Last updated: March 24, 2021
Place
Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Visitor Center
Quick Facts
Amenities
10 listed
Entrance Passes For Sale, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead
Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums
Visitor Centers (shown in orange), High Potential Historic Sites (shown in black), and Pivotal Places (shown in green) along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Located outside of Nebraska City, Nebraska, the Missouri River Basin Center is a 12,000-square-foot, three-story showcase focused on the flora and fauna, and the scientific discoveries of the Lewis and Clark Expedition – the only museum or visitor center dedicated to these aspects of the Corps. Plus, the exhibits and displays were designed with the expert advice of the University of Nebraska’s distinguished professor, Dr. Gary E. Moulton, the nation’s definitive editor of the Lewis and Clark journals, who served as the Center’s first In-Resident Scholar.
Exhibits inside the center present interesting information and displays about the animals, birds, plants, fish, boats, and medicinal practices of the journey. A 32-minute film is shown in the Center’s theatre and provides a sense of the sights and sounds of what it would have been like to travel with the brave explorers over 200 years ago. And outside you can explore a full-sized replica of a Plains Indian earth lodge -- imagine living in the one-room home with your extended family of three or four generations.
Also on the grounds are numerous trails of a variety of distances where you can hike through meadows and heavily wooded hills, and even escape to an overlook of the Missouri River in the valley below.
As you walk up to the Center’s front doors, you can’t miss the full-size, 55-foot-long replica keelboat waiting to be explored.
Throughout the year, the staff plans several special events which bring the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to life. Be sure to check their website for current hours, fees, and a list of upcoming events: https://lewisandclarkvisitorcenter.org. The website also features a section especially for teachers and home-schoolers.
Inside the Center is a large gift shop filled with books, unique gifts, apparel, jewelry, and more. The Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Visitor Center is located at 100 Valmont Drive, Nebraska City, Nebraska, which is approximately 45 miles south of Omaha.