Dynamic and relevant, Nebraska intricately weaves together values that truly matter to visitors — genuine hospitality, savoring the moment, and the importance of heritage and history.
From thriving cities like Omaha and Lincoln to frontier outposts such as Valentine and Scottsbluff, each destination captures a different aspect of Americana. Whether your group is interested in exploring the state’s thriving cities or visiting its rugged buttes and rolling prairies, there’s an opportunity to slow down and enjoy Nebraska.
Omaha
Nebraska’s largest city, Omaha, is a cosmopolitan destination with a flair for the artistic. At Kiewit Luminarium, an immersive art experience on the banks of the Missouri River, groups can wander through luminous corridors and domes while exploring a world of multisensory experiences featuring collaborative games and more.
In the evening, the Old Market’s cobblestone streets are the place to be for dining, shopping, galleries and nightlife. Nearby, the Orpheum Theater hosts Broadway productions and more in this former 1927 vaudeville house.
In the 1930s, Omaha saw itself on the silver screen in “Boys Town,” a movie starring Spencer Tracy and Micky Rooney that told the true story of Father Flanagan, a priest who established a thriving orphanage in the city. Today, groups can take guided tours of Boys Town to see the elegant Georgian-style house where Flanagan lived from 1927 to 1941 while supervising this nonprofit.
Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium consistently ranks as one of the world’s top zoos. Visitors can see pygmy hippos in the world’s largest indoor rain forest and saunter through a 70-foot-long shark tunnel. Maintained by the zoo, the 440-acre Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari near Ashland offers face-to-face animal interaction. On its four-mile, drive-through loop, bison and elk wander onto the road while the wetlands support sandhill cranes and American white pelicans with nine-foot wingspans. Late-May through mid-October, groups can catch a melodrama afterward in the 165-seat theater at nearby Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.
“Also between Lincoln and Omaha, the 300,000-square-foot Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum displays aircraft from world conflicts and the Cold War era,” said Jenn Gjerde, marketing manager for Visit Nebraska. “It’s great for people who like history as well as aerospace, and director Clayton Anderson is a former astronaut.”
Lincoln
The capital of Nebraska radiates an energetic vibe. On the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, Husker mania prevails during football season. Groups can watch the school’s marching band performing outside Kimball Recital Hall about an hour prior to kick off before the marching into Memorial Stadium, which was named in honor of Nebraskans who served in World War I. Stadium tours include its state-of-the-art training facility and a chance to step onto the turf.
Not to be outdone, Lincoln’s arts and culture scene thrives. Downtown, the Haymarket District’s turn-of-the-century warehouses now contain boutiques, restaurants and entertainment venues. Screamers Family Restaurant caters to groups with cabaret-style singers performing during meals. Themed tribute nights showcase musicians such as Nat King Cole, Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks.
Lied Center for the Performing Arts hosts the world’s greatest artists and features Nebraska’s top talent. On UNL’s main campus, the Sheldon Museum of Art houses a significant contemporary collection and hosts First Friday events. Morrill Hall’s top-notch natural science collection showcases mammoth skeletons, while its 60-seat domed Mueller Planetarium offers explorations of the universe. On UNL’s east campus, the International Quilt Museum displays the world’s largest collection of publicly owned quilts. They represent more than 60 countries and date from the 1600s. Also on campus, visitors can stroll the Earl G. Maxwell Arboretum, which features mature trees, lilacs, cold-hardy rhododendrons, hosta cultivars and a native wildflower prairie.
“The state’s signature sandwich just might be the Runza, which is a traditional bierock or chopped cabbage burger enveloped in a dough pouch,” said Gjerde. “In 1949, the first Runza Drive Inn opened in Lincoln, but today groups can enjoy them across the state. They’re also known for hand-dipped onion rings, chili and cinnamon rolls.”
Kearney
In south-central Nebraska, the city of Kearney becomes one of the most popular birding destinations in the country each spring when more than 1 million sandhill cranes migrate to the area’s Platte River Valley. There are numerous places for groups visiting the area to set in on the action. Fort Kearny Bridge is a popular self-guided viewing spot. And this year, the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, located 15 miles east of Kearney, celebrates its 50th anniversary. Groups can book guided blind tours by reservation. In addition, the season will include art classes, speakers and more, in a recently renovated visitor center.
“Groups can have a similar experience at the Crane Trust near Wood River,” said Gjerde. “Most groups will do both experiences, and people are seeing not just sandhill cranes but also the endangered whooping crane, which makes it very unique.”
En route, groups can time travel at The Archway, an inventive museum spanning Interstate 80. As visitors pass from one side of the archway to another, they learn about Nebraska history with the help of wireless headsets, video projection and life-size dioramas. The journey begins with pioneer life and ends at a replicated 1950s drive-in theater showing news reels announcing the interstate highway system.
Another transportation-focused attraction, Kearney’s American Automobile Experience, displays more than 125 beautifully restored vintage cars ranging from the early 1900s to modern times. Highlights include highway memorabilia and a recreated 1950s gas station and drive-in theater screen with the city’s original ticket booth.
In downtown Kearney, an area known as the Bricks serves as the hub for creative arts. Crane River Theater hosts performances year-round. Formerly a vaudeville theatre, the World Theatre has been restored using its original 1926 blueprints. Kearney native and Hollywood screenwriter Jon Bokenkamp spearheaded fundraising for the restoration. The Museum of Nebraska Art primarily features Nebraska artists and reopens this spring after a multimillion-dollar renovation.
Valentine
In the north-central part of the state, the area around Valentine is rich with outdoor activities for groups.
Hundreds of thousands of stars twinkle above Merritt Reservoir, 30 minutes southwest from Valentine. A beginner-friendly field school gives instruction using a telescope. And each summer, locals celebrate their spectacular view of the heavens.
“The Nebraska Star Party is held every July or August depending on the new moon, and it’s Nebraska’s only dark sky park with an international accreditation,” said Gjerde, “People from all over the world come to this event.”
A speaker’s program, catered meals and door prizes will be part of this year’s July 20-25 celebration.
Cyclists can cruise the Cowboy Trail between Valentine and Norfolk, passing through the Sandhills and native prairies. Just east of Valentine, they cross the 148-foot-high trestle bridge above the Niobrara River. Additionally, the drive along the Outlaw Trail Byway, between Sioux City and Valentine, affords some of the state’s prettiest fall foliage.
Always popular, canoeing or tubing on the Niobrara River might include a stop at Smith Falls. Lesser known but equally inviting is the 20-foot-wide waterfall cascading into clear waters at Berry Bridge. The spring-fed Niobrara has many tiny waterfalls along its banks. Two hiking trails at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge invite visitors to explore six plant habitats and view some of the 230 species of birds. The refuge maintains a herd of 350 bison on its 19,000 acres. In April and May, baby bison calves can be seen frolicking near the visitor’s center.
Scottsbluff
Near the state’s Western border and outside the town of Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff National Monument is the site of a natural wonder and Oregon Trail landmark. Visitors can choose one of several ways to reach the dizzying summit of the bluff 800 feet above the North Platte River Valley. A spiraling road ascends to 360-degree views of the Platte Valley and into Wyoming. Hikers can reach the top via 1.6-mile Saddle Rock Trail. At the visitor center and museum, paintings and photography of artist and explorer William Henry Jackson tell the story of Western exploration. Costumed interpretation programs and ranger talks on the front lawn occur frequently in the summer.
“This national monument should be on everyone bucket list,” said Gjerde. “Outside the visitors center you can see the wagon swales from the pioneers and walk on the actual Oregon Trail.”
In town, Riverside Discovery Center allows year-round viewing of tigers, grizzly bears and bison — just a few of its 170 native and exotic animals. Agriculture and heritage livestock breeds are the focus in the Heritage Barn. Afterward, groups can head to Flyover Brewing Company for craft lagers and ales made with Nebraska malt, as well as wood-fired pizzas. Papa Moon Vineyards and Winery produces rave-worthy handcrafted cider. Their farm tasting room and outdoor venue opens in warmer weather, while an in-town restaurant remains open year-round.
Day tripping from Scottsbluff, Fort Robinson State Park preserves an outpost on the plains. Groups visiting the park can stay in the 1909 enlisted men’s quarters or in former officer’s quarters, which dates from 1874 to 1909. Inside the fort’s Trailside Museum of Natural History, Ice Age bull mammoths have their tusks locked in combat. Activities on site include horse-drawn tours, horseback, open-air Jeep rides and evening steak cookouts among the buttes.
