Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium traces its roots to 1894, when the city first opened a small animal collection in Riverview Park. Over the following century it grew into one of the most respected zoos in the country, taking on the Henry Doorly name in 1963 in honor of the Omaha World-Herald publisher whose family helped fund its expansion.
Today the zoo spans more than 160 acres and is home to over 33,000 animals representing more than 1,000 species, drawing over two million visitors a year. In 2014, TripAdvisor users ranked it the best zoo in the world, putting it ahead of larger, better-known parks in San Diego and Spain.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Omaha, Nebraska
- Opened: 1894 (as Riverview Park Zoo); renamed 1963
- Size: Over 160 acres
- Species: Over 33,000 animals representing more than 1,000 species
- Annual Visitors: 2+ million
- Famous for: Desert Dome, Lied Jungle, and Kingdoms of the Night indoor habitats
Record-Setting Indoor Habitats
Few zoos pack as many large-scale indoor ecosystems into one visit as Omaha’s does. The Desert Dome recreates desert landscapes from three continents beneath what the zoo describes as the world’s largest glazed geodesic dome, while directly beneath it, the Kingdoms of the Night exhibit ranks among the largest nocturnal animal habitats anywhere, letting visitors watch bats, naked mole rats, and other night-dwelling species under reversed lighting.
The Lied Jungle complements these with one of the largest indoor rainforests in the country, recreating the dense understory and canopy of jungles in Asia, Africa, and South America under one roof. Together, these climate-controlled habitats let guests move between desert, rainforest, and nocturnal environments in a single afternoon, regardless of the Nebraska weather outside.
From African Grasslands to the Aquarium
Beyond its indoor showpieces, the zoo’s 28-acre African Grasslands exhibit recreates a sweeping savanna habitat for giraffes, lions, and other grassland species, while Hubbard Gorilla Valley and Hubbard Orangutan Forest give primates room to roam through naturalistic terrain. The Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium adds a marine dimension with a 1.2-million-gallon capacity and a walk-through shark tunnel.
Rounding out the grounds are Expedition Madagascar, Asian Highlands, and Owen Sea Lion Shores, making the zoo a rare destination where desert, jungle, savanna, and coastal habitats all sit within walking distance of each other.
Explore more: Explore more zoos and aquariums.
Hauls kids, coolers and souvenirs across a big zoo or park, folds flat for the trunk.
Little hands reach in, snacks stay in — a lifesaver on long zoo days.
Easier on your back than carrying in arms all day at the zoo.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium FAQs
Where is Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium located?
It sits in Omaha, Nebraska, along the Missouri River, and spans more than 160 acres.
How many animals and species does the zoo have?
The zoo is home to over 33,000 individual animals representing more than 1,000 species.
What is the zoo best known for?
It’s known for its large-scale indoor habitats, including the Desert Dome, Lied Jungle, and Kingdoms of the Night nocturnal exhibit, and was rated the world’s best zoo by TripAdvisor users in 2014.
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Photo: Dual Freq / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.