Scottsbluff

virtual sky targets or tossing bean bags onto ground targets. For the public, there are opening and closing nightglows, food and festivities at the venues in Gering, Scottsbluff and Mitchell. TheOldWestBalloonFest.com

In 1851, Plains Indians brought their furs to Robidoux Trading Post (pronounced ROO-bi-doo). In the early days of the Oregon Trail, it was one of the first signs of civilization after many weeks on the prairie. The sodroofed building has been reconstructed with 100-year-old hand-hewn logs and period furnishings. The trading post is located in Carter Canyon. The winding, 23-mile Carter Canyon Road is half the joy of the trading post experience – it takes you through rugged country, past pioneer graves marked and unknown and finally to the trading post. Entrance to the road is two miles south of Gering off Highway 71.

For travelers seeking entertainment of a faster variety, Hi-Way 92 Raceway Park, two miles east of Gering on Highway 92, has stock car races on Friday and Saturday nights all summer. The races have been a weekend tradition since here since 1968. 260263 Highway 92. (308) 436-7723 Old West Balloon Festival

Hawk Buckman

The rugged lands surrounding Scottsbluff are home to mule deer, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, elk, bobcats, mountain lions, golden eagles and many other hearty animals. A wild menagerie of chimpanzees, zebras, tigers, cranes red pandas and other critters live in town at Riverside Discovery Center. This zoo on the north bank of the North Platte River is home to more than 70 animal species from around the world, including a trio of American bison, a pair of grizzly bear brothers, red-ruffed lemurs, an Amur tiger, tortoises, turtles and a pair blue and gold macaws named Otis and Cruz. When visiting during summer, bring swimsuits and flip-flops to enjoy the splash pad, a refreshing zero-depth water feature. 1600 S. Beltway Highway West. (308) 630-6236

The zoo is at Scottsbluff’s Riverside Park, which is home to city-owned campgrounds and Scottsbluff Family YMCA’s Trails West Camp. The camp has lodging, playgrounds, a ropes course, horseshoe pits, a human foosball game, kitchen facilities, its own swimming pool, a pavilion, access to the North Platte River and scenic views of the national monument. 1918 S. Beltline Highway West. (308) 635-2318

Family-friendly attractions abound in Scottsbluff. Westmoor Pool includes water cannons, swimming pool, diving boards, slippery slides, an island and lazy river. 1936 Avenue I. (308) 632-8881

West Nebraska Arts Center features the work of painters, sculptors, photographers, potters and other talented artists from nearby and around the world in two galleries. The center in a historic former library built of sandstone in 1922 is the home of the North Platte Valley Artist Guild. 106 E. 18th St. (308) 632-2226

Midwest Theater was built in 1946 after the community’s Egyptian Theater burned down. Plaster floral scrolls flank the movie screen. The Midwest Theater hosts more than 250 entertainment events each year, including films, children’s theater workshops and live music performances. Up to 700 guests can be accommodated for special events. 1707 Broadway. (308) 632-4311

West Nebraska Family Research and

History Center is one of the most comprehensive genealogical and historical archives in Western Nebraska. Visitors can peruse old newspapers, marriage records, obituaries, yearbooks and military service records. The facility also hosts book signings and family reunions. 1602 Ave. A. (308) 635-2400

Alongside the North Platte River and Scotts Bluff National Monument, walking and biking trails connect Scottsbluff, Gering and the community of Terrytown. Monument Valley Pathway includes a 12.8-mile out-andback trail.

In 1902, railroad surveyors discovered an old wagon tire inscribed with the name of Rebecca Winters and the year 1852. It marked the grave of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pioneer woman who was strick-