Omaha, Nebraska may seem like a sleepy midwestern to some, but it may surprise you. From an impressive culinary scene, to a growing music + arts destination, Omaha has an exciting variety of culture and creativity. Whether you’re interested in local history, culture, the arts, or even haunted oddities, there is truly a local museum for everyone.
Here are a few must-visit museums along with my noted favorites!
Arts + Creative
Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts – Cara’s Recommendation
Old Market
The Bemis Center is a contemporary art museum in the heart of downtown Omaha. Through an international residency program partnered with regularly rotating exhibitions, programming, and artist talks, they are inspiring and encouraging an open dialogue.
Bonus: Book tickets for their free concerts on Thursdays at LOW END, their own music venue.
Old Market
A creative space established by artists Jun and Ree Kaneko, KANEKO encourages firsthand exploration of the arts through education, performances, and programming. They are known for hosting immersive exhibitions! Their building is also a popular event space for the community.
Bonus: Check out their upcoming youth creative camps.
Joslyn Art Museum – Cara’s Recommendation
Old Market/Downtown
The gorgeous Joslyn Art Museum is a downtown staple currently undergoing a massive renovation. This fine arts space will reopen to the public in 2024, but that hasn’t stopped them from connecting with the community! You can find Joslyn Around Town events like studio classes and symphonies in the meantime.
The Union for Contemporary Art
North Omaha
The Union is a space for arts and culture. Centered around strengthening the community, ensuring accessibility, and supporting artists, they are an important pillar in the Omaha community. With co-op studios, a fellowship program, a community garden, public art projects, and more, their outreach is involved. Plus, their gallery rotates exhibitions frequently. Whether you are looking for ways to volunteer or want to learn about local artists, it’s a great community space to visit.
Local History
Downtown
Housed in the restored Union Station, the Durham is a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum right in downtown Omaha. Their archives and collections share the rich, local history of Omaha and surrounding regions. They always have rotating exhibits, so check out what’s on display now.
Council Bluffs
This museum is in a historic Carnegie Library in downtown Council Bluffs. The UP Railroad Museum explores the history of the Union Pacific Railroad and its impacts on American development. They have their own collection of artifacts, along with traveling exhibitions.
Culture + Community
Czech and Slovak Educational Center & Cultural Museum
La Vista
This cultural center located in La Vista showcases and preserves Czech artifacts and history. The Czech and Slovak Cultural Museum’s exhibitions center around themes of immigration and music, and they are open to visitors on the weekends.
South Omaha
El Museo Latino was the first Latino Museum and Cultural Center in the Midwest and is celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year! They collect, preserve, and showcase Latino artwork of the Americas. Schedule a visit to see their current exhibits, or reserve a spot at one of their upcoming events.
Great Plains Black History Museum
North Omaha
The Great Plains Black History Museum has been a fixture in the Omaha community for 40 years now. They exhibit and educate on the achievements of African Americans in the Great Plains region and beyond. They offer both self-led and private tours and have online exhibitions for those who can’t make the visit in person. I highly recommend stopping by to learn about their expansive collection!
Families + Children
Kiewit Luminarium – Cara’s Recommendations
The Riverfront
This brand-new science and discovery center is now open at Lewis and Clark Landing! The Luminarium is 82,000 sqft. of inclusive space for curious minds of all ages to explore “science, art, and human perception” under one roof. They have timed-entry tickets that you can reserve here.
Bonus: Don’t miss their Fig Cafe—a new scratch kitchen concept from the team behind Lola’s in Dundee (a personal favorite).
Downtown
The perfect space for play, learning, and exploration, the Omaha Children’s Museum has no shortage of events, activities, and programs. Between summer camps, birthday parties, and rotating special exhibits, there’s always a reason to plan a trip with the kids.
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
Ashland
Located off Interstate 80 between Omaha and Lincoln, the SAC Museum is a perfect place to learn about the science, technology, and engineering of aircraft. The large facilities house and preserve aircraft and artifacts. As another Smithsonian Affiliate in Omaha, their collection is expansive.
Unique Finds
Downtown
Spooky! If all things haunted and paranormal are of interest to you, don’t miss what has been voted The Most Haunted Museum in the World. The Museum of Shadows is a collection of haunted artifacts. Purchase tickets here—if you dare!
Have fun exploring some of Omaha’s best museums!
