Lauritzen Gardens
A 100-acre botanical garden, arboretum, conservatory, and visitor attraction in Omaha, Nebraska.
Last updated August 24, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Lauritzen Gardens is a botanical garden and arboretum in South Omaha, Nebraska, located at 100 Bancroft Street near the Henry Doorly Zoo. The institution presents itself as a public garden and destination for horticulture, seasonal displays, education, recreation, and special events. Its grounds cover approximately 100 acres and combine outdoor landscape collections with indoor visitor facilities. The project developed over several decades. Proposals for an Omaha botanical center emerged in the early 1970s, but the first concept was cancelled before construction. Following the opening of the Des Moines Botanical Center, Omaha Botanical Center Inc. announced plans in 1982 for a comparable institution. More concrete plans were publicized in 1988. Although land at a former Union Pacific shops site was considered, the organizers selected a location closer to the Henry Doorly Zoo. The site had previously been used as a landfill and was cleared in 1981. Planting was originally expected to begin in 1989, but delays pushed the start of planting to 1993. The garden opened to visitors in April 1994 under the name Omaha Botanical Gardens. A major expansion followed in 2000, when a $16 million visitor and education center was announced. The 32,000-square-foot building, designed by HDR and Christner, opened in 2001. It added a Floral Display Hall for year-round seasonal exhibitions, a gift shop, café, and special-events facilities. The institution adopted the Lauritzen Gardens name in the same year, honoring the Lauritzen family. The visitor experience subsequently expanded through specialized attractions. A model railroad garden opened in 2007, adding a themed horticultural and miniature-railway installation. In 2014, the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory opened as a $20 million greenhouse addition. The glass conservatory provides approximately 17,000 square feet for indoor plant displays and extends the garden’s ability to present tropical and seasonal horticulture throughout the year. In 2025, Lauritzen Gardens added Sofia’s Play Garden, a playground north of the visitor center, broadening the institution’s recreational and family-oriented offer. The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory also underwent renovations that year. The garden remains an active public attraction, open daily during business hours and charging admission. Its principal public-facing offerings are living plant collections, landscaped gardens, indoor conservatory displays, seasonal exhibitions, educational and visitor services, family recreation, and event space rather than conventional packaged consumer products.
History
The concept of a botanical center in Omaha dates to the early 1970s. An initial proposal did not advance to construction and was eventually cancelled. Interest was renewed after the Des Moines Botanical Center opened, prompting Omaha Botanical Center Inc. to announce plans in 1982 for a similar public horticultural development. Concrete plans were not announced until 1988. The project considered land made available by Union Pacific on the site of its former shops. The organizers ultimately chose a different location closer to the Henry Doorly Zoo. The selected property had been a garbage dump and had been cleared in 1981, creating substantial preparation requirements for a new garden. Planting was initially planned for 1989, but a series of delays postponed the beginning of planting until 1993. The institution opened in April 1994 as Omaha Botanical Gardens. Its early identity centered on outdoor gardens and arboretum-style plantings intended to provide a public horticultural resource for Omaha. The project later moved toward a broader visitor-attraction model that included interpretation, indoor displays, retail, food service, and events. In March 2000, the organization announced a $16 million visitor and education center. Designed by HDR and Christner, the 32,000-square-foot building incorporated a Floral Display Hall for changing seasonal presentations, a gift shop, a café, and a special-events center. The building opened in 2001, and the organization adopted the Lauritzen Gardens name in the same year in recognition of the Lauritzen family. The renamed institution thereby established a more distinctive public identity while retaining its botanical-garden mission. Further development added themed and indoor attractions. The model railroad garden opened in 2007, offering a miniature railway environment integrated with garden design. In 2014, the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory opened. The $20 million glass structure contains approximately 17,000 square feet and provides a controlled indoor setting for plants and displays that complement the outdoor collections. In 2025, Lauritzen Gardens broadened its family and recreation facilities through the opening of Sofia’s Play Garden, positioned north of the visitor center. The same year, the Daugherty Conservatory underwent renovations. The garden’s current public offer combines a large outdoor site, a visitor and education center, seasonal floral displays, the conservatory, the model railroad garden, family play facilities, and spaces for events. It operates as an active public attraction in Omaha, with daily opening hours during business hours and paid admission.
- 2025
Sofia's Play Garden opens
[1]A new playground opened north of the visitor center, expanding the garden’s family-oriented facilities.
- 2025
Conservatory renovation
[1]The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory underwent renovations.
- 2014
Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory opens
[1]A $20 million, 17,000-square-foot glass conservatory opened as a major indoor horticultural facility.
- 2007
Model Railroad Garden opens
[1]A model railroad garden was added as a themed visitor attraction.
- 2001
Visitor center opens and name changes
[1]The 32,000-square-foot visitor and education center opened, and the institution adopted the Lauritzen Gardens name.
- 2000
Visitor and education center announced
[1]A $16 million visitor and education center was announced as a major expansion of the institution.
- 1994
Public opening as Omaha Botanical Gardens
[1]The garden opened in April under the name Omaha Botanical Gardens.
- 1993
Planting begins
[1]After delays to the original timetable, planting began at the selected South Omaha site.
- 1988
Concrete garden plans announced
[1]More specific plans for the Omaha botanical gardens were announced after several years of renewed development activity.
- 1982
Renewed development initiative
[1]Omaha Botanical Center Inc. announced plans for a botanical development after the opening of the Des Moines Botanical Center.
Products and positioning
A regional botanical and cultural attraction combining horticultural collections, seasonal indoor and outdoor displays, education, family recreation, and event facilities in the Omaha metropolitan area.
visitor attraction · 1994
Botanical gardens and arboretum
The core offering is a roughly 100-acre public garden and arboretum in South Omaha. Visitors experience outdoor plantings, landscaped garden areas, and horticultural collections across a site developed from a former landfill. The grounds form the foundation for seasonal displays, educational interpretation, family visits, and special programming.
visitor services and events · 2001
Visitor and Education Center
Opened in 2001, the visitor and education center provides the principal indoor arrival and service facility. Its reported components include the Floral Display Hall, gift shop, café, and special-events center. The building supports year-round visitor services and gives Lauritzen Gardens facilities beyond its outdoor collections.
horticultural exhibition · 2001
Floral Display Hall
The Floral Display Hall is an indoor exhibition space within the visitor and education center. It is designed for changing seasonal floral and horticultural presentations, allowing the garden to offer curated displays throughout the year in addition to its permanent outdoor landscapes.
themed garden attraction · 2007
Model Railroad Garden
The Model Railroad Garden combines miniature railway elements with garden design and plantings. Opened in 2007, it adds an interpretive and family-oriented attraction to the horticultural experience and provides a distinct themed feature within the wider garden grounds.
conservatory · 2014
Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory
The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory is a 17,000-square-foot glass greenhouse addition opened in 2014. It provides an indoor environment for plant displays and complements the outdoor gardens by supporting horticultural experiences across seasons. The facility underwent renovations in 2025.
family recreation · 2025
Sofia's Play Garden
Sofia’s Play Garden is a playground located north of the visitor center. Opened in 2025, it broadens Lauritzen Gardens’ public offer by adding a dedicated recreational space for children and families alongside the institution’s plant collections and display facilities.
Brand decisions
2025
Launch of Sofia's Play GardenProduct launchBackground
The garden expanded its family-oriented facilities beyond horticultural displays and existing visitor attractions.
Action taken
Sofia’s Play Garden opened north of the visitor center.
Aftermath
The new playground added a dedicated children’s recreation space to the Lauritzen Gardens visitor experience.
2014
Development of the Daugherty ConservatoryProduct launchBackground
Lauritzen Gardens sought to expand its indoor horticultural capacity and provide a year-round complement to its outdoor grounds.
Action taken
The institution opened a 17,000-square-foot glass conservatory at a reported project cost of $20 million.
Aftermath
The conservatory became a major indoor component of the garden and was later renovated in 2025.
Reported construction cost. $20 million (2014)
2001
Rebrand from Omaha Botanical Gardens to Lauritzen GardensStrategyBackground
The institution opened in 1994 as Omaha Botanical Gardens and expanded its facilities with a new visitor and education center in 2001.
Action taken
It changed its public name to Lauritzen Gardens, using the Lauritzen family name as its new institutional identity.
Aftermath
The renamed garden continued operating as an Omaha botanical and visitor attraction, with broader visitor, exhibition, retail, café, and event facilities.
Recent events
- 2025
Sofia's Play Garden opens and conservatory renovations begin[1]
Product launch
Sofia’s Play Garden opened north of the visitor center, while the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory underwent renovations.
- 2014
Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory opens[1]
Product launch
The garden opened a 17,000-square-foot glass conservatory, creating a major indoor venue for plant displays and extending year-round horticultural programming.
- 2007
Model Railroad Garden opens[1]
Product launch
Lauritzen Gardens expanded its visitor offer with a model railroad garden combining miniature railways and horticultural displays.
- 2001
Visitor and education center opens and institution adopts Lauritzen Gardens name[1]
Other
A 32,000-square-foot visitor and education center opened, adding exhibition, retail, café, and event facilities. The institution also changed its name to Lauritzen Gardens.
- 1994
Lauritzen Gardens opens as Omaha Botanical Gardens[1]
Other
The botanical garden opened to the public in April 1994 under its original name, Omaha Botanical Gardens, after delays in site preparation and planting.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/lauritzen-gardens · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled