12 Fun Things to Do Indoors in the Omaha Area

Whether it’s a frigid winter day or a scorching summer afternoon (both of which we have here in Omaha), there’s no better place to be than indoors. While we love spending time in the great outdoors, nothing beats the comfort of heat or A/C when extreme temperatures (or rain and snow storms) are on the forecast.

There are so many fun things to do indoors in Omaha, from relaxing in a cushy movie theater to scaling a rock climbing wall. Each provides the opportunity to experience our amazing city — without having to bundle up or sweat from head to toe!

 

Go Ice Skating at Moylan Iceplex

Moylan Iceplex has an NHL-sized sheet of ice and an Olympic-sized ice sheet, where the Omaha Hockey Club and the NXT Level Hockey Academy play, in addition to a few figure skating associations. But anyone can skate at Moylan Iceplex during their public skating times, which occur on Friday afternoons, Saturdays from 12:30–6:30 p.m. and 7:30–10 p.m., and Sundays from 2:15–6 p.m. Just check their schedule to make sure public skating is happening this week!

 

Go Bowling at The MARK

Escape the elements with an evening of old-fashioned fun at The MARK, a modern bowling center in Elkhorn. The lanes are super cool and eye-catching, featuring black lights, soft lounge seats, and massive HD video walls playing everything from live sports and music videos to classic family films. Plus, there’s more than just bowling at The MARK! You can play arcade games, laser tag, indoor volleyball, and XD Dark Ride, a theme park-style interactive 4D theater game. Take a look at the various specials happening throughout the week to save some money!

 

Learn Something New at the Durham Museum

The Durham Museum, built in what used to be Omaha’s Union Station, is now a local landmark and a fully functional museum featuring an abundance of interesting displays and exhibits covering subjects ranging from history and culture to science, industry and more. Plus, the museum has ties with the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, the National Archives and the Field Museum in Chicago, so you can dig even further into history than you ever thought possible!

 

Take the Little Ones to the Omaha Children’s Museum

Offering endless opportunities for fun, games and exploration, the Omaha Children’s Museum is a dream come true for little ones. This nonprofit learning and exploration space has received a national award from the Association of Science and Technology Museums, likely due to its fantastic educational programs and vibrant interactive exhibits. There are several seasonal exhibits that rotate depending on holidays and interests, but permanent installations include the Imagination Playground, Charlie Campbell Science Center, the Tinker Lab, Fantastic Future Me and more!

 

See a Movie at Alamo Drafthouse

There’s “going to a movie” and then there’s “going to a movie at Alamo Drafthouse,” which provides an upscale experience from start to finish. Opened in 2015, Alamo Drafthouse has a unique Star Wars-themed lobby, complete with shiny silver metal, bright lights, and the Emperor’s throne, where you can control the overhead Death Star with the push of a few buttons. Liquid Sunshine Taproom is an attached lounge serving pub grab, craft beer and cocktails in a contemporary brick-walled space. Alamo has strict theater policies in place to make the experience enjoyable for everyone, which includes no talking or texting during the movie. Plus, guests won’t be admitted to the theater once the movie has started! See what’s playing at Alamo Drafthouse for an unforgettable, all-inclusive movie-going experience.

 

Escape from The Escape Omaha

The Escape Omaha invites groups to work together, solve puzzles and hopefully escape within 60 minutes! The puzzle rooms limit group size in order to foster a collaborative atmosphere and ensure that everyone can work towards solving the mystery. It’s a great challenge for kids and adults alike, and while you’re working to escape the room, you can also escape the cold weather outside. Book your temporary “stay” in one of their four different themed rooms, The Lost Antidote, Area 405, The Clockwork Killer, and Conquered Embassy.

 

Go to the Indoor Exhibits at the Omaha Zoo

The zoo isn’t typically on lists of indoor activities, but our expansive, world-renowned zoo has plenty of indoor exhibits worth exploring on a sweltering or ice-cold day. In fact, the zoo has 6 acres of indoor exhibits, including the Desert Dome, the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium and Lied Jungle, making it suitable for exploration year-round. Plus, zoo admission is slightly cheaper during the winter!

 

Play Arcade Games at Beercade

What goes better with beer than arcade games? Bringing the two together in a cohesive way, Beercade has a full bar with a rotating craft beer menu, plus arcade games and pinball machines. Choose from more than 50 beers on tap and more than 100 whiskeys, then play nostalgic games on the wall opposite the bar.

 

Visit the Union Pacific Railroad Museum

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is situated in the unique Beaux Arts-style building in Council Bluffs that formerly housed the Carnegie Library, the city’s first free public library. The gorgeous museum is a must-visit destination for railroad fans around the country, offering fascinating exhibits on the Union Pacific Railroad (you’ll even be able to spot a few artifacts from NP Dodge’s founding fathers). Plus, admission to the museum is completely free!

 

Climb at Approach Climbing Gym

Reach new heights at Approach Climbing Gym, a full-service gym with more than 6,000 square feet of climbing walls and more than 150 different routes and problems. This is the perfect place for beginners to try the challenging, fun sport of indoor rock climbing. And if you fall in love with the sport, you can become a member to take advantage of 24/7 access and other perks!

 

Snuggle with Cats at Felius

Coffee and cats are two of our favorite things — and if you put them together, you get Felius, a non-profit cat cafe in downtown Omaha. Their mission is “to transform cat welfare through rescue, inclusive experiences, and educational programming.” In the café, you can play with free-roaming cats in a closed-off cat room. Patrons are asked to pay an “entry fee” of $7.50 for a half-hour cuddle session or $14 for a whole hour. This fee helps cover the cost of cat care. So, whether you’re in the market to adopt a new pet or if you just wanted to stop in for some cuddle time, you’re still helping support the nonprofit. And you can even donate to Felius right meow to support their incredible organization from a distance!

 

See a Show at the Holland Performing Arts Center or the Orpheum

Omaha Performing Arts (O-pa) is dedicated to “creating a vibrant arts and entertainment experience in Omaha and the region.” Since their inception in 2000, O-pa has grown to become the largest arts institution in Nebraska. They currently have two venues, the Holland Performing Arts Center and Orpheum Theater, and a third venue, Steelhouse Omaha, expected to open in May 2023! Both venues have a steady stream of performances happening on a regular basis — check out their list of upcoming shows.

 

Explore the Great Indoors!

What indoor activities in Omaha do you love to do? Let us know in the comments below!