The Durham Museum is in the old Union Station. I'm glad they were able to preserve the building…read morebecause it really is spectacular. There are many permanent displays about Omaha history, and there are train cars you can walk through; enthusiastic docents are often there to answer any questions. There are temporary exhibits here as well, and in the summers they will have something cool that the whole family will enjoy. There are lots of programs here, many of them free with admission or membership. I do recommend getting a membership if you think you might want to come at least a couple times in a year. And you probably will want to! There is a soda fountain/snack bar area. The ice cream is great! The food is okay. It's a museum and not a lunch destination. The museum is located right next to Omaha's Old Market.

I was in town visiting and wanted to see how Omaha's Union Station compares to the one we have back…read morehome. It was built in 1931 in the Art Deco style and designed by LA architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood. The museum has lots of photographs and examples of materials used that would be a delight for all those interested in architecture. Downstairs was the train depot and where you can go inside and sit in the train cars. Most of the rooms appeared to be part of their permanent collection, but part of the downstairs area has rotating exhibits. The exhibit on display was "The Negro Motorist Green Book" which you may be familiar with if you watched the 2018 film "Green Book." I had a great time at the museum and would return, although check the calendar as I went when the NE SciFest going on and I prefer calmer museum visits. Still, definitely would recommend checking it out!

Night Lite was SO COOL! I am a huge fan of the Night Lite…read morebecause it's low light, no screaming kids, and a DJ! It was about $20 for a non member and $15 for members!

This is a really fun science museum that is guaranteed to entertain your family. We spent a few…read morehours here on a Thursday in Omaha and my six year old had a blast. Our 16 mo old had fun too, but there is a lot to do for kids between the ages of 5-12. We all had fun walking around learning with some of the exhibits, and the indoor playground upstairs was a big hit. Our toddler even took a little nap while we were there in the comfy chairs upstairs so that was a win for us! Overall it's a new building, filled with fun things to explore, and definitely worth the visit if you're in Omaha. I'd say that especially if you're visiting when it's hot or cold outside this place would be ideal as it's perfectly air conditioned indoors.

This museum is free. The gift shop has shirts, magnets, toys, books, and some shirts. I learned a…read morelot about the history of the Union Pacific Railroad and the other earlier train systems in the west. The train models and replica are great. The train driving simulator was nice to try not to mention other interactive displays. This is a well curated museum and is definitely worth visiting.

This a beautiful museum. There's a lot of history to learn about with actual furniture that…read morebelonged to President Lincoln. This is a fun place for people of all ages, including children. There is also some very friendly staff to give you the history and info as you're walking through the three stories of this museum.

What a gem! This is a really comfortable movie theater focusing on indie, art, documentary,…read moreSundance, youth, oldies type movies. . Love this place.

We recently went and saw the new Knives Out, Wake Up Dead Man movie. We also took advantage of the…read moreBlack Friday deal of signing up for the membership and getting 2 free tickets!! I love this theater because they always have local canned cocktails, great popcorn and a friendly staff! The movies are shown in intimate theaters with decent seats. It's $7 for member tickets, $9 for students, teachers, or military, and $12 for non members! I love supporting local, it is worth every penny to go and see a movie here!

Life as a prisoner is not for me. There's a friendly…read moreattendant at the entrance to guide you and give info annoy the jail. Very interesting especially for my hubby and his friend.

This is a one of a kind place worth visiting. It was a revolving prison that was used from 1885 to…read more1969. It had 3 floors of pie-shaped cells inside a cage. The fourth floor was where the jailer and his family lived. The staff were very nice and knowledgeable about the place. This is not free but your $10 is definitely worth it. Their small gift shop (also were you check in) has shirts, pins, and magnets. This is walking distance from the Union Pacific Railroad Museum which is also another place to see in Council Bluffs.

RailsWest was absolutely wonderful. I just had my wedding here on May 17th and it was fabulous. Kat…read morehelped us with everything we needed. She made sure we had the tables and chairs we requested, plus closing the venue for the time block we needed. The day was almost magical, it was so wonderful. Several trains went by during our time there, so we got to hear the horn and feel the rumble as they passed. I am very pleased as a train enthusiast to have been able to have my wedding here. It was my first time marrying and I will always look back on that day with fondness. This was the best time of my life.

This Rock Island depot is only one of two remaining in the state of Iowa and is on the Natl. Reg…read more of Hist. Places. There are a number of rolling stock enclosed within a fence; my favorite is a CB & Q lounge car "Omaha" which contains a solarium. In the depot are a number of old fashioned displays of artifacts which belonged to the railroads serving the town. What I like most about these depot museums is the fact that I'll come across an item I have never seen before. In one room is an HO layout of Omaha/Council Bluffs. Outside are active rail lines of BNSF and Iowa Interstate.

A fabulous new art gallery in Aksarben. The first exhibition features works from across the…read morelifetime of Samuel Bak, an artist who survived the holocaust and is determined to tell his story. At 90 years old he is still painting! The museum is free, but be sure to check their hours before you visit. Also, it is worthwhile to try and set up a guided tour if you can.

From the owner: Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center offers students, faculty, and staff a source of…read morecollaboration and opportunities with the broader community on the subjects of art, Holocaust education, human rights, and genocide. Samuel Bak is an artist and Holocaust survivor. In this temporary space, the Museum showcases 99 pieces of Bak’s work through rotating exhibitions and provides classroom and presentation spaces for tours, lectures, and curated programming.

What doesn't scream "fancy date night" more than going to the Opera and a nice dinner?…read more The Omaha Opera has a small rotation of operas that come through each year, and their website has everything you'll need to know if you are an opera newbie (check out "guide to the opera" in their quick links section). There are only a few each year 3-5, so once an opera you like is in town...don't miss it, because who knows when it will be back! Don't be fooled by the listed address on yelp, that is where the office/admin office is located. All operas are in the Orpheum Theater in downtown Omaha, and it is a beautiful venue to hear the acoustics and has a decent seat no matter where you are seated. It is a traditional opera house, so if you want to dress to the nines in a formal evening gown/tux you won't feel out of place.

From the owner: Opera Omaha, the only professional opera company in Nebraska, began in 1958 as the Omaha Civic…read moreOpera Society, a volunteer association, and with tremendous community support became fully professional by 1970. Opera Omaha produces a season of original mainstage productions, presented at the historic Orpheum Theater, and smaller productions and musical events throughout the community. Opera Omaha is internationally known for its productions of eight world premieres and four American premieres of classical masterpieces, and is highly regarded regionally for an extensive education and outreach program that annually reaches as many as 33,000 people from elementary school through adulthood.