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Senior Living in Omaha: Everything You Need to Know
All Heritage Communities share a single mission: To create the senior living experience you want. We’ll connect you to a community that matches your lifestyle, tastes and needs. Heritage Communities throughout the Omaha area offer vibrant Independent Living, with Assisted Living, and Memory Care.
Below is a list of our communities in the area. Feel free to view each website or read on to learn more about Omaha it’s amenities and what we have to offer. 
It’s all in place to put a smile on your face. That’s what living better feels like.
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Everything you need to know about living in Omaha
History of the area
The largest city in Nebraska, Omaha has a rich history dating to well before its founding in 1854. Once a trading post during the war of 1812, the area was also visited by Lewis and Clark in 1804 as they began their epic journey to the Pacific Ocean. Omaha was also briefly home to the Mormons on their way to Utah during the winter of 1846-47.
Settlement began in 1854 with the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act when developers in nearby Council Bluffs decided to create Omaha City, Nebraska Territory on the Missouri River. Served by steamboats, stage coaches and freight wagons Omaha grew into a transportation and supply hub and in 1863, President Lincoln recognized Omaha-Council Bluffs as the eastern terminus of the first transcontinental railroad.
As the Civil War began the population was approximately 1,880, but by the end of the 19th century the city boasted a population of about 100,000. Omaha continued to flourish through World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II when it produced aircraft on a site that is now U.S. Strategic Air Command Headquarters. Another early economic driver was the city’s dominance as a livestock market and meat processor.
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Omaha today
Today Omaha is home to the Mutual of Omaha Companies, Berkshire Hathaway, and Union Pacific Corporation, and continues to be a center for food processing, metal fabricating, steel casting, diverse manufacturing, and the railway industry.
Omaha is home to the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Creighton University, and the College of St. Mary. The diversity of the city is expressed in its beautiful arts and cultural venues and is home to many parks and other attractions. Omaha has also hosted the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship every year since 1950.
The freedom gained during retirement means more time to relax and reconnect with favorite pastimes. It’s also a time to explore new destinations and discover new passions. The Omaha area offers many opportunities to do just that.
Destinations
Among the best in the world, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium offers year-round adventures with 160 acres of exhibits featuring animals and insects from across the globe as well as educational sessions and special events.
Delve into Omaha history at The Old Market, once the center of commercial activity, and take a tour of the many historic sites and museums, shop, enjoy live music and enjoy a meal at one of the many eateries.
Team up and take on the Omaha Scavenger Hunt, explore the city‘s buildings, parks and public art for clues.
Arts
The heart of Omaha is expressed in the arts and culture of the city and the Hoff Family Arts & Cultural Center has it all. Featuring live dance, theater and musical performances visitors can also take classes, explore exhibits and learn local history at the museums.
Another great choice is The Arts Center at Iowa Western Community College featuring an amazing lineup of live entertainment from September through April in its National Performance Season.
Omaha history is alive at the Durham Museum in Union Station with permanent as well as temporary exhibits, collections of photos, coins, books and documents, and more than 40,000 historical objects, it’s an immersive experience for all to enjoy.
Be sure to plan a visit to the Hall of History at Boys Town to learn about this Omaha landmark, how it began in 1921 and still continues its mission today.
Festivals
Get out and enjoy the music at the MAHA Festival in July, featuring top musicians and bands, theater shows, excellent food and drink, shopping, and fun, free activities.
Another favorite is The Renaissance Festival of Nebraska each May where live actors portray everything from fairies to Queen Elizabeth I in authentic costumes and visitors can participate in a variety of games and competitions, tour a pirate ship and sample the wares of diverse vendors.
Celebrate art each June at the Omaha Summer Arts Festival and enjoy a broad range of local artists, amazing stage performances, food and beverage vendors, and a children’s fair.
Learning
Life-long learning is a great way to stay mentally agile and meet new friends with shared interests. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is one of the best programs for adults ages 50 and older with noncredit courses, interesting lectures, interest groups, fun events, and travel to amazing places around the world.
Enjoying retirement in Omaha
Restaurants
Omaha’s long history in food and agriculture is reflected in its many wonderful restaurants. For casual dining try Jackson Street Tavern for American cuisine as well as wine, beer and cocktails. Enjoy excellent steak and other specialties at the Drover, or choose from the broad responsibly sourced seafood menu at Plank Seafood Provisions. For upscale dining 801 Chophouse in Old Market offers a diverse menu in an elegant setting, savor classic and innovative French cuisine at Le Bouillion, or experience traditional northern Italian at Avoli Osteria.
Fresh & local
Eating fresh is always best and Omaha has plenty of farmers markets to try. From March through October the Omaha Farmers Market is open in Old Market on Saturdays and in Aksarben Village on Sundays featuring dozens of vendors of produce, meats, baked goods, coffees and tea, products like snacks, spices and prepared foods as well as arts and crafts.
Another excellent option is the Gifford Park Neighborhood Market open Friday evenings June through September with produce, home-made foods, kids activities, and food trucks for every taste.
Of course, going straight to the farm is always a good idea and Wenninghoff’s Farmer’s Market is ripe with fresh fruits and vegetables as well as honey, jams, meats, eggs, and plants from July through October.
Fitness & swimming
Get fit and stay that way at First Row Fitness with personal training, classes and nutrition or enjoy the fitness choices at Midtown Crossing Genesis Health Club offering personal trainers, classes, mind-body yoga, Pilates, barre, massage, tanning, steam rooms and much more. Another option is the senior programs at the YMCA of Greater Omaha for low-impact and chair exercise, stretching and strength training, yoga, cycling and water aerobics and features Silver Sneakers and Renew Active insurance-supported programs. Swimmers can also get in their laps at the YMCA or at one of the City of Omaha’s indoor or outdoor public pools.
Walking trails
Walking is a joint friendly way to get exercise and fresh air and Omaha has many great trails to enjoy. For a look at the possibilities, checkout the Paths of Discovery Metro Area Trails System Map including Omaha and Council Bluffs and try the 3.1-mile-long Boulevard Trail that winds through historic midtown Omaha, the Tranquility Trail, a 5.6 mile loop for a moderate challenge, or the 144th Street Trail, an 8.5-mile asphalt and concrete trail to Standing Bear Lake with an additional 6-mile-long multipurpose path connecting to Wehrspann Lake and Chalco Hills Recreation Area.
Back to nature
Spending quiet time in nature is a way to refresh the spirit, and Heron Haven Wetland Sanctuary offers a look at one of the city’s last oxbow wetlands of the Big Papillion Creek with native plants, aquatic animals as well as excellent bird watching and photography opportunities.
Experience the Nebraska plains and rolling hills at Glacier Creek Preserve with 525 acres of diverse plant and animal communities and the 140-acre Allwine Prairie Tract, a restored tallgrass prairie area.
For a woodlands walk any time of year try Fontenelle Forest with a nature center and the Raptor Woodland Refuge.
For an amazing array of plants visit the Lauritzen Gardens with permanent and temporary exhibits, gardening classes, events, a visitor center, and more.
Golf
Get back to nature and improve your putt on one of Omaha’s public courses or try Eagle Run for a 9-hole par 3 or 9-hole executive course.
Volunteer opportunities
Research shows that older adults who volunteer live longer and healthier lives with lower mortality rates, a lower incidence of depression, and better mental and physical abilities. Among the many possibilities in Omaha are Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Midlands, Keep Omaha Beautiful, Nebraska Medicine, and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. For more volunteer positions check out volunteermatch.org.
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Religious organizations
Omaha offers diverse places of worship including:
- Adat Ha Tikvah Tzion Synagogue
- Aldersgate United Methodist Church
- American Lutheran Church
- Augustana Lutheran Church
- Beth El Synagogue
- Beth Israel Synagogue
- Carter Lake United Methodist Church
- Chabad of Nebraska Synagogue
- Dietz United Methodist Church
- Discovery Presbyterian Church
- First Presbyterian Church
- First United Methodist Church
- Grace Tabernacle Church
- Hindu Temple-Omaha
- Islamic Center of Omaha Mosque
- Living Hope United Methodist Church
- Lotus Monastery – Ni Vien Lien Hoa Buddhist Temple
- Masjid Al-Huda Mosque
- Metropolitan Community Church
- Midtown Islamic Centre Mosque
- Mount Calvary Lutheran Church
- Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
- Pilgrim Baptist Church
- Sacred heart Catholic Church
- St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
- St. Barnabas Catholic Church
- St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church
- St. Bridget Catholic Church
- St. John’s Parish Catholic Church
- St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church
- St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church
- St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church
- St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
- Shafie Islamic Center Mosque
- Temple Israel Reform Synagogue
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Trinity Episcopal Church
- Trinity Lutheran Church
- Underwood Hills Presbyterian Church
- Quoc An Buddhist Temple
- Westminster Presbyterian Church
Friendships
Making and cultivating friendships is an essential part of aging well and the city of Omaha offers many opportunities at its four senior centers around town: Adams Park Senior Center, Camelot Friendship Center, Florence Senior Center and Millard Senior Center. Each offers lunches, activities, games, exercise, athletics, and plenty of ways to socialize and have fun.
The Omaha area has so much to offer residents and visitors alike. Ready to learn more and see our community for yourself? We invite you to schedule a time for a private tour today to get to know us and picture yourself at one of Heritage Communities’ senior living communities.
At Heritage Communities, we empower older adults to advance their own health and well-being by creating vibrant lifestyles that inspire creativity, support choice, protect dignity, and celebrate experience. Our team members are dedicated to creating an environment that empowers each resident to live their very best life.