Dog-Friendly Activities in Omaha (2026 Guide)

Vacationing with your dog is far preferable to vacationing on your own, but not every city or town is dog-friendly. However, if you’re headed to Omaha, Nebraska, in the near future, you’ll find that it is quite dog friendly. Whether you need to find a hotel that caters to canines or want to find a fabulous event to enjoy with your pup, you’ll find that this city invites dogs into plenty of places.

Have a look at 25 dog-friendly activities you and your dog can do in Omaha!

Hotels

You’ll need to find a place to stay in Omaha that caters to canines and humans, so check out a few of the many dog-friendly hotels in the city!

1. Magnolia Hotel Omaha

• All breeds and sizes of dogs welcome
• Has a Pampered Pet Package that includes treat bag, pet concierge, and pet-friendly city guide
• Hotel contains a restaurant
• Weekly live music and daily happy hour
• Located at the heart of the entertainment and arts district

2. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Omaha Downtown - Old Market

• Pet fee is per pet per night
• Hotel has an indoor pool and fitness center
• Hotel is situated downtown in Old Market district
• Located near the Children’s Museum and the Henry Doorly Zoo
• Hotel packages available

3. Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel

• Has pet amenities and extras, like water bowls and beds
• No size or weight limit
• No limit to the number of pets allowed
• Comp access to Wag Premium, which connects you to pet caregivers
• Dogs welcome at nightly wine reception

4. The Peregrine Omaha Downtown

• Max dog size is 30 pounds
• Only pet-friendly rooms are on the 2nd floor
• Dogs must remain on leash at all times
• Situated near the Joslyn Art Museum and Henry Doorly Zoo
• Contains an on-site restaurant

5. Element Omaha Midtown Crossing

• Max dog weight is 40 pounds
• Max 2 dogs per room
• Pet fee is $30 per night up to $140 total
• Hotel offers free rental bikes to explore downtown Omaha
• Located close to Joslyn Art Museum

Shopping

There may not be many shopping spots you can bring your dog to, but there are a few they’re guaranteed to love!

6. The Green Spot

• One-stop shop for all your dog’s needs
• Offers grooming, self-service dog wash, and dog bakery
• In-store library with pet books in the Spot Lounge
• Hosts occasional events

7. Wag

• Locally owned specialty pet shop
• Offers natural treats and food, grooming services, and accessories
• Offers events every once in a while
• Carries some locally made products

8. Omaha Farmers Market at the Old Market

• Dogs must be on short leashes
• Pups must be friendly with kids and other animals
• Must clean up after your dog
• Enjoy tons of booths with tasty foods

Food & Drink

At some point, you and your canine companion will need to stop to get a bite to eat or want to grab a drink. Here are a few places that will cater to both of you.

9. Benson Brewery

• Pups can enjoy the Biergarten with you
• Microbrewery featuring gastro-pub food
• Biergarten has a water station for canines

10. Omaha Dog Bar

• Dogs must be registered and vaccination records uploaded before coming here
• If over one year old, must be spayed/neutered
• Is a bar and eatery, but also a doggie daycare and dog park
• Dog park is 12,000 sq ft
• $12 day rate offers unlimited access to dog bar (add $6 for each additional dog)

11. Nebraska Brewing Company Tap Room & Brewery

• Offers a vast selection of beer and other alcohol
• All furry friends welcome
• Small bar snacks available, also rotates out food trucks
• Can bring your own food

Activities

While you’ll probably be spending a lot of time at the dog park or in the great outdoors, taking your pup out for an activity they don’t usually get to do could be fun for you both. Here are a few great activities you can do with your dog in Omaha.

12. Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

• Cool 3,000 ft pedestrian cable bridge
• Meet the troll who lives under the bridge
• Stand in two states at once
• Crosses the Missouri River

13. Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari

• Dogs are allowed to ride inside the safari car (they must stay in car at all times)
• Pups are also allowed in designated areas of the Visitor Center
• Safari is a 4-mile ride
• Has several exhibits from prehistoric Ice Age animals to prairie dogs

14. Operation City Quest

• City-wide photo scavenger hunt
• Hunt is entirely outdoors in public spaces, so dogs should be welcome everywhere
• Takes about 2 hours to complete
• Receive clues via an app

Events

Depending on when you’re in Omaha, you may even find some dog-friendly events you and your pup can enjoy!

15. Margre Durham Walk & Dog Fest

• Join the walk down Keystone Trail or just go to the fest
• Fest offers giveaways, a silent auction, live music, a beer garden, family zone, adoption parade, and more
• Hang out with roughly 500 other pups
• If you help raise money, you can earn prizes and more

16. Leashes at Lauritzen

• Enjoy what the 100-acre Lauritzen Gardens has to offer with your pup
• Walk garden trails and meet other canines and their parents
• Excellent way to get in a fantastic walk and meet others
• Lots of opportunities for taking fabulous photos of your dog

17. Bark-Chella Doga at the Omaha Dog Bar

• Yoga with your dog
• Enjoy a half-off mimosa or mocktail with admission fee
• Event is held outside
• Your pup can meet other pups and play with them

The Great Outdoors

Of course, you and your canine companion will most likely spend a lot of time outside, so why not hit a few trails while doing so? Here’s a handful you can find in Omaha.

18. Walnut Grove Park Loop

• Easy and short trail
• Just under one mile long
• Dogs must stay on leash at all times
• Park also has a playground for kids

19. Big Papio Trail

• 7 miles long
• Generally easy trail that takes nearly 6 hours to fully complete
• Some parts are currently under construction
• Pups must be on a leash at all times

20. Zorinsky Lake Trail

• 4 miles long
• Trail is asphalt, so it’s easy to walk
• Trail goes around Zorinsky Lake, so it has beautiful views
• Has small loops if you don’t want to do the full 7.4 miles

Dog Parks

Finally, the place you’ll likely spend much of your time—the dog park! Here are several dog parks you and your four-legged friend can visit while in Omaha.

21. Dewey Dog Park

• Area for all dogs and one for small pups
• Has an agility course and splash pad
• Contains chairs, benches, and canopies for people
• Is synthetic turf so your dog won’t get messy

22. Hefflinger Dog Park

• 2-acre section for small dogs and 5-acre section for all dog play
• First official dog park in Omaha
• Enclosed for safety
• Very spacious, so there’s plenty of room to run

23. Hanscom Dog Park

• Smaller dog park at only 2.1-acres
• Still has a small dog-only section
• Has two different large dog runs
• Park is a bit hilly

24. Aksarben Dog Park Omaha

• Within walking distance of Aksarben Village
• Has one side for large pups and one side for small pups
• Has an agility course
• Tons of room to run

25. Miller Dog Park

• 7,700 sq. ft.
• Separate small and all pup areas
• Has a water fountain for the pups
• Also has agility equipment

Conclusion

If you are vacationing in Omaha, Nebraska, you’ll find that it is a fairly dog friendly city with plenty of places to stay with your pup and lots of things to do! Whether you want to grab a bite to eat with your dog or visit a plethora of dog parks, you can do it all in Omaha. Just be sure to double-check the rules and regulations before you head out, as these can change from time to time!

Featured Image Credit: Meriluxa, Shutterstock