The Old Market Omaha, is a premier arts and entertainment district featuring fine dining, shopping, corporate meeting facilities, hotel accommodations, upscale night life, and sought-after real estate. Located in downtown Omaha just minutes from Omaha Eppley Airport, the Old Market is close to several nearby attractions including Durham Western Heritage Museum, Omaha Civic Auditorium, Qwest Center Omaha, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, and more.

Head to Omaha's Old Market district, where exceptional gifts and dining are around every corner. From Harney to Jackson streets and 10th to 13th streets, unique shops, boutiques, pubs, more than 30 area restaurants and distinctive entertainment define this historic neighborhood.

Home of the new Holland Performing Arts Center, downtown is also a haven for the arts. The Holland Performing Arts Center, completed in 2005, provides a true concert hall environment with acoustics designed to accommodate the Omaha Symphony as well as other local and touring arts organizations and artists. The Joslyn Art Museum, the Orpheum Theater, the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center, and more are all located in downtown Omaha.

The Old Market district was crucial to the commercial development of Omaha as the wholesale jobbing area flourished in the 1880’s and continued well into the twentieth century. The district, then comprised of former light industrial and warehouse buildings and wholesale jobbing houses, served as the distribution center for a variety of goods shipped on the Union Pacific Railroad and its branch lines all the way to the west coast. Today, the Old Market Omaha is a multi-block collection of renovated brick warehouses, quaint storefronts, old-fashioned lampposts, uneven brick streets, horse-drawn carriages and street-side musicians.

The city has spent nearly $2 billion in new construction and development, including the $291 million Qwest Center Omaha, a new 40-story First National Bank Building, a riverfront university campus for the world-renowned Gallup Organization, and a National Park Service Regional headquarters building for Union Pacific.

Follow the brick-paved streets of history into an area of Omaha rich in history and bursting with the flavor of today. Enjoy an intimate dinner or shop for the latest fashions.

There is so much to do at Vala's!!!

Shows

Pig Races – Cheer on your favorite pig as it races around the track in hot pursuit of an Oreo Cookie! Races are every hour on the hour (except for 3:00 p. m.) seven days a week.

Pumpkin Eating Dragon Show – Help the Dragon handler every hour on the half-hour, as Xander the Dragon wakes up expecting to eat his favorite food: pumpkins!

Howl-at-the-Moon Stage Shows – A variety of live shows entertain Vala’s guests on this stage. Check out the Events page for schedules.

Scarecrow Band – One of Vala’s oldest performing groups, the Scarecrow Band sings a variety of songs all day long.

Pumpkin Chuckin’ Cannon Show – New in 2004, we have mastered (almost!) the capabilities of this cannon! Watch it chuck a pumpkin up to one half mile! Amazing! Launching follows the Pig Races at about 20 minutes.

Rides

Tractor Rides – Take a hay-rack ride out to the pumpkin field. You can stay on the rack and watch the view, or get off and search the fields for that one perfect pumpkin. Cost: FREE with Admission

Train Rides – Take a ride on the Pumpkin Creek Railroad, traveling through a tunnel, past Lois Lake, and through the Western Town. Cost: $2.75 per person

Peddle Cars – Vala’s offers four different peddle car rides, each on different tracks, for all ages. Older kids should check out the even MORE challenging Pumpkinapolis 500 Extreme track, revamped for 2006. Cost: FREE with Admission

Pony Rides – For the cowboy or horse lover in every child, here is their chance to ride a gentle pony and get their picture taken. Giddy-up! Cost: $4.00

Themed Attractions

Pumpkin Mine – Vala’s zaniest walk-through attraction takes you inside a mine, where workers are chipping away, braving cave-ins and flash floods. Watch out for Tumbling Rock Cavern at the end! For ages 5 and up. Cost: Free with Admission

Storybook Barn – Storybook Lane takes you past all of your favorite nursery rhyme and fairytale characters. This is NOT a scary attraction, and it is appropriate for all ages. Cost: Free with Admision

Haunted House – The original 100-year-old farmhouse on Vala’s Farm now houses ghosts and spooky characters eager to add to their legion. Stop in and say hello, if you dare. For ages 7 and up. Cost: Free with Admission

Spook Shed – This original Farm Shed is filled with cute and non-threatening spooks, meant to entertain young children without scaring them. The scariest thing about it is the darkness and noises. For ages 2 to 10. Cost: Free with Admission

Games

Giant Sling Shot – Use a giant sling shot to hit targets with apples. This is the most extreme opportunity you will ever have to “play with your food.” Cost: 3 apples for $1.00

Paint ball Shootout: Aim for your favorite haunted target under the black lights. Cost:10 balls for $3.00

Animals

Petting Areas – Fill your pockets with quarters if you want to experience the insanity of Vala’s Petting Areas. You can feed goats trotting along tree-high walkways, through fences, and even up close and personal. We also have a large selection of other farm animals and even a camel.

Shopping

Pumpkins, Squash, Gourds, Etc. ­­– One of the most unique experiences we offer as an agricultural entertainment facility, is the opportunity to see and pick crops out of the fields in which they were grown. For children especially, we believe this is an important educational experience. The foundation of our Fall Festival is celebrating the harvest, a medley of bright colors and distinctive flavors that epitomize fall. We invite everyone to take some of the fall harvest home with them.

For decoration, we offer the largest selections of pumpkins and gourds in Omaha, with over 40 different varieties grown on 55 acres of the farm. To add a unique fall flavor to your next meal, take home a variety of different squashes. For recipes and tips on cooking pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, and squash, visit the Vala Sister’s Recipe Page.

Harvest Barn – Here you can buy jams, jellies, apple and cherry cider, root beer, candy, and fudge. Jan Vala also sells crafts and collectables, as well as fall scented candles.

West Room – Located on the West side of the Harvest Barn, you can find all your Halloween party supplies, small gift items, stuffed animals, hats, and carving kits here.

Loft – Is located on the top floor of the Big Barn Weigh Station is the place to go for costume ideas and accessories. Here you can find masks, swords, make-up, fake blood, jewelry, wigs, and anything small and gross.

Big Barn Bakery and Weigh Station Exit – This beautiful barn was moved to the Vala's in 2006 our most convenient retail area for guests making small last-minute purchases on their way home. Buy a Vala’s shirt, carving kits, or jellies. If you’re hungry, try the caramel apples, kettle corn, fresh cinnamon rolls, apple fritter, or even a freshly baked pie to eat later. This is one location you won’t want to miss!

Beautiful architecture blends with memories of a time gone by at The Durham Museum. Making its home in one of Omaha's most unique treasures, Union Station, The Durham Museum offers a fascinating look at the history of the region as well as offers broad-range of traveling exhibits covering subjects ranging from history and culture, to science, industry and more. We encourage you to explore all that The Durham has the offer!

HOURS

Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Wednesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Major Holidays Closed

Please check our calendar of events for detailed programming.

ADMISSION
Members ALWAYS FREE!
Adults $7.00
Seniors (62+) $6.00
Children (ages 3 - 12) $5.00
Children 2 years and under FREE

The Museum has a two level parking deck that is FREE to all visitors.