Worth the Drive: 4 Great Day Trips from Omaha

Not every great outing requires a full weekend or a tank of gas. These four destinations all sit within about a half hour to forty minutes of Omaha, making them easy half-day or full-day trips for families who want a change of scenery without a lot of planning.

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum — Ashland, NE (about 22 miles)

One of the most impressive air and space museums in the country — B-52s, SR-71 Blackbirds, and space capsules all under one massive roof. A perfect half-day family outing, open year-round. Plan your visit.

Loess Hills Scenic Byway — Missouri Valley, IA (about 25 miles)

A jaw-dropping drive through Iowa's ancient wind-sculpted bluffs, a unique geologic formation found only here and in one other place in the world. Pack a picnic and take the kids on a nature walk through the tallgrass prairie. Best visited spring through fall. Learn more.

Mahoney State Park — Ashland, NE (about 28 miles)

Nebraska's most popular state park is an easy day trip from Omaha. Trails, a wave pool, zip lines, mini golf, and paddleboats on the Platte River make it a full family day, any time of year. See what's there.

John C. Fremont Days — Fremont, NE (about 35 miles)

One of the Midwest's best living history festivals — mountain men, fur traders, cavalry, and frontier craftspeople descend on Fremont for a weekend of immersive history each summer. Great for curious kids and history-minded parents. Check the event page for this year's dates. Event details.

Pick one, pack the car, and make a day of it — none of these are more than about forty minutes from Omaha, so there's no excuse not to go.