Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo discounts/tips

[Small Town Princess]

We are about 4 hours from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and are thinking about taking a quick weekend trip. I know that the Aquarium is not open until April 5because it's being remodeled, but would we be missing a lot by not seeing it? Any recommendations for discounts, hotels, restaurants, etc?

 

[juliebug]

not sure of discounts, we always but a yearly pass. The aquarium is really neat and the kids always loved it.

There is still the butterfly house that is amazing the butterfly's fly around you and you walk thur there house. There is bugs on the other side kinda neat but not my thing.

There is also the desert, with kingdoms of the night underneath. The are doing some renovations on kingdoms of the night but still really neat to see all the night time animals awake and the white alligator!

We also love the gorillas this is a new exhibit and you can really see the gorrila plus air conditioned!

Also bring some water bottles and bread if you can. The kids love to feed the koi fish bread! my kids fav thing!

 

[juliebug]

if you have any other question ask away and i will answer them

found this:
http://www.visitomaha.com/includes/coupons/?action=details&couponID=256

some time alot of the hotels around offer discount zoo admission i would check it out. and ask the hotels

 

[Earstou]

When my kids were little, we would buy a yearly membership to our local zoo when we planned to visit the Omaha zoo because they are Reciprocal zoos. We would then get into the Omaha zoo for half price. At that time, our zoo was only $36 for a yearly membership, so it was a very good deal for us, plus we could go to our zoo at any time then.
There is so much to see a the H.D. zoo that I wouldn't let one closed exhibit stop me from going!
Can't help with hotels as I stay with family there.

 

[kkandaj]

There is so much to see a the H.D. zoo that I wouldn't let one closed exhibit stop me from going!

This! We LOVE the HD Zoo! There is a ton to do! The aquarium is fun, but you will definitely have plenty to fill your day...or two days.

The desert dome, creatures of the night, rainforest, skyfari, feeding the koi while the spider monkeys try to steal the food...I could go on and on. We went just as adults the first time and still spent the entire day. People from KC drive 3 hours for a one day trip to go to HD Zoo..and we HAVE a zoo!

You can also take your food in and have a picnic to save money. We packed an entire lunch and they didn't say a word. I can't even remember if they checked our bags or not.

We get there at opening. When you are facing the entrance to the zoo, go to the bottom left of the parking lot. There is another entrance down there and people fail to realize it. That part of the zoo is empty at opening because so many people go through the main entrance.

There is a place called King Kong's right outside the zoo. I love the gyro's there and get them as we leave everytime. They are about $7-8, but worth every penny! Anytime I go to NE, we eat at King Kong's. It's a fast food place with burgers/gyros and plates of fries. Definitely very unhealthy! And delish!

We usually stay with family friends while we are there...or at the Mahoney State Park campground near Gretna. The Zoo's Wildlife Reserve is out there. It's a drive through reserve and then there is a place to stop and walk to see wolves and bears. Where you stop, there are zoo workers (??) there that you can talk to about the animals. There were bird exhibits and crafts when we were there and we learned so much. Our kiddos LOVED the Wildlife Reserve, since the buffalo and elk were coming up to our windows. My DH was scared and kept rolling up his windows.

Have fun! Omaha actually has a lot to offer!

 

[juliebug]

This! We LOVE the HD Zoo! There is a ton to do! The aquarium is fun, but you will definitely have plenty to fill your day...or two days.

The desert dome, creatures of the night, rainforest, skyfari, feeding the koi while the spider monkeys try to steal the food...I could go on and on. We went just as adults the first time and still spent the entire day. People from KC drive 3 hours for a one day trip to go to HD Zoo..and we HAVE a zoo!

You can also take your food in and have a picnic to save money. We packed an entire lunch and they didn't say a word. I can't even remember if they checked our bags or not.

We get there at opening. When you are facing the entrance to the zoo, go to the bottom left of the parking lot. There is another entrance down there and people fail to realize it. That part of the zoo is empty at opening because so many people go through the main entrance.

There is a place called King Kong's right outside the zoo. I love the gyro's there and get them as we leave everytime. They are about $7-8, but worth every penny! Anytime I go to NE, we eat at King Kong's. It's a fast food place with burgers/gyros and plates of fries. Definitely very unhealthy! And delish!

We usually stay with family friends while we are there...or at the Mahoney State Park campground near Gretna. The Zoo's Wildlife Reserve is out there. It's a drive through reserve and then there is a place to stop and walk to see wolves and bears. Where you stop, there are zoo workers (??) there that you can talk to about the animals. There were bird exhibits and crafts when we were there and we learned so much. Our kiddos LOVED the Wildlife Reserve, since the buffalo and elk were coming up to our windows. My DH was scared and kept rolling up his windows.

Have fun! Omaha actually has a lot to offer!

FYI the second entrance is not always open i think its only open memorial day thur labor day. just check it out first

 

[EMom]

This is the most FANTASTIC zoo! While it is best to go if everything is open, I'd still go even without the aquarium. The rainforest is amazing and so is the desert habitat. You will LOVE it!

I don't like to carry food, so we ate in the restaurant that shares a clear wall with the rainforest. We could watch the animals while we ate. It's standard hamburger/hot dog/chicken nugget fare.

 

[arthur06]

We are about 4 hours from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and are thinking about taking a quick weekend trip. I know that the Aquarium is not open until April 5because it's being remodeled, but would we be missing a lot by not seeing it? Any recommendations for discounts, hotels, restaurants, etc?

Wondering where your at in Iowa?

We are also 4 hours from the HD zoo. There is plenty to do there, I wouldn't worry about any one thing being closed.

 

[Small Town Princess]

We are near Cedar Rapids. Thanks everyone for all of the great information! The weather looks like it will be wonderful!

 

[arthur06]

We are near Cedar Rapids. Thanks everyone for all of the great information! The weather looks like it will be wonderful!

2 hours east of DM, we are 2 hours north of DM