ENJOY A TRIP THROUGH LOCAL HISTORY
REGISTER FOR YOUR FAVORITE TOURS TODAY— or one of our NEW walking tours!
The past comes alive during River City History Tours at The Durham Museum! River City History Tours are historically accurate, entertaining and share the fascinating history of Omaha. Explore the city’s vibrant past aboard comfortable transportation or up close on our walking tours 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.
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2026?
Choose from three walking tour themes, each with a unique twist on downtown Omaha history. Stroll with us through the Old Market, to the Missouri River or to the former site of Jobber’s Canyon. Or register for all three offerings!
If These Bricks Could Talk: A Downtown History
Urban Hike, River City: Trekking Through Omaha’s Changing Landscape
The Average Jobber on the Urban Harbor
All bus tours begin at 1PM on Sundays 🕗 All walking tours begin at 9AM on Saturdays
- Bus tours cost $32 for museum members and $38 for non-members. All tours last between 90 minutes to 2 hours. Tours take place on a shuttle or motorcoach, which is climate controlled. We recommend dressing in comfortable layers and encourage guests to bring a water bottle (only water is allowed onboard). Tour vehicle subject to change.
- Walking tours cost $20 for museum members and $26 for non-members. These tours last approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours. Comfortable walking shoes and a water bottle are highly recommended. If cancelled due to weather, guests will be notified and granted a full refund.
All tours include admission to the museum (you can visit the museum before and/or after your tour depending on museum operating hours). To reserve a seat for the tour, register below or call 402-444-5027. Payment is due at the time of reservation. Membership discount applies only to those in the household (Note to members: Your discount will be applied near the end of the online registration process). Full refunds will be granted for cancellations requested two weeks in advance.
Reserve your spot today!
SIGN UP FOR A PUBLIC BUS TOUR
SIGN UP FOR A PUBLIC WALKING TOUR
BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR
“Entertaining stories and enlightening historical information delivered in such an engaging manner by enthusiastic tour guides. I can’t recommend these enough!”
– River City History Tours guest
2026 BUS TOURS
From Expositions to Jazz Musicians
June 28 • August 2
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 musician 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. This tour is for people who love the state fair, want to learn about jazz and enjoy visiting spots with history hidden in plain sight.
Omaha’s Parks and Boulevards
June 7 • July 19 • September 27
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. This tour is for people who enjoy a stroll through nature, seeing beautiful and historic buildings and celebrating efforts to improve the neighborhood. Stops along the way include homes and mansions of Omaha’s most famous families and notable city corners (and their origin stories).
Remember the Ladies! The Women of Early Omaha
May 10 • July 12 • August 23 • October 18
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, Joslyn Castle and so much more! This tour is for people who want to celebrate unsung heroes, and want to learn about stories that might have been left out when you were in school.
Last Call for Alcohol: Omaha’s Bootlegging History
May 17 • June 14 • July 26
August 9 • September 13 • October 4
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, speakeasies and other key locations in prohibition-era Omaha. This tour is for people who love crime dramas and learning about nefarious characters, and want to know the story behind the drink they’re having.
Please note, this tour involves subject matter that might not be suitable for children.
THE GRITTY CITY
May 24 • June 21 • August 16
August 30 • September 6 • October 11
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! One of our most popular tours, this program is for people who enjoy a good rags-to-riches story, love history that makes you laugh and want to be inspired. Stops include some of Omaha’s most remarkable landmarks and how they represented a positive turnaround for the city.
Please note, this tour involves subject matter that might not be suitable for children.
OMAHA, CENTER OF THE NATION
May 31 • July 5 • September 20
Throughout its history, Omaha has had a lasting impact on American politics. At the same time, the city has been shaped by and has mirrored the country’s triumphs and contradictions. Join us and journey across nearly 200 years of stories of Omaha at the center of the nation. This tour is for political junkies, lovers of American history and people who want to see locations where famous people visited. Stops include the former site of the Boyd Opera House, where Susan B. Anthony debated a local politician, and a now-empty lot that once hosted an infamous rally that shaped an election.
BUS Tour Registration
Note to members, your discount will be applied near the end of the registration process.
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“So interesting. We’ve lived in the area for 50-plus years and learned new things we hadn’t known before. We’re looking forward to new experiences down the road.”
– River City History Tours guest
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN OMAHA WALKING TOURS
LaCE UP YOUR SHOES FOR THREE UNIQUE WALKING TOURS!
Join us on Saturdays for a walking tour of historic downtown Omaha! New for 2026: Explore Omaha’s history through THREE new programs, each with a fascinating theme which visits different parts of the downtown neighborhood! All tours begin at 9AM at The Durham Museum, and last roughly 1.5-2 hours. Museum admission is included with your purchase, so be sure to make your way back to the museum at the end of your tour to see the latest exhibits or enjoy an ice cream from the Soda Fountain. Find all walking tour dates in the pulldown menu below.
IF THESE BRICKS COULD TALK: A DOWNTOWN HISTORY
May 16 & 30 • June 13 & 27 • July 18 • August 1, 15 & 29 • September 12 & 26 • October 10
(All times 9AM)
An exciting new version of our previous Downtown Walking Tour, journey through the city’s history by visiting historic downtown sites. Hear the stories of important early Omahans as well as 20th century figures who made an impact, before wrapping up at the Downtown Farmer’s Market or heading back to the museum to enjoy our current exhibitions. For folks who want to see Omaha’s history up close and from ground level, this program is a great introduction to the city’s history, and strolls through the Old Market and around important downtown landmarks.
URBAN HIKE, RIVER CITY: TREKKING THROUGH OMAHA’S CHANGING LANDSCAPE
May 23 • June 20 • July 25 • August 22 • September 19 • October 17
(All times 9AM)
Omaha’s landscape has changed across the centuries. Join us and explore what those changes have been and how they have shaped local history. This tour is for lovers of the outdoors, and includes a visit to the new Polina Gardens! For folks who are eager to cover lots of ground (and lots of history in the process!), this program focuses on historic preservation, nature and the ever-changing environment. It includes stops near the Missouri River, at urban parks and gardens, and the former sites of the Lone Tree Ferry. Note: this tour will begin at The Durham Museum and will conclude at Lewis & Clark Landing. Please plan ahead for your return journey to the museum.
THE AVERAGE JOBBER ON THE URBAN HARBOR
June 6 • July 11 • August 8 • September 5 • October 3
(All times 9AM)
It is impossible to talk about local history without including the many workers who have shaped it. From jobbers to meatpackers, and from brewers to railroad workers, get a glimpse at the impact of industry on our urban community and see Omaha from the perspective of the everyday laborer, before wrapping up at the Downtown Farmer’s Market or heading back to the museum. For folks who want to know about the many communities that made Omaha what it is today, this program focuses on industrial history, people who sought a new life in a new place, and how economic forces shaped the area. Enjoy stops at the former site of Jobber’s Canyon, Omaha’s “Red Light District,” and places touched by the Great Migration.
WALKING Tour Registration
Note to members, your discount will be applied near the end of the registration process.
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“(The downtown walking tour) was a great tour. A blend of the past and present in a logical way, at a normal pace so I could look at what I was being told about and enjoy.”
– River City History Tours guest
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’s Education and Public Engagement Department at 402-444-5027 or education@durhammuseum.org.
“The entire experience was everything I’d hope for and more.”
– River City History Tour guest
