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

Lots to see! Lots to read! We could be here as a family for a couple hours. The American Adventure is super fun for both kids and adults (10 and under will need some while assistance). read more

The Durham Museum - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

I was very disappointed after I walked over a mile to get to this museum in the hot sun. When I arrived I saw a sign in the window that said it was closed on Mondays, even though on Yelp it was listed as open. read more

The Durham Museum - Not open like Yelp said, walked over a mile to get here for nothing. - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

A must see. Tours of vintage train cars and currently Pulitzer Prize winning photography. Quite moving exhibition. Fun place to eat and cute gift shop with unique items. read more

This is a beautifully restored train station and offers a wonderful history of the Omaha area. There are so many things to touch and see and read. Please allow time to thoroughly take in all that is presented -- I need to return to spend more time at each exhibit. The ability to walk through several cars of an old passenger train is great -- like stepping back in time. The facility is immaculate and the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful. An overall extremely pleasant experience -- can't wait to return. read more

This is probably my favorite museum in all of Omaha. It brings me back to feeling like a kid again...without the judgment of course. The staff and overall experience encourage you to be interactive and that you can truly never stop learning. I remember a few months ago we ran into a volunteer who literally spent 30+ minutes with us walking through the trains and telling us the history behind each car. I think the Durham Museum embodies what Omaha is and shows the true beauty of this city. It brings together large-scale moments of history to life (my most recent visit's temp exhibit was on prohibition and my favorite so far), but also captures Omaha in the smaller temp exhibit (focusing on prohibition in Omaha) and its permanent exhibits. I do also appreciate that their temporary exhibits change a few times a year, making it easy to visit and never get tired of the museum. Also, always have to stop by the Soda Fountain! Coke Floats read more

1 star--for just being in existence and not being left to rot 2 star--for good exhibits which aren't necessarily connected with railroading 3 star--for the UP passenger/sleeper cars you can walk thru 4 star--for a gift shop that actually has stuff you want to buy and isn't a ripoff 5 star--don't get me started on being able to get a chocolate malted at that soda fountain read more

This place is worth visiting for the art deco alone. The lobby of this Union Pacific showpiece station is magnificent, as is the restored dining room from the first hotel in Omaha that became the station's restaurant. You can still have an ice cream at the Swanson soda fountain. Downstairs, there are full-sized trains that you can walk through and exhibits that give a complete history of Omaha from the native Americans to present. Plus a rare coin collection, at theatre, children's exhibits, and temporary exhibits. This place is affiliated with the Smithsonian and is up to that calibre. It is a great place to bring kids, even toddlers will enjoy it as they can explore the trains. I am here for a brief stay, but am planning to come back for a second look, there is so much to see. Plus I skipped the ice cream the first time around.... read more

As a new Omaha resident, this museum gave me a wealth of knowledge on how Omaha came about and has evolved through the years. It is in the old Union Station railroad building and is BEAUTIFUL. It is much larger than you'd expect and has SO MUCH MORE history than just Union Pacific Railroad history. I'd encourage any Nebraskan native OR visitor to Omaha to make this a must do item on your list! read more

I really like this museum...they recently opened a new temporary exhibit devoted to the year 1968 and everything that went on...To say they knocked one out of the park is an understatement...between the real Huey helicopter on display to the space capsule, they have a ton of stuff on display from that era...and to see all the important things that happened, from MLK getting shot to Robert Kennedy's own assassination is just astounding...I've been twice since the exhibit opened and have always come away impressed and a bit awe-struck...I've always been into museums and the fact that one of such quality exists in Omaha makes me glad I live here...I also ended up getting a shake from the soda fountain they have...It was actually pretty good and price wise was in line with other places that sell shakes...do yourself a favor and get down here and check it out...it'll be time well spent... read more

The Durham Museum - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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This was a really fun museum! I would totally recommend this to people with kids or to adult history buffs. We paid $7 for admission and were planning to spend a few hours before lunch. But my guy got a little too engrossed in all the exhibits and when it was time to leave for our reservation, he was dragging his feet because he hadn't gotten to look at the enormous coin collection or have a treat at the soda fountain or walk through the model train or see the old-fashion general store. So the nice lady at the front desk wrote us a receipt so we could come back after lunch and he could see the rest. One of my favorite parts was the talking sculptures. There are carved people sitting around the train station and when you walk by they play historic conversations and you can eavesdrop. Like there's a soldier saying goodbye to his girlfriend because he has to go back to Germany after being on leave from WWII. And a lady discussing ticket prices with the clerk. Also, they have real trains and you can climb up and look at the engine and the Pullman cars and the dining car. You can walk right through it and see all the details from the button to call the porter to the first aid kit on the wall to how the beds unfolded for sleeping. There's also a bunch of stuff about the history of Omaha (from settlement to modern times). Kids were having field trips while we were there and I could see that it would be a really fun, educational place. And don't worry. My guy got his treat at the real soda fountain. He had a vanilla phosphate, which neither of us had ever tried before. It was tasty (sorta like cream soda) and we went home with some old-fashioned peppermint and cinnamon candy too. read more

I feel like a curmudgeon for saying it but I feel like I've spent too many years in the humanities to enjoy this museum. I'll start off by saying I found the special exhibit of Pulitzer Prize winning photographs to be an unexpectedly moving experience and would have bought the book had it been available in hardcover. That said, I kind of felt like the permanent collection was sort of an ode to the metanarrative. Like, it could have just as easily been called Tales of Triumph: The Upside of Imperialism. I thought it seemed kind of white-washed and tailor-made to make nobody feel uncomfortable ever. I found the stuff about the Native Americans to be especially disquieting. I get it's all right for other people but it's not my scene. read more

This museum is housed in an old but remodeled train station with ceiling that go up 3 stories. ECLECTIC best describes this museum. There is a little about everything in the old west and even more recent history here. There is a retired coal fired steam locomotive with dining car, sleeping car, caboose, main engine car.....for you to walk through as see. This reminds me staying at the Queen Mary. You feel you have been time warped to a past century going through these cars. If you are in Omaha for business or travel, it is worth stopping by here. On the contrary its not worth a dedicated trip say from Wash DC or LA... just to see this museam read more

This was my second visit to the Durham Museum - we hadn't planned to stop, but then realized it was so close to where we had planned to go, and it was raining, so an indoor activity was just what we needed. The train station itself is beautifully restored and is a gorgeous example of art deco architecture. The little soda fountain is a treat as well. We had fun exploring the restored sleeper cars. They also have special exhibits from time to time - when we were there, it was an excellent exhibit of historical costumes from movies - we saw period costumes worn by Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Natalie Portman and a number of other famous faces. As someone who studied textiles and clothing in college, this was a fascinating display for me, but the husband enjoyed it as well. I think this place is well worth a visit - if you can, track down one of the folks working around the trains. We found a lovely gentleman who was SO knowledgeable about the history of the station and the train cars. He had lived in Omaha his entire life, so hearing him share what it was like when the station was still in action, and street cars were racing around downtown - well, it made the whole thing come to life for us! read more

A group of us came here during Railroad Days, and enjoyed it thoroughly! All the history to be seen and heard, and you will enjoy it whether young or old! The first time I came here I didn't realize there is a whole downstairs area with an activity area that changes quarterly, the ability to actually tour some trains, and then the whole section on the history of Omaha. It is a hidden gem, if you've never been there! read more

Great Building, Terrific History, and a Top-Notch Staff! As an event Venue... Outstanding! read more

The Durham Museum - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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interesting, need to visit, not on my top 10 but, there are occasionally big exhibits from other museums, that come here.not on my visit though The ice cream is good. read more

The Durham Museum - 1906 Rauch & Lang the first electric car, designed for women - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

When you step into the Durham Museum you are instantly transported back into, or into a movie. It is the coolest train station other than Union Station in DC that I have been to. It really takes my breath away, even still when I look at pictures. The kids had a blast looking at some of the exhibits, which include a lot of hands-on exhibits where you can really learn a lot. I was impressed with that. You never know in some of these smaller town museums, especially if you are used to things in Washington, DC. The fact that you get to go inside a train and really experience everything from the different eras is really neat. Another favorite part is checking out the old soda shoppe. It has fun treats and drinks like "egg cremes". Even if you stop in to just go and sit in the old station it is completely worth your time. It truly is beautiful architecture, and this architecture nerd rates it as one of her favorite buildings she's been to. read more

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The Durham Museum is like a step back in time. The building boast art deco design with a nod to it's past via statues and decor. It is preserved flawlessly. Check it out and be sure to bring your camera to take flicks. Gift shop is pricey but you can find some gems. read more

The Durham Museum - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

I really enjoyed both the permanent and temporary exhibits. My grandfather was Union Pacific so I may be a little biased but it was a neat experience for sure. The exhibit on the 1970's was "groovy" and brought me back to my childhood. Many of the items on display my parents had when I was a kid. Pictures attached :) read more

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Interesting place to spend an hour or two. To think I have lived in Omaha for over 15 years and had really never been here makes me a bit embarrassed I must say. During the Holidays is a great time to stop in as the tree was beautiful, and on the weekends there are normally multiple groups singing in front of the tree for entertainment. The main floor brings you back in time, with the train station as it was 50+ years ago. The architecture is wonderful here. The lower level has multiple train cars to tour, along with a lot of local Omaha history to take in as well as ever changing short term exhibits. There truly is a lot to see, and everyone from my 8 year old daughter to my 80 year old father enjoyed themselves. That's saying something when you can keep 8-80 entertained and engaged! read more

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Came here as soon as I moved to Omaha. Great way to learn about the history of Nebraska and the surrounding states. Solid for all ages. The train parked in the basement is fun for kids to walk through. Old- fashioned candy store upstairs offers classic treats and sodas. Building is clean and well- kept but not very big. You can get through the exhibits within a couple of hours read more

As a family we have a simple rule when it comes to museums or other establishments: does this museum have trains, model trains, a picture of trains, or any mention of trains whatsoever? If yes, then we will visit the museum. You can expect the kids enjoyed the train section of the museum, and they did indeed. As a music teacher, I enjoyed seeing the book of music from -- if I recall correctly ~1400. The coins were interesting as well. Since trains are the main draw for our family, it's hard to go slowly and enjoy the rest of the museum, but from the parts I could enjoy as I was being pulled away by young boys were all good. We finished the day off at the soda fountain. Here the young staff members were hard working, friendly and seemed to really enjoy their jobs. In two minutes I saw one young man happily serve several guests, then jump through the "front of house" quickly and pleasantly collecting trash to help keep the place clean. All in all, a good time had on a Sunday afternoon. See a little video (train heavy of course) here: http://vimeo.com/20213160 read more

This was a fantastic museum so much to do and look at, amazing history about Nebraska and especially omaha. They had a special exhibit while we were there it was " identity" I've never seen anything like it. It explains the science behind who we are physical,psychologically , and sociologically. So many interactive activities for all ages we spent the whole 1-5pm there and barely saw everything .. We were also told that during Christmas they have the largest indoor Christmas tree is the country!! I bet that is beautiful.. I would recommend this museum to everyone . read more

The Durham Museum - This is a panoramic of the beautiful lobby!! Amazing - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Visited the Durham recently with my two year old niece and I think she like it just about more than the Children's Museum- the trains at least! She was totally enthralled walking through them. Not sure it warrants the high admission but great if you're looking for something new to do! read more

This place was awesome!!! The architecture alone is fascinating! So much history about the building and the city of Omaha, I found the 1913 Easter Tornado exhibit they had on display to be interesting. Lots of Trains to walk through and check out. We got to see Sue the T-Rex! The timeline exhibits of how things were to how things progressed are very educational! Great place to kill some time, keep the kids busy and learn a bit about the City of Omaha! Really enjoyed it! *Don't' forget to check out the Soda shop and get a treat! Even saw a brochure on hosting events, kid's birthday parties, etc. here read more

What a gem, must stop here. If you've ever been to The Henry Ford, it's like a smaller version of that.

Love this place. With an area with traveling exhibits, there is always something new to see. My kids love walking through and around the REAL trains and train cars. read more

The Durham Museum - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Beautiful architecture, interesting exhibits, and a gorgeous Christmas tree. The permanent exhibits, including the trains and stuffed buffalo, are great for the kids, while adults will enjoy the traveling exhibits. The museum also holds an annual New Year's party for the kids, along with a balloon drop. read more

The Durham Museum - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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The building itself is historical and beautiful and well worth a visit. The old Union Pacific trains are very cool to check out! Typical museum otherwise. Was annoyed with the old fashioned soda shop -- was expecting an old fashioned root beer and instead just got Barq's in a paper cup. Not at all authentic or "old fashioned". read more

Love the conscientious staff, history, and location in f this landmark in Omaha, Ne. Looking forward to visiting again after the Covid disappears read more

Interesting museum. I like the concept of the old train station being revamped into a museum. I felt like the signs from the back entry could be improved as far as where the entrance and parking are (Siri took us in a different way than the main entrance). As a tourist I didn't know this snd it was a little confusing as to where to go. Also wasn't thrilled with the gift shop options, nothing specific to the museum really which was a bummer. The exhibits were fun though. Bathrooms clean. I think we stayed 2 hours snd saw it all. read more

i was surprised what a great visit we had. My 13 year old was not thrilled about going to a museum but once there she loved going through the train cars, the actual museum, lots of history on Omaha here and the soda shop at the end. read more

Wonderful activities for all ages! Kids love the old fashioned soda fountain and All the interactive exhibits.

What an amazing place! We loved the temporary and interactive Jamestown exhibit and the African American WWII exhibit. This is one of the best history museums in the Midwest! read more

This was a surprisingly good museum. I was initially impressed by the beautiful Art Deco interior when you first enter, though unfortunately that's the only real Art Deco you see. Some exhibits are interesting, but there's a lot of cruft and uninteresting stuff. For example, I'm not sure why an exhibit of a typical 1950s kitchen is relevant. The layout is also a little confusing, and it's tough to ensure that you've actually seen everything. I went during Railroad Days, which meant they had a special focus on the railroad exhibits and two actual locomotive engines outside, which was definitely interesting to see. The focus on the railroad stuff is probably the main reason I enjoyed it. I'd recommend going to this place if you've never been before and if there's some special event you're interested in. I'd also recommend going if you have small kids who might be interested by some of the exhibits I considered to be on the lamer side. Otherwise, I can't recommend it, the ticket price is high considering the amount of cruft. read more

Perfect Place for the kiddos.... we had a great time there today spent about an hour and a half going from one area to another finishing it off with the carrousel! Must do if you have kids younger than 11.... read more

The Durham Museum - Anyone need a glitter tattoo? - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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I wish I would use our membership here more. We recently went there to visit Santa. My son loved it. Their exhibits are solid and the staff is nice. I need to make it a point to get down here. They have a lot to offer for everybody-from children to adults. read more

The Durham Museum - Our annual visit to see Santa. - Museums Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

What the museum had to look at was great, but not alot of items as a whole. It only took an hour to go through. Architecture was nice.