Exploring North Omaha With Your Family

North Omaha is one of the most historically important parts of our whole city, and it is a place every Omaha family should get to know. The neighborhoods along North 24th Street were, for generations, the heartbeat of Black culture, music, business, and faith in Nebraska. Jazz legends played here, churches anchored the community, and history was made on these blocks. Visiting with your kids is a chance to walk through that story together, ask good questions, and come away with a deeper love for the place we all call home.

A quick word before you go: some of North Omaha's most meaningful sites are still being restored and reimagined, and hours can be limited. Calling ahead is always worth it. Go with open hearts and a spirit of respect, and you will find warm people who are proud to share their neighborhood's legacy.

Start on North 24th Street

The stretch of North 24th Street around Lake Street is the historic core, sometimes called the Near North Side. This was once known as a thriving business and entertainment district. Today it is a mix of history and renewal, with murals, small businesses, and community landmarks. It is a good idea to make it your first stop and let the older kids read the historical markers along the way.

A cornerstone here is the Great Plains Black History Museum at 2221 North 24th Street, housed in the historic Jewell Building. The museum preserves and celebrates the contributions of African Americans across the Great Plains. Admission is free, though donations are welcomed, and hours are generally Wednesday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. (as of July 2026), so check the website or call before you drive over. The exhibits give kids real, concrete stories of courage, invention, and community.

Music and the Arts

North Omaha's jazz heritage runs deep, and it is still alive today. At 2510 North 24th Street, the space that once held the beloved Love's Jazz and Arts Center is now home to North Omaha Music and Arts, known as NOMA. It offers youth music education and hosts live performances that carry forward the same tradition of celebrating the neighborhood's rich jazz and blues roots. Check their schedule for family-friendly events, and use our Omaha family events calendar to catch what is happening around town while you are out.

Malcolm X's Birthplace

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in North Omaha in 1925. The Malcolm X Memorial Foundation cares for the 17-acre birthsite, where there is a memorial plaza and a visitor center. Volunteers are often on site on Saturdays to greet guests and share the history, and there are exciting plans underway to expand the site into a major cultural center and museum in the coming years. It is a quiet, reflective place, and a meaningful conversation-starter with older children about history, faith, and perseverance. Call ahead before visiting, as gate hours vary.

Green Space and Playtime

North Omaha is also home to two of the city's grand old parks. Miller Park, near 30th and Kansas, is a beautiful historic park with a swimming pool, a splash pad, ball fields, a golf course, and plenty of shaded green space for a picnic. Fontenelle Park offers a scenic lagoon, a big playground, tennis and basketball courts, and long, meandering walking paths. Both are free, wonderful spots to let the kids run after a morning of museums, and they show off the tree-lined boulevards that make this part of the city so lovely.

Make a Day of It

Pair your visit with a stop for lunch at one of the neighborhood's local eateries, and check our kids eat free guide to stretch the family budget. If your family enjoys exploring Omaha's roots, you will also love reading about Florence, Omaha's historic neighborhood, just to the north. History, music, faith, and community are all woven together here, and North Omaha welcomes families who come to learn and honor its story.

Prices and hours change, so always confirm the latest on each place's official website before you go — the figures in this guide are current as of July 2026.

Cover photo: SharonPapierdreams via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).