10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Nebraska That You Shouldn't Miss

October 4, 2021 Etsuko Causey

Nebraska has something for everyone. From cowboys to wine industry, you’ll find many attractions when you visit this Great Plains state. If you are planning a family vacation to Nebraska, you won’t want to miss the Lincoln Children's Zoo in the state capital. Featuring more than 400 animals, you and the kids can see Amur leopards, Bactrian camels, river otters, eagles, crocodiles, reindeer, and more. At the zoo’s Butterfly Pavilion you can watch as butterflies emerge from their cocoon. The Aquacourt Family Water Park in Hastings features a wave pool, climbing wall and waterslides. In Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city, you won’t want to miss the Omaha Children's Museum. For history buffs, Lincoln is your place. This city is home to the Nebraska History Museum, with permanent exhibits that interpret more than 12,000 years of human experience on the Plains. You can make history personal in Lincoln with a visit to the Nebraska State Historical Society Headquarters, where you can research your family history. Omaha is also home to The Durham Museum, featuring restored train cars, 1940's storefronts and other historical artifacts. For a bit of Nebraska heritage, make sure you visit Front Street and Cowboy Museum in Ogallala and the Tri-State Old Time Cowboys Memorial Museum in Gordon. Learn about the area’s wine industry and history on a Nebraska Cork & Bottle Tour through Raymond, Pawnee City, Lexington and St. Paul, sampling fine wines and taking in the scenic views.
Restaurants in Nebraska

1. Museum of American Speed

599 Oak Creek Drive, Lincoln, NE 68528 +1 402-323-3166 http://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/default.dlp
Excellent
92%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 453 reviews

Museum of American Speed

Reviewed By millerhispeedheadco

Last week, my wife and I were treated to a comprehensive tour of the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed. What an amazing place! This museum, founded by Bill and Joyce Smith in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1992, commemorates the history of auto racing, technology, and period memorabilia. It contains everything from the history of the racing engine, to a collection of race cars, sprints, drags, land speed and hot rods; engines of every type, as well as period after-market accessories for the enthusiast. An entire room was devoted to Harry Miller outlining his accomplishments and history in bringing auto racing to the fore during his lifetime. He truly was the “Father of Speed”! We were impressed with the volume and variety of items on display. Also included in the collection were period pedal cars, lunch boxes, auto related record albums, children’s toys, and cookie jars which Joyce loved to collect. There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy at this outstanding museum!

2. Classic Car Collection

3600 Highway 30 E Ste B Suite B, Kearney, NE 68847-9790 +1 308-234-1964 [email protected] http://www.classiccarcollection.org
Excellent
85%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 183 reviews

Classic Car Collection

This collection of over 200 cars represents one man's 41-year love affair with the automobile. It also represents America's love affair and fascination with automobiles and the evolution of our society around the world of wheels. You'll see a variety of body types and styles. You'll enjoy the incredible detail crafted into many of these vehicles - artistic hood ornaments, instrument gauge panels, wheel styles and headlights. Coordinated together to tell their own stories and help us track the evolution of the model and of the age of automobiles. IPads are provided free of charge to give you additional photographs of the vehicle's details - some not able to be seen by the public as well as more information about the vehicles. This attraction is more than just automobiles. It features artistic displays, interactive multi-media shows and models.

Reviewed By jandrewkopf - Lincoln, United States

This is a great car collection and set up perfectly for easy single walk through to see everything. Very cool, the whole family was impressed. Don't miss it!

3. Holy Family Shrine

23132 Pflug Rd, Gretna, NE 68028-6627 +1 402-332-4565 http://www.holyfamilyshrineproject.com/
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 115 reviews

Holy Family Shrine

Reviewed By leesaburz - Clermont, United States

We planned this stop to break up our drive through Nebraska and are so glad we stopped! The shrine is visible from the road and well worth the short detour over a gravel road. The structure is beautiful and so peaceful. Recommend this stop for anyone of any denomination.

4. Old Market

1100 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102-2817 +1 402-341-7151 http://oldmarket.com
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,531 reviews

Old Market

Omaha preserves its historic place in time in this historic section of town where visitors can stroll along the cobbled streets and explore the many preserved buildings.

Reviewed By BoloBunch - Jacksonville, United States

This quaint old factory town with cobblestone streets, horse carriages, and cinderella rides, has some fun and delicious restaurants packed in the renovated factory buildings. Extremely walkable area for all restaurants in Old Market. On nice weather days/nights, the many outdoor terraces are chock full of people enjoying their time outside. There's a famous bar bike called The Patio Ride which meanders (lively) through the streets of Old Market. With the many parks and trails around the Old Market, walking it off never seemed so good. From microbrew beer to consignment stores to interesting shops, restaurants aren't the only thing that dot Old Market. Its a pretty cool place and one that pleasantly surprises most visitors.

5. Lincoln Children's Zoo

1222 S 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68502-1832 +1 402-475-6741 http://www.lincolnzoo.org/
Excellent
62%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 352 reviews

Lincoln Children's Zoo

Lincoln Children's Zoo is rated among the best zoos for children by Parent Magazine and is home to over 400 animals, including the world's smallest monkeys (pygmy marmosets), ring-tailed lemurs, dromedary camels, red pandas, meerkats, and more!. Over 40 of our animals are endangered, including the Humboldt Penguin, Amur leopard and Matschie's tree kangaroo. Featuring interactive Zoofari stations with Larry the Cable Guy, up-close animal encounters and the historic ZO&O Railroad, the Zoo is the perfect destination for the entire family. Lincoln Children's Zoo's mission is "to enrich lives through firsthand interaction with living things."

Reviewed By Charrigo - Chicago, United States

This was the perfect thing to do for myself and two teen girls after visit the UNL campus. We were looking for something fun to do that was not college related and this fit the bill. Close to downtown (about a 10 minute drive) and just the right size for a few hours fun. Don’t leave without feeding the giraffes, and look for the peacocks, penguins and flamingos! They also have some goats, camels, turkeys, snow leopards, an anteater, and lots of monkeys!

6. Great Platte River Road Archway Monument

3060 E 1st St, Kearney, NE 68847-0462 +1 308-237-1000 http://archway.org/
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 780 reviews

Great Platte River Road Archway Monument

Spanning I-80 at Exit 275 in Kearney, NE, the Archway's unique, family-friendly experience tells the story of the adventurers who followed the Great Platte River Road across Nebraska and helped to build America. Spend about an hour or more in our historical exhibit. Our personal audio guide lets you set the pace. Walk with the pioneers on the Oregon Trail. Watch a rider make a stop at a Pony Express Station. Hear Mark Twain's account of a cross-country stagecoach trip. Relive the creation the nation's first Transcontinental Railroad. Hear stories of early auto travel on the Lincoln Highway. Watch traffic pass below you on I-80. Then, see the replica sod house. Stretch your legs on our hike/bike trail. Picnic on the Archway grounds. Discover unique souvenirs at the Archway Mining Company. Make the Archway part of your family's travel adventure.

Reviewed By o4b - Destin, United States

The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument is a great place to stop and a great place to learn about the westward expansion during the 1800's and what a key role that the Kearney, NE area played in that time. But this experience will take you from the early beginnings all the way to present day and notes the historical events of each era. Very interesting and a very nice stop, regardless of age.

7. Henry Doorly Zoo

3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107-2200 +1 402-733-8401 [email protected] http://www.omahazoo.com/
Excellent
82%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,840 reviews

Henry Doorly Zoo

This world-class zoo is famous for its involvement with breeding endangered species from around the world.

Reviewed By StephanieMRS - Omaha, United States

I have been to a couple of Zoos, but Henry Doorly is truly something special. A good place to visit at all times of year (since they have indoor exhibits too), their IMAX is great and has plently of educational options for those interested in learning more about animals or nature through documentaries. Don't forget that the dome has an underground exhibit as well! They allow you to bring food and water to be sure to save money on that front!

8. Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center

9325 S Alda Rd I-80 Exit #305, Grand Island, NE 68883-9565 +1 308-382-1820 [email protected] http://cranetrust.org
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 267 reviews

Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center

Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center is the public face of the Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust. We are a nonprofit whose mission is the preservation and restoration of Platte River Valley habitat for whooping cranes, sandhill cranes, and other migratory birds. The Nature & Visitor Center has 10 miles of walking trails, an observation tower, a bison herd, art gallery, gift shop, and informational exhibits. We also offer tourism information for the state of Nebraska. During the spring crane migration, we offer viewing blind tours to see cranes up close on their river roosts and driving maps of the area so visitors can see the cranes while they are in the fields feeding.

Reviewed By 382chrisw - Omaha, United States

The tour was well organized by enthusiastic, knowledgeable volunteers. The blinds were right on the riverbank, and the view was amazing. We chose the evening viewing and would like to come again for a morning tour. Can’t say enough good things about the center and the viewing experience. I wish I had taken more time in the gift shop.

9. Fort Robinson State Park

3 MI West of Craw Frd, Crawford, NE 69339-0392 +1 308-665-2900 [email protected] http://www.stateparks.com/fort_robinson_state_park_in_nebraska.html
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 253 reviews

Fort Robinson State Park

Reviewed By DillonM1905 - Eldersburg, United States

This is an excellent state park with plenty of Western history, especially of the US cavalry and the native American tribes of the region. Markers note the location of the original fort and many buildings of the later installation remain, some being used as museums or cabins. There are some good trails on the edge of the park; we hiked up the ridges to the north for great views of the fort. Its in the middle of nowhere but a great stop to seek out.

10. Omaha Children's Museum

500 S 20th St, Omaha, NE 68102-2505 +1 402-342-6164 [email protected] http://www.ocm.org
Excellent
62%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 490 reviews

Omaha Children's Museum

Omaha Children's Museum is a hands-on museum that provides an ever-changing series of interactive traveling and permanent exhibits, science shows, and special events. It's Nebraska most-visited museum, and serves families with children primarily ages 8 and younger. Permanent exhibits include the Imagination Playground, a science center, Arts Smart Center, Zooland, Susie's Station, and the Grass Patch. Omaha Children's Museum is a member of the Association of Science -Technology Centers. Parking is free in the two lots south of the museum building. Parking on the weekends is free at the elementary school across St. Mary Avenue. There is also meter parking along the street.

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