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History!

Located in historic downtown Council Bluffs, Iowa, on the Missouri River, we're a great place for friends and family to come and learn about the Union Pacific Railroad.

Directions

200 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Museum Information

General Admission is free 

The museum is open:

 Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. You must register online before you visit.

Holiday Hours:

 Open November 26th and 27th

Closed December 24th, 25th, 31st, and January 1st

Reserve your time

All donations support the Union Pacific Museum Association, a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit.

Visitor Reviews

"Great place to go on a winter's day. Very educational!"

"Keep up the good work. It was fun learning about trains. It's an amazing museum!"

"This museum has fantastic displays! Love the demonstration of what made America great: hard working American spirit!"

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  • Holiday Hours

    The museum will be open the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. We will be open December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18 with model trains on display, and closed the weeks of Christmas and New Years.

     

    Click here to reserve your visit in December or in the new year 
  • Small | Model Train at the Museum

    Model Trains at the Museum 

    Throughout the month of December members of the N-Trak model train club are taking over the museum! December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18 they'll be hosting model train displays in the Working on the Modern Railroad exhibit on the museum's second floor.

     

    They'll have a fully operational tabletop N-scale train display as well as a T trak layout that visitors will be encouraged to operate themselves. The museum will also offer a winter wonderland craft table for seasonal make-and-takes.

     

    Entry to see the model trains is included with (always free) entry to the museum. Visitors will need to reserve their time to visit online here

     

    Appointments are plentiful, but schedule ahead to avoid missing out. Walk-ins will be accommodated if possible.

  • Museum Reopening Update

    Welcome back, we’ve missed you!

     

    The Union Pacific Museum is now open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. It's still free to visit, but you must register online at least 1 hour before your visit and wear a face mask in the building.

     

    To visit the Union Pacific Museum, you will need to: 

     

    - Come in groups of 10 or less
    - Wear a facemask or face covering if you are over 2 years old
    - Come to the north side museum entrance, which is on the lowest level, at your appointed time. If you arrive early, you will have to wait outside. If you arrive late, you will not be able to enter unless there is an empty slot.
    - Follow all posted directional signage and information

     

    If you are feeling unwell, please wait to visit! We encourage everyone to please get vaccinated before traveling or visiting.

     

    Make a reservation here 

  • Free Virtual Public Programs

    Join us on Zoom for a variety of historical presentations. These programs are totally free, you just need to register. Find the full slate of virtual public programs here     


    Saturday, December 11: Year End Holiday Party - Steam into Saturday Virtual Happy Hour

     

    5:30pm Central Time


    Celebrate the season and the closing of another year. We'll play some games, do a little trivia, and talk holiday trains.

     

    Register here
  • Small | Railroads in Native America UPRRM

    Railroads In Native America Gathering

    May 19-21, 2022

    Ogden Union Station

    2501 Wall Ave, Ogden, Utah

     

    Learn more here
  • Small | Union Pacific Museum at Night

    SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE - FREE First Friday Night at the Museum Every Month

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, First Friday Night at the Museum is suspended until it is once again safe to gather in person.