A free museum in a historic Carnegie library building telling the story of the transcontinental railroad and modern railroading.
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum occupies the historic Carnegie Library building in downtown Council Bluffs, across the Missouri River from Omaha. It is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Omaha and is free to enter. Council Bluffs was the eastern starting point of the transcontinental railroad, which gives the subject matter a real local connection.
The first level holds the Lincoln Collection and Building America, which covers the transcontinental railroad and nineteenth-century railroad operations. Council Bluffs' role in choosing the eastern terminus is part of that story. Photographs, documents, artifacts and displays make the history approachable even if you are not a rail enthusiast.
On the second level, America Travels by Rail looks at early to mid-twentieth-century passenger travel, and Working on the Railroad covers modern railroading. The latter includes a popular train simulator that is a hit with kids and adults alike. Together the two floors take you from the 1860s to today.
The museum is a good rainy-day stop and pairs naturally with the Squirrel Cage Jail next door, which is steps away on Pearl Street. Parking is metered on weekdays and free on weekends. Hours are limited to Thursday through Saturday, plus Sundays in summer, so plan your visit around them.
An 1885 rotary jail with three floors of revolving, pie-shaped cells, now a museum and one of the last of its kind.
Adults $10 · Kids $5
Nearest CityLine stays: Blue Oasis: Modern 1-Bed Retreat Apt 1 (5.7 mi), Midtown Home w/ Historic Charm (5.8 mi) · See all rentals by distance
A small railroad museum in an 1899 Rock Island depot, with walk-through train cars including a caboose and a railway post office.
Adults $10 · Kids $5
Nearest CityLine stays: Blue Oasis: Modern 1-Bed Retreat Apt 1 (5.7 mi), Midtown Home w/ Historic Charm (5.9 mi) · See all rentals by distance
Harrah's Council Bluffs' 4,000-guest outdoor concert venue on the Missouri River, running a summer series of touring rock, country and pop acts.
Ticket prices vary by show; summer season only; sold via Ticketmaster
Nearest CityLine stays: Blue Oasis: Modern 1-Bed Retreat Apt 1 (2.5 mi), Midtown Home w/ Historic Charm (2.6 mi) · See all rentals by distance
Hours and prices come from Union Pacific Railroad Museum’s official information and can change, so confirm on their website before you go. Back to all things to do
