Top Things to do in Nebraska
Top Hotels in Nebraska
- 1. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham North Platte
- 2. Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites
- 3. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lincoln Airport, NE
- 4. Hampton Inn Omaha West-Lakeside
- 5. Husker Inn
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lincoln North Hotel and Conference Center, NE
- 7. Hampton Inn Lincoln Airport
- 8. La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Omaha West
- 9. Best Western Plus York Hotel & Conference Center
- 10. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Sidney, NE
Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Nebraska, United States
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. Knight Museum and Sandhills Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By 595williamp
This was a great museum! It was very well organized with excellent displays. The staff was very helpful and friendly. This is a must see museum to better understand the Sandhills from prehistoric time through the 1950’s.
2. Mac's Creek Winery & Brewery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Located just 5 miles north of Interstate 80, Lexington exit, you will be transported to the heart of Nebraska wine country. Mac's Creek, named for the McFarland family and the beautiful Spring Creek running through the property, produces incredible regional wines and great craft brews! "The Creek" is located at the junction where the Oregon and Mormon Trails converge and the famous Lincoln Highway carried passengers across the United States. Come taste the "Good Life" and enjoy our handcrafted family wines. Open Daily, year round.
Reviewed By Polarbear95404 - Hungry Horse, United States
We travel by RV and Harvest Host are businesses and attractions offering RV'rs free overnight parking. This was a really great stop. First the grounds are very nice and welcoming. The tasting room has a large open patio looking at the vines. PALE ALE for beer and Mac's Lantern Semi dry Rose were our favorites. Nicely done snacks accompanied tasting. They are doing docial distancing precautions well. The wines came across very well with distinct flavor but not overdone. Well nuanced. Close to what I would expect in Sonoma. Unfortunately out of some reds which are more of what I prefer. The beers also ranked up there and we took home a growler of IPA (husband's a big IPA connoiseur and it passed his analysis... no small feat!) Kudos to staff who are adjusting well to new health precautions.
3. Museum of American Speed
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 453 reviews
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!
4. Holy Family Shrine
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 115 reviews
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.
5. Cellar 426 Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Visit the beautiful lodge style winery to taste a wide variety of award winning wines from dry to sweet vinted and bottled on site. Enjoy a glass or bottle of wine on our expansive deck with scenic views that stretch for miles. Most days you'll even get a chance to visit with the owners. An experience like no other!
6. Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 516 reviews
The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is home to one of the largest collections of Cold War aircraft and artifacts in the U.S. The Museum preserves and displays historic aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles and provides STEM education. The Museum is a 300,000-square-foot facility that features a glass atrium, two aircraft display hangars, a traveling exhibit area, a children's interactive gallery, a 200-seat theater, a museum store, an aircraft restoration gallery, and a cafe. The glass atrium is constructed of 525 glass panels that encase a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The Museum hosts regular exhibitions and several special events throughout the year. The Museum's Education Department is committed to fueling the curiosity of children across the Midwest and to educating them in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Regular STEM sessions, workshops and camp programs are available at the Museum.
Reviewed By kmarshall78 - Smithville, United States
We lived in Lincoln for two years and somehow never visited the SAC Museum. On a recent trip, we made a point to stop here. SAC is a critical piece of Cold War history, and there is a lot of information about the era. The collection of aircraft was fascinating for my husband, who loves military history. The tour is 1:45, but it flew by with all the information the guide had to share. The highlight was seeing the SR-71 Blackbird. They also have a very fun STEM area with interactive exhibits and activities for kids. Lunch from the cafe was very good and not over-priced. Well worth the stop. It is a 501c3 and fully donor-funded.
7. Pioneer Park Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
A 900-acre wildlife area that features hiking trails and other outdoor pleasures.
Reviewed By jmdz5459 - Papillion, United States
We stumbled unto Pioneer Park as we were trying to Travel Nebraska. We wanted to learn about the areas history and walk trails. Pioneer Park was a pleasant surprise as we walked thru wooded & grassy, yet safes, trails. Nature Center had just closed as we arrived so will have to return for that.
8. Carhenge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 613 reviews
Replica of Stonehenge that is created from old automobiles. Pit Stop Gift Shop is open during the summer, merchandise available in town at the Knight Museum in the winter.
Reviewed By 2doglady - Tennessee, United States
Carhenge is in the middle of a big field so you cannot miss it! They have added some other car art along the path here. I like the benches made from a truck tail gate! There is one car art called the autograph car that you can sign (names only it says, so it does not become trashy) so take your pen or marker with you. Fun stop and great photo opp along a long flat drive in Nebraska. It's free, too! Donations are accepted in a container where you enter.
9. Toadstool Geologic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By mikecO1993QM - Lincoln, United States
Toadstool Geologic Park is located in the middle of nowhere, literally. To get to it, you have to travel 17 miles on a gravel road. The road is in fairly decent shape and I had no problems in a car. However, it might be a little challenging right after a big rain. The landscape of the park is unique—almost lunar. There is a hiking trail. You can either go up on the rock formations, or there is a 3 mike trail to the Hudson Meng Bison Trail. We chose to climb the rocks. To do so, simply follow the poles as the path takes you up the rocks. There are a few spots where the trail is narrow with a steep drop off on one side. It is definitely a moderate hike. I would be cautious about going up there with small children. Tip--Bring water and sunscreen. There is no water at the site and no shade, so we were quite warm when we finished our hike. I would also recommend a hat.
10. Homestead National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
With the promise of Free Land, the Homestead Act of 1862 enticed millions to cultivate the frontier. Families, immigrants, women, and freed slaves flooded 10 percent of the nation’s land to chase their American Dream. American Indian cultures and natural environments gave way to diverse settlement, agricultural success, and industrial advancement—building our nation and changing the land forever.
Reviewed By Czech_Nebraskan - Lincoln, United States
Start with the film presentation - sobering & thoughtful film program examines the political impetus to use settlers to push native peoples off their homelands & occupy the interior of US. Brutal environmental challenges compounded with lack of preparation by homesteaders & failure of government to support them - sent into the wilderness to filter the fittest from the weakest. great database set up to see if your family filed for a homestead.
