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    Kiewit Luminarium

    4.5 (51 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Meg B.

    I will start this review by saying, I am not a museum person. This type of venue it not something I'd do on my own, but this is the second time I've come with a large group. I do enjoy the sights and sounds, but it does take a lot of time and reading. It's definitely an incredible place to learn a myriad of things. I am always happy we go, even if I him haugh about it. It is steep to get in, $70 for 1 adult and 2 kids, and that's why it feels like you have to see everything. There are a lot of interactive elements, and even live demonstrations for things. Parking is free and the park next door is also free. Well worth an afternoon in the winter to get out of the house, if you're into this type of thing.

    Exterior - The building is very photogenic from this side. Entrance is to the right of the blue circle if you zoom in.
    Braden W.

    I have been to a few places similar to this. I would call it kinda a young to medium kids museum that adults could still enjoy. Two levels of things and activities to check out as well as a room where they have roaming attractions. There is also a fun indoor 'jungle gym' on the second floor and then across from the entrance is a city park that is huge. Parking is kinda tight but there is a second lot on the other side. Overall for under 20 bux for adults and under 15 bux for kids isn't a bad price for a couple hour time spend with the kids if you are local or tourist. Beware the dang downtown construction because there is alot of mess right now! (2026)

    Great educational opportunity! Will return when back in Omaha. My kids didn't want to leave.

    Jana J.

    This was my second time at the luminarium, where I attended a party that my company posted. I have to say, the luminary did an excellent job of hosting us with delicious appetizers, unlimited bar, very short, weight, lines, and all of this during a severe ice storm they kept half of my coworkers at home! The staff still showed up, and did an amazing job. I wasn't sure how a company party would go over in a space like this, but it was a great time, and a fun layout for different levels and mingling opportunities. Great job, Kiewit!

    Stephanie L.

    An absolute gem in Omaha! I love that they offer Night Lights for 18+ so us adults can have fun too. All the exhibits are interactive and informative, making it hands on learning that I love. Watch out for the occasional special exhibit or theme. The most recent Night Lights I went to was focused on biomimicry and there was a baby kangaroo to hold - one of the highlights of my life haha.

    View from the second floor
    Nicole O.

    Wow - I wasn't sure what to expect when going here but I was pleasantly surprised! I decided to go to the adult night with a few friends. We had a blast! Right when you walk in there is a gift shop and also very friendly staff at the front desk. We were able to buy a drink at the bar and continue with it while walking around. One of my favorite parts was the fact that it was interactive but also educational as well! I loved getting to explore HOW and WHY things work in a hands on environment! 10/10 would go back again.

    Sara C.

    The Luminarium is such a cool place, and we are super lucky to have this in Omaha. I went on an adults only night, but I could see it being very neat for kids to go to as well, if parents are looking for a fun, but educational place to take the kids. There are several interactive pieces you can play with/learn from, with exhibits dedicated to sound, light, weight, motion, heat, and many more things to explore. If you're a fan of photo ops, there are DOZENS of spots that would be great for that too (but definitely read the scientific reason for the exhibit before or after you take your selfie LOL) I don't want to spoil everything, but just trust me and visit the Luminarium for yourself, whether alone or with your kids - you will not regret it!

    Maddy G.

    We love the Luminarium especially in the winter time. It seems like there is more for older kids to do-- exhibits, play space, dissection demonstrations etc but we still take our toddler and let him roam around. They have a great playground outside for the warm weather and a nice walking path where you can walk along the water. There is also an indoor playground that is an awesome spot in the colder months but does require some close adult supervision as it is a little challenging for the younger kiddos. If you become a member you get a 10% discount in the Fig Cafe.

    Molly M.

    We looooooved the visit to the luminarium and so does the kiddo! We have a membership and stopped in a few weeks ago for some fun. It's large enough but small enough that you won't get lost. She loved playing with the kinetic sand and even more so the playgrounds both indoors and outdoors. There was plenty to do and even more to learn. Our favorite spot as the adults was the cafe. We got French onion soup, a Caesar salad, and hummus. All of it was incredible!! The prices are right and there's tons of options including drinks both alcoholic and non. There's an entire coffee shop attached too. We easily kept busy for hours and definitely recommend! Parking is ample as well.

    Can't pass up a Flip Board. The sound. The feel. It's like the last of the analog meets digital.
    Bryan A.

    Don't pass on checking this place out! Great mix of science and whimsy; very well designed. Cafe has delicious coffee; great baked items! Amazing location too.

    Katie F.

    With Mom and I visiting from Denver, a group of us headed to the Luminarium for an afternoon of exploring this Omaha staple! Let's just say it's the perfect spot for..... ++ A date! With interactive exhibits throughout two floors, there is a ton to explore that involves thinking, talking, walking and all things to spark conversation! ++ A pick me up/cocktail. The cafe attached to the museum features a variety of sweet treats, small eats and a variety of wine and beer. Our group opted for a bottle of wine before diving into the exhibits and it made for the perfect start! ++ Views, on views! The adjacent park has a variety of activities, sites, slides and views of downtown Omaha - making for a fun experience. Tickets are available on the spot (or to reserve in advance) for a reasonable price, the exhibits are super interesting and an easy way to spend a few hours! Highly recommend :)

    Infrared camera shows heat sources
    Bryan A.

    There is so much to explore here! We were blown away by the variety and complexity of the exhibits presented in the Luminarium. Having heard that it was primarily focused on youths and children, we hadn't put this place near the top of our "things to do" list. Guess what... The Luminarium has a plethora of activities for all ages. We visited on a Thursday afternoon which meant that most kids would be in school. Most of the people exploring alongside us were Millennials -- it appeared to be a large company's team-building event, which from all appearances was successful. Nevertheless, folks of every generation were there -- and were all having a good time. It is difficult to describe the entire experience because there are so many different exhibits. Simply put, you just need to see it for yourself. I promise that you won't be disappointed. The building is large which allows plenty of space for the exhibits. There is lots of room to move around and explore. Best of all, there is a huge variety in the types of displays. Other benefits include the following: - great views of the river and parks - nice gift shop - free lockers to store your coat or whatever you don't want to lug around - cafe [Fig] in case you get hungry and want a snack - free parking - large outdoor playground for kids Overall, it is a fascinating science museum that Omaha can be proud of!

    Snack time!
    Gabriel W.

    I have a 2 and 3 year old and it's their favorite place to go run around! The place is a good size and I haven't had to worry too much about them destroying stuff! So glad they made this place so kid friendly! I'd say it's better than the Children's Museum and a better price for an annual family membership! The upstairs has a seating area so I bring lunch and then time it right so they can nap when we get home. Great for kids!

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    7 months ago

    Fantastic interactive place that kept kids happy for the whole afternoon. The cafe food was delicious but very very expensive.

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    Ask the Community - Kiewit Luminarium

    Review Highlights - Kiewit Luminarium

    The outdoor park area looked so fun and mirrors some programming found in the Gene Leahy Mall.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Joslyn Art Museum

    Joslyn Art Museum

    4.5
    (161 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    From iconic works by artists like Kehinde Wiley, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Auguste Rodin to stunning…read morecontemporary pieces, every corner gives you something new to feel, discover, and reflect on. And the best part? It's completely FREE!  Whether you're looking for a solo reset, a cute date idea, quality time with friends, or a fun family outing, this is the perfect place to slow down, get inspired, and pour back into yourself. Let me also add - great location for weddings and recently did Slow Sundays (yoga) here! https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTDLEE28v/

    Apparently a relatively recent rebuild as of this writing, this art museum inhabits a majestic…read morespace. The roads leading to the parking include some counterintuitive one ways and you can (and I did) end up in a dead end, but it's generally not busy enough to prevent you from figuring it out. Entrance is free, with one exhibition being a separate paid ticket. I appreciated a substantial portion of the collection devoted to the Native American peoples of the region and the early expansion of the United States. Having said that, it was also a global collection. I gave myself an hour to view it and had to rush just to get a brief run of the place. Some of the modern art didn't really come off for me, but overall it was a thought-provoking collection. There was also a substantial educational component, with rooms being devoted to what looked like early childhood education and more of a summer camp for older children. The site was well known to everyone I talked to in the city, and clearly a significant local institution, but one worth visiting regardless of where you are from.

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    Kimchi grilled cheese sandwich
    Kimchi grilled cheese sandwich
    Pinocchio?
    Pinocchio?
    Niçoise salad

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    Niçoise salad
    Museum of Shadows

    Museum of Shadows

    3.1
    (36 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    This place is freaking awesome! We are visiting from Denver and I was so excited to visit. It…read moreabsolutely lived up to the hype! There were so many awesome artifacts and each item had its own notecard explaining the story. There were two of us and we used the black light flashlights and a spirit box, and it ran us $96. Price is a bit steep BUT the place was really cool and the staff is incredibly helpful and kind. The manager was giving us lots of stories on the building's history and some of the artifacts he actually helped retrieve! Such a special and fun experience, I can't recommend enough! Thank you, Museum of Shadows!

    I REALLY wanted to love this place, as I LOVE all things paranormal, but sadly I was quite…read moredisappointed with this place, purely because of the lack of care and attention to detail. But because of how badly really wanted to love this place, I'm going to leave a super long review with points I really think could benefit you guys if you're open to it, and really help make this place flourish! So Each room we went into was just a big empty room, with a million cluttered artifacts lining the perimeter of each room, complete with the same laminated piece of paper typed up on word, accompanying literally every single item. So if someone wanted to read every single piece of paper in here, I have no doubts it would take AT LEAST 34 hours... And it's unfortunate bc they really did have a ton of awesome items with super interesting stories attached, but everytime you walk a couple more feet around the perimeter, you're again overwhelmed with the sheer amount of clutter/things to read. So I'd really recommend to the staff to try and change the layout of this place. Ideally the rooms would be smaller, so that you aren't overwhelmed by a big empty room. Even just some kind of cheap room dividers that simulate a divided up room would work. And the 2nd biggest recommendation I have would be changing up how you present information. At the very least that means just changing the sizes of the captions you have next to items, like making some of the captions in much bigger frames, and maybe keeping some small ones, there just needs to be more of a variety to keep the scene in front of your more interesting. And maybe don't have soo many captions that were excessively long, like you could sum up the item in just a couple sentences, and then save the entire detailed story about the item just for guided tours or something. Lastly- WHY IN THE WORLD DO YOU NOT LET PEOPLE USE THEIR PHONES? Don't you understand every time someone would take a pic of something in your museum and then post it on social media, that's LITERALLY FREE ADVERTISING for you! Trust me, you're only hurting yourself by not letting ppl share pics of their visit here.

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    Museum of Shadows
    Museum of Shadows
    Museum of Shadows

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    Joslyn Castle

    Joslyn Castle

    4.0
    (28 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    First time visitor Dog friendly grounds - saw a dog bag…read moredispenser gravel cement asphalt grounds Semi incline Free parking Did the tour - $17 for a little over 90 mins to see each level of the castle and hear the history Tours are on select days and times. It would indicate on the website and just appear and wait for the door to open to pay for entry. Or can be purchase ahead of time. Home was decorated for a weekend event but to see the details of the Mosaics, molding, rooms, creek of wooden floors, to just be inside a castle, and to hear how the Joslyn started from the ground up and truly gave back to the community even after of passing to ensure the community was taken of. They treated everyone including to those working for them like family. To wander around the grounds floor is pretty neat, to see the inside is pretty special. Would recommend especially those passionate for history, designing, and architecture.

    Really a must see if you're in Omaha for a couple days, because how often can you say you toured a…read morelegit castle without leaving North America? The tour starts in one of the grandest rooms in the home and while it is a bit old-fashioned for this digital age, need I remind you that this is a literal castle? What's more old school than that? We visited in late fall so there wasn't much to see in terms of foliage or plant life, I suspect it is even more wonderful in the spring and summer.

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    Joslyn Castle
    Joslyn Castle
    Joslyn Castle

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    Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum

    Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum

    4.4
    (110 reviews)
    26.6 mi

    We had a half of a day to kill before our Omaha flight and wanted to see this museum. So glad we…read morewent, the exhibits are very well documented and span the range from missiles and bombs, to drones, bombers, tankers, fighters, helicopters, and lunar modules from WWII onward and even a prototype Artemis lander. Flight simulators, a theater continuously screening space and air related films, and lots of activities for the kids plus some outside exhibits and benches for enjoying the view round out the experience. The entrance to the museum is beautifully constructed with a SR-71 Blackbird hanging from the ceiling. Many of the exhibits were very unique aircraft including a Quail decoy for the B-52 bomber, one of only 2 XF-85 Goblin parasite fighter escorts ever built, an EC-235C Looking Glass lying command center, a B-58A (one of only 6 remaining) mid range bomber which was the first bomber to break Mach II, first to have stellar-inertial nav and first to have a stainless steel honeycomb structure, and the B-36J was really unique with 6 pusher engines plus turbojets - the largest bomber ever built, plus many more items.

    This is a gem of a museum and worth the drive to Ashland. The rotating exhibits are a draw, such…read moreas the recent Star Wars fun, but the standing exhibits are worth the visit on their own. We've been here several times over the years and the museum never always looks well maintained and current. Love that Nebraska's astronaut is the current CEO of the museum!

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    Atlas ICBM
    Atlas ICBM
    Gift Shop
    Gift Shop
    Star Wars Menu

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    Star Wars Menu

    Kiewit Luminarium - museums - Updated August 2026

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