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Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
The Perfect Year-round Family Destination
By Ginny Hermann
Looking for a fun family getaway? How about a trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo? Once named the "No. 1 Family Friendly Vacation Spot in the U.S." by readers of Disney-owned Family Fun Magazine, the Henry Doorly Zoo, located in Omaha, Neb., is the perfect family destination.
Situated in the heart of Omaha, the zoo is fast becoming one of the Heartland's most popular vacation spots. Its family-friendly hotels, shopping, dining and attractions make River City the perfect place to spend a few fun-filled days. For families, there's no better place to begin your stay than with a visit to this world-class zoological park, where visitors find everything from apes to zebras living in habitats carefully constructed to closely resemble their native lands. So pack up the van and head to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, one of the Midwest's most popular attractions.
After checking in at the admission booth, your first stop is the Lied Jungle, the largest indoor rain forest in the world. This $15 million tropical exhibit features more than 60,000 square feet of natural-looking water, rock and plant-filled habitats housing 90 exotic animal species. Within this one building, you'll visit three very different rain forests of the world – the Asian forest, the African rain forest and the South American jungle – each featuring flora and fauna native to that particular area. As you enter the eight-story structure, you're instantly surrounded by the sights and sounds of lands far, far away.
Jungle paths made up of tunnels, ramps and rope walkways lead from the top of the structure to the bottom. An elevator is also available, making the structure completely handicapped and stroller accessible. The entire forest is bathed in natural light that gently illuminates the lush vegetation that surrounds you. A 50-foot waterfall offers the soothing sound of water splashing playfully on the rocks below.
