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Guide to Downtown Omaha

By: Ryan Renner, Realtor
By: Ryan Renner, Realtor

I have helped many families moving to Omaha. Contact me if you have any questions about the Omaha area or need help buying a home.

Whether you are just visiting Omaha or looking to move here, you will probably spend some time in downtown. This guide will help you make the most of it.
Old Market Passageway in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska

Downtown is where you’ll find Omaha’s postcard skyline. From its skyscrapers and state of the art arenas and stadiums, to the historic Old Market District and a picturesque river walk, the east side of the Omaha is its most eclectic and popular.

Old Market

The area is designated as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. Once constructed as warehouses, the cobblestone streets and nostalgic buildings of the Old Market have been transformed into a popular destination for business, shopping and entertainment.

NoDo (North of Downtown)

NoDo is a newer development in downtown Omaha. NoDo stands for North of Downtown. This area includes the CHI Health Center Arena & Convention Center, Creighton University, The Capitol District, and Millwork Commons.

Notable Structures/Landmarks:

CHI Center, Charles Schway Park, First National Building, Woodman Tower, Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Lewis & Clark Landing, Gene Lahey Mall, Heartland of America Park, The Holland Center, Creighton University.

NoDo also includes Charles Schwab Field – the annual home of the College World Series.

TD Ameritrade Park in Dowtown Omaha - Home of the College World Series

The area is also a great area for modern apartment living and entertainment with Film Streams and Slowdown all within walking distance of each other. Several charity runs and walks take place in this area as well, often looping from Creighton Campus to the River Walk and back to TD Ameritrade Park.

Living Downtown:

Downtown Omaha is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Omaha.

If you want to live downtown, you may have to rent.

Yes, there are condo options, but not a lot. I’m not trying to discourage you. I just want to set expectations.

I have helped many people buy condos and townhomes downtown, but there isn’t a huge selection (and there won’t be any new condos anytime soon). If haven’t scared you away, here is a list of condos for sale in downtown Omaha.

Expect to spend at least $200k for a condo with monthly HOA fees starting at $300.

If you are OK renting, there are a plethora of options.

Developers have been aggressively building new apartments and converting old buildings for the past 10 years.

Some of these buildings have amazing amenities including gyms and pools.

Unfortunately, there is no single resource for finding rentals downtown, and I don’t handle rentals so I’m not a huge help.

Schools:

Omaha Public Schools covers the downtown area. Creighton University is large private Jesuit university located downtown.

Business District:

Downtown is the epicenter of Omaha’s world-renowned businesses.

Several Fortune 500 companies have made Omaha their home including Union Pacific, Kiewit, Berkshire Hathaway and Mutual of Omaha.

This is a great place for those who prefer high-rise living or anyone transitioning from a larger metropolis. While Downtown may look all business, this is certainly the most popular area of the city to be immersed in art, entertainment, shopping, dining and nightlife.

Arts and Culture

Art lovers have a lot to choose from downtown.

Joslyn Art Museum is located at 22nd and Dodge (although it is closed for construction until 2024). Kaneko is a free art museum that offers exhibitions, performances, lectures, and education and is just a few blocks from the Old Market.

Other notable spots include the Bemis Center (a contemporary art gallery) and the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery.

The Durham Museum

Omaha Children’s Museum

Entertainment

If you are into the theater, you also have a bunch of options. Venues include the Blue Barn Theater and the Rose Theater, which is for kids and families.

The symphony calls the Holland Center home while touring broadway shows can be seen at the Orpheum Theater.

A brand new venue called Steelhouse Omaha will be opening downtown in 2023. It is a live music venue that can accommodate up to 3,000 fans.

The Slowdown in NoDo is another popular live music venue.

Events

Summer Arts Festival

Taste of Omaha

College World Series

Omaha Fashion Week

Santa Lucia

Summer Farmers Market

Balloon & Wine Festival

Shopping

City Limits

Homer’s Music

Drastic Plastic Vinyl Lounge

Jackson Street Booksellers

Tannenbaum Christmas Shop

Overland Sheepskin Co

All About Me Boutique

Nouvelle Eve

Moksha

Souq Limited Boutique

Curbside Clothing

Black Market

Pretty In Patina

Ashley’s Collectibles

Silo

The Imaginarium

Flying Worm Vintage

Iron Décor & More

Restaurants

Downtown has many of the best restaurants in Omaha.

The Boiler Room

La Buvette

Upstream Brewing Company

Urban Abbey

Le Bouillon

Spaghetti Works

Plank Seafood

Tokyo Sushi

Twisted Fork

V. Mertz

Stokes Grill

Ahmad’s Persian Cuisine

Trini’s Mexican Restaurant

Ted & Wally’s

Blue Sushi

Wheatfields Eatery & Bakery

Eat the Worm

PepperJax Grill

Juice Stop

Hiro 88

Jams

Kitchen Table

Roja Mexican Grill

Saigon Surface

Omaha Tap House

801 Chophouse

Sullivan’s Steakhouse

DJ’s Dugout

Blatt Beer & Table

Burger Theory

Nicola’s Italian

Coffee & Tea Shops

13th Street Coffee & Tea Company

Scooter’s Coffee

Rally Coffee

The Teasmith

Sozo Coffeehouse

Urban Abbey

Bars

The Tavern

Mr. Toad’s Pub

Billy Frogg’s

Barry O’s

Bar 415

The Dubliner Pub

Parliament Pub

Wilson & Washburn

Havana Garage

Whisky Tango

The Trap Room

The Old Mattress Factory

Nosh Wine Lounge

The Omaha Lounge

2016 Fire

In January 2016, a fire consumed the corner of 11th and Howard Streets destroying several apartments, Nouvelle Eve boutique, as well as the M’s Pub and Market House restaurants. Each has vocalized plans to rebuild with overwhelming encouragement from the Omaha community.

About Your Guide
Ryan Renner - Omaha Relocation Guide

My name is Ryan Renner and I’m a real estate agent in Omaha. I’ve helped many families relocate to Omaha. While helping people relocate, I would get similar questions over and over again. This site addresses many of those questions and more.

Reach out to me if you are moving to Omaha and need help.