Nebraska’s largest city is the state’s center for commerce and tourism, with a metropolitan area that’s home to over one million people. Formerly the gateway to the western USA, Omaha today plays host to multiple Fortune 500 companies, a world-renowned zoo, the College World Series of baseball, and a number of other cultural and historical attractions that you may not expect.
A trip to Omaha may surprise you. But to make sure there aren’t any unwanted surprises during your visit, be sure to first purchase travel insurance.
Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers in Omaha – FAQs
In order to get the best deals and secure your airfare or accommodations, many travel expenses must be paid for ahead of time. And in most cases, these charges are nonrefundable. If you have to cancel your trip, you will not necessarily get all of your money back. But you don’t have to get stuck paying for a trip you cannot take. Instead, you can get trip cancellation insurance.
Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Omaha travel?
Unplanned illnesses, family emergencies, natural disasters, and many other reasons can cause you to cancel a long-planned trip. Since no one can control when these kinds of things happen, the next best thing is to protect the money you have invested that can be affected by them.
Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if you’re forced to cancel your trip for a reason that’s covered by the policy you have purchased. It provides extra peace of mind when booking long-distance travel.
What can be covered by trip cancellation insurance for Omaha?
As mentioned, trip cancellation coverage is a major part of a travel insurance plan, but it’s not the only part; mishaps can occur once your trip is underway as well. Luckily, most travel insurance plans can cover you in cases of trip interruption, travel delay, lost or delayed baggage, and even emergency medical care. Some plans even allow you to purchase optional cancel for any reason coverage, giving you additional flexibility.
The exact scope of coverage and amount of coverage will depend upon the plan you choose. It’s worth your while to compare several travel insurance plans on this website, and choose the one that fits your needs the best.
Omaha’s Most Popular Places for Travel
Omaha may fly under the radar as a vacation destination, but don’t let this city in the Great Plains of the US pass you by. There are plenty of fun things to do and experience here, such as the following.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium – often referred to simply as the Omaha Zoo – isn’t just a zoo; it’s considered the best zoo in the world by almost every leading publication. Situated on over 130 acres and with nearly 1,000 animal residents, one visit here will tell you why it’s so highly rated. The zoo features major exhibits for nearly every ecosystem in the world, including the incredible 84,000-square-foot Desert Dome; an enclosed desert landscape with animals and geologic features from across the globe. The Omaha Zoo has long been a world leader in animal conservation, and it’s a must-visit attraction for anyone in Omaha.
Old Market
If you want to experience Omaha as it once was, take a trip to the Old Market neighborhood. See horse-drawn carriages saunter down brick-paved streets from over 100 years ago, and enjoy a variety of artists, vendors, and street performers. For architecture buffs, many of Omaha’s most historic buildings are located in Old Market. These include the Windsor Hotel and Omaha’s first fire station. Of course, there are numerous shopping, dining and drinking establishments to explore and enjoy, including over 30 restaurants. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon.
Catch a Live Band
Though you may not expect it, Omaha is a hotbed of music. Some music reviewers consider it the “Indie Rock Capital of the World.” Slide into a smaller venue like the Lookout Lounge, the Slowdown, The Barley Street Tavern, or The Sandbox and experience the up-and-coming sound of Omaha. Who knows? The band you see tonight could be a band the whole world is listening to in just a few years.
Cheer on Your Favorite Team
Omaha is a thriving center for professional and collegiate sports. Each year, it hosts the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park, where you can see the country’s best college baseball teams face off for the title. Omaha is also home to the Storm Chasers, the AAA affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals, the Omaha Beef indoor football team, and the Omaha Mavericks NCAA Division 1 ice hockey team. Whether you’re familiar with the sport or team or not, a day out at the ballpark or stadium is sure to be enjoyable for the atmosphere alone.
Omaha Cuisine
Due to its location in a fertile agricultural area of the USA, Omaha has long been known for beef. Today, it is home to many renowned steakhouses such as Gorat’s, Omaha Steaks, and the Original Johnny’s Café. Some also say that the Reuben sandwich was invented in Omaha, with many restaurants serving delicious examples of it. If you prefer to wet your whistle, Dundee Dell has what some consider the greatest collection of single malt Scotch whiskey anywhere in the country.
Key Guidelines for Travelers in Omaha
Omaha is considered a reasonably safe location to visit by US standards, with no unreasonable risks to be concerned with. However, it never hurts to be prepared by keeping the following guidelines in mind.
Best Time to Visit
Most will agree that the most pleasant time to visit Omaha is in the spring, summer, or fall. Winters can be quite harsh, with bitter temperatures and ample snow. The rest of the year is far more agreeable, although thunderstorms are possible, especially in the summer. Some of these storms can be severe and include tornadoes, but Omaha has an excellent severe weather alert system. All you need to do when visiting is watch the local weather forecast, and follow the advice of local media and city officials.
Getting Around Omaha
Consistent with most American cities, transportation in Omaha is almost entirely dependent on automobiles. The city has been making progress in developing the ORBT bus rapid transit system, a proposed streetcar, and construction of numerous biking and walking trails, but the car still reigns supreme. You can depend on taxis or rideshare services for short trips, but renting a car is the preferred option for most visitors.
Crime Risks
Omaha’s crime rate is lower than most similarly sized American cities. This certainly does not mean that crime doesn’t occur, but it’s not something to be unduly worried about. In crowded areas, pickpockets and purse-snatchers may strike, and violent crime is possible in certain parts of the city. Just use common sense. Keep your doors locked and valuables secured (not left in a parked rental car), and you will most likely avoid any issues.
Gambling
Most forms of gambling are illegal in Nebraska, but it’s still a popular activity. Those who take part in it are not breaking any laws, though. They simply drive across the Missouri River to neighboring Council Bluffs, Iowa. In the state of Iowa, it is legal to operate casinos. Many who visit and stay in Omaha take trips across the river to the casinos to legally try their luck.
Flying to Omaha
Eppley Airfield in Omaha is the city’s largest airport, as well as the largest in the state. The airfield is served by 11 airlines, with service to and from dozens of domestic destinations. If you’re traveling to Omaha from outside the US, you will most likely first fly into a large international airport like Chicago-O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, or Seattle/Tacoma before taking a connecting flight to Omaha.
Before You Travel to Omaha – Do This
- Plan to spend at least one day at the zoo. The Omaha Zoo is one of the top attractions in the United States, and it simply cannot be experienced in just a few hours.
- Rent a car ahead of time, if possible. It’s much easier to see all that Omaha has to offer with access to your own car. Luckily, traffic is light and parking is easy relative to larger cities.
- Stay covered with the right insurance. Purchase travel insurance for your Omaha trip, so you can enjoy it with total peace of mind.