Things to do in Nebraska, United States: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

April 8, 2022 Hector Krause

Nebraska has something for everyone. From cowboys to wine industry, you’ll find many attractions when you visit this Great Plains state. If you are planning a family vacation to Nebraska, you won’t want to miss the Lincoln Children's Zoo in the state capital. Featuring more than 400 animals, you and the kids can see Amur leopards, Bactrian camels, river otters, eagles, crocodiles, reindeer, and more. At the zoo’s Butterfly Pavilion you can watch as butterflies emerge from their cocoon. The Aquacourt Family Water Park in Hastings features a wave pool, climbing wall and waterslides. In Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city, you won’t want to miss the Omaha Children's Museum. For history buffs, Lincoln is your place. This city is home to the Nebraska History Museum, with permanent exhibits that interpret more than 12,000 years of human experience on the Plains. You can make history personal in Lincoln with a visit to the Nebraska State Historical Society Headquarters, where you can research your family history. Omaha is also home to The Durham Museum, featuring restored train cars, 1940's storefronts and other historical artifacts. For a bit of Nebraska heritage, make sure you visit Front Street and Cowboy Museum in Ogallala and the Tri-State Old Time Cowboys Memorial Museum in Gordon. Learn about the area’s wine industry and history on a Nebraska Cork & Bottle Tour through Raymond, Pawnee City, Lexington and St. Paul, sampling fine wines and taking in the scenic views.
Restaurants in Nebraska

1. Old Market Walking History Tour

The Old Market, Omaha, NE 68102, USA Nebraska Tour Company
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5.0 based on 8 reviews

Discover the Downtown and Old Market district with our expert local guide during this history tour. This is where our city started and is an area where you can stroll the streets enjoying the ambiance of the past. The famous Old Market district is home to many restaurants, boutique shops, candy stores, art galleries, and historic buildings. The Downtown area has grown with upscale restaurants and cocktail bars. Our guide will lead you through the streets and show you the hidden passageways, highlights, and secrets of Downtown Omaha. Learn about how the city of Omaha began Join a local expert history guide Discover the hidden highlights of the Old Market View historic photos from the past on your mobile device Enjoy shopping and dining after the tour

Inclusions: Expert local history guide, Historic photo access on mobile device

Exclusions: Gratuity for your guide, Souvenirs and snacks

Reviewed By brandonsC1505CG

Great guide a lot I never knew about omaha great experience would recommend to anyone that I know...

2. Omaha Historical Highlights Tour

Magnolia Hotel Omaha, 1615 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102, USA Heartland History Tours
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Scott Peck literally wrote the book on Omaha history. His tours are extremely well researched and seek to offer something to everyone. His wide breadth of historical knowledge will extend beyond nostalgia and trivia and give you an understanding of what makes certain events important to us all.

Inclusions: Licensed tour guide

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3. True Crime Stories Tour

Downtown, Omaha, NE 68183, USA Nebraska Tour Company
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4.8 based on 4 reviews

Unsolved murders, bootleggers and colorful characters. Learn about the seedy side of Iowa's capitol city with our local guide during this history tour. Des Moines is known as a welcoming, friendly city, but there's always been a tougher side to the town as well. This downtown tour takes you past buildings that share stories about notorious crimes, famous bank robbers and national celebrities. Join our friendly knowledgeable host to uncover the criminal side of town in this lively one hour tour. ​ Follow in the footsteps of old cases of murder and other crimes in Omaha Enjoy fun and lively stories of some of Omaha famous and infamous characters Experience a unique history tour showcasing colorful tales from the Prohibition era ​ Please be aware: This walking tour route is over 1 mile. This tour is not recommended for children.

Inclusions: Professional local guide

Exclusions: Gratuity for your guide

Reviewed By angelapN2078RI

Even though we live in the Omaha area, my guy and I decided it would be fun to learn some history of the Old Market. The hour tour went by so fast and we learned so much. Quinten is very knowledgeable and passionate about history. He was really fun to walk with on the streets of downtown. We learned many things about the history of our city. I recommend this tour if you are visiting from out of town or a local! Mark and I had so much fun on the tour, we decided afterwards to keep walking around the Old Market. We had lunch and then enjoyed a couple of art galleries and shops we hadn’t ventures into before. I give this tour a 5 star rating!! Thank you Quinten and Alan for the opportunity.

4. Historic Omaha

801 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68108, USA Adam Raffety
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1.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover an Omaha rich in fascinating, unique, and often forgotten history that many locals don't even know about. Sample the best of a city that visitors typically know little to nothing about. Guide the tour towards subjects that interest you most as I am extremely flexible and more than happy to customize the tour.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

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Reviewed By wrecks

Adam was a great tour guide for first-time visitors to Omaha. We started by walking around downtown and then he drove us around the outskirts. We appreciated that he was always willing to respond to our interests (as opposed to sticking to a set agenda).

5. Omaha meets Hollywood

Magnolia Hotel Omaha, 1615 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102, USA Heartland History Tours

Who would have thought that little old Omaha created modern professional wrestling, the Disney corporation and King Kong? It's true! Johnny Carson?? He was talking to pigeons in Omaha before that late night gig. It all happened here!!

Inclusions: English and Spanish guides

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Reviewed By Moncoffey

Excellent, informative and up-close tour of Omaha by entertaining Historian w deep roots and insights.

6. Blackstone Walking History Tour

Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, 302 S 36th St, Omaha, NE 68131, USA Nebraska Tour Company

Join us as we explore the exciting Blackstone District which was named after the famous Blackstone Hotel which opened in 1915 and declared an Omaha Landmark in 1983. This hotel is also where the world-famous Reuben sandwich was created. Our friendly knowledgeable host will share the local stories and secrets of this area; as well as, feature the new development supporting the medical center and nearby corporate offices. Get to know Omaha better, through with exclusive access to the renovated Blackstone Hotel. ​ Learn the history about the vibrant past of this area of Omaha Experience personal service by our local professional tour host View historic photos from the past on your mobile device

Inclusions: Expert local history guide, Historic photo access on mobile device

Exclusions: Gratuity for your guide, Souvenirs and snacks

Reviewed By angelapN2078RI

Even though we live in the Omaha area, my guy and I decided it would be fun to learn some history of the Old Market. The hour tour went by so fast and we learned so much. Quinten is very knowledgeable and passionate about history. He was really fun to walk with on the streets of downtown. We learned many things about the history of our city. I recommend this tour if you are visiting from out of town or a local! Mark and I had so much fun on the tour, we decided afterwards to keep walking around the Old Market. We had lunch and then enjoyed a couple of art galleries and shops we hadn’t ventures into before. I give this tour a 5 star rating!! Thank you Quinten and Alan for the opportunity.

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