Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Council Bluffs: Hours, Address, Union Pacific Railroad Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
Union Pacific Railroad Museum
Union Pacific Railroad Museum
4.5
About
Our museum has chronicled more than 150 years of American railroad history through unique artifacts and immersive interactive games. Admission is free.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
149 within 3 miles
Duncan's Cafe
123
0.1 mi$ • American • Cafe • Diner
Boxer Barbeque
74
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Barbecue
Bucksnort
18
0.2 mi$ • American
La Carreta Rosa
17
0.2 mi$ • Mexican • Latin • Spanish
Main Street Cafe
24
476 ft$ • American • Cafe
Legend's Cafe
4
0.1 miDiner
Taste of China
17
0.1 mi$ • Chinese • Asian
Mad Ox Bakery
26
0.3 mi$ • Bakeries
Primo's Mexican Restaurant
65
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Vegetarian Friendly
Stay Sweet Nicolas
1
0.3 miCafe
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
299 reviews
Excellent
180
Very good
93
Average
19
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Brendan S
Arlington, VA1,308 contributions
Solo
The Union Pacific museum packs a lot into a building that doesn’t look that large from the outside. The first floor of this two-level museum covers the history of the Union Pacific Railroad specifically and the transcontinental railroad more generally. It has many artifacts from the trains that operated in the 19th Century. The second floor is divided into a passenger rail section and another on the modern freight operations. The former is steeped with nostalgia for the golden age of rail travel through the West and definitely makes you want to take a train ride. The latter is dense with impressive technological details about the modern industry. There’s a lot of corporate cheerleading here, with little mention of train accidents, but it’s a true museum with many interesting pieces.
There is a bizarre rule requiring masks between 10 am and 12 pm - I guess COVID leaves when it’s lunch time? Enough pandemic theater - get rid of mask requirements!
There is a bizarre rule requiring masks between 10 am and 12 pm - I guess COVID leaves when it’s lunch time? Enough pandemic theater - get rid of mask requirements!
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
redtif666
Chicago, IL6 contributions
The museum is chocked with railroad history, and like a trip back in time to the days of early rail travel. Free Virtual UP Happy Hours that the museum has been hosting on Saturday evening have been amazing with interesting and unusual railroad topics, trivia, and a wonderful host that finds all sorts of hidden photos and facts from their archives. Whether virtually or in person, a great place to relive the yesteryears.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bill R
Portland, OR354 contributions
A visit to this museum took us back in time. Railroads were once the way to get from East to West in the United States. We loved the model trains on the 2nd floor. The museum was one of the highlights of our trip to Omaha.
Written May 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jfer1973
7 contributions
Family
This place was breathtaking, amazing, and fun. The train exhibits were my fave but all was interesting and fun to explore. The soda shop was a treat at end of our visit. Must go for anyone whether single. Couples or families.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karenrenae
1 contribution
Family
This museum was educational and interesting. However, I felt intimidated by one staff member who made it clear by her demeanor and comments to colleagues that our children weren't welcome. It's sad that a museum about trains, a subject loved by most little boys, couldn't be more friendly toward curious young minds. Our group was respectful and well-behaved- I felt like I was intruding by visiting.
Written April 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ftpkevk
Seattle30 contributions
Couples
Driving south on Highway 29 in Iowa yesterday (Tuesday) we saw a huge Billboard advertising the UP Railroad Museum, and since I love trains we thought it would be a great place to visit. Turns out it's only open Thursday through Saturday, and only to groups of 10, and only if you make a booking 2 weeks in advance. Great way to promote your museum, just don't try an unplanned visit in the middle of a road trip,
Written November 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frankie030
Stockport, UK219 contributions
Couples
The content in this museum is really good but slightly disappointed for a railroad Museum not to have any engines. But there are lots of interesting things on show in an amazing building which was originally a library. Shop was very disappointing felt that they could have offered more and also nowhere to get a drink or smack.
Written June 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bobbie H
Sedona, AZ46 contributions
Couples
I didn’t expect much when we decided to go to this museum. After all, how great can this be in the small town of Council Bluffs Iowa?? Well boy was I wrong. This museum had fabulous displays for adults and incredible interactive displays for kids....or “adult kids”. There was an entire room devoted to Abraham Lincoln and how he was connected to the Union Pacific RR. I must apologize to the city of Council Bluffs....it was a wonderful city filled with history and friendly people.
Written October 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CaribbeanFan79
Newport Beach, CA1,035 contributions
Family
One trip thru this old museum and you too will value the old ays fo the union pacific railroad. Glad I stopped by.
Written January 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melody L
Marana, AZ1 contribution
Me and a good friend met at the museum for a homeschool field trip. She has 5 children and I have 6. From the minute we walked in until the minute we left, the entire staff was very rude about our children. The museum has many interactive things for the children but the children were scared to even touch them in fear of being yelled at by the staff. Our children are very well behaved and are well versed in the art of museums. When the teens would wander to read signs, we were asked to bring them back and have adult supervision on them. We were actually told to stay in a tight group because they feared us breaking things. On the way out, a small child left a toy so we sent a teen to find it. As she was leaving the floor, a very rude staff member said, Your group already left, I suggest you do the same. We won't be back and I plan to tell every homeschool family I know not to go there. The children were learning so much and it's sad that it was ruined by stereotypes.
Written March 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
How much time should I allow to see most of what the museum has to offer.
WStatesTraveler
The Netherlands294 contributions
Half a day if you are really interested in railroad history.
326randalls
Fruita, CO29 contributions
I am traveling in a RV....is there adequate parking ?
elias n
New York City, NY7 contributions
parking isn't a issue
Carolyn A
Martinsville, IN13 contributions
How long does it take to go through the museum? Thanks
carriic
Council Bluffs, IA33 contributions
1-3 hours, could be more if you like to do lots of reading.
I think Grace may be confusing this museum with the Durham in Omaha, it's the one with the soda fountain.
Also if you are going to see this museum in Council Bluffs anyway, you may want to walk over to the Squirrel Cage museum. It is pretty unique and very close.
Frequently Asked Questions about Union Pacific Railroad Museum
- Union Pacific Railroad Museum is open:
- Fri - Sat 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Union Pacific Railroad Museum:
- (4.06 mi) Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
- (4.41 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area
- (5.99 mi) Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel
- (9.29 mi) DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest
- (2.46 mi) Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Council Bluffs, IA
- Restaurants near Union Pacific Railroad Museum:
- (0.10 mi) Duncan's Cafe
- (0.09 mi) Main Street Cafe
- (0.12 mi) Boxer Barbeque
- (0.11 mi) Legend's Cafe
- (0.13 mi) Taste of China