Came here with the SMS group to look around the museum, drink a little, and eat. I saw more than half of the museum and the Nelson Mandela exhibit and thought it was great. Even saw one of the first electric cars which was made in 1920. The decor of the room we ate at above was beautiful and would love to come back during Christmas as I hear they do it nice during that time. read more

The Durham Museum - 1920 electric car - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Top notch museum. I hope I can make it to Omaha again someday and visit a second time. It's in the former Omaha Union Train Station. The interior of the building is magnificent. They keep it in great shape. A vivid reminder of the Golden Age of passenger train travel. The museum is down stairs and is packed full of history about passenger train travel, about general rail history, and about Omaha n Council Bluffs, Iowa (which is just on the other side of the Missouri River and is closely tied with Omaha in history). There's a vintage steam locomotive, caboose, and several passenger cars there also. If you're interested in this sort of history you can easily spend several hours here. read more

Haven't been to The Durham Museum for several years. I decided to visit with a friend and was surprised by how many exhibits and artifacts were present. All of the train/tram "cars" were accessible to the public to enter, view, sit, etc. Not only does the building provide astonishing craftsmanship and history itself, but there are also plenty of things for individuals and families to enjoy! read more

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The environment was so good,great decoration and beautiful building, organized, coffee shop, interesting train history, documented, clean, and also had the dinosaur exhibition. Parking lot. This museum looks like the old Sacramento in California. read more

We had a wonderful couple hours exploring the Museum. We especially enjoyed walking through the train cars and seeing all the history exhibits. Plan on 2-3 hours to get the most out of your visit. read more

This museum is fantastic for kids mostly in the lower level. Walking through the multiple train cars and seeing the enormous model train were the biggest highlights. read more

Visited the Durham again this past week, specifically to see the 2 current exhibits. WW1 and also Mangelson photos. Thursday afternoon so there were people there but not a crowd. It is large, but the exhibit spaces especially for rotating exhibits is spacious but gets crowded easily. My opinion only is the WW1 display was sparse. A few photos, a woman's uniform and a couple of infantry uniforms with also flyers. I believe there were 3 rifles and a machine gun. Photos of blimps and planes..... It frankly felt crammed into a space. The Mangelson photos were at times incredible and hard to imagine how he managed them. Everyone will have a favorite probably more. Mine was the close-ups of grizzly bears and the bison. The list a other favorites would be long. read more

Arrived in town early for a meeting and visited this museum. Definitely recommend. The parking and museum itself are wheelchair accessible. Getting around was easy. We enjoyed many of the exhibits - lunch boxes, coins, trains, beautiful and moving photography by Charles Guildner. There are exhibits that appeal to all ages. We would have enjoyed seeing the model trains running. The cafe food is very good - we enjoyed the pulled pork and ice cream - creamsicle float was yummy. Their selection of vintage candy is fun! A very nice place to visit - historic building and excellent displays. Even if you aren't a history lover there are many interesting and fun things to see. read more

An architectural marvel. An artistic haven. Any history buff's sanctuary. Consider all the supply and labor that went into building this. Consider it's significance around 19th and 20th century wars. Consider how it stands today. Wow. Look up at the immense chandeliers dangling from the high ceilings. Trace geometry around the walls and the floors all around you. Take goofy pictures with the statues. Oh my gosh. This place is so grand. If you don't find something solemnly cool in here then we can't be friends. Downstairs you will have a lot of fun. It is so cool! And they do a daaaayyuuum good job! I love all the displays of Omaha history. (I finally understand the livestock beef thing 'round here. It's crazy. And it's been a journey. But I finally 'get it' about the beef). The staging is so professional. The artifacts are unbeatable. The little kids and older kids will love jumping in and out of the trains. And the coin exhibit towards the far end is worth some patience if you have older kiddos with you. The flow around the exhibits is very natural. You'll lose track of time it's so good. I could spend all day here. You should too. read more

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Pleasantly surprised. We would have never visited this museum had it not been raining all day. Perfect place to take shelter! The most impressive aspect of this museum is the building. It feels a bit like union station in chicago, from the same time period. I mostly remember the train exhibit and Native American exhibits. The focus seems to be mid century Great Plains history. To be honest, I think the reason we had a nice time was that hardly anyone was there. It's a slow place. Which is so much better than lines and waiting to get a glimpse of something. This would be a great place to bring kids. read more

Very cool old train station. Love all the trains inside and the local history. They do a great job with the Christmas tree and the decor. Great fun all year round here. read more

The Durham Museum - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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My husband was skeptical by the pictures of this place and thought there would be little to see or do but most of the excitement is in the bottom level. Boy was he wrong, this is a great place for kids and adults. You can go inside the trains and they have little fun train interactive items which kids love. You'll see many different exhibits like coins, athletics, news, Omaha history. My favorite part was the interactive maze, it was about Jamestown and trying to survive till the end. I also loved the giant diorama! This is definitely a great place to take your kids but also adults can have fun. It's best to go right when they open to avoid any crowds. read more

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What a beautiful building! My wife and I were visiting our daughter and her family and we decided to go and see the Christmas tree. Then we wondered downstairs and learned about the history of Nebraska. Great for all ages. read more

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This museum is really unique! I love how they restored the existing train station and were able to maintain the historical art-deco features. The exhibits are fun and interesting for all age groups! I was able to visit while the Pulitzer Prize photography exhibit was there, and I loved it. Even as someone who doesn't always like museums, I enjoyed it and would be willing to go back again! read more

The Durham Museum - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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We went there today and it was the highlight of our visit to Omaha. It was formerly Omaha's train station and it closed in 1971, but thankfully it was restored and then reopened as a museum. The building is *gorgeous* (both inside & out) and a superb example of Art Deco architecture. The main level has many life-size sculptures of people, plus a gift shop (the selection was "o.k.") and a small place to eat. It also has a terrific (temporary) photo exhibit. The lower level has an old train you can walk through, plus an original steam locomotive and a trolley car. There's a large photo gallery which features temporary exhibits, and the current exhibit is SUPERB; it's called "The American Soldier From the Civil War to the War In Iraq, A Photographic Tribute". That exhibit just opened on 9/22 and it will be there until January 6. If you're an AAA member, admission is $7 instead of $8. read more

Passenger Railway Station, Closed May 02, 1971. In 1973 it became the Heritage Museum, then finally the Durham Museum. Xmas Tress after Thanks'g! Thankfully, The Staff Survived the offal Pandemic! Xmas Tree has return, Many Thanks to the Union Pacific RWY, as they have for decades! read more

Very nice museum for the price. Great if you're into old trains. Some exhibits tend to be on the woke side, so if you're not into feeling guilty for stuff you didn't do, it may not be the place for you. read more

It has been a very long time since I visited this museum and enjoyed as much as the first time there. We were 5 adults and 7 children in Omaha for a family retreat. We each enjoyed our time exploring the train cars and the museum in general. The grandchildren appreciated the Lego display and creating their own Lego designs. Took time out for ice cream before leaving. It was a great way to spend a hot afternoon. Will be back. read more

Beautiful station ... if you like things like this, it's a must-see. The murals and artwork are stunning. The soda fountain is fun. It was just very well kept. read more

A trip to the Durham is like taking a trip back in time to Omaha's past. For one, it's Omaha's historic union station. The the original benches and ticket booth, along with statures of travelers of days gone by, are on display as you walk in to the grand Art Deco hall. The rest of the building has be repurposed into a history museum celebrating all things Omaha. There are permanent exhibits of old train cars and streetcars which are fun to explore. Plus there're installations of notable shops, taverns and other pieces of the area's past. All that can be rather boring after a couple visits, but the touring exhibits are what will likely bring you back again and again. Over the years I've greatly enjoyed exhibits from the Smithsonian (Lincoln, Prohibition), the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame (Women of Rock) to name a few. They deck the grand hall in for the Christmas season if you're into that sort of thing. There's also a soda fountain and snack bar. Very family and kid-friendly. My one qualm: I wish they could've used at least part of the building for passenger rail. The Amtrak station is a few feet away and is a very sad little box. So many cities have lost the original function of their grand union stations and it's a shame. read more

The Durham Museum - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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We were in awe of the rich history found all throughout the museum. The hands on activities for the children were so much fun! The traditional soda fountain was the perfect ending to our day! read more

The Durham Museum - Coal engine - this place is full of fun history for the whole family - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

The Durham Museum was amazing and well done. The train cars and the Omaha history were great. A wonderful mix of exhibits to look at, read through and explore artifacts gave you a lot to learn and absorb. We were able to see the Nelson Mandala exhibit as well and it was powerful. We even enjoyed a phosphate in the soda fountain- which was a neat experience. read more

We visited to see the holiday displays and they were lovely as always. The tree was a bit smaller this year, but seemed to be a bit nicer looking (less "bald" spots and better ornament placement than the last few years). We appreciated them changing it up a little with the smaller tree displays, and it's always nice to have an interesting temporary exhibit to see while you are there. Currently they have exhibits on rock and roll and race - both are interesting and worth checking out! read more

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This is such a wonderful museum with something for everyone in the family! We visited with a large group and enjoyed live music in the entryway next to the enormous Christmas tree. The exhibits are interesting and interactive, with plenty of places to sit along the way. I especially enjoyed getting to board old trains and the traveling national exhibits. The art deco construction has been beautifully preserved and is a treat just to see and imagine how this train station used to operate. I highly recommend a visit if you are interested in trains, Omaha history, art deco architecture, or any of the national exhibits. read more

My favorite part of the Durham Museum is when you walk in. When you step foot into the old Union Station you feel like you are being transported back in time. So many elements from the 1930s station remain and it is stunning. It makes you wish you could have lived during a time travel was considered so glamorous. I did a little research and learned that at its peak this station saw 10,000 passengers a day. Today, not only can you take in a beautiful historical landmark, but the building is educational, having been converted into a museum with some great traveling exhibits and permanent exhibits highlighting Native American History, exploration and the variety of ways Americans have lived throughout the decades. A favorite for the kids (and adults) is old rail cars on one of the original tracks you can also walk through. Durham even displays old dining menus from when the trains were operational and you could purchase dinner for $1.70. Whether a local or tourist, this is a great Omaha destination. read more

I really love this museum, mostly because of the trains. The building itself used to be a train station! It's architecture is so beautiful to see. Not only that, but there are so many different exhibits and hands on activities that people of every age can enjoy. However, this past weekend, they had Thomas Mangelsen's photos on exhibit and the reason why I most recently visited the Durham. The exhibit is extraordinary and it is something everyone should try to make time to see while it is in town! read more

Visited in early July right before Railroad Days on a Tuesday evening when it's open in the evening. Since I didn't have the family, this was a great time to go out there. If you're staying in Old Market, you can walk there, but parking is free. The main hall reminded me of Grand Central Terminal when I was growing up. I enjoyed the models downstairs, where you can go in, and the model storefronts. I did check out the T-Rex exhibit and thought that would be great for my kids. For just myself, I was able to get through everything in about an hour and a half. read more

The Durham Museum - Front Entrance - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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Can you "Dig it?" Durham offered an intriguing exhibit regarding soil, dirt, and the ecosystem called, "Dig It: The Secrets of Soil." This exhibit is sponsored and created by The Smithsonian's Natural History Museum and does a great job at integrating technology with this topic. The permanent exhibit is impressive -- a model of Old Town Omaha, several real life Union Pacific trains, a feature on the Plains Indians (including a tepee!), living in a blue-collar 1880s Omaha homestead, and a taxidermic buffalo. We came through the museum during the holidays and they have a HUGE and beautifully decorated Christmas tree. This is a great photo opportunity! All in all, I dig this museum! read more

The Durham Museum - Taxidermy! - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Big Museum with a lot of history about Omaha. It's made out of a restored train station and you can check out a lot of history about that. Pretty extensive historical exhibits on Omaha through the ages. Went when they had a special exhibit on Jim Henson and the Muppets, which was pretty cool. Good way to kill a couple socially distanced hours indoors while learning something new read more

I've been to the Durham Museum a few times before this past weekend, which I was there for a wedding, and its always nice. The main area when you walk in, always makes me stop and look around. The room is just so big and the decorations are very nice. The museum downstairs is always neat to see. I love the coin collection exhibit. I don't go to Durham often, but when I do, its always a nice treat for the eyes and mind. read more

A great way to spend 2 hours or more while in Omaha. The museum staff was friendly and helpful, and the building was beautiful as well. My favorite part of the museum was going inside the trains and seeing how people used to travel, as well as the Nebraska timeline. I also liked their permanent collection as well, lots of coins, and other relics from the past, but my favorite exhibit was the traveling one- photographs of the the Kennedy family. The perfect amount of text per image and thoughtfully laid out. I also like the fountain shop, I got a root beer float before I left. There is a lot of to see in this museum, especially if you're interested in 19th and 20th century America. Great for all ages! read more

You've finished reading Snowball and come to Omaha to see why Warren Buffet turned out the way he did. Don't lie. No Buffet devotee will be complete until taking a stroll through the Durham Museum. If you're expecting bells and whistles then this is not your museum and therefor Omaha may not be your place. But just like the small city, this museum is quaint, charming and too the point. I hope you like trains, because this place is full of them. read more

The Durham Museum - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Half of the greatness for the Durham is the building in which it is housed. The Durham is in a classic early turn of the century pre art deco style Americana style of architecture train station. It is beautiful. There is a small gift shop which didn't appeal to me and a old fashioned style soda shop where you can get drinks, sweets and light meals. The museum showcases Omaha history, mostly started at the Caucasian invasion, but some with native American origins as well. read more

Wonderful exhibit of items unique to Omaha and its history housed within Omaha's old and grand train station.

Great museum with both permanent and temporary exhibits (the current one is about the Prohibition) so there's always something new to see! It's fairly stroller and toddler friendly, and there's usually lots for the kids to interact with in the temporary exhibits. The military family membership is a great deal if you plan on going even just twice. The Art Deco design is beautiful and the soda fountain that has been running since the 30's is perfect for getting a root beer float or sundae after exploring the museum. There's also lots of parking! read more

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Railroad Days is an exceptional cooperative two-day event including the Durham Museum, Laurizen Gardens, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Railswest Railroad Museum, the General Dodge House, and Jolyn Art Museum. ALL for only $15 per FAMILY for the ENTIRE weekend, and includes transportation between venues!! There is no greater value anywhere in America, in my opinion as a well-traveled American.. The Durham alone is worth the cost. A truly spectacular example of beaux arts architecture, the art deco building is a sight to behold. The former Union Station now houses not only rolling stock, model trains, and a wide variety of train history displays, but also interactive displays about Midwestern history dating back to pr-historic times through Native American days, and right on to detail the rich, proud, fascinating history of the city of Omaha. Who knew tv dinners began right here in River City? Yup. Omaha was the home to Swanson Foods as well as many other national, even international, brand icons. And let's not forget the railroad. While the first railroad in America fame belongs to Baltimore, the Trans-Continental Railroad began in Omaha / Council Bluffs by the Union Pacific. Live and learn. And do it at the Durham. If you missed this year's Railroad Days , plan on it for next year. It's usually the 2nd weekend in July. Second best Durham event? Definitely the lighting of their two-story Christmas tree. Watch for it! read more

The Durham Museum - Rolling Stock at Durham Museum, Omaha NE - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Awesome place to spend a few hours, especially if you love Art Deco. Not to be missed if you visit Omaha! read more

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great museum with stunning art deco architecture. a must for train buffs and visitor to Ohama. Fun model train setup. interesting WW1 exhibit. Could easily spend 3 hours here read more

Most of the museum covered Omaha history which was longer and stronger than expected. Although not directly related to Omaha, the surprise exhibit was an coin collection which seemed extensive but I honestly don't know much about numismatics. The museum still had railroad exhibits like three Pullmans with three different sleeping configurations, one cupola caboose, a 4-6-0 locomotive, a plain street car (the ones still in use on San Francisco's Market Street are more exciting and they are functional), and HO-scale train with Union Pacific theme that lacked detail. The exterior of the former Union Station was blockish and plain, but that might not have been the original appearance. The interior was still intact and looked great as most Union Stations across the western United States do. Made with economical terra cotta, the theme of this Union Station was art deco with influences from native central plains designs. We wandered the museum for 90 minutes. With a two-level lot, parking the car in the covered lower level keeps it cool in the summer and unfrozen in the winter. read more

One of my favorite places in Omaha. They have so much to look at and learn from. The exhibits they bring in are amazing as well! I felt like they followed the COVID guidelines well lots of thoughtfulness. Felt very comfortable on my many visits in the last couple months! read more