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BROKEN BOW The Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Visitor Center is in a large red barn on the east side of Broken Bow. Exhibits represent every county along the 272mile byway between Grand Island and Alliance. Displays interpret regional railroad history, cattle ranching and the Nebraska Sandhills. The outdoor trail leads past native vegetation and interpretive panels to a working windmill. 44106 NE Nebraska Highway 2. (308) 872-8331 The only remaining fragment of the wooden Pawnee tribal bow that the community is named for is preserved at the southwest corner of Broken Bow’s town square at the Custer County Museum. Local photographer Solomon Butcher’s late 1800s sod house images also are on display. The collection is regarded as one of the best visual records documenting and preserving the Homestead and Kinkaid eras. 445 S. Ninth Ave. (308) 872-2203 Bison herds once thundered across Custer County. They still do at Marty and Karen Bredthauer’s Straight Arrow Bison Ranch south of Broken Bow. Ranch visitors peruse fresh bison meat, skulls, hides, tallow soap, dog treats and other bison products. Covered wagon ranch tours provide close views of the magnificent animals. Call first in case these hardworking ranchers are out on the range. 79330 Sumner Rd. (308) 872-3066 The 5-acre lake in Melham Park is stocked with fish. There also are soccer and softball fields, a disc golf course, walking trail and a heated Olympic-size swimming pool. Fifth Street north of Memorial Drive. (308) 872-5831 The Tom Butler Memorial Bandstand was built in City Square Park in 1916. Famous orators William Jennings Bryan and Theodore Roosevelt spoke here. A playground was recently installed in the park at the intersection of S. E Street and S. Eighth Avenue.
Cowpokes of all ages ride in Broken Bow Bobbi & Steve Olson
Wild Rose Gallery is east of the bandstand. It features work by local and regional artists and hosts art shows, workshops and receptions. 444. S. Eighth Ave. (308) 872-6345
Hot and cold coffee drinks and other goodness flow from the drive-thru at Prairie Grounds Cafe & Gifts. Patrons settle into 1950s-style booths. 933 S. E St. (308) 872-3333
Kinkaider Brewing Co. honors Nebraska history in the flavorful names of its tasty brews. “Frame the Butcher IPA” pays tribute to Broken Bow’s famous photographer. The brewery has added a restaurant, a deck and a large outdoor performance stage since opening in 2014. 43860 Paulsen Rd. (308) 872-8348
The latest blockbusters play at the Fox Theater. 317 S. 10th Ave. (308) 872-2393
Visitors enjoy libations and fine dining at the Bonfire Grill in the historical 1928 Arrow Hotel. The historic hotel has 25 rooms, and the new Arrow East has 20 additional rooms and a ground level parking garage. 509 S. Ninth St. (308) 872-6662 Huge omelets and buttermilk pancakes satisfy diners at the Tumbleweed Cafe. The landmark restaurant opened in 1946. 850 E. S. East St. (308) 872-5454 The City Cafe serves breakfast all day. If the waitstaff is busy, friendly regular customers are likely to pour coffee for newcomers. 423 S. Ninth St. (308) 872-2779
Strikes, spares and gutter balls all bring smiles at Pleasure Lanes bowling alley. 723 E. S. East St. (308) 872-2886 Legends Neighborhood Grill is in an 1883 building at the northwest corner of the town square. An upstairs game room has pinball machines, video games, darts, pool table. Legends’ brisket hash comes with fries and is topped with two eggs. 845 S. D St. (308) 767-2066 The Broken Bow Country Club is a public course on the scenic western edge of town. No tee times needed. The nine-hole course features bluegrass fairways and bentgrass greens. The 430-yard, par-4 first hole is a challenging start. The double dogleg hole No. 8 is the course’s most scenic. The clubhouse has a big selection of food and drink. 2280 Memorial Dr. (308) 872-6445 CENTRAL
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