Corn fields. That was the only thing I pictured about Nebraska before I started writing for Only In Your State. Not stunning Airbnbs with indoor pools, not vacation rentals with river access and steaming hot tubs under the stars. Corn. Now that I know what the state has tucked between the wooded trails of Fontenelle Forest and the striking galleries inside Joslyn Art Museum, I’m feeling a little foolish. I’m gonna have to visit, aren’t I? So I started looking for the kind of Nebraska Airbnb where you could swim, soak, float, and forget your phone existed for a while. Here’s what I found.
1. The Game Room Grotto — Omaha, Nebraska
This Airbnb in Omaha feels like somebody took a rustic lodge, stuffed it full of arcade games, added a hot tub, and then said, “You know what this needs? A waffle bar.” Respectfully, they were right.
The heated pool runs seasonally, though the hot tub keeps the party alive all year long. Inside, the game room looks like a suburban teenager’s dream circa 1998. Air hockey, darts, foosball, shuffleboard, retro arcade games with dozens of classics… this house practically hums with friendly competition. Families with kids will love it here, though groups of adults somehow become even more unhinged once GoldenEye or Pac-Man enters the conversation.
The kitchen leans heavily into comfort-food energy, especially with the gourmet coffee station and ice cream setup waiting nearby. Guests searching for Airbnbs with pools in Nebraska usually want something memorable, not another beige rental with motivational signs about laundry. This one actually has a pulse.
Downtown Omaha is close enough for easy exploring. Spend an afternoon browsing the Old Market’s brick-lined streets, hunting through bookstores and boutiques, then grab dinner before heading back for a midnight soak. The famous Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium also sits nearby, and honestly, watching sea turtles all day before returning to an Airbnb with a hot tub feels like strong vacation planning.
2. The Nest at Elkhorn River — Omaha, Nebraska
This riverfront retreat feels worlds away from city life, even though Omaha is only a short drive down the road. Cottonwood trees frame the property, deer wander through the area, and the Elkhorn River moves past the backyard with slow confidence. You can hear birds in the morning instead of traffic, which does strange and wonderful things to a person’s nervous system…