The sprawling city of Omaha, which sits along the Missouri River in the state of Nebraska, is best explored through its 3,000-foot-long bridge, the cobblestone streets of the city’s historic district, or the downtown sculpture park that is the largest installation of metalwork of its kind in the country. Greenbelts mesh with the cityscape in this Midwest metropolis.

The modern Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge spans the Missouri River, connecting the state of Nebraska to Iowa and offering views of the city and access to over 150 miles of nature trails. The city has a history dating back to 1854, which is reflected in the larger-than-life bronze sculptures in Pioneer Courage Park that portray the journey of four pioneer families. The sculpture park isn’t the only attraction in the heart of Omaha. This area of town is also home to the Old Market neighborhood, whose converted 19th-century red-brick warehouses now house shops, galleries, and restaurants.

Omaha is in the heart of the United States, so you can access it directly by car from the east-west Interstate 80 and the north-south Interstate 29. If you are flying in, the city has its own airport, Eppley Airfield (OMA), which serves a number of domestic destinations, some seasonal. The airport is just five minutes’ drive from the city center. Shuttle buses, taxis, and car rentals are available at the airport to get you to your Omaha vacation rental. Once you are in the city, the downtown area is compact, with many of the local attractions within walking distance. Buses and taxis are also available.

Omaha has four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms; winters are cold, with plenty of snow. The most comfortable time to visit the city is around May and June and September and October when temperatures are more moderate.

As the largest city in Nebraska, Omaha hosts a number of events throughout the year. One of the biggest college baseball championships takes place over 10 days in June, with baseball games and live music. In September, the Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow celebrates the local Native American culture with music and dancing. If you come to the city in the summer, you can experience Jazz on the Green, which hosts concerts on Thursdays in Turner Park, while on Fridays a free concert series offers live music in the plaza by the Bob Kerrey bridge.

Durham Museum

Housed in the ornate Art Deco building of the former Union Station, a National Historic Landmark, the Durham Museum takes you on a journey through the history of Omaha and the surrounding region. The museum is home to a range of permanent exhibits, including coins and ephemera, original train cars, and early-20th-century storefronts to explore, along with traveling exhibits affiliated with the Smithsonian and National Archives.

Lauritzen Gardens

Bask in the tranquility of Lauritzen Gardens, an urban sanctuary in the center of Omaha. This 100-acre botanical garden is located at the Omaha Bend of the Missouri River. It is a living museum that changes with the seasons, offering a range of experiences, including a 17,500-square-foot tropical conservatory, the walled Victorian Garden with salvaged stonework from around the city, a Children’s Garden for hands-on gardening lessons, and a Conservation Discovery Garden with native plants and water conservation features. The grounds are illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights in the holiday season.

St. Cecilia’s Cathedral

Consecrated in 1959 and on the National Register of Historic Places, the two towers of the Roman Catholic cathedral of St. Cecilia stand tall in the midtown district. The cathedral was built in a Spanish Renaissance style and includes a hand-carved mahogany pulpit, 16th-century-stained glass windows from Spain, and an altar made of white Carrara marble from Italy. The in-house museum showcases the history of the cathedral and the religious heritage of Omaha.