Lauritzen Gardens | Omaha

Lauritzen Gardens, also known as the Omaha Botanical Center, is a lush, 100-acre oasis tucked into the hills above the Missouri River. It offers one of Omaha’s most tranquil and scenic escapes-a place where natural beauty, artful landscaping, and seasonal color combine to create a serene, almost meditative experience year-round.

Origins and Setting
Established in 1982, Lauritzen Gardens began as a community-driven project to preserve green space along the riverfront. Named after John and Elizabeth Lauritzen, longtime Omaha philanthropists, the gardens have grown into a nationally recognized botanical center that celebrates both horticulture and the Midwestern landscape. The site’s design makes clever use of elevation, with winding paths leading visitors from manicured terraces to hidden groves, ponds, and open meadows that overlook the skyline and river valley below.

Main Garden Areas
Each section of Lauritzen Gardens feels distinct, offering its own rhythm and palette. The Rose Garden bursts with fragrance and color through late spring and summer, while the Victorian Garden evokes classic English charm with formal hedges and ornate fountains. The Herb Garden and Model Railroad Garden-a whimsical miniature landscape with moving trains weaving through tiny bridges and buildings-are perennial favorites, especially among families.

The Woodland Trail and Prairie Garden celebrate Nebraska’s native ecosystems, blending wild grasses, coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans that sway in the wind. In autumn, these areas turn gold and amber, creating one of the most photogenic scenes in the city.

The Conservatory and Tropical House
One of the highlights is the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory, a striking glass structure opened in 2014. Inside, temperature and humidity transport visitors from the Great Plains to the tropics-towering palms, orchids, and ferns fill the air with the scent of damp soil and blooming flowers. A second section features arid plants-succulents, cacti, and desert trees-mirroring Nebraska’s climatic contrasts. The conservatory is especially inviting in winter, when stepping inside feels like entering another world.

Art, Events, and Exhibitions
Lauritzen Gardens regularly hosts art installations and seasonal displays that transform its landscapes. The Holiday Poinsettia Show in December turns the visitor center into a glowing red-and-green wonderland, while the Spring Flower Show fills the conservatory with tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils in elaborate arrangements. Outdoor sculptures and temporary exhibits often line the walking paths, merging art with nature in subtle, elegant ways.

Visitor Experience
A visit here unfolds slowly-strolling along brick paths, pausing by koi ponds, or resting under shaded pergolas. The Visitor and Education Center offers a gift shop, café, and educational exhibits that deepen the experience, explaining the plants and conservation work carried out on-site. Trams operate during warmer months, making it easier to explore the expansive grounds.

Atmosphere and Location
Lauritzen Gardens sits just south of Omaha’s downtown core, near the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Missouri Riverfront Trail. Despite its proximity to the city, it feels worlds away-quiet except for birdsong and the rustle of leaves. The gardens overlook the Union Pacific Railroad yards, an interesting juxtaposition where steel tracks and flower beds share the same horizon.

Overall Impression
Lauritzen Gardens is Omaha’s green heart-a living, breathing sanctuary that reflects the region’s relationship with the land. Whether you come for a morning walk among roses, a winter escape in the conservatory, or an evening concert under the stars, the gardens offer a rare stillness and sense of renewal that lingers long after you leave.