Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium — Attraction in Omaha

The Henry Doorly Zoo is remarkably large. By comparison to North Texas attractions, you could argue that the Omaha Zoo is the Dallas Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, Dallas World Aquarium and Texas Butterfly Gardens: COMBINED. I was truly shocked at the size, scale and scope of the Omaha Zoo. It’s nearly outrageous.

The first surprise was that many of the major attractions were actually indoors. This negated the issue of cold weather and my lack of clothing preparation. The first structure we visited was as the “Desert Dome” which was inside of a massive glass structure. The desert was fully built to 1:1 scale and had a variety of animals and birds. A massive mountain in the middle was the centerpiece. We made our way around this climate controlled structure on a one way path, and finally reached was I assumed was the end. Rather than conclude, we now entered into a new area that was inside the mountain, featuring animals who live in the dark or in caves. As this experience unfolded we were eventually even below that, in an underground area.

The Omaha Zoo has the world’s largest artificial indoor swamp.

Inside this manmade bayou, we walked across creaking boards over water pits filled with alligators, saw inside a beavers lodge, and even came face to face with snapping turtles. And this was just the first building.

Finally out of this first structure, we walked to the next building which was an aquarium.

I wasn’t expecting much, but this aquarium was every bit on the same level or better than the Dallas World Aquarium. My immediate thought was that the Omaha Zoo was offering the experience of multiple ticketed attractions in DFW on the other side of a single gate. Amazing.

The details are too much to share, but the aquarium building featured twists and turns, a massive shark filled tunnel and incredible jellyfish displays. In one huge room nearly 50 penguins were swimming and walking around, snow falling on their heads. What a remarkable place.

Hours had passed and we had only done a few buildings. We didn’t get to even see the train, the ski lift, and the endless amount of outdoor exhibits. It became clear that exploring this place comprehensively would take entire days, and such a trip to Omaha for this purpose alone would be well worth the time and trouble.

I am not sure if I can declare the Henry Doorly Zoo the best in America, but it would be hard to imagine any other Zoo we have access to being better than this....

Love, Love, Love this zoo! The best I've ever been to. It seems like each time we go there's something new to explore. I love how the areas are set up. Great for all ages. Be prepared to do a substantial amount of walking. This place is very large and you'll be glad to have comfy shoes.

They have stroller rentals (and scooters for adults I think) and plenty of parking. Trash cans are well dispersed throughout the park as are bathrooms. There are only a few places to buy food and snacks. There is a restaurant onsite but I haven't tried it yet.

Here you'll see large animals such as gorillas, orangutans, spider monkeys, lemurs, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, tigers and elephants.

The type of sea life you'll see is sea lions, penguins, stingrays, sharks, jellyfish, puffins, starfish, green sea turtles, deep sea spider crabs and hundreds of other fish varieties I can't possibly list.

They have a large aviary you can walk through and see things like swans, ducks, cranes, pelicans and flamingos. Very cool area.

The aquarium is FANTASTIC! Huge variety of sea life tastefully displayed all over. There is an underwater walkway that gives you an immersive experience. Also be aware that at the end of the aquarium it dumps you out into a gift shop that your children will most certainly guilt trip you into exploring and buying their stuffed animals. Well done guys 🤦

Don't forget to check out stingray beach. It's my favorite part of the park when it's open. There you can actually pet and feed stingrays. Be sure to check online before you get your heart set on it though as it closes frequently.

The most notable place at the park is probably the very large desert dome. This area has some nice features but it was kind of a let down for me and my children. It just wasn't as amazing as the rest of the park.

There is also a butterfly exhibit but you can't take strollers through the small space and have to go in small groups so it's kind of a pain and we only did it once.

Prices are reasonable. About $30/adult and $19/child and kids under 2 are free. This place is so worth your time and everyone will have a good time here. Great...

The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha is hands-down one of the best zoos in the entire world — and after visiting, it’s easy to see why it’s consistently ranked among the top! Every part of this zoo is world-class, from the animal exhibits to the layout, to the incredible staff that clearly cares about both the animals and the guests.

You can tell the zoo is designed for both fun and education. The exhibits are immersive and beautifully maintained — the Desert Dome feels like you’ve stepped right into the middle of a desert ecosystem, while the Lied Jungle completely surrounds you with lush greenery, waterfalls, and free-flying birds. The Aquarium is absolutely stunning — walking through that 70-foot shark tunnel never gets old!

What really sets this zoo apart is how much thought goes into every detail. The animal habitats are spacious, realistic, and give you an up-close look without ever feeling intrusive. You can tell the animals are well cared for, and the keepers are always happy to answer questions and share fun facts.

The grounds are spotless, the food options are surprisingly good (don’t miss the Dippin’ Dots and fresh lemonade stands on a hot day!), and the new additions like Asian Highlands and African Grasslands are breathtaking. The Skyfari ride gives you an incredible view of the zoo and the city beyond — it’s a must-do if you’re visiting for the first time.

This is a place that both kids and adults will love. Whether you spend a few hours or the whole day, there’s so much to see and do that you’ll want to come back again. It’s not just a zoo — it’s an adventure, a learning experience, and one of the best family destinations in the Midwest.

Henry Doorly Zoo absolutely deserves every bit of praise it gets. If you’re anywhere near Omaha, make it a priority to visit — you won’t be...