Let’s head to Nebraska for a vacation! Why, you ask? Nebraska might not be on your bucket list, but the state’s rich history, natural beauty, and friendly people are well worth a visit. Here are our 7 favorite things to do during your trip.
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Omaha
As the largest city in Nebraska, Omaha has a ton of attractions to keep you busy during your visit. Make your way to the Old Market District where you will find cobblestone streets lined with no shortage of boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries. As you wander through the district, enjoy various street performances and live music. If you need respite from the hustle and bustle of the Old Market District, relax in the nearby Heartland of America Park. It has a lake, walking trails, and a fountain with an impressive light and water show.
Omaha has no shortage of great museums to visit. Learn about the history of the region at the Durham Museum. It’s housed in a restored Art Deco train station. Or check out the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum that covers the history of aviation and space exploration. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Joslyn Art Museum. It features European and American art along with works from ancient civilizations. Best of all, it’s free! And if you have kids with you, explore the Omaha Children’s Museum filled with hands-on activities focused on art, science, and technology.
The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in another must-visit Omaha attraction. Voted the #1 zoo in the nation, it has world-class exhibits showcasing animals from around the globe. Some highlights are the largest indoor desert in the world, an indoor rainforest, and an exhibit showcasing nocturnal animals. Riding the Skyfari aerial tram, feeding giraffes, and touching stingrays are only a few of the interactive activities you can enjoy.
There are many great places to stay in Omaha. And there are other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Landmarks, Old & New
Imagine you are a pioneer riding in covered wagon across the Nebraska Territory and seeing this distinctive rock formation in the distance. Chimney Rock served as and iconic landmark for travelers headed westward along the Oregon Trail. The formation was mentioned more than any other site along the trail in emigrant diaries. It still makes an impression today! Visit Chimney Rock National Historic Site. Here you can hike the Chimney Rock Trail for panoramic views and learn more about this unique geological formation and emigrant trails at the Chimney Rock Museum.
While you are in the area, also stop by the Scotts Bluff National Monument. Take a 1.6 mile scenic drive along Scotts Bluff Summit Road. Hikers of all levels will enjoy the four miles of hiking trails available. History buffs and art lovers will appreciate viewing the William Henry Jackson collection of sketches, paintings, and photographs housed in the visitor’s center.
Carhenge is also nearby. This replica of England’s Stonehenge is made entirely of vintage vehicles painted a uniform gray. Our ancestors would have gaped at Chimney Rock, but this whimsical roadside attraction is far more likely to be shared in our current generation’s Insta stories!
You can base yourself in Bayard, Gering, or Alliance, Nebraska. Alliance gives you the most hotel selection. You can also check out other fun things to see and do while in the area (Bayard/Gering/Alliance).
Lincoln
Brimming with college town vibes, Lincoln offers a variety of interesting and unique attractions. Start your visit with a tour of the Nebraska State Capitol building. It features beautiful Art Deco architecture and impressive murals and mosaics inside. An elevator takes you to the top of the Capitol so you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. While you are in downtown Lincoln, wander through the historic Haymarket District. Here charming brick streets are lined with shops, galleries, restaurants and more. Then take a pleasant 15 minute walk over to the the University of Nebraska campus where you can visit the Sheldon Museum of Art.
Nature lovers have much to choose from. Visit the Sunken Gardens, a botanical garden with colorful flowers and water features. There’s also the 668 acre Pioneers Park Nature Center on the outskirts of town. It has hiking trails, wildlife viewing areas, and exhibits on the region’s flora and fauna.
If you love unusual museums, displays, and historic sites, Lincoln is definitely a place you want to visit! There’s the International Quilt Museum featuring the world’s largest collection of quilts and textiles. The Museum of American Speed has a collection of vintage race cars. There’s my personal favorite, the National Museum of Roller Skating, featuring vintage skates and memorabilia. Lee’s Legendary Marbles and Collectibles is a vintage toy shop where you can learn about the history and artistry of marble making. Finally, Robber’s Cave is a historic site beneath Pioneers Park where you can take a guided tour and learn about the cave’s past as a hideout for outlaws.
You can find great places to stay in Lincoln. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Sandhills Scenic Byway
Enjoy the expansive sky and gorgeous scenery on the 272 mile Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway along Nebraska Highway 2. The winding road stretches from Grand Island to Alliance and provides stunning views of rolling sand dunes, grass-covered hills, and expansive prairies. You can drive the entire byway in about five hours. But if you prefer to linger, there’s plenty to do along the way.
Grand Island (hotels/things to do)
Start your journey along the scenic byway in Grand Island. If you are visiting during the last week in August, make sure to get tickets for the Nebraska State Fair. If you are there in the spring, you can see the annual sandhill crane migration. You can also enjoy live thoroughbred horse racing at various times of the year as well. Year-round, make plans to visit the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, a 200 acre living history exhibit of a 19th century railroad town with costumed interpreters.
Broken Bow (hotels/things to do)
Our next stop is Broken Bow where you will find the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Center. Here you will learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Sandhills region and see displays on ranching, rodeos, railroads, and more. You can also visit the Custer County Museum to see artifacts from 19th century pioneer life.
Halsey (camping/hotels/things to do)
Halsey is home to the Nebraska National Forest. This is North American’s largest man-made forest spanning over 90,000 acres. You can tour the Charles E. Bessey Nursery, the oldest seedling nursey in the nation where more than two million seedlings are produced yearly (call 308-533-2257 to set up a tour). Also make sure to visit Scott Lookout Tower for a great view of the scenery. Nature lovers and active travelers have no shortage of recreational opportunities in the forest. There’s opportunities to bike, hike, fish, ride horses, hunt, boat, and more!
Mullin (hotels/things to do)
In the tiny town of Mullin, active travelers can canoe or kayak down the Middle Loup River. The rest of us can enjoy a less active float on an unusual floating vessel, a stock tank!
Alliance (hotels/things to do)
Aside from Carhenge mentioned above, there’s plenty to do in Alliance. You can visit the Carnegie Arts Center featuring works from local and regional artists and a sculpture garden. The Knight Museum and Sandhills Center has exhibits on the Sandhills and Aquifer, Native American Life, Life in the Country, and Railroad Times. And don’t miss Dobby’s Frontier Town where you can go back in time and experience 19th century pioneer life.
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Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park
One remarkable site in Nebraska is Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park. Here you will find fossils of prehistoric animals preserved in volcanic ash. You can see complete skeletons of animals such as horses, camels, turtles, and rhinoceros who were caught by surprise in the eruption that occurred 12 million years ago. One highlight of your visit is observing ongoing excavations to learn about paleontological research firsthand.
The Hubbard Rhino Barn features a paved walkway and boardwalk where guests can walk through an ancient watering hole. Here the fossils lie where they fell during the eruption, while illustrations of the animals discovered there are featured on the walls of the barn.
There are also several hiking trails on site allowing visitors to experience the flora and fauna of this part of Nebraska. Signs depicting common wildlife and plants are posted so that guests can know what to look for and learn more about the area.
Royal is the closest city to the park and has a few hotels to choose from. Better yet, combine Ashfall Fossil Beds with a visit to Niobrara State Park which is only 30 minutes north. Here you can camp in tents or cabins or stay in a hotel in the town of Niobrara. There are also several other fun things to see and do in the area.
Kearney
Kearney is a charming town established in the late 19th century as a stop along the Union Pacific Railroad. It served as a departure point for pioneers traveling along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. Today you will find this rich history commemorated in several sites.
Stretching across Interstate 80, the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument tells the story of western expansion and the role of the Platte River Valley in shaping American history. The monument features interactive exhibits and dioramas of the pioneer experience through the 1950s. You can also visit Fort Kearny State Historical Park to learn about its role as a way station for the Oregon Trail and Pony Express.
The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) has a diverse collection of art from Nebraska artists. It also features works that feature the cultural heritage and scenery of Nebraska. Then make your way to colorful downtown Kearney to visit art galleries along with a variety of boutiques and restaurants.
Need an adrenalin rush? Look no further than Kearney Whitewater Park. This man-made whitewater course on the Platte River offers kayaking, canoeing, tubing, and stand-up paddle boarding for all levels of water sports enthusiasts.
There are many great places to stay in Kearney. And there are other fun things to see and do while in the area.
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Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park is the home and ranch of the infamous Buffalo Bill Cody. He lived here from 1886-1913. Buffalo Bill earned money to build his mansion from his wildly successful Wild West Show that started in 1883. You will see how no expense was spared on its construction as you tour the house and outbuildings. There’s also a variety of Buffalo Bill memorabilia filling the barn and other buildings.
You may come to see the house and the memorabilia, but plan to stay to frolic in the adjacent Buffalo Bill State Recreation Area. This land was owned by Cody, which he named Scout’s Rest Ranch. Here, you can camp, fish, hike, picnic, and more!
Camp sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. And there are many great places to stay in North Platte. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
What’s on your Nebraska itinerary?
These are just 7 of the sensational sites to see in Nebraska. But the state is full of many more incredible destinations that are worth exploring. Tell us below where you plan to visit!
We hope you have enjoyed this installment on our 7 Sensational Sites in Each State of the USA series. Tell us what you think in the comments below. You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post.
