Downtown
Neighborhood
Downtown Core

Downtown

Urban Core6 local spots
RiverfrontArtsNightlifeHistoricDining

Downtown's riverfront is the rebuilt Gene Leahy Mall and the parks that step down to the Missouri. The Holland and the Orpheum are a few blocks inland when there is a ticket. The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge crosses to Iowa at the end of the lawn.

This walk starts at Kitchen Table on Farnam, crosses the mall, stops at Lula B's on Dodge, and finishes on the bridge. The Old Market's cobblestones begin on the next block and have their own loop.

Go when the light drops. The lawn and the river do the rest.

Best for
First-time visitors, arts & nightlife, riverfront strolls

The story

Founded in 1854 on the bluffs above the Missouri River, downtown Omaha grew as a Union Pacific railroad hub and wholesale 'jobbers' district. The late 20th century left surface lots and empty warehouses, but a multi-decade, half-billion-dollar revitalization has reconnected the core to the river — the rebuilt Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park, and The RiverFront reopened in phases through 2023, joining the Holland Performing Arts Center and the historic Orpheum Theater as anchors of a walkable, mixed-use downtown.

Downtown Riverfront Walk

1.6 mi35 min
  1. 1Start at Kitchen Table, 1415 Farnam St, Omaha, NE
  2. 2Continue to Gene Leahy Mall, 10th & Farnam St, Omaha, NE
  3. 3Continue to Lula B's, 902 Dodge St, Omaha, NE
  4. 4Continue to Heartland of America Park, The RiverFront, Omaha, NE
  5. 5Finish at Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Riverfront, Omaha, NE

Happening here

  • Omaha Farmers Market

    Historic Old Market fills with local produce, makers, and food vendors.

    Saturdays, May–Oct

Explore Downtown

Downtown's riverfront is the rebuilt Gene Leahy Mall and the parks that step down to the Missouri. The Holland and the Orpheum are a few blocks inland when there is a ticket. The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge crosses to Iowa at the end of the lawn. This walk starts at Kitchen Table on Farnam, crosses the mall, stops at Lula B's on Dodge, and finishes on the bridge. The Old Market's cobblestones begin on the next block and have their own loop. Go when the light drops. The lawn and the river do the rest.

The essentials

Walk stops, neighborhood icons, and the rooms with something on the calendar in Downtown.

Walk Stop #1
American Restaurant · $$ · Open · until 10 PM
Omaha Tap House4.4 ★ (2,885)

15 specialty burgers, like the jalapeno smoked cheddar.

Walk Stop #2
Park · Open · until 11 PM

Downtown green space, events

Walk Stop #3
Breakfast / Brunch · $$ · Open · until 2 PM

Bottomless mimosas are a penny a refill: weekdays 7 to 10 a.m., weekends 10 to 1.

Fried Chicken
Fried Chicken · $$ · Closed

Scratch-made chicken sandwiches, local fried whole birds and buttermilk biscuits, plus craft cocktails.

All places in Downtown

22 places
restaurant · $$
All American Burger4.7 ★ (197)
Open · until 9 PM1421 Farnam St

Fresh beef smashed and seared to order, with crinkle-cut fries and hand-spun shakes.

DirectionsView place
bar · $$
Cumbia4.7 ★ (364)
Open · until 10 PM329 S 16th St #1

A downtown tapas and cocktail bar named for the Colombian music and dance genre.

DirectionsView place
Walk Stop #3
restaurant · Breakfast / Brunch · $$
Open · until 2 PM902 Dodge St #101

Bottomless mimosas are a penny a refill: weekdays 7 to 10 a.m., weekends 10 to 1.

DirectionsView place
Walk Stop #1
restaurant · American Restaurant · $$
Omaha Tap House4.4 ★ (2,885)
Open · until 10 PM1401 Farnam St

15 specialty burgers, like the jalapeno smoked cheddar.

DirectionsView place
bakery · Donuts / Cakes · $
Open · until 6 PM502 N 16th St

A fourth-generation bakery serving Omaha since 1954.

DirectionsView place
restaurant · $$
Cattle Call4.6 ★ (186)
Closed300 S 16th St

A wine and cocktail bar with late-night food.

DirectionsView place
restaurant · Fried Chicken · $$
Closed1722 St Marys Ave

Scratch-made chicken sandwiches, local fried whole birds and buttermilk biscuits, plus craft cocktails.

DirectionsView place
restaurant · Pizza Restaurant · $
Izzy's Pizza4.9 ★ (637)
Closed522 1/2 S 24th St

Detroit-style pizza.

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bar · Cocktail Lounge · $$$
Closed · Opens 4 PM329 S 16th St

Known for its old fashioned, made with the bar's private-barrel whiskeys.

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bar · Cocktail Bar · $$
The Green Room4.6 ★ (293)
Closed · Opens 3 PM306 S 16th St

A 16th Street bar designed with the owners of BLK Squirrel.

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bar · $$
Wicked Rabbit4.7 ★ (1,176)
Closed · Opens 5 PM1508 Harney St

A cocktail and rare-spirits bar inside Hotel Deco.

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