Step inside Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and prepare to have your mind blown.
Beyond the giraffes and elephants lies a hidden gem: a world-class aquarium that feels more like stepping into another planet. Water surrounds you, swirls above you, and teems with creatures that seem to float in slow motion.
The crown jewel? The underwater tunnel.
Walk beneath a shimmering river of sharks, rays, and tropical fish, and feel like you’re part of their world. Every turn offers a new surprise—a flash of color, a darting fin, a school of fish that seems to swim right over your head.
This isn’t just an aquarium. It’s a full-on immersion, a thrilling reminder that the ocean’s wonders aren’t limited to faraway coasts.
One trip through the tunnel, and you’ll know why people come from all over just to see this spectacle.
Omaha’s zoo isn’t just massive—it’s mesmerizing.
The Underwater Tunnel at the Scott Aquarium
Standing inside a tunnel while sharks glide silently above your head is one of those moments that stays with you long after you leave. The Scott Aquarium at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium delivers exactly that kind of spine-tingling experience.
The underwater tunnel puts you right in the middle of the action, surrounded by ocean life on all sides.
Massive sharks, graceful stingrays, enormous sea turtles, and hundreds of colorful fish drift past as you walk through. The lighting is dim and blue, giving the whole space an almost dreamlike quality.
Kids often press their faces against the glass, completely transfixed by what is swimming just inches away.
Visitors consistently name the aquarium as one of their absolute favorite parts of the entire zoo. The exhibits are thoughtfully designed, making it easy to learn about ocean ecosystems while having a fantastic time.
The Aquarium Cafe nearby is a great spot to grab a meal after all that exploring.
Plan to spend at least an hour here, because rushing through would mean missing some seriously stunning displays. The aquarium is also a wonderful retreat on a hot summer day, offering cool, air-conditioned spaces filled with wonder at every turn.
The Desert Dome
Nothing quite prepares you for the moment you walk through the doors of the Desert Dome and realize you have just entered the world’s largest indoor desert. This geodesic glass dome is an architectural marvel that houses three distinct desert ecosystems — the Namib Desert of Africa, the Red Centre of Australia, and the Sonoran Desert of North America.
The temperature inside is noticeably warmer, and the sandy, rocky terrain feels impressively authentic. Meerkats scurry around, reptiles sun themselves on rocks, and fascinating desert-adapted animals go about their daily routines in a habitat carefully designed to meet their needs.
Bats also make their home inside the dome, swooping overhead in a way that surprises first-time visitors in the best possible way.
Beneath the dome lies an equally thrilling experience — the Kingdoms of the Night exhibit. This underground section recreates a Louisiana bayou atmosphere and showcases nocturnal animals in cleverly reversed lighting conditions.
Visitors have called it one of the most inventive animal presentations they have ever seen.
The Desert Dome is open year-round, making it a reliable highlight regardless of the season. Even on a cold Nebraska winter day, this exhibit delivers a warm, immersive escape that genuinely impresses visitors of all ages.
The Lied Jungle Rainforest
Stepping into the Lied Jungle feels less like visiting a zoo and more like teleporting straight to the heart of a tropical rainforest. Opened in 1992, this 1.5-acre indoor rainforest was once recognized as the world’s largest indoor rainforest, and it still impresses every single visitor who walks through its doors.
Towering trees reach toward the glass ceiling, and the air is warm and humid the moment you enter.
Monkeys swing through the canopy, exotic birds call out from the treetops, and pygmy hippos wade through shallow pools. The winding paths take you through three different rainforest regions — Asia, Africa, and South America — each filled with its own unique collection of wildlife and plant life.
It is a genuinely immersive experience that feels far removed from the outside world.
Families with young children especially love this exhibit because there is so much movement and life happening all around them. Animals are often visible at eye level, making close-up encounters feel natural and exciting rather than staged.
The sounds and smells add to the authenticity in a way that photographs simply cannot capture.
Budget plenty of time here because the jungle rewards slow, attentive exploration. Every visit seems to surface something new hiding among the leaves.
The African Grasslands and Giraffe Exhibit
There is something undeniably magical about watching a giraffe stretch its long neck toward the treetops while you stand just a few feet away on an open-air viewing platform. The African Grasslands section of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium captures the spirit of a real safari in a way that feels surprisingly authentic for a zoo in the middle of Nebraska.
The wide, open spaces give the animals room to roam, and they genuinely look at ease in their environment.
Giraffes are the stars of the show here, but the exhibit also features zebras and other African species that share the sprawling landscape. Visitors who have been on actual African safaris have noted that this exhibit comes impressively close to recreating that wide-open, wild feeling.
The scenic overlooks are well-positioned for photos and leisurely observation.
Families with giraffe-obsessed kids — and there are a lot of them — tend to camp out at this exhibit for a while. Watching the animals interact with each other across such a large space makes the experience feel dynamic rather than static.
It is not just animals standing around; there is real behavior to observe.
Plan to visit the African section during mid-morning when the animals are most active. Summer visits reward you with fully operational outdoor exhibits and the best possible viewing conditions.
The Elephant Exhibit
Few things in the zoo world stop visitors in their tracks quite like seeing an elephant splash freely through a massive swimming pool. The elephant exhibit at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is one of the most talked-about enclosures in the entire facility, praised repeatedly for its impressive size and naturalistic design.
These are not animals pacing in a small pen — they have serious room to roam, swim, and simply be elephants.
The habitat was designed with the animals’ wellbeing as the central priority, and it shows. Visitors frequently comment on how happy and active the elephants appear, whether they are wading through their pool or exploring the expansive outdoor terrain.
Watching them interact with each other reveals just how socially intelligent these animals truly are.
For families visiting with young children who have never seen an elephant in person, this exhibit creates one of those unforgettable, wide-eyed moments that become core childhood memories. Several reviewers specifically mentioned their kids’ first elephant sighting at Henry Doorly as a highlight of their entire trip to Omaha.
The elephant area is most rewarding during warmer months when the outdoor portions are fully open. Arrive early in the day for the best chance of catching the elephants at their most playful and active, especially near the water features.
The Butterfly and Insect Pavilion
Imagine walking through a room so alive with color and flutter that it feels like the air itself is made of wings. The Butterfly and Insect Pavilion at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is exactly that kind of peaceful, almost magical place.
Multiple visitors have described it as one of the most serene and beautiful spots in the entire zoo, a welcome contrast to the excitement of the larger animal exhibits.
Dozens of butterfly species drift freely through the warm, plant-filled space, landing on flowers, leaves, and sometimes even on willing visitors. The variety of patterns and colors on display is genuinely stunning, and the up-close access makes it easy to appreciate details you would never notice in the wild.
It is the kind of exhibit that slows you down in the best possible way.
The pavilion also includes fascinating insect displays that highlight some of the planet’s most extraordinary creepy-crawlies. Kids who are initially hesitant often leave completely converted, newly fascinated by the world of insects.
The educational signage is clear, engaging, and written in a way that works for all ages.
Reviewers consistently call the butterfly pavilion a hidden gem within the larger zoo experience. Do not rush through it — linger, look closely, and let a butterfly land on your shoulder if you are lucky enough.
The Penguin and Sea Otter Exhibits
Penguins have a way of making everyone in the room smile without even trying, and the penguin exhibit at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium delivers that joy in abundance. Watching the colony waddle across their rocky habitat before launching into the water with sudden, surprising grace is one of those simple pleasures that never gets old.
Visitors who came during winter specifically praised this exhibit as a standout highlight when many outdoor areas were closed.
The sea otter exhibit draws an equally devoted crowd. These playful, expressive animals are almost impossibly charming, tumbling through the water and popping up to the surface with a kind of cheerful energy that is hard not to love.
Several visitors admitted they could have watched the otters for hours without getting bored, and that says a lot.
Both exhibits benefit from excellent viewing angles, with large glass panels that let you see the animals both above and below the waterline. The underwater views in particular are spectacular — seeing a penguin rocket through the water at full speed from below is a completely different experience than watching from above.
These exhibits are great options for winter visits when outdoor animals are not available. They are fully indoor, climate-controlled, and packed with enough personality and movement to keep the whole family thoroughly entertained throughout the visit.
The Skyfari, Train, and Ride Experiences
Getting around a zoo this massive is an adventure in itself, and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium makes sure the journey between exhibits is just as fun as the destinations. The Skyfari aerial tram lifts visitors above the treetops for a sweeping bird’s-eye view of the zoo grounds, offering a perspective that ground-level walking simply cannot match.
On a clear day, the views are genuinely breathtaking.
The zoo train is another beloved option, chugging through the grounds and giving tired legs a well-deserved rest. Families with younger children especially appreciate having a seated, leisurely way to cover distance without the inevitable mid-afternoon meltdown that comes from too much walking.
The train ride itself has a nostalgic, classic zoo charm that adds to the overall experience.
There is also a carousel and additional ride options available through a ride pass, which many visitors recommend purchasing at the entrance. The bundle tends to offer solid value, especially for families planning a full day at the zoo.
Reviewers consistently noted that the rides added a fun, festive layer to what was already a packed day of exploration.
Each ride costs around $1.25 per stop, so budgeting a small amount of extra cash for transportation is a smart move. These experiences are especially worthwhile during busy summer visits when the full outdoor zoo is open and operational.
Practical Tips for Visiting Henry Doorly Zoo
A little planning goes a long way when visiting a zoo this size. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is located at 3701 S 10th St in Omaha, Nebraska, and is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Free parking is available on-site, which is a genuinely rare perk that visitors consistently appreciate and mention in their reviews.
Buying tickets online in advance is strongly recommended. Walk-up ticket lines can get long, especially on weekends and during summer months, but guests with pre-purchased tickets often walk straight through in under two minutes.
Admission prices are widely considered very fair for the sheer scale and quality of what the zoo offers — one reviewer noted tickets were around $19, which is remarkable value compared to other top-rated zoos nationwide.
Pack snacks and a refillable water bottle to keep costs manageable. Food is available throughout the zoo, including the well-reviewed Aquarium Cafe, but prices at zoo concessions tend to be on the higher side.
Bringing your own drinks and a light lunch can save a meaningful amount over the course of a full day.
Wear your most comfortable walking shoes without question. Most visitors need a full day to cover the highlights, and some regulars recommend two days to truly experience everything.
Arriving right at opening time gives you the best animal activity and the least crowded pathways.