5 Expert Tips for Visiting Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo with Kids

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If you’re heading to Omaha, visiting the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium should be at the top of your list.

This world-renowned zoo is consistently ranked among the best in the United States—and after visiting several times with my family (including during their magical Christmas event!), I can confidently say it lives up to the hype.

Two young children watch fish and sharks swim in a large aquarium tank at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.

But here’s the thing: this zoo is a lot. A lot of people, a lot of exhibits, a lot to see and do.

It’s incredible—but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re visiting with kids.

That’s why I put together this post—to help make your visit more doable, less stressful, and yes, even enjoyable.

These 5 tried-and-true tips will help you plan ahead, avoid time-wasters, and get the most out of your day at one of the top family attractions in Omaha.

✅ Quick Look: 5 Expert Tips for Visiting Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo with Kids

1. Plan your must-see exhibits ahead of time: This zoo is massive, and you won’t see it all in one visit.

2. Bring your own food and drinks: Long food lines = cranky kids and wasted time.

3. Pack swimsuits, towels, and a change of clothes: Water features and splash areas are everywhere.

4. Plan for the walking—bring a stroller or wagon if needed: There’s a lot of ground to cover. A stroller or wagon helps with tired kids and gives you a place to stash towels, snacks, and souvenirs.

5. Take breaks and stay flexible: It’s a big day—pace yourselves, embrace the unexpected, and know that it’s okay if you don’t see it all.

👇 Keep reading for all the details, mom-to-mom advice, and real tips to make your zoo day smoother!

1. Map Out Your Must-See Exhibits Before You Go

Table of Contents

If there’s one thing I wish we’d done better on our first visit—it’s narrowing down our must-sees.

You could easily spend two full days at this zoo, so if you’re visiting for just one, having a plan is key.

➡️ Download the zoo map in advance and decide which exhibits your family is most excited to see.

Here are a few family favorites:

⭐ Scott Alaskan Adventure Splash Park

A massive, interactive water play area featuring puffins, sea lions, orcas, salmon, and a giant humpback whale.

This isn’t just a splash pad—it’s a full-blown aquatic playground.

🧽 Mom Tip: You could spend hours here. Bring swimsuits, towels, and dry clothes, and decide in advance when you’ll visit this area so you can plan the rest of your route.

📍Located near the carousel and Glacier Bay Landing—aka the zoo’s family-friendly hub.

⭐ Bay Family Children’s Adventure Trails

A hidden gem that turned out to be one of our kids’ favorite spots—and honestly, mine too!

We climbed on a giant ant, pretended to be spiders on a massive spiderweb, and even got to play with goats.

It’s the kind of nature-based, hands-on play experience you don’t often find at other zoos—and it’s 100% worth a stop.

You can also climb into a giant treehouse, splash in shallow water features, and explore all kinds of nature-themed zones.

Close-up of a large bee-shaped climbing structure at the Bay Family Children’s Adventure Trails in Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.

There’s even a baby care area with air-conditioned restrooms, private nursing rooms, and a microwave—making this spot extra family-friendly.

🧡 Don’t skip this one. If you’re entering from the North Entrance, just take a right—it’s one of the first things you’ll come across!

⭐ Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium

One of the best aquariums we’ve ever visited—yes, even inside a zoo!

Walk through a shark tunnel, marvel at jellyfish, and watch penguins waddle and swim up close!

🍴 Eat Nearby: Grab lunch at the Sea Turtle Cafe, located just outside the aquarium. Great shade, decent food variety, and fewer lines than other spots we visited.

⭐ Hubbard Gorilla Valley

This immersive exhibit is stunning—with waterfalls, streams, and up-close gorilla encounters.

You may literally find yourself face to face with one through the glass.

🛤 Route Tip: From the North Entrance, take a left toward Glacier Bay Landing, pass the splash ground, and continue to Gorilla Valley. It’s a scenic route with several kid-favorite stops along the way.

Young child making the same pose as the statue of a gorilla next to him.

⭐ Sea Lion Shores

Another immersive exhibit your kids will love—think sandy beaches, caves, and an underwater viewing area (complete with a secret crawl space).

💡 Expert Tip: It’s easy to lose track of time here. If you’re short on time, set a rough schedule so you don’t spend the whole day in one exhibit.

⭐ Don’t Miss These Bonus Attractions

There are honestly so many incredible exhibits here that it’s nearly impossible to see them all in one day—but here are a few more standouts that are absolutely worth a stop if you can fit them in:

Desert Dome –iconic on the outside and just as impressive inside. 🌵 Fun fact: This exhibit was voted the #1 Zoo Exhibit in the Nation by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards! It’s also the largest indoor desert in the world

Lied Jungle – one of the largest indoor rainforests in the world.

Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night – an underground world filled with nocturnal animals and cool swamp scenes (connected to the Desert Dome).

Jeep & Helicopter Climb-ins – perfect for imaginative play and photo ops.

Two boys sitting in a helicopter exhibit at the Omaha zoo.

Animal Statues & Playgrounds – scattered throughout the zoo, giving kids a chance to burn off energy between exhibits.

🧡 Expert Tip: There’s so much to see and do at this zoo, and it’s easy to get caught up enjoying one spot (we definitely did at Sea Lion Shores!). If you’re visiting for just one day, try to stay mindful of your time so you can experience as much as possible—without feeling rushed.

2. Bring Your Own Food and Drinks to Save Time (and Sanity)

Yes—you’re allowed to bring your own food and drinks into the Henry Doorly Zoo!

🥤 Trust me, you’ll want to. The food lines are long, especially during lunch hours. On one visit, we spent 45 minutes just trying to grab chicken tenders and drinks. With hungry kids, that wait is no joke.

👛 Save time and money by packing:

Lunches from home
Snacks for the kids
Refillable water bottles

It’s one of the easiest ways to keep everyone fueled and happy—without wasting precious time in line.

3. Don’t Forget Swimsuits, Towels, and Extra Clothes

Whether it’s the splash pad, Sea Lion Shores, or the water features in the Children’s Adventure Trails—your kids are going to get wet.

🩳 Be prepared with:

Swimsuits
Towels
A change of clothes
Water shoes if desired

💦 Real Mom Moment: I always tell myself we’re not doing the splash area, and I don’t need to pack the extra stuff. I convince myself no one will get wet. And yet—someone always does. Whether it’s a surprise splash zone or wet sand by the sea lions… it happens. So bring the suits, towels, and a change of clothes. You’ll thank yourself later.

4. Plan for the Walking—And Pack Accordingly

The Henry Doorly Zoo covers over 160 acres, and there’s A LOT of walking involved.

Little legs will get tired—and honestly, so will yours.

If you have younger kids, I highly recommend bringing a stroller or wagon. Yes, it can be a bit of a hassle to push through crowds or park outside exhibits, but the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience.

Even if your kids are older and don’t need to ride, consider bringing one just to help carry towels, snacks, lunches, and souvenirs.

It makes the day a whole lot easier.

🗺️ Bonus Planning Tip: The zoo has two entrances—Main and North. Choose your entrance based on what you want to see first (like the Children’s Adventure Trails or Desert Dome). It saves time and helps you hit your priority spots more efficiently.

Children play on a large wooden treehouse-style playground with slides and climbing features in the Bay Family Children’s Adventure Trails at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. — Treehouse play structure at the Bay Family Children’s Adventure Trails attraction

5. Build in Breaks and Be Flexible

With over 160 acres to explore, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is no small feat.

Between walking, waiting in lines, and navigating crowds, it’s easy for kids (and parents!) to get worn out.

🧘‍♀️ My advice? Keep expectations realistic.

Take short breaks for snacks, rest, or even a quick sit-down meal.
Don’t stress if you can’t see everything.
Keep a flexible mindset and focus on what you do get to enjoy.

Even if you miss a few exhibits, your family will still walk away with incredible memories.

🌿 Real Mom Reminder: I often have to remind myself—it’s okay if we don’t see everything. This zoo is huge, and trying to do it all can leave everyone overwhelmed. Instead, I try to focus on what we did do, and be grateful for the memories we made. That mindset shift makes all the difference.

Exterior view of the Desert Dome at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, featuring its large glass dome-shaped structure and the entrance with visitors walking nearby.

BONUS: Know Your Ride Options

Want to give tired feet a break? The zoo offers several ride options (for an added fee):

🚂 Zoo Train
Fun but often comes with long lines. If your kids love trains, it’s worth considering—but it can eat up time and make everyone frustrated waiting.

🎠 Carousel
Perfect for younger kids. $4 per ride, located near Glacier Bay Landing.

Two boys smiling as they are riding the carousel at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. — Carousel

🚡 Skyfari
An open-air chair lift that gives a bird’s-eye view of the zoo. Start near the Butterfly Pavilion. Riders under 12 must ride with an adult. $7 for a round-trip ride.

🚌 Tram Ride
A narrated tour with four stops. You can pay for a $5 round-trip ticket or pay $1.25 per stop and hop on/off as needed.

Final Planning Tips

Download the zoo map before your visit and mark your must-sees.

Choose your entrance wisely: The North Entrance brings you in near the splash pad and Children’s Adventure Trails. The Main Entrance leads to the Desert Dome and Lied Jungle.

Arrive early for cooler temps, shorter lines, and more time to explore.

Have a zoo membership elsewhere? If it’s from another AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium, you may be eligible for a discount—but you’ll need to stop at Guest Services at the Main Entrance to claim it.

5 Expert Tips for Visiting Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo with Kids