The Durham Museum | History, Trains, Dinosaurs, Oh my!
Omaha, Nebraska is only a few short hours away from home. Most recently, we have fallen in love with The Durham Museum located in downtown Omaha. This gem known in years past as Omaha’s Union Station is now filled with trains and history. There is never a dull moment at The Durham Museum and it is filled with tons of things to see and do including trains, Omaha history, and fun exhibits such as dinosaurs!
Omaha Union Station
The Durham Museum is located within the Omaha Union Station. The Omaha Union Station was built in 1929 due to the rapid increase of passenger traffic from the Pacific Railroad. In 1931, this gorgeous building opened to the public and became one of the busiest stations in the nation. At one point, approximately 10,000 passengers utilized the Omaha Union Station daily.
The Durham Museum
Today when you visit, you will find that The Durham Museum now occupies the Omaha Union Station. If you are local to Des Moines, The Durham Museum reminds me a lot of the State Historical Museum of Iowa. It is filled with Omaha history which of course includes trains and a ton of hands-on opportunities.
The kids loved walking through all the exhibit and imagining they lived in Omaha years past.
Climbing in the old trains and old trolley was our favorite. It is fun to imagine traveling across America and living out of a train. If you love trains, this is heaven!
The Platform is a fun hands-on area which includes toy trains, blocks, LEGOs and more. It is located right by the large windows where you can see trains come and go on the tracks.
Soda Fountain and Candy Shop
Not only does The Durham Museum offer a ton of trains and history, but it also offers a classic soda fountain and candy shop! Make sure you save room for lunch or a delicious treat while you are visiting. Their menu consists of hot dogs, brats, chips, candy, sundaes and more.
Exhibits | Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family
The thing I love about The Durham Museum the most is all the different exhibits they offer every year. There is always something new to see and learn whenever we return to Omaha.
Currently, Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family is on display and it is a must-see! Giant dinosaur skeletons, interactive games, and other fun activities make it a fun exhibit for all ages.
The kids loved pretending they lived on earth with dinosaurs with interactive cameras and screens. Of course, the highlight of the entire exhibit in Scotty!
The Tyrannosaurs exhibit will be at up until September 1 so do not wait to plan your visit.
Omaha Railroad Days
Every year The Durham Museum participates in Omaha Railroad Days. This fun weekend allows families to learn all about trains and explore some of Omaha and Council Bluffs fun attractions.
This past year Lauritzen Gardens, The Durham Museum, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, RailsWest Railroad Museum, and the Historic General Dodge House all teamed up for this event. We had the opportunity to attend and had a blast!
Keep your eyes open for the 2020 event.
Have you visited The Durham Museum? What was your favorite thing to see or do? Comment below!
