River City History Tours Return to The Durham Museum
Join The Durham Museum for another exciting season of River City History Tours, including some new tour offerings! Grab your seat, or a pair of comfy shoes, and explore the city’s vibrant past aboard a comfortable shuttle bus or on a walking tour of downtown Omaha. These popular group tours depart from The Durham Museum and delve into topics like women in Omaha, the city’s infamous bootlegging history and more. Select from several unique tours throughout the season, May-October, including a new Happy Hour History tour offered Friday afternoons!
Tickets are on sale now at www.DurhamMuseum.org/Tours or by calling 402-444-5027.
Walking Tours – Begin May 4th!
Join us on select Saturdays for a walking tour of historic downtown Omaha. Each tour begins at 10AM at the museum and proceeds to the Old Market where you’ll enjoy visiting locations ranging from the sites of speakeasys to the well-known Old Market Passageway. Hear the stories of important early Omahans such as political boss Tom Dennison and early pioneers Rachel and William Snowden, before wrapping up at the Downtown Farmer’s Market or heading back to the museum to enjoy our current exhibitions.
Tour offered: May 4 & 18 • June 1, 15, 29 • July 27 • Aug. 10, 24 • Sep. 7 & 21 • Oct. 19
Shuttle Bus Tour Options
New! Happy Hour History: Stories of the “Gritty City”
This Friday afternoon tour is a great way to start your weekend! Inspired by Omaha’s rough and tumble past, “Gritty City” explores the growth and challenges the city faced as the country expanded west in the 18th and 19th centuries. The tour’s final stop? At Sips on 10th for a complimentary signature cocktail made just for the occasion.
Tour offered Fridays: June 28 (4PM) • July 19 (3:30PM) • Aug. 16 (4PM)
New! Omaha & The Presidents
2024 marks an election year, and The Durham Museum is excited to present a new two-part tour focusing on American presidents and their influence on Omaha and the wider region. As guests will learn, Omaha has played a role in shaping the world’s most powerful office and those who have held it. Sign up for both tours (Parts I & II) to experience the full story spanning 200 years of American history, or sign up for one. We can assure you, each tour is a rich experience all on its own!
Tour offered:
PART I: Sunday, June 2 (1PM) • Tuesday, July 16 (6PM) • Sunday, Oct. 13 (1PM)
PART II: Sunday, June 9 (1PM) • Tuesday, July 30 (6PM) • Sunday, Oct. 20 (1PM)
Omaha’s Parks and Boulevards
Did you know that Omaha developed a beautiful parks and boulevard system beginning in the late 1800s? In fact, much of this system remains today linking popular parks like Elmwood and Hanscom with gorgeous tree-lined streets such as Happy Hollow and Lincoln Boulevard. The “Parks and Boulevards” tour will take you along the beautiful path these developers laid out so many years ago.
Tour offered: Saturday, May 11 (1PM) • Saturday, Aug. 3 (1PM) • Sunday, Sept. 29 (1PM)
From Expositions to Jazz Musicians
In 1898, Omaha hosted the Trans-Mississippi & International Exposition, an event that brought millions to Omaha to learn about life west of the Mississippi River. Visit the former site of the expo and see the stately homes, parks and jazz halls that followed in its path. Plus, enjoy a stop at the historic Florence Mill!
Tour offered: Saturday, May 18 (1PM) • Saturday, July 6 (1PM)
Last Call for Alcohol: Omaha’s Bootlegging History
By the time prohibition was the law of the land in the U.S., Nebraska had been “dry” for two years and organized crime syndicates had established a well-oiled machine to turn profits. Local and federal authorities spent years putting together a case that ultimately brought down the “kingpin” of Omaha’s crime scene, Tom Dennison. This tour, based on Dennison’s 1931 federal indictment, takes a look at hotels, speakeasys and other key locations in prohibition-era Omaha.
Tour offered: Tuesday, June 25 (6PM) • Tuesday, Aug. 27 (6PM) • Sunday, Sept. 22 (1PM)
Remember the Ladies! The Women of Early Omaha
Hop on a tour with us in honor of the founding ladies of Omaha. This tour will introduce you to a few of Omaha’s first women, from factory workers and business owners to religious leaders and activists, who contributed to the growth and success of Omaha today. Destinations on this tour will include driving through Omaha’s previous “Red Light District,” the Paxton Hotel, Saint Cecilia Cathedral and so much more!
Tour offered: Sunday, July 20 (1PM) • Saturday, Aug. 17 (1PM) • Sunday, Sept. 8 (1PM)
Private River City History Tours
Available year-round for groups of various sizes; please inquire for pricing based on group size
Grab your friends, co-workers or family members and hit the streets for a private River City History Tour. Pick your date, time and tour theme (subject to availability) and have the whole bus to yourself!
Pricing Information
Walking tours cost $20 for museum members and $25 for non-members. These tours last approximately 90 minutes. Comfortable walking shoes and a water bottle are highly recommended. If cancelled due to weather, guests will be notified and granted a full refund.
Bus tours cost $30 for museum members and $35 for non-members. All tours last between 90 minutes to 2 hours, with the exception of our Happy Hour History tour (approximately 60 minutes). Tours take place on a shuttle or charter bus, which is climate controlled. We recommend dressing in comfortable layers and encourage guests to bring a water bottle (only water is allowed on the shuttle). Tour vehicle subject to change.
All tours include admission to the museum (you can visit the museum before and/or after your tour depending on museum operating hours). Payment is due at the time of reservation. Membership discount applies only to those in the household. Full refunds will be granted for cancellations requested two weeks in advance.
Ride with The Durham at PresFest on May 19th
In collaboration with Preserve Omaha, The Durham Museum will be offering special one-hour bus tours at the second annual PresFest on Sunday, May 19. This tour will take guests through the neighborhood north of Dodge Street in midtown Omaha. The first tour begins at noon. Additional tours will follow at 1PM, 2PM, 3PM and 4PM. These tours are offered at a special rate of $20 for Durham Museum members and $25 for non-members. Reserve your seat at www.DurhamMuseum.org/Tours or by calling 402-444-5027.
