Kenefick Park
Kenefick Park
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
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Address
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Restaurants
266 within 3 miles
Attractions
109 within 6 miles
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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
130 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
52
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
1
cenzt
Iowa5,809 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Good trip. We arrived at approximately 4:30 pm and made our way towards the entrance of the park. Admission into the park was free, which is always a plus. We walked up several flights of stairs, and up a small ramp in order to reach the trains. There were informational plaques located alongside the ramp, that detailed the history of trains in Omaha and the backstory of the trains we were about to view. Located at the top of the ramp were two locomotives. We were not able to go inside either of them, and only viewed them from the outside. The trains overlooked a highway and a body of water.
Tip: I recommend spending 15 minutes here if you truly want to see everything.
Tip: I recommend spending 15 minutes here if you truly want to see everything.
Written November 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheryl P
Beltsville, MD359 contributions
Jul 2022
This park won't take a lot of your time, but it's worth the stop. After you've looked at the locomotives and read about them, take your family to Iowa on I-80. Then turn around and re-enter Omaha. Watch the kids' delight as they discover these two majestic sentinels standing watch above the Interstate.
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane
Miami, FL437 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
It is a small park with 2 Union Pacific Trains with some history around it for informational purposes which has been well done. I recommend this as it is free and can be done at any time the Lauritzen Gardens are open.
Written December 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carrie
Omaha, NE81 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
My four year old son wanted to go to a "new" park. We had been to Lauritzen Garden many times, but didn't realize that Kenefick Park was so close!
We parked in the rear of the Lauritzen Garden parking lot. There are a couple flights of stairs leading up to signs about the railroad, a transcontinental railroad map on the concrete, and 2 train cars. You are able to walk around the trains but not go inside (which my son wanted to do).
I recommend this FREE activity if you are in the area on a nice day!
We parked in the rear of the Lauritzen Garden parking lot. There are a couple flights of stairs leading up to signs about the railroad, a transcontinental railroad map on the concrete, and 2 train cars. You are able to walk around the trains but not go inside (which my son wanted to do).
I recommend this FREE activity if you are in the area on a nice day!
Written March 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gill69
Glasgow, UK1,715 contributions
Sep 2011
Kenefick park is accessed the same way as Lauritzen Gardens. The car park is the same and you don't need to pay the admission fee for the gardens if you only want to view the trains at Kenefick Park.
It's a brisk climb up from the carpark to the top however there is a more sedate meandering road which leads up to the same point if you don't wish to take the stairs.
There is a detailed account of John Kenefick's contribution to Union Pacific and the star attractions of course are the 2 maginificent trains which are located there.
The first is a Union Pacific "big boy" from the late 1800's which was the world's largest steam locomotive and the other is a Centennial from the 1960's (I think) which was the largest diesel locomotive ever made.
The trains are in excellent condition and are quite maginificent. It's great to get so close to them and although you can't actually get inside the cabs there is a walkway across to the cab of "big boy" which gives a good idea of what the driver's life was like in his cab.
The view from Kenefick park is pretty good as it is an elevated position and I found myself marvelling at the fact that somehow, someone managed to get those trains up there which was quite a feat in itself.
We've visited Kenefick Park twice and I can't imagine a visit to Omaha without stopping by here - it's a must do if you are in town or even just passing through.
It's a brisk climb up from the carpark to the top however there is a more sedate meandering road which leads up to the same point if you don't wish to take the stairs.
There is a detailed account of John Kenefick's contribution to Union Pacific and the star attractions of course are the 2 maginificent trains which are located there.
The first is a Union Pacific "big boy" from the late 1800's which was the world's largest steam locomotive and the other is a Centennial from the 1960's (I think) which was the largest diesel locomotive ever made.
The trains are in excellent condition and are quite maginificent. It's great to get so close to them and although you can't actually get inside the cabs there is a walkway across to the cab of "big boy" which gives a good idea of what the driver's life was like in his cab.
The view from Kenefick park is pretty good as it is an elevated position and I found myself marvelling at the fact that somehow, someone managed to get those trains up there which was quite a feat in itself.
We've visited Kenefick Park twice and I can't imagine a visit to Omaha without stopping by here - it's a must do if you are in town or even just passing through.
Written October 10, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELS20
Council Bluffs, IA501 contributions
Dec 2019
Can't believe we passed by this on our way out west multiple times and see it overlooking the I-80 and didn't realize that it was so easily accessible. A defnite must see when going from Iowa/Nebraska I-80. It was literally a mile off I-80, and quite the view overlooking the I-80. Beautiful scenery and easily accessible by a set of stairs or on a paved path to the right of the stairs. Parking is plentiful as it is near the Lauritzen Gardens (another must see).
Written December 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate Illinois1
Illinois4,722 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Kenefick Park shares the same location as Lauritzen Gardens. Ample free parking. Hours 9:00AM-5:00PM. Walk to the park by stairs or ramp. Learn about the history of the railroad in Omaha and Pacific Railroad. The Big Boy is the largest steam locomotive.The Centennial No 6900 the largest and most powerful diesel locomotive. Great view at the top.
Written April 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara B
Banks, OR26 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
See a Union Pacific Big Boy Engine and a Centennial Engine (1969) in one place. Panoramic view of Council Bluffs from Omaha. This is THE PLACE for railroad history buffs.
Written April 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Della W
Omaha, NE92 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
Love the two engines and the views are spectacular. The history of the railroad is embedded in the walls and walkway. Botanical gardens are also cool and right in the same parking lot.
Written January 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DennisinOhio
Glenwood, IA42 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
The largest ever built steam locomotive stands nose to nose with the largest ever built diesel locomotive, high atop a bluff rising over the I-80 entrance into Omaha. While you trek up to the site, make sure you also visit the Botanical Gardens right alongside and the best zoo in America just a few miles away.
Written December 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingKenefick Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Kenefick Park
- Kenefick Park is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Kenefick Park:
- (0.59 mi) Holiday Inn & Suites Council Bluffs-I-29, an IHG Hotel
- (0.56 mi) Hampton Inn Council Bluffs
- (1.94 mi) Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
- (1.79 mi) The Farnam, Autograph Collection
- (2.01 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area
- Restaurants near Kenefick Park:
- (1.10 mi) Orsi's Italian Bakery & Pizzeria
- (1.95 mi) Block 16
- (1.65 mi) Plank Seafood Provisions
- (1.64 mi) M's Pub
- (1.61 mi) Ted & Wally's Ultra-Premium Homemade Ice Cream
Kenefick Park Information
Excellent Reviews | 67 |
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Very Good Reviews | 52 |
Kenefick Park Photos | 90 |