The Scenic Nature Destination Proving There's More To Omaha Than Its Boring Reputation

When Michigan-born writer Thomas McGuane coined the term "flyover country" in a 1980 article for Esquire, it was a sarcastic take on how he believed New Yorkers and Angelenos viewed the rest of the country: best seen from an airplane window and not even worth stopping for. The cheeky moniker belies the truth that the details, intricacies, bumps, and ridges of flyover country are all flattened to a two-dimensional expanse from 30,000 feet in the air. 

Arguably, there's no place done dirtier by the "flyover" epithet than Omaha, Nebraska, whose reputation as a "boring" city has made many miss out on its complexities. One of the main reasons people think Omaha is boring is that its smaller population (around 488,000 inhabitants) makes it quieter and home to fewer options than bigger cities. However, diversity does exist in areas like its green spaces. With over 270 parks, Omaha has a variety of nature destinations like the trails and fishing spots of Zorinsky Lake Park. One of the most beloved places for natural beauty is Fontenelle Forest, just 15 minutes from downtown.

Bordering Iowa along the Missouri River, Fontenelle Forest is a private, non-profit site of 2,100 acres devoted to conservation, education, and preservation. It offers a traditional green space experience of over 15 miles of hiking trails meandering through different landscapes (forests, endangered oak savannas, prairies, and wetlands). But there are surprises at Fontenelle Forest too, like remnants of historical fur trading posts, an art gallery, a rescued raptor refuge, and events like full moon hikes, forest yoga, and introductions to bird-watching that offer unique and exciting ways to interact with nature.

Fontenelle Forest is one of the United States' biggest private nature centers, and its origins date back to 1913, making it one of the oldest conservation organizations in Nebraska. History is alive in this forest, which has a 1.35-mile history trail. This path winds around a glacier-cut landscape, past the earth lodges created by the Nebraska Phase people, and to the French trading post where the park's namesake, the Fontenelle Family, lived and traded in the 1820s. Other trails take you to the forest's hidden lake and through its wetlands, while the 1.32-mile River Boardwalk is an ADA-accessible loop ideal for those with wheelchairs or strollers. The River Boardwalk looks over the Missouri River and into downtown Omaha, offering a lovely way to situate yourself in relation to the city.

Nebraska is known for its breathtaking birdwatching destinations along the Platte River, but Fontenelle Forest is filled with plenty of its own avian action. Guided birdwatching hikes are available, and the Raptor Woodland Refuge is one of the park's most interesting offerings, as it houses birds of prey that can no longer survive in the wild. Here you'll find Spike and George, Eastern Screech Owls who have become internet sensations. History will say they were roommates, but curmudgeonly George has been spotted grooming sweet Spike, an act typically reserved for either mates or parents and their babies. 

For a more hands-on experience, you can book a Talon Talk, a 20-minute talk where you can meet a hawk, falcon, owl, or vulture. These events are also offered online for those who can't make it to Fontenelle. Talon Talks are available seven days a week from September through March and on Sundays for the rest of the year. Currently, onsite talks are $100 plus admission (up to ten people), while virtual ones are $60.

This family-friendly destination has a variety of activities for kids of all ages. Acorn Acres is an outdoor playground, while Habitat Hollow is an indoor interactive learning area where kids can engage with nature-based exhibits. The Mudpies is a program where caretakers and children aged 3-5 can explore and learn together with guided hikes, crafts, and story time. Both kids and adults can enjoy a stroll through the Baright Gallery, which has nature-focused work made by local and international artists, as well as deep dives into the history of Nebraska and the Fontenelle organization.

Fontenelle Forest's trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset, and its nature center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or 7 p.m. on summer weekdays). It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, although the forest is accessible to members who have keyless fobs. Currently, it's $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $9 for kids 2-17. It's free for children under two. Yearly memberships are available, as are keyless fobs that allow you to access the forest outside of business hours. 

Omaha is a car-dependent city, so the best way to get to Fontenelle Forest is to drive or take a ride share service. There are free parking lots outside the Fontenelle Nature Center, making it an easy quick trip from Omaha, whose indie eats, quirky art, and riverside trails are already enough to challenge this Midwest city's boring reputation.