Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

I visited in October 2025, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. The zoo grounds were beautifully maintained, with vibrant fall foliage that made just walking through the park a pleasure. Everything was spotless — it’s clear the staff takes great pride in the upkeep. The IMAX movies were a pleasant surprise — we saw features on oceans and elephants, and both were informative and visually stunning. Definitely worth the time! Among the highlights were the butterfly pavilion, which was peaceful and magical, and the aquarium, which was absolutely fantastic. Every animal we saw looked healthy and well cared for. The giraffe exhibit is open and scenic, and the elephant enclosure is especially impressive — massive, naturalistic, and clearly designed with the animals’ wellbeing in mind. It was great to see them playing and swimming freely. We also loved watching the sea otters, penguins, and big cats — all active and entertaining. For lunch, we stopped at the Aquarium Café, and the food was much better than I expected from a zoo café. The salad was crisp and fresh, and the chicken pasta was hot, flavorful, and satisfying. This was truly a day to remember. I highly recommend visiting — just be sure to plan for the whole day, because there’s so much to see and do. It’s one of the best zoos I’ve ever experienced.

I have been here a couple of times. Visiting this famous zoo is always a great experience. Here's my review: I went here on a Saturday, arrived around 11:00, and there was plenty of parking. I recommend getting tickets online since arriving at the entrance, there are long lines for getting tickets physically, but going into the zoo took less than 2 minutes. You can also bring some snacks and your water bottle so you don't have to buy the more expensive food or drinks. From there we just enjoyed the zoo and took a lot of pics. And just seeing these animals up close is just awesome. Hope some of you guys find this helpful see ya👋

This zoo is huge, but so worth going. Probably need 2 days to really go through the entire zoo. I would love to go again. My son loves Elephants and this was his first time seeing them, so precious. Great memories for him and his sister loves Giraffes. The African Safari area is massive. The animals have so much space to roam freely and they look like they are well taken care of! The Jungle area is so pretty inside. The Aquarium was amazing! Great place to hang out in on a hot day in August. The gorillas were a blast to see, their enclosure was amazing. Food in the safari area was expensive for what you get as is all the drinks/snacks you can buy there. I would definitely recommend this zoo and go early when they open. Definitely try not to go when it’s super hot, you’ll be doing lots of walking to see everything. They have a train to ride, a sky lift and a track like ride through the park also. It costs $1.25 per stop.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo is truly one of the best zoos I’ve ever visited! The aquarium was my absolute favorite — beautifully designed and so fun to explore. We also enjoyed the Skyfari ride, the train, and the carousel (we got the ticket with the ride pass, which was worth it). It’s also nice that you can bring your own iced coffee or drinks, though there are certain areas where food and beverages aren’t allowed. Watching the gorillas laze around and nap was hilarious, and the seal exhibit was another highlight — we could’ve stayed there for hours. The Zoo Passport was a fun little activity that added to the experience. The zoo itself is huge, so plan ahead and wear comfy shoes. There’s lots of parking and plenty of food options. Overall, such an amazing experience — definitely a 5/5!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Such a cool place! Best zoo I’ve ever been too. All I could say is that this place is how I thoughts every zoo I’ve been to should have been! The aspect of the booms, the sheer nimble of elephants. All the animals looked healthy and happy. Loved all the different animal packs like being at a safari. Even after spending almost a full day there. There’s still a lot left for me to see

Enjoyed my experience at the zoo. It had a good variety of displays, I didn't even get to go through the entire place. I liked the alligator and crocodile section, this might be the first zoo I've been to that had it. It's too bad about the red panda, I was looking forward to it but didn't hear what happened until I was there. It wasn't overly crowded too which is always great. I wish the gift shop stayed opened later though, I didn't get to check it out. I would definitely come check it out again next time I'm in town!

Awesome Zoo! Great exhibits and variety of animals. Reasonable priced entry and they encourage bringing your own water bottle to refill. My only advise is get there early and do the desert done and aquarium as some of your first stops as they can get a little crowded

The best zoo in the US. Incredibly immersive and educational. The desert dome is cool but the jungle is even better. We went over Thanksgiving weekend and it was pretty quiet. My only complaint is the limited places to eat.

What a day at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo! Over 11,000 steps and more than four miles later, I'm amazed at how much there is to see--yet we still couldn't fit it all into one day. You really need two days to fully explore this world-class zoo, which houses over 17,000 animals from 962 species across 160 acres. It's no wonder it's consistently ranked one of the top zoos in the world! The kids' favorites were the Desert Dome and Lied Jungle (seriously, the largest indoor desert and rainforest exhibits on the planet!), along with the food and, of course, the gift shop. I loved seeing their excitement and joy--it made every step worth it. If you're planning to visit, wear comfy shoes and be ready for an adventure! Have you been? What's your favorite exhibit?

The Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is an absolute must-visit! In fact, I'd recommend planning a trip to Omaha specifically for this world-class attraction. The zoo is enormous, so come prepared with your most comfortable walking shoes, and if you're visiting with kids, be ready for their uncontainable excitement--it's fully justified! One of the highlights of my visit was seeing animals from every continent up close. From majestic big cats to fascinating reptiles and birds, the diversity of species is astounding. The immersive exhibits, like the Desert Dome and Kingdoms of the Night, offer unique environments that feel like stepping into another part of the world. The aquarium is equally breathtaking, featuring vibrant marine life and even a tunnel where you can watch sharks and other sea creatures swim overhead--it's a magical experience! I visited in March, and while the weather was a bit cold, it didn't detract from the experience. If anything, the cool weather made walking around more comfortable. Despite the popularity of the zoo, the crowds weren't overwhelming because of the sheer size of the grounds, which gives everyone plenty of space to explore at their own pace. Parking is ample and convenient, so getting in and out is easy. The only downside during my visit was the limited food options--only two dining areas were open, as many were closed for the season. I'd recommend bringing snacks or checking in advance if food is a priority for your group. Overall, the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is truly spectacular. Whether you're an animal lover, a family with kids, or just looking for a unique adventure, this place has something for everyone. My time here was unforgettable, and I'll cherish the memories for years to come. If you're in Omaha--or even if you're not--make this a top priority on your travel list!

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is amazing! The entire zoo experience fully lived up to its hype and reputation. The highlights for me are the Desert Dome and underground area, Rainforest, and the aquarium. Definitely do not skip out on anything. Pro tip: the Desert Dome is right near the entrance, so it is crazy busy start of the day. We did a quick walk through and went further into the zoo to other exhibits. We made our way back to do the underground portion of the Desert Dome later in the afternoon as our last stop. I'm glad we went back as that was one of the coolest parts of the zoo for me. One thing I noticed is there's not a whole lot for food options. We did find the main food area towards the end of our visit, but it looked like only the ice cream stand was open. It looked like those were closed for the season (visited end of October). You are allowed to bring in snacks and drinks, so plan accordingly.

What a great place to go on a hot day! Newly renovated entrance into the aquarium makes for easy access. Beautiful displays and interesting exhibits require a close look so don't hurry through! A nice way to visit the zoo is one exhibit at a time. Get a membership it pays for itself after one visit and you can go any day of the year and it includes the IMAX theater inside the park.

This was an awesome aquarium and zoo all in one! It is huge and takes a few hours to fully explore the whole thing. It's cool to walk around and check out all the animals it has to offer. Great zoo experience! I highly recommend when you're in Omaha!

What can we say? Best zoo! The renovated Orangutan exhibit just opened and WOW! We were blown away. Be sure to check it out. If you are planning to come to the zoo a couple times a year, I would definitely consider getting an annual membership. Nice thing about that is you can stop in for a couple hours and not feel like you have to see the entire zoo to make daily admission fee worth it. In fact, it might be worth considering a patron membership as it includes free rides and other perks, and the option to bring guests and go to the Safari Park.

Yeah I see why this is the number one zoo for a reason. I did the two day pass for $50 and it was worth it. We spent two mornings there and didn't feel pressure to see everything in one day. It's a lot of walking Very unique exhibits and the animals look happy and healthy. The elephants were amazing! Free parking. Even during college World Series weekend, it wasn't crazy packed.

Time of visit: August 2024 My husband and I both love going to zoos and aquariums. So, when he was in Iowa for work and we saw that one of the top 3 zoos in the U.S. was only 2 hours away, we had to go! This zoo is definitely enormous! There were a multitude of exhibits and animals, you definitely will spend a whole day there, maybe more if you are with littles! Be prepared with comfy shoes. And maybe don't go during the hottest part of the year like we did - there are many long stretches with no shade. With this being said, we were quite disappointed to see so many drink stands closed with no workers as well as many empty vending machines. Water got hard to find at one point, which can be dangerous during high temps. That combined with the actual zoo itself, it didn't live up to the hype of a top 3 zoo in our minds. Did we have a good time? Yes! Would I go again if we were in the area? Yes (but not when its 100 degrees lol). Would I travel here just to be able to go to this zoo? No.

Having heard some great things about Omaha's zoo, we were excited to visit it for ourselves. We were NOT disappointed -- it was definitely as good as advertised! My wife and I spent well over 4 hours exploring the zoo and only saw about half of the exhibits. We especially enjoyed the Desert Dome and its underground sections, the Giraffes, the Lions with their "pride rock", the Aquarium, the Elephants... actually, we liked everything we saw! We ate lunch at the Durham Treetop Restaurant which overlooks the Lied Jungle while we watched the monkeys playing. We will return when our grandkids come to visit so that we can see the exhibits that we didn't have time for this time.

Lots to see! The rides are fun too. In the summer they have a waterpark fun to go to with the kiddos. Lots of exhibitions to see

This is the best zoo I've been too- but it is so much walking. Recommend to go on a weekend so all the attractions and food places are open. The rainforest was one of the coolest places with monkeys, bats flying, and the mama and baby hippo swimming. Watch out for the Tiger though, he tries to turn around and pee on you through the gate 4 feet away. So much to see here, but wouldn't recommend the watery pasta or stale popcorn outside in the treats area. Beautiful place overall!

Absolutely love this zoo! I've been to zoos all over the Midwest and this one is definitely my favorite. Completely understand why it's been voted the best zoo for the 2nd year in a row!! Best exhibit is hands down the Lied Jungle (sorry dessert dome). It's like botanical garden meets zoo, plus there's bats without the stink. Dessert dome is very cool as well, mostly with just how unique it is. Also love the aquarium. It has a lot more animals than I thought there would be for a zoo aquarium. And of course, the baby elephants. There's so many young ones. Absolutely adorable. I will continue to be make many times! Love this zoo.

Crowded, yes, for a reason, also yes! This is the cleanest most well kept and run zoo I have ever seen. It was so respectable and the animals all seemed happy and well cared for The park employees were more than happy to help you out, and everyone was super nice. YOU CANNOT RUSH THIS ZOO. I ran through it due to a time constraint and it took me an hour and a half. That said, you can bring your own snacks and sealed water if you don't want to pay zoo prices. Overall, would come here every time I find myself in Omaha.

We are so fortunate to have such an amazing zoo here in Omaha! Even when the weather is not so great, there is always so much to do. I am so thankful that relatives have purchased my family a zoo pass for the second year in a row. I am a stay at home mom and take my toddler here at least once a week when the weather permits. The zoo is constantly adding new attractions and exhibit to help keep things interesting, which I appreciate. My new favorite exhibit is definitely the sea lions. Is there such an immersive and fun experience to see them in action in the amazing habit that has been created for them. Being a former teacher, I also love that the zoo is always about educating. You could go into any given exhibit and be able to ask questions to a employee regarding the animals and I always find they are a wealth of knowledge and help you really understand how the animals live and play! The only complaint that I really have with the zoo is their accommodations for people with disabilities. They really could do better. For instance, my mother has a handicap sticker and is getting her second knee replaced soon. She would really love to come to the zoo with us but would have a tremendously difficult time getting around. They do offer motorized scooters, but at a fairly high cost. They are $30 to rent for the day. Most times we are just at the zoo for a couple of hours tops. I feel as though this really could price some people out of the zoo given the higher cost of admission and adding something to eat and their mobility on top of that would be astronomical.

We went to the ZOO for an event and the Henry Doorly Zoo Staff was phenomenal...everything was prepared, set up and ready for us (Teammates).....with thousands of students hungry and ready for lunch I was so impressed at how everything was very well organized! A "shout out" to Dawn, Melissa, Kandyce (with a "K") Riley, Kirk and Angela...to name a few....they were AMAZING! Excellent service with a SMILE...it meant so much to all the students...as a Mentor..I could see all the very happy faces! I also made a mistake at one of the concession stands and "Angela" was quick to kindly fix it for me (with no judgement) I gave her a hug! Staff brought sunshine to our somewhat rainy wet day with all their smiles and assistance!

It's literally the best. The other zoo's in the United States that try to compete charge outrageous amounts. It's still expensive outing, but what's like it? The best zoo I have been to. And if you're willing to go solo three times a year, a zoo pass is worth it. If there are two of you, go twice and it's paid off. The more the merrier! My wife is working in ministry this year and giving her a zoo pass was the best gift I could give her so she can take people with her as often as she wants to talk and explore. Again, best zoo.

I was in town visiting family and we all decided to go to the Omaha zoo! We went on 12/31/24 which was New Year's Eve and all of the kids got in free with the adult admission being $20. The zoo and aquarium was a lot of fun and the kids and adults enjoyed most of it. There were so many animals across the park. There are a few things I want to mention; different areas of the park close at different times and every staff member we asked either didn't know what time the park closed or had different answers. There's also no signs to be found for hours or "you are here" maps stating where you are located in the park so it's easy to get turned around. They do have paper maps at the entrance but no where else in the park. At one point we were lost trying to find barns (this time of year is way to cold for animals to be outside so staff told us to find the barns) and after walking a few miles we found a staff member and asked for help and they said the barns are closed on New Year's Day but a few such as the elephants and giraffes they keep open. So we checked out those instead. We do wish that those areas were blocked off if they were closed since it was so much walking in the cold only to find out that they aren't available to view. We did try to go into the butterfly garden only to be turned away. The staff member said we weren't allowed in with a stroller so we asked if there was a spot we could leave it or if one person in our group can hang back with the stroller and she said kids aren't allowed either because kids can stomp on the butterfly's. That was the most disappointing as we thought the whole park was kid friendly. Because of the barns and butterfly garden we weren't able to view anything the last few hours at the park. That all being said, the areas of the park that we could view were very nice and educational. We did spend quite a few hours there and would have spent more if we could view more. I do recommend going during a day with nice weather with sensible shoes as most of the walking is outside.

Very cool zoo has lots of cool activities Dome looks cool Aquarium was huge Little sister loved train

***Zoolightful Event Update*** Lots of beautiful light displays set up. Great for all ages. The aquarium and basement of the desert dome were open but no decorations. Compared to the Lincoln Zoo lights, it's probably about the same amount of stuff to see, but Lincoln decorates more of the environment (lights strung in trees etc) where Omaha has more stand alone decor. Was a little disappointed that we had to pay extra for some things. $3 for the slide, $20 or $25 to decorate at gingerbread house, $20 for a movie.

The best zoo experience! It has a little of everything, clean facilities and so many different experiences! It can be a long day, but it will be a great day!

If I could give this zoo more than 5 stars I really would. Most certainly the largest and most beautiful zoo I've been too (and I work at one!) Staff was incredibly nice and helpful. I came from Philly to see Ajabu the Western Lowland Gorilla and was happy to chat with his keeper and hear he is doing well and enjoying his new playmates. The Desert Dome and the Lied Jungle exhibits were jaw-dropping-- the exhibits were so cool and I didn't even feel like I was inside a building. My only complaint is that I didn't have more time to explore and appreciate more of it-- will have to make another trip!

I came for the aquarium and stayed for the butterfly house. Those two attractions were my fav! I highly recommend engaging with the folks who work at the aquarium and you may just learn more than you ever expected. I can now identify shark egg "purses" (which used to be rumored to be mermaid purses), and I got to see a live baby shark move around inside its little egg. I've seen a starfish with 6 legs. And I learned that a strawberry anemone is indeed NOT an anemone because it can't retract. The butterfly house is great for admiring beautiful plants and a plethora of butterflies. I could have stayed in there for hours. The dark "night" exhibit under the dome is worth wandering through. The fruit bats are HUGE! They have vampire bats too. There is a large number of different animals I've never seen until now.

This zoo never disappoints. Have gone a couple of times, but tonight I attended the Ghouls and Glow. It was a fun little family event. A handful of kids, and a bunch of candy. Some of the exhibits were open, with some spooky features. The food was actually really good, along with drinks. Would recommend the Doritos Walking Taco was actually one of my favorites. During the event they have Kiosks open to purchase drink tickets, and lines were really short. During our walk through we were enlightened with a great fire poi performance from Omaha Circus Arts. Overall would recommend going to this holiday event with family and friends.

I was completely worn out after visiting the Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. It's huge, with so much great stuff to see. This review would be very long if I was to write about everything you can see there, so I will just stick to the highlights. My first stop was the desert dome. It's unlike anything I have seen at any other zoo. It gives you that feeling of walking around the desert without the heat. Plus, the snakes are safely behind glass. There are so many snakes. Any snake lover will be in heaven. There are also snakes in a separate Madagascar exhibit. I've never seen so many snakes in any zoo. It was great to see a family of elephants. Elephants are becoming rare at zoos these days. The gorilla exhibit was great. They get right up on the glass to say hi. There is a fun sea lion and seal show. There are tigers and lions as well, but they tend to stay in the distance. The fun doesn't stop after the zoo. There is an aquarium to visit as well. The aquarium has a great shark tank. Sharks are the star of any aquarium, and you will see plenty of them here. The penguins exhibit is another good one. There is a nice collection of jellyfish as well. I didn't even have time to check out the theater. This is one of the best zoos in the country combined with one of the best aquariums in the country in one place. It doesn't get any better than that!

Been here previously and it was great, but the latest outing to the zoo was such a big disappointment! Would say over half or 3/4 of the outdoor exhibits had no animals in sight. It was surprising considering it's the best zoo in the world. Was a let down and not sure how convinced we could be to return in the future.

We love this zoo! Always something fun to see. Highly recommend the membership! We will try to go often to get bang for our buck.

During winter months in omaha nebraska all children's activities Zoo Lumina Children's museum Fontenelle forest All close before 4pm ..why? Schools don't get out until 3pm or later ..

The BEST Zoo I've ever been to and I've been to a lot!! It's so big. You need the whole day to see it all. We spent 7 hours there. My boys loved it.

memorial weekend got here early glad we did beat the crowds lines out the doors aquarium is very well taken care of love it so is everything else. wish the sky ride dropped you off but only did a round trip had a great time again

I was in Omaha for the weekend. Of course I googled things to do. The first thing to pop up is that this is one of the best Zoo's. So very last minute we planned a trip here. The zoo is massive. If you visit make sure you have comfortable shoes on. Our group consisted of all adults and we enjoyed it very much. My favorite was the butterfly exhibit. When you walk in you're literally surrounded by butterflies, very interactive. I definitely need to come back and set time aside to enjoy the experience and not rush. The employees at the souvenir shop were very sweet and patient.

The Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo is currently ranked the #1 in the US, so if you're in Omaha it's an obvious must see! I visited on a Friday at around noon and spent around three hours exploring the grounds. The zoo is laid out in a loop so it's easy to walk the whole thing without missing anything. My personal favorites were the big cats (almost all of them were active and walking about around 2pm) and the gorilla exhibit. I enjoyed the enclosed exhibits which provide a nice AC break between walking. When it came time for food, my husband and I were thoroughly impressed with the options, the prices, and the quality of food. We got a cheeseburger and fries which only came to about $12 and was delicious! Other than the animals, my other favorite part of the zoo was the carousel, which is $4 for a ticket. Overall it was an amazing and fun experience and I would opt to come again the next time I'm in Omaha!

Stopped in during a school break...and everyne else must have had that on their mind too! No worries, the zoo is biggest enough for everyone. The desert dome, not so much. While it's amazing, the side walk isn't event big enough for three, let alone 5-10 family members, a stroller, and a wonder wagon. Of all the sights, the interiors of most attractions just aren't up to date with the todays accompanying minivans we bring with us. Other than that, it has stayed true to it's roots and invites in families looking to see things kids read about in school. How lucky are we to see all the amazing animals from across the globe in one spot. I am thrilled to spend a couple hours here and there over the year and love that it's open all year round But be sure to check so you don't get your hopes up thinking you'll see something that isn't season. Otherwise enjoy!

Always loved this zoo! We came back after 6 years to bring the kids and we had such a great time. It would be helpful to add a sign about round trip locations for the skylift to avoid walking too far or missing the ride. We were lucky to catch it before they closed. Great time!

The zoo here is one of the biggest in the country. There are indoor enclosures but most of viewing areas are outdoors. The night cave is not a great attraction, you really need to be lucky to see anything because its all dark. The aquarium is mostly jelly fish.

This zoo was incredible. Very beautiful and clean with a great environment and atmosphere. Someone really paid attention to detail. It's very big and we saw pretty much every creature that was on exhibit. Only minus 1 star because I wish the food options were posted on the map or somewhere before you have to walk to each location and see what they have. I'm vegetarian (yes I know my own choice) but options were a little limited and once I passed them up I didn't know what the next place had to offer. Hard to plan with little ones I'm sure if you are planning on eating zoo food.

This is the most amazing zoo I have ever been. Several exhibits were closed or partially closed, but that did not deter from the wonder of their exhibits! Must see along I-80 in Omaha!

Prepare your hiking shoes and do your stretching! You've got a walk ahead of you! This the second largest zoo and I was so excited to see it updated from when I was a kid. We went in October so a few exhibits and eating places were closed unfortunately but most of the zoo was still open! You definitely want to get there when they open. This will take you a minimum of FIVE hours to walk at a normal pace. The best exhibit for me was the aquariums. I was amazed to sit in the underwater tunnel and watch the marine life go by! It was definitely worth the walk. The seal lion show was fun! I would suggest many a speaker system as I am hard of hearing and it was hard to hear the zoo keeper. I just wish I got the ability to see the bird exhibit! It is what it is. Thank you for an amazing experience! Awesome conservation!

Did you know the Henry Doorly Zoo got voted best zoo in the WORLD?!? Yes, we are very lucky here in the Midwest to have access to an amazing zoo that is always adding new attractions. We have had the annual family membership for many years now and come here often. For a family of 4, it pays for itself after going twice a year. We don't walk the whole zoo every time but pick certain exhibits to spend lots of time in and let our children explore and learn about the different regions in the world and about the animals that live there. This place is truly a must-see when coming to Omaha. Food is a bit pricey as in most places like this, but you are allowed to bring your own, and they have water filling stations throughout the zoo. So make sure to add an extra day to your trip when coming to Omaha and check out this wonderful zoo with areas for children to play and animals to see

I love that the zoo is coming out with new and fun events to allowing us to experience all they have to offer but in a new way. The night events have become one of my favorite things to do. Can't wait to see what else they come up with.

Cold or warm, there are things to do at the zoo. In the cold, you cango to the aquarium, dessert or jungle and not need to spend much time outside.

This was a corporate invite to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo today. The private lunch event was pretty simple, burgers and chips. The zoo itself was very crowded. I lowered the Yelp rating because on a hot afternoon, the ice cream store was not open. I also felt sorry for the animals on this hot day. My vote still goes to the San Diego Zoo as the top zoo in the country.

The best zoo I have ever been too! This giant and diverse zoo is home animals from the far reaches of the earth. Different sections dedicated to different biomes make the the walk through the expansive park an adventure at every turn. All ages can have a great time viewing all animals in a fun and safe environment. My only gripe was the bad food.

This place is huge! We thought we could do a quick visit before heading to the airport but we spent way more time than intended and still had to skip over some exhibits! My family and I enjoyed our time here. Some of the exhibits were closed but there was still a lot to see.

The aquarium is a must see! Definitely the coolest thing we saw there. We went on a Sunday, Labor Day weekend, and it was pretty busy. Bathrooms were clean and up-to-date (cool hand waving entry). The lemonade was really good. There were a lot of good sight lines where you were high up and can see down into the animal habitat. Amazing zoo!

Wow wow wow! The Henry Dorley Zoo is known as one of the top zoos in the world. Located in the Midwest in Omaha Nebraska. This extremely large zoo includes an indoor rainforest, a desert dome, an aquarium, rides including the train and the sky tram that give you different views of the zoo. Wear comfortable shoes and bring lots of water as there is a ton of walking. The kids really enjoyed the variety of animals at the zoo which also included a new baby elephant and baby giraffe. They were excited to feed the baby giraffe! There is literally some thing for everyone here, and you will not be bored! We did not try any of the food here, but it's typical fair for a zoo, and expensive. Plenty of parking which is free. Tickets are very reasonable priced considering everything you can see at the zoo. Adults $27.95, and children under 12 $20.95. We literally spent 5 to 6 hours there and had a really fun day!

This is the first place I tell people to go when they come visit. It is worth a day trip just to go here. It is truly the gem of the Midwest. You can run through it in a day but I'd recommend two. I could stay that long in just the aquarium. Come in the morning before it gets too hot. If you start in the back you can be up front to the air conditioned buildings before the afternoon heat kicks in. The family pass is worth the investment if you are coming more than one day. Bring extra cash to feed the giraffes. Buy a tram pass. You'll want it in the morning to start at the back or at the end of the day to get up the steep north hill!

The best zoo I've ever been to. I live in the area, and I go at least a few times a year. I particularly enjoy the truly immersive exhibits towards the front of the property: the Lied Jungle, the Desert Dome (and Kingdom of the Night), and the aquarium. One of my favorite offerings is the 21+ nights available in the summer.

My friends and I went to Late nights at the zoo this past week and it did not disappoint. I cannot believe this was the first year I've ever been. I will definitely be doing again. Tickets were cheap if you have a zoo pass. $15 a ticket and that includes one alcoholic beverage or two non alcoholic beverages! They had SO many amazing food trucks available at multiple spots around the zoo. They offered beers, seltzers, and wine and even had a couple djs. By the end of the night it was a huge dance party by the entrance. BUT just when I thought they couldn't add any more attractions, they do! I was blown away by all the updates and the animals. The old Petting zoo area used to only be a barn with animals when I was a kid. It now looks like a little town from Disneyland! Very cool! I definitely will be going back!!

This really is an amazing zoo. It has grown so much in the past few years, and they are still continuously adding new attractions. If you're local, definitely get a membership. Even if you're not, it might be worth it, maybe compare ticket and membership pices and see how that works out. It is likely the #1 tourist destination in Omaha, and I'm sure it has all been said already, but here are my suggestions: Show up early. There is plenty of parking, but on a beautiful spring or summer day (think 70s-80s, not too humid), you'll be looking at overflow parking or having to shark around surrounding neighborhoods for street parking by 10am. It's that popular. The great plains have a reputation for being flat, but this place does not live up to it. The zoo was built on hills, some of them rather steep. Wear your comfy shoes and be prepared for the climb. Unless you're power walking, you probably won't see it all in one day. Pick your must-see attractions ahead of time and plan around those. If you're scared of spiders, maybe avoid the butterfly and insect pavilion.