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Ak.Sar.Ben Aquarium and Nature Center
Schramm Park State Recreation Area
(402) 332.3901
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The aquarium, located on the banks of the Platte River, features more than 50 species of native Nebraska fish. It offers wildlife movies, outdoor ponds and nature trails. The aquarium also houses the Gretna Fish Hatchery Museum.
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Boys Town
Visitor's Center at 198th Street and W. Dodge Road
Omaha, NE
(402) 498.1140
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Founded in 1917 by Father Edward Flanagan, Boys Town became famous following a Hollywood film based on its founder's work. Attractions include Father Flanagan Historic House, the Hall of History, Dowd Memorial Chapel, Chambers Chapel Biblical and Rose Gardens, and the famous "Two Brothers" statue. This National Historic Landmark is open all year. Tours available.
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Chanticleer Community Theater
830 Franklin Avenue
Council Bluffs, IA
(712) 323.9955
www.chanticleertheater.com
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The Mission of Chanticleer is to provide an educational, entertaining, cultural, and historic experience for the greater Council Bluffs Community through the performing arts. Call the theater for the current schedule, and be sure and check out their new web site.
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DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
Off Highway 30, west of Missouri Valley, IA
(712) 642.2772
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The refuge is a haven for migrating birds and waterfowl, and a wintering area for bald eagles. The Visitor Center offers wildlife films and special programs. There are numerous trails to explore as well.
In.season fishing, boating and hunting are permitted.
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Historic General Dodge House (circa 1869)
605 3rd Street
Council Bluffs, IA
(712) 322.2406
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A National Historic Landmark, this 14.room Victorian mansion was the home of General Granville M. Dodge, noted Civil War general and railroad builder. The authentically restored house contains many original furnishings.
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Historic Squirrel Cage Jail
226 Pearl Street
Council Bluffs, IA
(712) 323.2509
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Built in 1885, this facility is one of three remaining examples of the "Lazy Susan" or rotating cell jail.
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Lewis and Clark Monument
North on 8th Street to Rainbow Point
Council Bluffs, IA
(712) 328.4650
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The recently restored monument honors the strategic 1804 council between the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Missouri and Otoe tribes. A scenic overlook offers an expansive view west.
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Loess Hills Scenic Byway
Highway 29 from Sioux City to Hamburg, IA
(712) 642.2114
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The Loess Hills are a geologic phenomenon composed of fine, yellow loess sod found only in western Iowa and the Yangtze River Valley in China. The byway stretches 220 miles along Highway 29, while side roads offer additional views and points of interest. Brochures are available at Iowa Welcome Centers.
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Mallory Kountze Planetarium
68th and Dodge Streets
Omaha, NE
(712) 554.3722
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The planetarium is housed on the first floor of Omaha's Durham Science Center, at the University of Nebraska.
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Mills County Historical Museum
Glenwood Lake Park
Glenwood, IA
(712) 527.5038
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The museum features one of the Midwest's largest collections of Native American arrowheads and tools, as well as a country schoolhouse and a caboose from the Burlington Northern Railroad line.
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National Western Historical Trails Center and Lied Historic Building
Off Interstate 80 at South 24th Street
(712) 325.1500
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This national monument commemorates the western movement and preserves and interprets the historic significance of the area's trails.
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Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha's botanical center
100 Bancroft Street
Omaha, NE 68108
(402) 346.4002
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Lauritzen Gardens is an urban oasis of beauty and tranquility. This 100-acre botanical garden features 13 outdoor garden areas, and also includes an indoor floral display hall, educational programs for children and adults, annual festivals, a café, and a gift shop. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission charged.
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Omaha Children's Museum
400 South 20th Street
Omaha, NE
(712) 342.6164
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Designed as a hands-on "adventure in doing," the Omaha Children's Museum provides a place for youngsters to learn and create in the worlds of science, the arts and the humanities.
Self-directed exhibits aim at stimulating imagination, creativity, exploration and discovery.
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Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
3701 South 10th Street
Omaha, NE
(712) 733.8401
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Lied Jungle is one of the world's largest indoor rain forests. The exotic jungle encompasses 1.5 acres under a translucent,
80.foot roof, and features cascading waterfalls, tropical plants and unusual wildlife, such as pygmy hippos and vampire bats.
The Kingdoms of the Seas Aquarium offers above and below.water views of penguins diving in front of a
60.foot window, a zigzag tunnel cruised by sharks and hundreds of tropical fish, octopus and starfish darting among the coral formations.
The Zoo's newest attraction is the 358.seat Lozier IMAX Theater. The 83' x 61' screen is four giraffes high and nine rhinos wide.
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Omaha Magic Theatre
325 South 16th Street
Omaha, NE
(712) 551.7830
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Housed in a remodeled downtown department store, this professional alternative theater tours nationally and internationally.
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Omaha Symphony
1605 Howard Street
Omaha, NE
(712) 342.3836
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Internationally known guest artists join the Symphony's musicians throughout the concert season. Sixteen symphony,
twenty.two pop and nine chamber concerts are presented each year.
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Omaha Theater Company for Young People
2001 Farnam Street
Omaha, NE
(712) 345.4849
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One of the top professional children's theaters in the country. Reservations are recommended.
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Opera Omaha/Broadway Theatre Season
1613 Farnam Street
Omaha, NE
(712) 346.7372
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This professional company produces three grand operas each season, featuring nationally and internationally recognized artists. The company also presents the Omaha Broadway Theatre Season, a series of touring Broadway shows.
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Orpheum Theater (circa 1927)
409 South 16th Street
Omaha, NE
(712) 444.4750
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The Orpheum Theater is home to the Omaha Symphony, Opera Omaha, Ballet Omaha and Mannheim Steamroller "Fresh Aire" concerts. A restored vaudeville house, the theater hosts theatrical productions, as well as top national musical and comedy performers.
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Railswest Railroad Museum and Ho Model Railroad
16th Avenue and S. Main Street
Council Bluffs, IA
(712) 323.5182
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The Museum, housed in the Historic Rock Island Depot, features an extensive operating model railroad, and railroad artifacts and memorabilia.
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Red Barn Opry Showhouse
10318 Sapp Brothers Drive
Omaha, NE
(712) 895.5939
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Live country, bluegrass and gospel music highlight family entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Riverboat Cruises
Abbott Drive at Freedom Park Road
Omaha, NE
(712) 342.3553
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The Belle Riverboat cruises the Missouri River from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
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Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial
Lafayette Avenue and N. 2nd Street
Council Bluffs, IA
(712) 328.4992
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The "Black Angel" bronze statue, a memorial to the wife of General Granville M. Dodge, was completed in 1919. Its renowned sculptor, Daniel Chester French, also created "The Seated Lincoln" in Washington, D.C. and the "Minute Man" in Concord, Massachusetts.
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Theater at the "J"
333 South 132nd Street
(712) 334.6401
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This theater is housed in the Jewish Community Center. Call for performance schedule.
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Tuesday Musical Concert Series
Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE
Telephone: 551.4805
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The Tuesday Musical Concert Series has presented classical music concerts for over a century. Early concerts took place in local homes and the Fontenelle ballroom, and are now presented in the intimate surroundings of the Witherspoon Concert Hall. Performances run October through April.
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UNO . Department of Dramatic Arts
UNO Fine Arts Building
60th Street and Dodge Street
Omaha, NE
(712) 554.2406
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Students stage a variety of plays during the October . May season.
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Western Heritage Museum
901 South 10th Street
Omaha, NE
(712) 444.5071
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The museum is housed in Omaha Union Station, a restored Art Deco railroad station.
Life-sized interactive sculptures provide a look at local life in the 1930s, '40s and '50s. Six restored train cars are on display, as well as the Union Pacific Railroad Collection. There's a
model-train layout of 1930s Omaha, a multi-media presentation, and both traveling and permanent components round out the exhibits.
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