Looking for things to do in Omaha in the winter? Whether you’re looking to escape the cold or enjoy the snow, Omaha has plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to offer. Here’s our list of the best winter activities in Omaha to keep you busy from December through February.
Our Methodology
To determine the best things to do in Omaha during the winter, we evaluated popular historic sites, sports teams, performing arts, outdoor activities, and indoor activities based on reviews, local recommendations, and location.
Indoor Activities in Winter
From bowling to going to the movie theater, you’ll find plenty of indoor activities in Omaha to keep everyone entertained in the cold months.
Watch a Movie
Catch independent, foreign, documentary, and classic holiday films at Film Streams locations, the Dundee Theater, or the Ruth Sokolof Theater. Purchase a ticket to the latest blockbuster hit or cult classic with a dine-in experience at the Alamo Drafthouse. Watch new releases and family-friendly movies with premium seating at ACX Cinema. Or grab your popcorn and relax in a leather recliner at one of the Marcus Theatre locations, like Majestic Cinema or Village Pointe Cinema.
Explore Omaha’s Museums
While it’s cold and snowy, Omaha’s museums offer the perfect indoor escape and are iconic locations every Omahan needs to visit at least once. Walk through restored train cars and interactive exhibits while learning Omaha’s past at The Durham Museum, or see historic aircraft and missiles at SAC Museum. View modern art and a vast collection of artifacts for free at Joslyn Art Museum. Tour the 35-room, historical home and museum, Joslyn Castle. Explore science hands-on at Kiewit Luminarium along Omaha’s RiverFront. Stroll through the indoor botanical gardens at Lauritzen Gardens. Or take the kids to play imaginatively at Omaha Children’s Museum.
Catch a Winter Show or Play
Attend the annual production of A Christmas Carol at the Omaha Community Playhouse, one of the largest community theaters in the country. See a variety of performances, including touring Broadway shows, seasonal concerts, plays, and more at historic Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Omaha. Take the little ones to family-friendly holiday musicals and plays at The Rose Theater. Or catch a mashup of A Christmas Carol, The Grinch, and Die Hard in Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) at Omaha’s professional BLUEBARN Theatre.
Attend an Indoor Concert
Stay warm during the Omaha winter by attending indoor live music concerts. Catch a variety of the Omaha Symphony‘s performances through the end of the year, including classic concerts and the annual Physicians Mutual Omaha Symphony Christmas Celebration at the Holland Performing Arts Center. See Spiritbox, Joyful Noise, or Vitamin String Quartet at the Steelhouse Omaha, Omaha’s newest performing arts venue. Snag a ticket to a live music concerts from local bands and touring artists almost any night of the week this winter at the Slowdown. Or listen to a variety of musical genres from local and touring bands at The Waiting Room Lounge, open to all ages.
Laugh the Night Away at Omaha Comedy Clubs
Looking for a way to beat the winter blues? Try a comedy club in Omaha. Attend comedy improv shows from local comedians and tour acts at the Funny Bone and Backline Comedy. Find both family-friendly and adult comedy events at the Blackstone Theater.
Challenge Friends to Game Night
Stay inside and catch up with friends at Spielbound Board Game Cafe. With more than 4,000 games to select from, it’s easy to find the perfect one to play. While playing games at Spielbound, sip on coffee in the morning, and in the evening, enjoy a Spielbound Mule paired with Chicken Bites.
Go Bowling
A classic Omaha winter activity is spending time with the family or friends at a local bowling alley. Get a strike at Western Bowl, West Lanes Bowlatorium, or Maplewood Lanes. Or for mini duckpin bowling in Omaha, reserve a lane at Bob & Willie’s Wonderbowl or Cham Pang Lanes.
Solve Clues in an Escape Room
Great for a team, friends, or family event near you this winter, put your problem-solving skills to the test at one of Omaha’s top escape rooms. Complete challenges in 60 minutes at Entrap Escape Room, House of Conundrum, Locked Room Omaha, and other popular escape challenges in the area.
Play Pickleball or Indoor Mini Golf
Looking for fun things to do in Omaha in the winter to stay active? Gather some friends and play a few easygoing matches at Omaha’s popular pickleball spots like Blue Sky Patio & Pickleball or Smash Park—both have indoor courts, food, and a lively social atmosphere. Prefer something a little more lowkey? Try sinking a hole-in-one at one of Omaha’s indoor mini-golf courses, including Medieval Putt, Prehistoric Putt, Pirate Putt, and The Fat Putter, for a round of friendly competition.
Burn Off Energy with the Kids
Keep the kids entertained during the cold months with indoor activities! Have a family fun day playing arcade games, racing on the go-kart track, grabbing a bite to eat at the buffet, and more at the Amazing Pizza Machine. Watch the kids get their energy out by bouncing on the trampoline at BounceU. Sign up kids ages 2 and up for climbing lessons at Approach Climbing Gym. Or spend the day playing in Kid City, going down slides at the three-level playground, and more at Kipp Omaha, Omaha’s largest kids’ indoor play park.
Hit a Bullseye During Axe Throwing
For those looking for a unique winter activity in Omaha, go axe throwing with friends. Test your aim in a safe environment at one of Omaha’s axe throwing spots, like Craft Axe Throwing, Axe Games, or Flying Timber Axe Throwing.
Cheer on Your Favorite Omaha Sports Teams
Omaha’s winter season is the perfect opportunity to watch a live sports game. Cheer on the Creighton Bluejays men’s and women’s basketball teams as they play at the CHI Health Center Omaha. Catch fast-paced action from the junior hockey team, the Omaha Lancers. Support the Omaha Supernovas, Omaha’s professional women’s volleyball team. Watch the UNO Mavericks men’s and women’s basketball teams take on opponents at Baxter Arena or root for their ice hockey team at Baxter Arena’s Kemp Ice. Or do more than spectate and learn to curl with the Aksarben Curling Club.
Warm Your Belly with Food & Drinks
When it’s cold outside, Omaha’s cozy coffee shops and eateries are perfect for enjoying comforting meals and warm drinks. Grab a steaming latte or a freshly brewed cup of coffee from Zen Coffee Company, The Mill Coffee & Tea on Leavenworth, or Archetype Coffee. Or get cozy next to the fireplaces at The Drover Steakhouse or Timber Wood Fire Bistro.
Find Cozy Corners to Read
Winter is the best time to find the perfect spot in Omaha to curl up with a good book. Pick up new releases, used books, and comics from Omaha’s top bookstores, like The Bookworm, Krypton Comics, and Half Price Books. Or check out a book at one of the Omaha Public Library branches and grab a seat on a comfy chair to enjoy some quiet time reading. Or on a snowy day, grab a cup of coffee and cozy up for long reading sessions at The Reading Room or The Wandering Page.
Declutter & Give Back
Omaha has many nonprofits where you can donate and volunteer during the winter. Gift canned goods, holiday meals and other hearty meal supplies to Food Bank for the Heartland, or winter clothes to Siena Francis House or The Humble Lily. Make a donation to Light the World Giving Machines at Westroads Mall or SHARE Omaha and SHARE Iowa. And as a way to celebrate the holidays or do good over the winter months, volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, or Open Door Mission.
Shop Local in Omaha
Visit the Fowling Warehouse on N 90th St to experience the holiday atmosphere of the Omaha Winter Market! Shop from more than 50+ vendors featuring fresh produce, handcrafted artisanal goods, food, and more. This free-entry event is family-friendly with live music. Attend special events like live cooking demos, holiday activities, and more seasonal celebrations throughout the winter season.
Outdoor Activities in Winter
Dress warm and enjoy Omaha’s winter outdoor activities, including ice skating, winter hiking trails, and more.
Go Ice Skating in Omaha
Enjoy ice skating near you at many of the public ice rinks across the city. Spend the day outside at the UNMC Ice Rink and the Heartland of America Park’s skate ribbon. Or head west to the Winterland at Heartwood Preserve for free ice skating, ugly sweater contests, festive movies, and Santa visits in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Or stay warm while ice skating at popular indoor rinks like Moylan Iceplex, Holland Ice at UNO’s Baxter Arena, or Motto McLean Ice Arena.
Take a Winter Hike
Don’t let the cold temperatures keep you inside! Omaha’s hiking trails are great for adventure and spotting wildlife in the winter. Go hiking and snowshoeing on popular trails at Platte River State Park or Schramm Park. Some of the state parks may even offer snowmobile trails! Depending on the weather, check if the parks are open before heading out.
Find Omaha’s Best Sledding Hills
As a kid, one of the best things to do in Omaha in the winter is sledding. When it snows, the city’s top sledding hills offer an excellent way for families to enjoy outdoor fun. Visit Memorial Park, Elmwood Park, or Eugene T. Mahoney State Park for a day of sledding near you.
Ski or Snowboard
It’s not winter in Omaha without a bit of snow. So make the most of it at Crescent Hill at Hitchcock (formerly Mt. Crescent Ski Area). Located about 30 miles outside the city in Honey Creek, Iowa, this nature preserve transforms into a winter escape perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding. From December through March, there are nine snow-covered trails of varying difficulty levels open throughout the week. It’s the perfect place to learn. No snow in the forecast? No problem. Crescent Hill at Hitchcock makes its own snow, so you can hit the slopes more often!
Try Your Hand at Ice Fishing
Brave the cold temperatures and go ice fishing in Omaha. Bundle up and visit ice fishing ponds at Standing Bear Lake, Lawrence Youngman Lake, and Lake Wanahoo in Wahoo. And enter into the Annual Ice Fishing Tournament held every January at Whitehawk Lake.
Get Tickets to the Henry Doorly Zoo
There’s still plenty to do at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, even in the winter. Spend time in indoor exhibits such as the Desert Dome, Lied Jungle, the Suzanne & Walter Scott Aquarium, or see a film at the Lozier Giant Screen Theater. Depending on the weather, some exhibits and portions of the zoo may be closed, so be sure to check before going.
Winter Holiday Events
From November to March, Omaha hosts a variety of indoor and outdoor holiday events that will keep you entertained during the cold months. Check them out below!
Make a Christmas Bucket List
Get into the holiday spirit with fun Christmas events near you like Midwest Fest’s Holiday Market or Christmas at Union Station. View the best Christmas light displays around town. Avoid cooking a holiday meal and make a reservation at a restaurant open on Christmas. Take the kids to meet Santa at places like Mulhualls or Westroads Mall. Pick out your own evergreen from a Christmas tree farm around Omaha like Dappen Tree Farm or Nordstrom’s Christmas Tree Farm. And sip on festive cocktails and enjoy the themed decor at holiday pop-up bars in Omaha like Mercury or The Holiday Hut at Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel. Enjoy live music, eat delicious food, and shop from more than 50 local vendors at the Omaha Winter Market, the city’s only indoor winter farmer’s market.
Ring in the New Year
Celebrate NYE in Omaha with fireworks and light shows like the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular at the CHI Health Center. Attend family-friendly events like Bubbly New Year’s Eve Party at Omaha Children’s Museum or Noon Year’s Eve at The Durham Museum. Or try A Time Traveler’s Ball: An Immersive New Year’s Eve Experience at Hotel Indigo or Live Jazz with Red Lion Quartet at Red Lion Lounge for adult-only New Year’s Eve parties in Omaha.
Plan the Perfect Valentine’s Day
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Omaha with romantic dinners, fun activities, and cozy spots around the city. Bring your date to annual events like Shark Tunnel of Love at the Henry Doorly Zoo or the Galentine’s High Tea at Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel. Book a table for Valentine’s Day dinner at romantic restaurants like Avoli Osteria and Le Voltaire. Or bundle up and stroll the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge for the perfect date night in Downtown Omaha.
Celebrate Annual Traditions in Omaha
Omaha’s calendar is filled with winter festivals and fashion showcases that keep you busy year after year. Go to the annual figure skating competition in February, Omaha Winterfest hosted by the Figure Skating Club of Omaha and the Blade & Edge Figure Skating Club. Explore local breweries and tap houses during Omaha Beer Week. Or get tickets to one of the largest fashion week events in the country, Omaha Fashion Week, for the spring show in February at the Omaha Design Center.
Know of more winter activities near you worth mentioning? Let us know what we should add to our list! And for more events, activities, restaurants, and things to do in Omaha, explore our local guides on Hurrdat ONE.
