the Platte River, Mahoney State Park offers a lush setting for a relaxing getaway. The 700-acre park offers plenty of warm weather activities like swimming, paddle boating and fishing. Its Family Aquatic Center features two water slides, a diving area, concessions, a wading pool, sun deck, zero-depth entry wave pool and a fun water playground for the kids.
