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 Sights & Landmarks 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. Petrified Wood Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By 21blackcats
We stopped here on a road trip that took us through Nebraska, and I wasn't sure what to expect. The gallery is also a museum, and there is TONS to see. It's free to enter, and sometimes the artists might stop in while you're there! There are huge varieties of petrified wood, various species in various forms, plus art made from the petrified wood and sandstone. There is also a whole section of arrow heads and other ancient tools, I've never seen a collection so big! Aside from the arrowheads and petrified wood, there are also displays with fossils and precious stones! More than a few of the finds in the gallery are local as well! The ladies working the gallery are all volunteers and very kind and passionate about their little town. Definitely worth a stop.
2. Wessels Living History Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Wessels Living History Farm is a hands-on, working farm. Activities for all ages, something for everyone. Tour the 1917 house, post and beam barn, granary, and other outbuildings of the farm. Climb up on Dave Wessels' antique tractors, visit the 1905 church and learn something old in the rural schoolhouse. Check out the gift shop for locally made items. Closed Mon-Weds (only open for classes & by appt.) Open Thurs-Sat 10am-4pm, and Sundays 1pm- 4pm beginning June 1st 2020. Special tours, events, and space rental is available year-round. The farm is a great destination for weddings, family reunions, field trips and other gatherings. Experience life on a 1900s farm!
Reviewed By woodyz2015 - Waco, United States
The Wessels Living History Farm is easily located at the I80 Highway 81 intersection. This museum takes you to the 1920's and life on the prairie. The home, barn, granary, church and school let you experience places people of the 1920's lived, worked, learned and worshiped. The docents at the farm can connect you to the life experiences. Special events match the seasons, Christmas, harvest, etc, provide unique opportunities for learning. During the school year and summer, students are provided living history classes. Two building provide the opportunity to see period tractors and equipment.
3. 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.
4. Bob Devaney Sports Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Pioneer283694
During volleyball season, IF you can get tickets, the Nebraska women's volleyball team is consistently one of the best in the country. Go Big Red!
5. Cloisters on the platte
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
6. Old Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,531 reviews
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.
7. St. Cecilia's Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
Guided tours are available through this Spanish Renaissance-style cathedral, which contains stained-glass windows from the 16th century.
Reviewed By KameradOwO - Sheridan, United States
The museum and gift shop was lovely, and the lady working it was very genuine and kind. Unfortunately the cathedral had a wake happening when I visited so I didn’t go past the first set of pews.
8. Great Platte River Road Archway Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 780 reviews
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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
TAGS
