The past comes alive during River City History Tours at The Durham Museum! These tours are historically accurate, entertaining and share the fascinating history of Omaha. Explore the city’s vibrant past aboard a comfortable shuttle bus and hear stories that highlight the unique history of various neighborhoods and locations in Omaha, ranging from the city’s infamous bootlegging past to the site of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition. Select from several unique tours throughout the season, including our walking tours of downtown Omaha.

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All tours include admission to the museum (you can visit the museum before and/or after your tour depending on museum operating hours).

2025 BUS TOURS

From Expositions to Jazz Musicians

Sunday, June 29 (1PM) • Tuesday, August 12 (6PM) • Sunday, October 12 (Sold out!)

In 1898, Omaha hosted the Trans-Mississippi & International Exposition, an event that brought millions to the city to learn about life west of the Mississippi River, and we will explore the site of the original fairgrounds. In time, the area became the home of stately homes and parks, as well as multiple jazz halls that hosted some of the most famous names in American music: Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington, and many others. If New York and Chicago represented the big leagues of jazz, local trumpeter Preston Love, Sr. stated, then Omaha was the “Triple-A.” Join us as we uncover the local stories of jazz, world fairs and much more.

Omaha’s Parks and Boulevards

Tuesday, July 15 (6PM) • Sunday, August 17 (1PM) • Sunday, October 19 (1PM)

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 developers laid out so many years ago.

Remember the Ladies! The Women of Early Omaha

Sunday, May 11 (1PM) • Tuesday, June 10 (6PM) • Sunday, July 20 (1PM)

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, St. Cecilia Cathedral, and so much more!

Last Call for Alcohol: Omaha’s Bootlegging History

Tuesday, June 24 (Sold out!) • Sunday, July 13 (Sold out!) • Tuesday, August 26 (Sold out!) • Sunday, September 28 (Sold out!)

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.

Please note, this tour involves subject matter that might not be suitable for children.

THE GRITTY CITY

Now back as a full-length tour!
Sunday, May 18 (Sold out!) • Sunday, August 3 (Sold out!) • Sunday, October 5 (Sold out!)

Inspired by Omaha’s rough and tumble past, “The Gritty City” explores the growth and challenges the city faced as the country expanded west. Omaha was at times a sophisticated urban setting and other times a throwback to the days of the Wild West. Learn why the city earned poems about its muddy streets and why some writers begged their readers to “take heed” and avoid Omaha at all costs!

Please note, this tour involves subject matter that might not be suitable for children.

OMAHA, CENTER OF THE NATION

Sunday, July 6 (1PM) • Tuesday, August 5 (6PM) • Sunday, September 21 (Sold out!)

Omaha, Center of the Nation brings forward a few of the many stories of how Omaha has changed the national landscape. Did you know that Omaha was a battleground for the women’s rights movement, or that, for a time, the city represented some of the worst government corruption in the nation? How about the fact that the Trans-Continental Railroad not only led to the rapid expansion of the city, but also radically transformed American culture and society? Would it surprise you to hear that the Civil Rights Movement may have actually started in 1947 on the campus of Creighton University?

Hear these stories and much more of Omaha at the center of the nation.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN OMAHA WALKING TOURS

Join us on select Saturdays between May-October for a walking tour of historic downtown Omaha! Each tour begins at 10AM at The Durham 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.

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 a date, time and tour theme (subject to availability) and have the whole bus to yourself!

For us to provide you the best experience possible, we kindly ask that any private tour inquiries be submitted at least FOUR WEEKS prior to the anticipated tour date.

For more information or to schedule a private tour, contact The Durham Museum Education Department at 402-444-5027 or education@durhammuseum.org.