ASHLAND Home to the Strategic Air Command Museum and Mahoney State Park, Ashland offers its visitors ample places to eat, shop, quaff and play. The most revered military aircraft in our nation’s history are just off I-80 Exit 426 at Ashland. Strategic Air Command Museum & Aerospace Museum pays homage to Nebraska’s long connection to the military, the U.S. Air Force and America’s strategic readiness. Ever look at an SR-71 Blackbird right in the nosecone? Visitors do when they walk in the front door. Other fan favorites are the B-1A “Lancer,” B-29TB “Superfortress,” B-25N “Mitchell” and the venerable B-17G “Flying Fortress.” Permanent exhibits honor the Tuskegee Airmen, women in aerospace and Ashland’s own astronaut Clayton Anderson. 28210 W Park Hwy. (402) 944-3100
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Open Daily 9am-5pm West of I-80 at Exit 426 www.sacmuseum.org
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NEBRASKA TRAVELER
Herds of elk and bison roam not far from I-80 Exit 426. The drive-thru Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari is an affiliate of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. Two miles of trails await travelers eager to stretch their legs. 16406 N 292 St. (402) 944-9453 Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers relaxation and recreational activities just north of I-80. There are far too many amenities in this 700-acre park to list them all. Here are a few highlights: The Peter Kiewit Lodge offers 40 guest rooms and beautiful views of the Platte River Valley. There is a theater and a restaurant, as well as cabins, horseback trail rides, ice skating, an observation tower, fishing ponds, an indoor playground and hiking and biking trails. 28500 W. Park Highway. Ashland. (402) 944-2523 Two historic Ashland buildings make up the Glacial Till Cider House & Tasting Room in the heart of downtown. Exposed brick walls and beams give the attraction a rustic feel. Visitors choose from 15 wines made from fruit grown near Palmyra. Three yearround cider selections join a menu of rotating and small batch ciders. Soups, charcuterie and salads dishes can be enjoyed along with drinks from Glacial Till’s new rooftop bar overlooking downtown Ashland. 1419 Silver St. (402) 944-2546 Additional fermented flavors flow from across U.S. Highway 6 at Cellar 426 Winery. The wine menu includes 21 varietals. Linoma Lighthouse is a white wine named for the inland lighthouse along the banks of the Platte River east of Ashland. Breads, cheese and cracker plates and cheesecake are enjoyed along with the wines from the spacious tasting room with a view of the wine-making facility, or from the outdoor deck overlooking rows of grape vines. 1402 Dennis Dean Rd. (402) 944-8109 Willow Point Gallery shows and sells the artwork of longtime Ashland artist Gene Roncka. Known for painted
visions of landscapes and rural scenes that seem to glow from the canvas. An indoor water feature divides the gallery. The second side is dedicated to the Archie Hightshoe Animal Collection. Hightshoe was a local leader who enjoyed hunting. His harvests from North America, preserved by taxidermists, thrill Ashland visitors. 1431 Silver St. (402) 944-3613 Turtle Creek Gallery joined the Ashland art scene early in 2021. Ashland’s newest art venue features pottery, paintings, photographs, carvings and other items crafted by local and regional artists on its shelves and walls. Art fans are invited to come out of their shells and check it out. 1412 Silver St. (402) 944-6027 The Ashland History Museum is housed in the 1911 former Carnegie Library. The history preserved here includes that of Saline Ford. The natural limestone feature allowed the Oxbow branch of the Oregon Trail, Settlers’ Road and Military Road to all cross the Salt Creek here. The museum includes a large archive of residents’ biographies, written accounts of homes and businesses and historic photos. 207 N. 15th St. (402) 944-7227 Iron Horse is an 18-hole golf course artistically built around a former rock quarry. The 40-acre lake is the final resting place of many gold balls sliced from errant swings. This challenging course is not for beginners. 900 Club House Dr. (402) 944-9800 The par-71 championship course at Quarry Oaks Golf Club is an 18-hole adventure. Course architect John LaFoy also designed the famed Augusta National, home course of the PGA Masters tournament. Hole No. 2 frustrates many golfers. Locals know that staying on the fairway is important on this hole, and how a solid driver hit will likely take their shot through the fairway and into native grass. 16600 Quarry Oaks Dr. (402) 944-6000 Ashland Golf Club is a semi-private 18-hole course with a swimming pool, wading pool and a dress code.
