As someone who loves visiting zoos and exploring wildlife, the Omaha Zoo—formally known as Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium—had been on my travel list for quite some time. Often heralded as one of the best zoos in the world, I was eager to see what set it apart from others I’d visited. So, one warm weekend, I made my way to Omaha, Nebraska, with high expectations. What I discovered there was nothing short of extraordinary, and I left feeling both inspired and amazed by the zoo’s uniqueness and dedication to conservation.
Getting There and First Impressions
The Omaha Zoo is located just a short drive from downtown Omaha, and as I approached the sprawling grounds, I could already sense the scale of this place. Covering over 160 acres, it’s massive, and I quickly realized that I would need a full day to explore everything. The entrance to the zoo is welcoming, with lush greenery and the distant sounds of animals calling out in the background, which only heightened my excitement.
As soon as I stepped inside, I was struck by how thoughtfully designed the zoo was. It didn’t feel like your typical animal enclosures surrounded by concrete. Instead, the entire zoo felt like an immersive experience, with habitats designed to mirror the natural environments of the animals they housed. I immediately knew I was in for a day of discovery.
The World’s Largest Indoor Desert: Desert Dome
One of the first things I encountered was the Desert Dome, which is perhaps the most iconic structure at the Omaha Zoo. It’s impossible to miss—this massive glass geodesic dome towers over the zoo and houses the world’s largest indoor desert. As soon as I stepped inside, I was transported to another world.
The Desert Dome recreates three distinct desert ecosystems: the Namib Desert in Africa, the Red Center of Australia, and the Sonoran Desert in North America. Walking through these environments was like taking a mini tour around the globe. The attention to detail was astounding, from the dry, sandy terrain to the heat radiating off the rocks. What’s more, the animals in this exhibit—like meerkats, desert tortoises, and fennec foxes—seemed right at home.
What struck me the most about the Desert Dome was how well it combined education with entertainment. I learned so much about desert ecosystems, like how animals have adapted to survive in such harsh climates. The dome is filled with interactive displays, but it’s also just a pleasure to walk through and take in the sights and sounds of these unique environments.
Journey Under the Desert: The Kingdoms of the Night
What makes the Desert Dome even more fascinating is that underneath it lies Kingdoms of the Night, the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit. As I descended into the dimly lit underground, I was greeted by an entirely new experience—one that focuses on creatures that come alive when the sun sets.
The Kingdoms of the Night is an eerie, atmospheric exhibit designed to replicate the nighttime environments of swamps, caves, and forests. It was fascinating to see creatures like bats, beavers, and even alligators in their nocturnal habitats. The way the zoo recreates the experience of night—complete with soft lighting and the sounds of crickets and owls—was mesmerizing. I especially enjoyed the swamp exhibit, where I walked along a boardwalk suspended over a murky river teeming with nocturnal life.
There’s something thrilling about wandering through the dark, knowing that the animals around you are thriving in an environment so different from the one we usually see during the day. It gave me a whole new appreciation for these often-overlooked creatures.
The Rainforest Adventure: Lied Jungle
After my journey through the desert and the night, I headed to the Lied Jungle, which is another one of the zoo’s crown jewels. It’s the largest indoor rainforest in North America, and stepping inside was like being transported to the heart of the tropics. The air was thick with humidity, and the sounds of waterfalls and chattering birds filled the air.
The Lied Jungle is a multi-level exhibit that allows visitors to explore the rainforest from the ground floor all the way up to the canopy. As I made my way through the winding pathways, I encountered a wide array of animals, including monkeys, pygmy hippos, and colorful birds. What made this exhibit so special was how close you could get to the animals—many of them were free to roam in their sections of the jungle, which gave the experience a very authentic feel.
I was particularly impressed by how well the zoo had recreated the dense, lush vegetation of the rainforest. The towering trees, thick vines, and vibrant plants made it easy to forget I was in Nebraska and not the Amazon. It was a truly immersive experience, and I spent quite a bit of time just taking it all in.
Scott Aquarium: A Window to the Ocean
No visit to the Omaha Zoo would be complete without a stop at the Scott Aquarium, one of the most impressive aquarium exhibits I’ve ever seen. As soon as I entered, I was greeted by a huge, 70-foot-long tunnel that allows visitors to walk through an underwater world teeming with sharks, stingrays, and other marine life. It was surreal to have these majestic creatures swimming overhead as I walked through the tunnel.
The Scott Aquarium doesn’t just focus on marine life, though. It also has exhibits showcasing animals from freshwater environments, including penguins, jellyfish, and a variety of colorful coral reefs. I spent a lot of time watching the penguins—they have a large, dynamic habitat that mimics the Antarctic coastline, and the birds seemed to enjoy diving and swimming right up to the glass.
What made the aquarium stand out for me was the interactive nature of the exhibits. There were opportunities to touch sea stars and other marine animals, and the educational displays were both informative and engaging. It was clear that the zoo puts a lot of effort into making the aquarium as immersive as possible.
Wildlife Safari Park
Though I spent most of my time exploring the zoo itself, I couldn’t pass up the chance to visit the Wildlife Safari Park, which is located just a short drive from the main zoo. This four-mile drive-through park offers a completely different experience, allowing visitors to get up close with North American wildlife in a more natural setting.
As I drove through the park, I spotted bison, elk, and white-tailed deer roaming freely across the plains. There’s something awe-inspiring about seeing these large animals in their natural habitats, grazing and moving about as they would in the wild. The park also has several walking trails, and I took a short hike to get a closer look at the bison herd, which was one of the highlights of the trip.
Conservation and Education
One of the things that stood out to me throughout my visit was the zoo’s strong focus on conservation and education. Every exhibit emphasized the importance of protecting wildlife and preserving ecosystems, and it was clear that the Omaha Zoo is deeply committed to these goals. The zoo participates in several breeding programs for endangered species and is involved in research aimed at saving animals from extinction.
The educational opportunities at the zoo are also impressive. From interactive displays to live animal presentations, the zoo goes above and beyond to teach visitors about the natural world. I left with a greater understanding of the challenges faced by wildlife and a renewed appreciation for the role that zoos play in conservation.
Why the Omaha Zoo is Unique
So, what makes the Omaha Zoo stand out from others I’ve visited? It’s the way the zoo combines education, conservation, and immersive environments to create a truly unique experience. The sheer variety of exhibits—from the Desert Dome to the Lied Jungle to the Scott Aquarium—allows visitors to travel the world without ever leaving Nebraska. The attention to detail in each exhibit is remarkable, and the zoo’s commitment to providing animals with naturalistic habitats is evident everywhere you look.
The Omaha Zoo isn’t just a place to see animals—it’s a place to connect with them and learn about the incredible diversity of life on our planet. It’s a place that inspires curiosity, fosters a sense of wonder, and reminds us of the importance of protecting the world’s wildlife for future generations.
I left the zoo feeling both fulfilled and inspired, knowing that I had experienced something truly special. If you’re ever in the Omaha area, a visit to the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is an absolute must. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a family looking for a fun day out, or someone who simply wants to reconnect with nature, the Omaha Zoo offers an experience like no other.
