Nebraska Traveler 2021 by Flagship Publishing

Nebraska FREE

A GUIDEBOOK to communities, activities and things to do in Nebraska.

Eric Francis, Visit Omaha

BROUGHT TO YOU BY Central

Adams County CVB .................................. 14 Atkinson Chamber of Commerce ......... 22 Cambridge Economic Devt. Corp........... 11 Cobblestone Hotel and Suites .................9 Comstock Premier Lodge..........................9 Cozad Area Chamber of Commerce .... 21 Custer County Historical Society............. 7 Custer Economic Devt. Corp ....................9 Garfield County CVB ................................ 21 Grand Island Tourism ............................... 18 Greeley Irish Festival............................... 23 Holt County Visitors Committee/O’Neill Chamber .............. 16 Howard County Promotional Committee .............................................. 15 Kool-Aid Days............................................. 14 Lexington Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Bureau ................. 13 Mac’s Creek Vineyards & Winery .......... 12 Miletta Vista Winery................................. 23 Outlaw Trails Scenic Byway ................... 22 Straight Arrow Bison Ranch ...................... 7 The Archway ............................................. 20 The Scarecrow Patch ............................... 15 Visit North Loup......................................... 19 Willa Cather Foundation ......................... 23

Eastern

Clayton Museum of Ancient History at York College ....................... 33 Columbus & Platte County Visitors Bureau...................................... 27 Divots Conference Center & Sandbar.....26 Henderson Chamber of Commerce..... 35 Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park....34 Jefferson County Visitor Committee ... 39 Lied Lodge & Conference Center......... 35 Merchants of Brownville ......................... 39

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark Trail and Visitors Center .............................. 36 Nance County Tourism............................ 30 Norfolk Area Visitors Bureau................. 25 Saint Benedict Conference Center .......37 Seward County Visitors Committee ..... 39 Union Orchard .......................................... 36 Wessels Living History Farm.................. 34 York County Visitors Bureau.................. 33

Metro

Aardvark Antique Mall ............................ 49 Ashland Chamber of Commerce ...........47 Boys Town Visitors Center ..................... 49 Camp Creek Threshers........................... 52 Cass County Tourism............................... 52 Douglas County Historical Society....... 44 Durham Museum ...................................... 45 Fontenelle Forest...................................... 41 Fremont & Dodge County CVB ............. 50 History Nebraska ........... 48 & Back Cover Joslyn Castle ............................................. 44 Sarpy County Tourism............................. 43

Western

Box Butte Development Corporation.... 66 Mari Sandoz/Chadron State College ... 53 Chase County Tourism ............................ 62 Deuel County Visitors Committee ........ 66 Dundy County Tourism ........................... 65 Fort Cody Trading Post ........................... 63 Frontier County......................................... 60 Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsbluff ........ 56 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ogallala ....59 Keith County Visitors Committee ......... 58 McCook/Red Willow County Visitors Bureau....................................... 61 Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse & Lounge ......................... 64 Pals Brewing Company........................... 63 Riverside Discovery Center ................... 57 Sehnert’s Bakery & Bieroc Cafe............. 61 Sidney/Cheyenne County Tourism....... 64 The Nature Conservancy ....................... 67 Trails West YMCA Camp ......................... 56 Valley View Inn ......................................... 60

Nebraska Publishers Chris & Angela Amundson Advertising Sales Sydney Edwards Editor Alan J. Bartels Design Maya Cornwell Photo Editor Joshua Hardin Nebraska Traveler is an annual travel guide about the communities, attractions and events of Nebraska. Nebraska Traveler is made possible by the advertising partners listed here. Learn how your community or business can be included in next year’s guidebook by emailing traveler@nebraskalife.com or calling 1-800-777-6159.

All content is copyright 2021 by Nebraska Life Magazine and Flagship Publishing, Inc. Contact the publisher for permission to reprint any content or photos. 1-800-777-6159 • NebraskaLife.com Nebraska-Traveler.com PO Box 819 • Norfolk, NE 68702

ON THE COVER All trails lead to adventure at Fontenelle Forest near Bellevue. Photo by Jon Hustead/Fontenelle Forest. THIS PAGE Family fun at Omaha’s Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

NEBRASKA TRAVEL GUIDE SOUTH DAKOTA

BY REGION & COMMUNITY

Chadron

Harrison

Niobrara River

Rushville

Crawford

WYOMING

Mullen Thedford

Hyannis

Calamus Brewster Reservoir

Gering

Taylor

Bridgeport

Kimball

O’Neill

Arthur Oshkosh Tryon Lake R 385 ive McConaughy r Potter Lodgepole 20 Sidney Chappell 26 Ogallala 80 Paxton Big Springs rth

COLORADO

Broken Bow

Cozad Curtis

Parks Haigler

Max

Minden Holdrege

Trenton Benkelman

McCook Beaver City Alma

KANSAS

34 Clay Center

281 Nelson

Franklin

136

Red Cloud

Central

Eastern

Battle Creek .............................................. 26 Brownville .................................................. 38

Omaha

Bellevue Papillion Plattsmouth Springfield Waverly Louisville Union Elmwood Nehawka Nebraska City Weeping Water

Seward

Lincoln

77 Wilber

Hebron Fairbury

Steele City

Auburn

Brownville Missouri Beatrice River 75 Falls City Pawnee City

136 Tecumseh

Harlan County Reservoir

Nebraska is the 15th largest state in America. Use this guide to discover friendly cities and towns along Interstate 80 and scenic roads and byways that cross our state.

Atkinson ...................................................... 16 Broken Bow ..................................................6 Burwell........................................................ 20 Cambridge ...................................................8 Cozad........................................................... 21 Dannebrog.................................................. 15 Farwell ......................................................... 15 Grand Island ............................................... 17 Greeley ....................................................... 22 Hastings ...................................................... 13 Kearney ....................................................... 19 Lexington .................................................... 12 Niobrara ..................................................... 22 North Loup .................................................. 17 O’Neill .......................................................... 15 Red Cloud .................................................. 22 Sargent ..........................................................8 St. Libory ..................................................... 15 St. Paul ........................................................ 22 Stuart .......................................................... 16

David City La Vista Gretna Ashland

Geneva

Boys Town

Fremont

Columbus ................................................... 28 Duncan ....................................................... 29 Fairbury ...................................................... 38 Fullerton ..................................................... 29 Genoa .......................................................... 31 Henderson ................................................. 33 Madison ..................................................... 26 Monroe ...................................................... 29 Nebraska City ........................................... 35 Norfolk ........................................................ 24 Schuyler .....................................................37 Seward........................................................ 38 Steele City ................................................ 38 York .............................................................. 31

Metro

Ashland ...................................................... 46 Bellevue ..................................................... 40 Boys Town................................................... 51 Cass County ............................................... 51 Elmwood ..................................................... 51 Fremont ...................................................... 50 Gretna ........................................................ 42 La Vista ...................................................... 42 Lincoln ....................................................... 48

MISSOURI

30 miles

Henderson

Hastings

Elwood

Cambridge

York

Tekamah Blair

Schuyler

Columbus

Osceola

Aurora

Stanton West Point

Central City St. Libory

Grand Island Kearney

Lexington

Imperial Stockville Hayes Center

Champion

183

Pender

Madison

St. Paul

South Sioux City

Norfolk

Monroe Genoa Fullerton Duncan

Farwell Dannebrog

Grant

Pierce Neligh

Greeley

Loup City

North Platte

20 Wayne

Albion

North Loup

Stapleton

tte

Burwell

Battle Creek

Bartlett

Ord

Pla

uri 12 Ri Hartington ver Ponca

275

281

Scottsbluff

Harrisburg

Stuart Atkinson

183 Alliance

sso

Outlaw Trail Niobrara Scenic Byway Center

Bassett Ainsworth

IOWA

Lewis & Clark Lake Mi

Butte

Springview

Merritt Reservoir

385 29

Valentine

Louisville ..................................................... 51 Nehawka .................................................... 52 Omaha ........................................................ 44 Papillion ....................................................... 41 Plattsmouth ................................................ 51 Springfield ................................................. 42 Union .......................................................... 52 Waverly ....................................................... 52 Weeping Water ......................................... 52

Western

Alliance ....................................................... 66 Big Springs ................................................ 67 Chadron...................................................... 54 Champion................................................... 63 Chappell ..................................................... 67 Curtis ........................................................... 59 Dundy County ........................................... 65 Gering ......................................................... 56 Imperial....................................................... 62 Lodgepole ................................................. 65 McCook ....................................................... 61 North Platte ............................................... 63 Ogallala ...................................................... 57 Paxton ........................................................ 64 Potter .......................................................... 65 Scottsbluff ................................................. 56 Sidney ........................................................ 65 Valentine .................................................... 67 GETTING STARTED

Take a seat next to history at the Senator George Norris State Historic Site in McCook. famous literary works, and the Sacred Hoop Prayer Garden designed by Neihardt himself. 306 W. Elm St. (402) 648-3388.

Senator George Norris State Historic Site, McCook

This attraction remembers the originator of Nebraska’s one-house Unicameral legislature. His home in McCook commemorates his life and the 40-year career he spent representing the people of his adopted state. Four Nebraska governors have lived in the community of 7,600 residents. 706 Norris Ave. (308) 345-8484.

Neligh Mill State Historic Site, Neligh Alan J. Bartels

HISTORIC SITES Nebraska is rich in history. Some of the best places to experience our past are at History Nebraska museums and historic sites. Travelers step back in time and make historic memories of their own at these unique attractions that preserve Nebraska’s earliest days. Learn about more historic sites and events at history.nebraska.gov.

Nebraska History Museum, Lincoln

The Nebraska History Museum houses 125,000 artifacts dating back to the last ice age. Items in the 77,000-square-foot museum include ancient seeds, a turtle bone necklace worn by Lakota Chief Spotted Tail, pioneer quilts and antique farm implements. Nebraska First Lady Maxine Morrison’s inaugural gown and the first motorcycle to roll out of the Lincoln Kawasaki plant are recent additions to the growing collection. 131 Centennial Mall N. (402) 471-4754.

Thomas P. Kannard State Historic Site, Lincoln

This site preserves the oldest remaining building in the original plat of the

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

city of Lincoln. Built in 1869 as the home of Nebraska’s first secretary of state, the Italianate-style house served at times as a boys’ home, boarding house and fraternity house until being restored for Nebraska’s 1967 centennial celebration. 1627 H St. (402) 471-4445.

John G. Neihardt State Historic Site, Bancroft

Poet John G. Neihardt tapped into Native American stories and legends from the period when European settlers began to populate the Great Plains. The John G. Neihardt State Historic Site celebrates the early 20th century writer. The site including a visitor center preserves the small study where he penned his most

This attraction showcases an intact 1870s grist mill that made 98,000 pounds of Gold Medal Flour per day during its peak of production. Guided tours explore the mill, restored flume and remnants of the original mill dam along the north bank of the Elkhorn River. N Street and Wylie Drive. (402) 887-4303.

Fort Robinson History Center, Crawford

This museum at Fort Robinson State Park occupies the former military fort’s 1905 headquarters. The post began as a temporary camp in 1874. Exhibits interpret the lives of the Native Americans, white Indian agents, African American Buffalo Soldiers and German prisoners of war who contributed to the history here. 3200 W. U.S. Highway 20. (308) 665-2919.

Chimney Rock National Historic Site, Bayard

The history of pioneers traveling the Oregon, California and Mormon trails is safeguarded at this recently renovated attraction. Many of those intrepid travelers noted this natural rock formation in their diaries. Exhibits explain the lives of those hopeful settlers who stared up at Chimney Rock’s curious 325-foottall spire. 9822 Co. Rd. 75. (308) 586-2581.

8 GREAT NEBRASKA

ATTRACTIONS Travelers exploring Nebraska find quality attractions across the state. These eight favorites will get you on your way.

Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha Regularly ranking at or near the top as World’s Best Zoo, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is one of the most visited attractions in Nebraska. Annual visitation often exceeds Nebraska’s population of 1.9 million residents. This Omaha landmark housing gorillas, Komodo dragons and 960 other species is home to 17,000 animals from around the world. 3701 S. 10th St. Omaha. (402) 733-8401.

Lake McConaughy, Ogallala

Known as “Big Mac” to locals, 22-mile-long Lake McConaughy is Nebraska’s largest reservoir. Visitors come here to hook wipers and walleye, sail choppy Sandhills seas, and relax on white sand beaches. The Lake McConaughy Visitors Center and Water Interpretive Center has interactive exhibits and a lake view. 1450 Nebraska Highway 61 N. Ogallala. (800) 658-4390.

The Durham Museum, Omaha The Big O’s former Union Station train depot chugs in as a museum of railroad and community history. Bronze statues depict the station’s travelers and staff. Train cars displayed include a sleeping car used by President Truman in 1948, the same one used to shuttle Nebraska Cornhusker football fans between Omaha and Lincoln in the late 1960s and early 1970s. 801 S. 10th St. (402) 444-5071.

More than 2 million people visit the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha over the course of a year, making it Nebraska’s top attraction. Visit Omaha

Carhenge, Alliance Travelers looking for Nebraska’s quirky side find it full throttle in Alliance. Carhenge is a replica of England’s Stonehenge made from 39 classic American automobiles, each one painted gray like the stones at the real Stonehenge. Traffic comes to a halt for this attraction at 2151 Co. Rd. 59. (308) 762-3569.

The Archway, Kearney Many Nebraska museums are located near Interstate 80. Only one, The Archway, arches over the four-lane thoroughfare. The 310-foot-long museum commemorates the settlement of the American West. Buckskin-clad frontiersmen greet visitors at the front door and guide them up one of Nebraska’s longest escalators for a ride through history. 3060 E. First St. Kearney. (308) 237-1000.

Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering Signs between Gering and this popular attraction inform visitors that they are traveling the Oregon Trail. Summit Road leads to the bluff’s

800-foot-high pinnacle. Oregon Trail Museum stands at the bluff’s base. 2930 Old Oregon Trail. (308) 4369700.

Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center, North Platte Train enthusiasts roll into this attraction to watch Union Pacific trains chug in and out of neighboring Bailey Yard. Aerial views are taken in from the Golden Spike’s seventh-floor open air observation deck and enclosed deck on the eight floor. Rail fans stay on track with interactive exhibits and a railroad-themed gift shop. 1249 N. Homestead Rd. (308) 532-9920.

Nebraska State Capitol, Lincoln More than 100,000 visitors explore this stately statehouse each year. Sculptures appear inside and out, including in the Nebraska Hall of Fame. Fountains in the building’s original architectural drawings were finally added to the capitol’s four courtyards in 2017 to celebrate 150 years of Nebraska statehood. 1445 K St. (402) 471-0448. GETTING STARTED

CENTRAL BROKEN BOW

The Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Visitor Center is in a large red barn on the east side of Broken Bow. Exhibits in the loft represent every county along the 272-mile 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. E. Nebraska Highway 2. (308) 872-8331. The only remaining fragment of the wooden Pawnee bow that the community is named for is preserved and available for visitors to see 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 of more than 800 pictures, prints and postcards is regarded as one of the best visual records documenting and preserving the Homestead and Kinkaid eras. The museum includes a genealogical research area, historic drug store and soda fountain. 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. The Bredthauers’ herd of 60 bison are entirely grass-fed and receive no injections. Their lean and healthy meat is sold at the ranch, online and from a mobile cabin that regularly visits Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte and McCook. Ranch visitors peruse fresh bison meat, skulls, hides, tallow soap, dog treats and other bison products. A red barn houses the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Visitor Center in Broken Bow. Alan J. Bartels

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

We Support Huge omelets and buttermilk pancakes flop over the sides of the plates at the Tumbleweed Cafe. The landmark restaurant that opened in 1946 began as the Bow Inn. The Tumbleweed’s Haystack burger includes a beef patty, slice of ham, cheese, an egg, lettuce, tomato and onion. There is little chance of blowing away after taking on the massive chicken-fried steak. 850 E. S. East St. (308) 872-5454. The City Cafe serves breakfast all day and is famous for its tall stacks of thick bacon and baked goods. If the wait staff is busy, friendly regular customers are likely to stand up and pour coffee for the newcomers who walk in. 423 S. Ninth St. (308) 872-2779. Hot and cold coffee drinks and other goodness flow from the drive-thru at Prairie Grounds Cafe & Gifts. The same menu items, including baked goods and sweet treats, also are available indoors where patrons settle into 1950s-style booths. Customers leave with caffeine smiles and antiques, art, gift items or books from regional authors. 933 S. E St. (308) 872-3333. The latest blockbusters play at the Fox Theater. We can’t blame locals for lovingly calling it “The Tiffany” considering that was the name of the movie house as generations of Broken Bow residents made memories here. State-of-the-art digital projectors show movies on three screens. 317 S. 10th Ave. (308) 872-2393. Strikes, spares and gutter balls all bring smiles at Pleasure Lanes bowling alley. This classic attraction also includes a kitchen and bar. 723 E. S. East St. (308) 872-2886. Legends Neighborhood Grill is in an 1883 building at the northwest corner of the town square. Described as “sports bar-ish,” there is an upstairs game room decked out with pinball machines, video games, darts, pool and a mechanical claw machine. Legends’ brisket hash is a breakfast favorite. The heaping dish 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

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Call first in case these hardworking ranchers are out on the range. Covered wagon ranch tours provide close views of the magnificent animals. 79330 Sumner Rd. (308) 872-3066. The 5-acre lake in Melham Park is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. 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 George Norris, William Jennings Bryan and Theodore Roosevelt each spoke here. Colorful plantings surround the bandstand spring, summer and fall. A new playground was recently installed in the park at the intersection of S. E Street and S. Eighth Avenue. Wild Rose Gallery recently moved to a new location across the street to the east of the bandstand. The gallery featuring the original artwork of local and regional artists hosts art shows, workshops and artist receptions. Artwork also is for sale. 444. S. Eighth Ave. (308) 872-6345. 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. Some of Butcher’s images hang on the tasting room walls. The brewery has added a restaurant, a deck and a large outdoor performance stage since opening in 2014. Dan the Wiser is a favorite brew among locals. The restaurant’s Scotch eggs sell out fast. 43860 Paulsen Rd. (308) 872-8348. Visitors to Broken Bow enjoy libations and fine dining at the Bonfire Grill. This restaurant is located in the historical 1928 Arrow Hotel. Steak, pasta and seafood are featured in the restaurant and pub that hosts a Big Kahuna Party every Friday evening. The historic hotel has 25 vintage rooms, and the new Arrow East has 20 additional rooms and a ground level parking garage. 509 S. Ninth St. (308) 872-6662.

Healthy LAND Healthy ANIMALS Healthy PEOPLE

Order Today

308-870-4045 www.StraightArrowBison.com

79330 Summer Rd • Broken Bow, NE 68822

History through the lens

See riveting photos of the west before it was tamed at the Solomon D. Butcher Gallery, marvel at military hero’s artifacts and look up your wonderful ancestors at the Library Archive.

Call 308-872-2203 or visit

CusterCountyMuseum.com 445 S 9th Ave • Broken Bow

Sponsored by Custer County Tourism CENTRAL

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edge of the community. No tee times are needed, simply sign in and start swinging. The nine-hole course features bluegrass fairways and bentgrass greens. The rough is seeded. The 430yard, par-4 first hole is a challenging start to the round. The double dogleg hole No. 8 is the course’s most scenic. The clubhouse has a big selection of food and drink options. 2280 Memorial Dr. (308) 872-6445.

SARGENT

This Custer County community is the longtime home of the Sargent Fair & Chokecherry Jamboree. The event including a pit-spitting contest and water fights takes place in Sargent City Park. Highway 183 and Main Street. (308) 527-4200. Sargent visitors can rest their weary heads at Comstock Premier Lodge. Visitors relaxing with drinks by the fireplace observe bison and deer grazing within view of the 8,500-squarefoot lodge. Hunters staying here in 10 rentable rooms pursue colorful animals like white-tailed deer, red sheep, blackbuck antelope and white bison. The Barbary sheep living in these hills make for a challenging target. Bison and elk tours are available outside of the lodge’s hunting season. 81785 Rd. 457. (308) 214-0280.

CAMBRIDGE

Medicine Creek State Recreation Area includes the 1,768-acre Medicine Creek Reservoir, also known as Harry Strunk Lake. The manmade reservoir 12 miles northwest of Cambridge includes 29 miles of shoreline harboring schools of walleye, catfish, wipers, white bass and crappie. Hunters on 5,600 public acres surrounding the lake pursue dove, pheasant, quail, waterfowl, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer and mule deer. Many trophy bucks are taken here each deer season. 40611 Rd. 728. (308) 697-3843. Medicine Creek Days is an annual June celebration including a parade, sidewalk sales, a craft and vendor fair,

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

Cambridge Bed and Breakfast offers luxurious lodging in the historic 1907 home of an early Cambridge mayor. bounce house, Big Wheel races, food vendors and fireworks. A beer garden, street dance and coin scramble add to the fun. (308) 697-3711. Golfers can hit long drives and short putts at Cross Creek Golf Links. The 7,200-yard course is one of the longest in Nebraska. Rolling terrain makes each of these 18 holes a challenge even to experienced golfers. Amenities here include a clubhouse, stocked pro shop and practice facilities. Golfers get ready for their round at the 10-tee driving range. Golf instruction available. 900 Cross Creek Rd. (308) 697-4768. Medicine Creek is the natural water hazard flowing along Cross Creek’s southern edge. The stream forms the northern border of McKinley Park where anglers walk along the bank trying to tempt white bass and other fish species into striking colorful jigs in the narrow but swift waterway. The park includes ballfields, a 12-hole disc golf course, playgrounds, picnic areas, RV and tent campground, an attractive arboretum affiliated with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum program, public art sculptures, and a swimming pool and splash pad. Cambridge’s expanding trail system connects to McKinley Park and includes footbridges over

Alan J. Bartels

Medicine Creek. 115 Nelson St. (308) 697-3711. Welcoming residents and century-old architecture give Cambridge the feel of a small pioneer town. The vibrant business district includes a variety of shopping destinations, a grocery store, general store and restaurants. The Butler Memorial Library contains more than books. This is a busy hub of literacy with events such as food drives, bake sales and children’s crafts. Traveling bookworms can stock up on road reading material during book bag sales. 621 Penn St. (308) 697-3836. The Cambridge Museum includes loads of local history and a few curiosities. There aren’t many places where you can see a taxidermized black coyote. Rarer still is the preserved dwarf calf. Weird. The short beast stands next to the museum’s two-headed calf. Native American artifacts, pioneer farm tools, fossils, firearms and historic photos are among the other artifacts at this 8,000-square-foot downtown museum. 612 Penn St. (308) 697-4385. The historic Cambridge Bed & Breakfast is a museum of sorts – one where visitors immerse themselves in local history by unpacking and

Comstock Premier Lodge CENTRAL

Bed & Breakfast with adventure!

DISCOVER THE OASIS OF THE SANDHILLS

Explore the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway and Custer County at the Big Red Barn. Bring your sense of discovery. We’ll take it from there. Bison & Elk Ranch Tours in UTV’s

Dark Skies Destination

Located in Broken Bow, just off NE Hwy 2.

Enjoy adventure near the Sandhills of Nebraska. Our premium lodge sleeps 34 guests so bring family and friends! Ask about our summer hunts! For reservations call 308-527-4199

or visit www.ComstockLodge.com 81785 Road 457 • Sargent

custertourism.com custercountyne.com

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spending a night or two. This nearly 10,000-square-foot home of an early Cambridge mayor is on the National Register of Historic Places. Guest rooms in the 1907 home are named in honor of politicians Hugh Butler of Cambridge and George Norris of nearby McCook. The Nebraska Room – originally the grand home’s master bedroom – features hand-painted woodwork, wall sconces and a floral theme. Nearly 2,000 visitors tour this home each year. Call in advance of your visit. 606 Parker St. (308) 6973220. The Town Talk Restaurant may be where local gossip is exchanged, if there is any, but it also is where hungry friends and neighbors get together for fine dining. This menu that’s heavy with beef is sure to satisfy even the hungriest of travelers. The Town Talk Burger is a hefty half-pounder. The New York strip, rib-eye and top sirloin steaks are other cooked-to-

order favorites. The classic Reuben sandwich has people talking. 606 Patterson St. (308) 697-4600. Locals gather for morning coffee, pastries, full breakfasts and conversation at Shirley K’s Coffee Shop. The Deviled Egg-wich, CoffeeShop Burger and other menu items bring them back for lunch. Never had a Gorilla Joe? This grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich on wheat berry bread is one of a kind. Free wireless internet available. Find this cute shop attached to Mark’s Pharmacy downtown at 624 Patterson St. (308) 697-3399. The Corner Cafe Bar & Grill has a spicy selection of Mexican entrees, burgers, steaks and more. We have heard that you can never go wrong with their ultimate comfort food hot beef sandwich. Don’t be ashamed to eat your dessert first, especially if it is one of the cafe’s renowned fruit pies. Try their homemade sour cream raisin pie if you can snag a coveted

slice before their regulars finish them all off. 401 Nasby (308) 697-4974. Daily lunch and dinner specials draw residents and visitors to Amateurs Bar ‘N Grill. Happy hour, cold drinks, pool tables and friendly service keep them coming back. The menu includes wraps, sub sandwiches, pizza, burgers and pasta. The Hawaiian BBQ and bacon cheeseburger pizzas are local favorites. Historic photos from local sports teams cover one wall. This family-friendly restaurant and bar even whips up ice cream cones. 602 Paxton St. (308) 697-4808. Art enthusiasts see sculptures in progress at SL Jonson Studios. Artist Sondra Jonson’s sculptures appear at churches, hospitals, parks and memorials around the world. They range from small animal sculptures to larger-than-life depictions of the human figure, including liturgical and patriotic art. Tours available. 622 Pacific St. (308) 697-3493.

This 1915 McCabe Aeroplane is the historic centerpiece of the Dawson County Historical Museum in Lexington. More modern machines are displayed across town at the Heartland Musuem of Military Vehicles. Alan J. Bartels

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

LIVE. BOAT. HUNT. GOLF. FISH. ENJOY.

Cambridge Looking to escape big city living to find economic opportunity and better quality of life? Relocate to Cambridge! We have beautiful FREE lots in Harvest Meadows where you can build the home of your dreams. Work from home with fiber internet access; volunteer; relocate or start a new business; and, let your children be a part of an education experience with smaller class sizes and more personalized attention. Whatever you like to do, do it in Cambridge. Live life here.

308-697-3711

cambridgene.org

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Sustainable Craftsmanship They’re not just words – it’s the foundation of everything we do. Sustainably crafting wine, beer and cider in Central Nebraska for over 16 years. Ask about Mac’s Creek beer on tap.

Visit us

Mac’s Creek Winery & Brewery 43315 Rd 757 • Lexington 308-324-0440

www.macscreek.com Check us out on Facebook and Twitter

LEXINGTON

The Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles showcases approximately 100 restored pieces of military equipment near I-80 Exit 237. A helicopter near the roadway serves as an eye-catching signpost. Every vehicle is in working condition and ready for battle. Much of this museum is handson, with many of the vehicles available for patrons to touch or even sit in. Visitors are welcome to pin the names of loved ones serving in the military on the Freedom Board. 606 Heartland Rd. (308) 324-6329. Historical aircraft, pioneer implements, railroad artifacts, home furnishings, photographs and tons of Lexington and Dawson County history are preserved at the Dawson County Historical Museum. The 1903 Baldwin train locomotive and 1915 McCabe Aeroplane are the jewels of the museum’s unique collection. The museum also pays tribute to the Plum Creek Massacre of 1864 when more than 100 Cheyenne warriors attacked a wagon train, killed and scalped the men, and kidnapped the women and children.

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

The Art Bar features gourmet coffee, tea and other drinks in Hastings. The downtown area is busy with restaurants, breweries and galleries. Exhibits outside of the main museum building include a rural schoolhouse, log cabin and historical church. 805 N. Taft St. (308) 324-5340. The Barn Quilts of Dawson County include more than 100 brightly painted quilt blocks affixed to barns, sheds, garages, homes and other structures from Lexington to Gothenburg and Elwood to Willow Island. Each colorful one celebrates the area’s rich agricultural, quilting and ethnic heritage. A map guiding visitors to every one of the barn quilt locations is available at the barnquiltsdc.com website. Going from quilt to quilt is an exploration of the county and its communities. (308) 784-3930. Mac’s Creek Winery & Brewery just north of Lexington is a labor of love for the McFarland family. They produce a variety of flavorful semi-dry, semisweet and dessert wines from grapes grown near Spring Creek. The McFarlands also make their own craft beer, and their English mild ale is receiving rave reviews from beer fans. Some visitors enjoy a wine tasting or beer tasting and an appetizer while overlooking the

Alan J. Bartels

vineyard. Others prefer to rent one of the outdoor fire rings and sit back and relax with friends as the sun sets. Visitors take the flavor of Lexington home with them with wine by the bottle, or growlers and crower cans of beer to-go. The large tasting room has a wellstocked gift shop and is the site of live music special events. Open yearround. 43315 Road 757. (308) 324-0440. Tep’s Bar & Grill feeds all comers with seafood, steaks, sandwiches and more. The famous jalapeno poppers are coated with a light potato breading. The chili cheeseburger, cowgirl chicken sandwich and Rocky Mountain oysters are other local favorites. Tep’s slow-cooked roast beef is smothered in homestyle gravy. 112 E. Fifth St. (308) 324-3003. Kirk’s Nebraskaland Restaurant has been a Lexington landmark dining destination for more than 30 years. Seating options include the full-service restaurant and a formal dining room. Both fill up fast for the all-youcan-eat Sunday breakfast and lunch buffets. The No. 10 “Nebraska Breakfast of Champions” includes a thick

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rib-eye steak, two eggs, hash browns and a side of toast. The No. 11 “Big Red Special” is the same except for the steak is chicken fried. 3002 Plum Creek Pkwy. (308) 324-6641. Canyon Lakes Brewing Co. is 11 miles south of Lexington at Johnson Lake. The brewery and restaurant founded in 2019 has craft beer fans toasting with tasty IPAs, porters, pilsners and other styles. The Bahn Mi burger is the chef’s take on a Vietnamese-style sandwich with pickled carrots, cucumber and spicy sriracha mayo. The Pigalicious pizza is topped with pulled pork, bacon and barbecue sauce, and the Phenomenachos feature chips and cheese with all the trimmings, and a heaping helping of beer-braised beef. 74896 Johnson Lake Dr. No. 25A. (308) 785-4012. Johnson Lake is in the heart of Nebraska’s Canyon Lakes Country. The impoundment filled by the Tri-County Canal provides habitat for giant flathead catfish, smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass and wipers. Fish cleaning stations help anglers prepare their catches for the dinner table or campfire. Camp sites range from electrified RV camper pads to primitive tent camping spots. Drinking water, showers, picnic tables and other amenities are in abundance. Required park entry permits are available on site. The Nautical Rose and Medo’s Resort offer dining on the waterfront. 1 E. Park Dr. No. 25A. (308) 785-2685.

We have something for everyone!

Lexington NEBRASKA

Photo: Arturo Banderas

Antiques • Lodging • Unique Dining • Museums Winery • Brewery • Camping • Recreation Events • Celebrations

HASTINGS

The Hastings Museum has a state-ofthe-art theater with a 65-foot-wide movie screen. Life-size fiberglass animals from the Cretaceous period hang from the ceiling elsewhere in the museum. Large wildlife dioramas showing bears, deer and reptiles inspire wonder. Exhibits chronicle the life of Kool-Aid inventor and Nebraskan Edwin Perkins. 1330 N. Burlington Ave. (402) 461-2399. The Hastings Ammunition Depot once produced 40 percent of munitions used by the U.S. Navy. Earthen

Lexington Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

308-324-5504 • lexcoc.com Paid for by Lexington CVB CENTRAL

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bunkers stand across miles of farmland. Find a map for self-guided tours at visithastingsnebraska.com. Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning cultivates young minds by teaching where food comes from and how to be good to the land. 4705 DLD Rd. (402) 463-0565. The Children’s Museum of Central Nebraska nurtures imaginations by featuring hands-on educational exhibits which explore themes of growing, living, working and creating. 1115 W. Second St. Located in the lower level of Allen’s Super Store. (402) 463-3300. Hastings College Arboretum began with a few plantings in 1883. More than 120 acres and 130 years later, the site is stunning. Maintaining the college’s Japanese Garden is a cooperative effort with Hastings volunteers and gardeners from Ozu, Japan. 710 N. Turner Ave. (800) 532-7642.

Heartwell Lake has catfish, bluegill and bass lurking in its depths. The biking trail is used mostly by joggers and walkers. Ninth Street and East Side Boulevard. (402) 461-2324. Bigfoot Crossroads of America Museum & Research Center is Nebraska’s only museum dedicated to the legendary Bigfoot. This oneof-a-kind experience focuses on historical, educational and scientific research and actual artifacts as proof of the beast’s existence. 1205 E. 42nd St. (402) 705-0000. The Hastings Aquacourt opens Memorial Day through mid-August with Lazy River rides, wave pool and wide water slides. 2015 W. Third St. (402) 461-2324. Natural scenes are captured as photographic prints at Jorn Olsen Gallery. 726 W. Second St. (402) 462-2811. Adult beverages are brewed at two downtown Hastings breweries. First

Street Brewing Company is a 15-barrel brewery honoring the community with creatively named beers such as Queen City Kolsch, and an India pale ale named Haze Stings … get it? 119 N. St. Joseph Ave. (402) 834-2400. Steeple Brewing Company does not have a steeple, but before serving beer, Steeple’s brewmaster served as a small-town church pastor. Bats in the Belfry brown ale is a favorite among the locals. The long-established Grand Island Wave Pizza Company restaurant recently opened in the brewery so travelers can enjoy the classic pizza and beer combination. 717 W. First St. (402) 519-4205. Gourmet cuisine, classic cocktails and Nebraska beers have visitors headed to Odyssey. The causal and creative cuisine includes bruschetta boards, shrimp n’ grits and crème brûlée. 521 W. Second St. (402) 8343811.

Explore

HASTINGS SHOP DOWNTOWN

S R KIEDS O F F U N A L L AG OF ENJOY PUBLIC PARKS

VISIT MUSEUMS

Find what you are looking for in Adams County.

VisitHastingsNebraska.com

402-461-2370 | 219 N Hastings Ave | Hastings, NE | E

Adams County Convention & Visitors Bureau

proudly serving Adams County and the Hastings community!

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

Aug. 20-22, 2021

Hastings, Nebraska www.Kool-AidDays.com Kool-Aid is a registered trademark of KF Holdings

Thousands of adventurous families head to the Howard County community of St. Libory each autumn for a Halloween-ish good time at The Scarecrow Patch. The seasonal attraction began celebrating autumn harvest and Halloween back in 2001. Hayracks fill with pumpkin hunters hitching rides to the pumpkin fields while the aroma of fresh farm straw mixes with that of fire-roasted hot dogs. Visitors play human foosball, fire the corn and pumpkin cannons, take rides on the barrel train or washboard slide, and play scarecrow skeeball. North of St. Libory at 574 Denton Rd. (308) 687-6254. Weary travelers can rest their heads for the night, weekend or even longer at the Quiet Country Farm House. This small family farm includes basics such as a large barnyard and lawn and an old-fashioned porch with a comfortable swing. 243 Second Ave. (308) 687-6085.

Create

Harvest Memories at The Scarecrow Pumpkin Patch

Fall into adventure in central Nebraska. Corn maze, zip lines and barnyard petting zoo will entertain everyone all day. Pick your own pumpkin when you visit. Available for group events.

Open Sept. 18-Oct. 31 Fri & Sat, 10 am-7 pm • Sun, 12-7 pm

308-687-6254 thescarecrowpatch.com 11 miles north of Grand Island 574 Denton Rd • St. Libory

DANNEBROG

The Dannebrog Hike/Bike Trail winds through three miles of wildlife habitat and scenic Hannibal Woods. Trailheads on the east and west sides of town. (308) 226-2422. Giant pizzas roll like dough from The Danish Bakery every Thursday evening. Homemade bread and cookies also are available. 114 Mill St. (308) 2262208. Dannebrog Delights specializes in shakes, malts and other ice cream treats near the corner of Nebraska Highway 58 and Mill Street. (308) 226-2500.

FARWELL

The Farwell Athletic Club is a museum celebrating regional sports teams and community history at 206 Lander Ave. Call ahead. (402) 657-9150. Farwell Reservoir South provides habitat for crappie, carp, bass and catfish. Nine miles southwest of Farwell. (308) 336-3341.

O’NEILL

The World’s Largest Shamrock is painted green with a white border by residents and visitors every March at the intersection of Douglas and Fourth streets in O’Neill, the Irish Capital of Nebraska. Anyone who wants to is welcome to grab a roller and help. O’Neill takes St. Patrick’s Day seriously. The party kicks off with that paint job and new inductions to the community’s Irish Walk of Fame. O’Neill’s famous Irish Dancers continue their string of annual performances dating back to the 1960s. Ever see a horse painted green? You probably will at this colorful smalltown celebration of proud culture and heritage. (402) 336-2355. The O’Neill Blarney Stone was dedicated and blessed on St. Patrick’s Day in 2009 with prayer and Irish song. The rock weighing 13,410 pounds was inspired by a similar rock in Ireland.

ESCAPE TO

Howard County

Boelus Cotesfield Cushing Dannebrog Elba Farwell St.Paul St. Libory

Howard County Courthouse, St. Paul

LIVE • WORK • PLAY

Historical Village, St. Paul

Spend time visiting the welcoming communities of Howard County conveniently located in the center of Nebraska’s Good Life. Visit the Butterfly Garden and the Hike and Bike Trail in Dannebrog and the baseball museum in St. Paul. In Howard County, you are more than a guest, you are a friend.

Plan your escape today. For more information, visit stpaulnebraska.com or call 308-754-5558 CENTRAL

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ST. LIBORY

Experience all of

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ATKINSON

2021 EVENTS

Visit the Mill Race Park, Sturdevant-Mckee Museum, the Baseball/Softball Complex and our Community Center. You can kick back at the Golf and Country Club or spend the day at the lake and campground, swimming pool or City Park. APRIL 23 Easter Egg Hunt

AUG. 20-22 Hay Days & Ranch Rodeo

JUNE 5 City-Wide Rummage Sales

NOV. 6 Holiday Open House (craft & vendor fairs)

JULY 16-17 Christmas in July & Quilt Walk

NOV. 28 Christmas Parade of Lights

402-925-5600

atkinsonchamber.com

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

People kiss and take photos with the stone at Fourth and Douglas streets. The decommissioned Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad that once rolled through O’Neill has been converted into the recreational Cowboy Trail. The route begins in Norfolk and is surfaced to Valentine. The downtown office where early O’Neill lawyer and influential politician Moses Kinkaid worked is preserved today as the Holt County Historical Museum. The museum includes information on the community’s namesake, Civil War general John O’Neill, as well as genealogical records. 401 E. Douglas St. (402) 336-2344. Handlebend Tap opened in 2020 in the historic Shelhamer Building in O’Neill. Nebraska beer and wines are served, as are cocktails poured into copper mugs manufactured on site. Douglas Street Coffee is in the same fun-filled building, as are a photography studio,

law firm, other offices and a flower shop. 215 E. Douglas St. (402) 781-4217. Holt County Grill is known for steaks, sandwiches and salads. 320 E. Douglas St. (402) 336-1193. Westside Restaurant offers breakfast all day. 49134 U.S. Highway 20. (402) 3369909. Authentic Mexican food is the flavorful focus at La Herradura. 110 S. Fourth St. (402) 336-1691.

STUART

A famous team of 24 white horses from north of Stuart performed across the U.S. back in the 1950s. The White Horse Museum and Heritage Village contains historical items from the horse ranch as well as an original frontier cabin, a wash house, blacksmith shop and a small country school. (402) 924-3168. Stuart Raceway has thrilled with spills and last-second wins since 1953.

The facility in Stuart City Park is the oldest consecutively run track in the U.S. with all volunteer help. Long lines of fans show up for Sunday night racing and then line up at the concession stands as the sun sets and the cars roar to life. 101 Eighth St. (402) 340-1634.

ATKINSON

Mill Race Park has birdwatchers flocking to this 50-acre Elkhorn River escape. Includes camping spots, playground, a 14-acre fishing pond and the 1∕2-mile-long Bluebird Trail. Frisbee fans explore the park’s disc golf course. (402) 925-5313. Brush Creek Brewing Co. offers homegrown craft brews and brick oven pizzas from a historic former funeral home downtown. Pizzas include The Aviator with barbecue sauce and brisket, The Brewer with five cheeses and hot sauce, and The Harvester topped with sweet corn grown right here in Holt County. Wash it down with Haystack blonde ale or another brew from their seven taps. 102 N. Main St. (402) 925-2629. Something Special by Marilyn offers four stories of shopping in one historic downtown building. One of the most popular motorcoach destinations in Nebraska, the inventory includes more than 5,000 different Christmas ornaments. Themed rooms inside also include a man cave. 204 S. Main St. (402) 925-2754.

GRAND ISLAND

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer preserves the history of Grand Island and Hall County in a stately structure on an island surrounded by a moat. The museum’s 1890 Railroad Town has been the set for several movies and is home to many annual events. Reenactors welcome visitors into historic structures such as the blacksmith shop, one-room school and the 1883 Lesher House. The 200acre site has more than 100 structures, including the Stuhr Building, actor Henry Fonda’s boyhood home,

Fonner Park in Grand Island is home to the Nebraska State Fair. The fair also hosts horse racing, concerts and other community events. a roller mill and an antique farm machinery building. 3133 W. U.S. Highway 34. (308) 385-5316. Grand Island is an old railroad town. The oldest part of the community is freshly re-branded as Railside. The new Railside Plaza is adorned with public art sculptures and hosts outdoor concerts at 224 W. Third St. (308) 3987022. Prairie Pride Brewing Co. brews in a historic downtown Grand Island building at 115 E. South Front St. The business recently added a restaurant. (308) 850-5375. The Chocolate Bar is a popular coffee shop and cocktail bar at 116 W. Third St. (308) 675-0664. The new 40 North Tap + Grill features exposed brick walls, vaulted ceilings and more than a century of Grand Island stories along with fine dining and two bars. 520 W. Third St. (308) 385-2140. Coney Island Lunch Room has been a fixture in Grand Island’s Katrouzos family since the Great Depression. A menu from 1933 hangs on the wall. Coney dogs with fries and a chocolate malt is a classic lunch combo in this cherished landmark. 104 E. Third St. (308) 382-7155. The Conestoga Mall is a shopper’s paradise with more than 40 stores, entertainment venues and service

VisitGrandIsland.com

providers east of U.S. Highway 281. 3404 W. 13th St. (308) 382-7463. The Nebraska State Fair thrills with reliable attractions like 4-H livestock shows and exhibits, concerts, a beer garden, carnival and funnel cakes. 501 E. Fonner Park Rd. (308) 385-3967. Race fans have wagered on horse racing from late-February through early-May at Fonner Park since 1954. (308) 382-4515. Concerts and other events ring out from Heartland Events Center. (308) 382-4515. Raising Nebraska is an interactive experience teaching about the importance of Nebraska’s agricultural industry. (308) 385-3967. The Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center hosts the spring migration of sandhill cranes and the visitors who flock here to see them. 9325 S. Alda Rd. Wood River. (308) 382-1820. The Nature Conservancy owns 4,600 acres and has easement on 2,800 more on land parcels west of Grand Island known as Platte River Prairies. A map of these wetlands and grasslands is available at nature.org. Prairie Nature Trail is open to the public dawn to dusk. 13650 S. Platte River Dr. Wood River. (308) 583-2294. CENTRAL

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NORTH LOUP

Main Street Gallery is the home of the local Artisimos art club. This gallery in a former bank building displays and sells paintings, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, photographs, books and other items produced by creative residents from the area. Art is even displayed in the historic bank vault. Regular events include art shows and artist receptions. 414 First St. (308) 219-0382. Sculpture from man and Mother Nature combine at Happy Jack Peak and Chalk Mine. The scenic North Loup River Valley is visible from atop the peak. Below, manmade tunnels wind for more than a mile through what was an industrial mine a century ago. The labyrinth of chalky tunnels 4 miles south of North Loup is especially pleasant to explore during the heat of summer – the mine stays at a constant 55 degrees year-round. (308) 245-3276. The names of military veterans

from this patriotic area adorn bricks at the Loup Valley Veterans Memorial Wall at the corner of E Street and Nebraska Highway 11. Heartland Youth Ranch is a faithbased facility where horses and equine experts help teach important lessons as participants learn horsemanship techniques, self-confidence and a strong work ethic. Six miles north of North Loup along Nebraska Highway 11. (308) 496-4348. North Loup’s Popcorn Days celebration in late August is the longest continually running community celebration in Nebraska. The event known for all-you-can-eat popcorn popped on the scene in 1901 and features a carnival, garden and art exhibits, children’s games and the crowing of the Popcorn Queen. (308) 496-4401. Davis Creek Recreation Area is managed by the Lower Loup National Resources District. The area’s 1,100-

We've been hom e to

Rebels

Ru le

Breakers

I n novators & Risk Takers

for over 150 years. Com e See what Makes us

Gran d Islan d N ebraska

Grand Island Tourism

STUHR MUSEUM.ORG

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

acre reservoir is a favorite among anglers seeking walleye, largemouth bass, channel catfish, northern pike and yellow perch. For campers who can’t disconnect, Wi-Fi is available at tent camping spots and RV camper pads. Trails, picnic areas, boat docks and drinking water are available. Hunting and fishing are allowed on the adjacent wildlife management area. Five miles south of North Loup on Ashton Ave. (308) 728-3221. Tired visitors have options for local lodging besides camping. Cozy Cabin Guest House has two bedrooms and a full kitchen. A hide-a-bed in the living room provides more lodging space. 808 W. First St. (308) 496-3414. Charlie’s Place offers similar accommodations with two bedrooms and a sleeper sofa at 403 S. A St. (308) 219-0233. Both lodging properties are located within walking distance of the Friskie Moose Saloon. This classic

small-town tavern is reminiscent of the good old days with a long wooden bar, neon signs, game day gatherings, a pool table and the coldest beer in town. 405 W. First St. (308) 219-0254

KEARNEY

This Central Nebraska community on Interstate 80 is known as the Sandhill Crane Capital of the World. More than 1 million of the birds roost in the nearby Platte River south of town each spring. Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary hosts the cranes and the visitors who come here each year to experience the largest crane migration on Earth. 44450 Elm Island Rd. Gibbon. (308) 468-5282. The Archway, a 310-foot-long museum spanning I-80, is a tribute to the settlement of the American West. Motion-sensing exhibits explain Native American hunting routes and the Oregon, Mormon and California trails.

The Archway is a museum attraction spanning all four lanes of Interstate 80 at Kearney. Christopher Amundson

Visit North Loup Village of North Loup 120th Popcorn Days Main Street Gallery

L&D Insurance

mainstreetgallerynorthloup.com

Aaron & Traci Jacobs • Dennis Jacobs 308-496-3310

Cornerstone Bank

Essman Crop Services

308-496-4401 • 404 West 1st St.

308-750-0450 • 107 South C St.

Birkel Circle Race Track

701-260-9267 • 810 West Central Ave.

Aug. 20, 21, 22, 2021 Stage shows • Ranch Rodeo • Car Show • Parades Much more plus all the free popcorn you can eat

The Friskie Moose Saloon

Trotter’s Whoa & Go

Davis Creek Camper & Recreational Rentals

Lion’s Club of North Loup

405 West 1st St. • Find us on Facebook

308-496-4602 • 512 1st St.

OPENING SOON!

Barn Door Diner Simply Sunflower Oil www.SimplySunflower.com

Barn Door Diner

496-3434 • 407 West 1st St.

402-276-2733 • Find us on Facebook

Find us on Facebook

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The

I-80 Exit 275 • Kearney

710 W. 11th St. Kearney bchs.us

The facility includes one of Nebraska’s’ longest escalators and a wellstocked gift shop and bookstore. Find public art, trails and a pond outdoors. 3060 E. First St. (308) 237-1000. In Kearney’s historical downtown district, known as “The Bricks” due to its brick-paved streets, the Museum of Nebraska Art houses the state’s official art collection. The works of Nebraska artists such as Emory Blagdon, Robert Henri and John Philip Falter are preserved at the museum. There are more than 5,000 works in the institution known affectionately as MONA. 2401 Central Ave. (308) 865-8559. The home that architect G.W. Frank Jr. designed for his parents in 1886 is now known as the G.W. Frank Museum of History & Culture at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. The structure has seven fireplaces and hand-carved oak woodwork showcasing the lifestyle of the visionary Frank family who helped make Kearney the progressive community it is today. 2010 University Dr. (308) 865-8284.

BURWELL

Nebraska’s Big Rodeo has been a landmark event every July since 1921. More than 18,000 visitors attend over its four days. (308) 346-5010. Calamus Reservoir is famous for its white sand beaches. Anglers hook wipers, white bass and giant channel catfish. Boating, water-skiing and sailing also are enjoyed here. Follow Nebraska Highway 96 northwest of Burwell for 8 miles to find the lake. (308) 346-5666. One reason for all those fish is the Calamus State Fish Hatchery, which is open for self-guided tours. 42254 Hatchery Rd. (308) 346-4226. Near the northwestern edge of the lake, Calamus Outfitters sets thousands of visitors afloat on the tranquil and shallow Calamus River in canoes, kayaks, inner tubes and livestock tanks each spring and summer. See ranch country from the water’s edge. 83720 Valley View Ave. (308) 346-4697. Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park

Burwell’s aquatic attractions include Calamus Reservoir and tanking and inner tube trips down the Calamus River.

2010 University Dr. • Kearney frank.unk.edu

MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA ART

Downtown Kearney • mona.unk.edu

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

Alan J. Bartels

COZAD

The Willow Island Pony Express Station is located in Cozad’s Veteran’s Memorial Park at Ninth and F streets.

The local American Legion Post 77 purchased the structure for $75 in 1936 and had it moved log by log and reassembled in the park. (308) 784-3907. The Robert Henri Museum & Art Gallery showcases the artwork of a prominent artist who was neither born here nor lived out his days here. Town founder John Cozad and his family left the community following a dispute that left a local rancher dead. Names were changed, and Cozad’s son, Robert Henri, rocked the art world from New York City. He never forgot Cozad. His childhood home in a former hotel now serves as this unique attraction. A separate gallery building on the downtown property features one of the world’s largest collections of Henri paintings and drawings. Special events showcase other artists. Tours available. 218 E. Eighth St. (308) 784-4154.

Why does the 100th Meridian Museum next door have President William Taft’s Yellowstone Touring Coach on display? Find out the answer while exploring early Cozad artifacts and a few odd curiosities at this downtown museum. 206 E. Eighth St. (308) 784-3930. Rustic & Red is a large store filled with collectibles, decor, clothing and gift items known for its Third Thursday Sip & Shop events and selection of button-fly Levi’s jeans. The building resembling a large barn is located at 139 W. Eighth St. (308) 784-3200. The Cozad Country Club has been the site of the Haymaker Open since 1951. The 18-hole course includes three lakes and 19 challenging bunkers that always seem to be in the way of a perfect shot. A tree-filled creek running through the course is scenic but trouble for long drives. 100 Country Club Rd. (308) 784-2585.

Your Escape A

dventure awaits when you make your escape to the Burwell and Calamus Lake area – in the heart of Nebraska’s Sandhills. Relax on the white sandy beaches of Calamus, watch the excitement at “Nebraska’s Big Rodeo,” rsar y experience an outfitter-guided th Annive 0 0 1 hunting or fishing trip and enjoy the warm hospitality at one of our many unique restaurants. You’ll love your adventure in the Burwell area. 308-346-5010 • nebraskasbigrodeo.com

Burwell

Discover Cozad Visit our outdoor art: Cozad Creates Icons, Rhakenna’s Wings, Barn Quilt Trail, Sculpture Garden Charming shops • 100th Meridian Museum Robert Henri Museum & Art Gallery

Nebraska’s Big Rodeo July 28-31, 2021

NEBRASK A

308-346-5210 • 888-328-7935 • visitburwell.com • Visitors Bureau chamber.burwellonline.com • Chamber of Commerce

Sponsored in part by a grant from the Cozad Chamber Tourism Committee CENTRAL

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is a restored 1870s fort. Barracks, a stockade and other structures provide a glimpse of military life on the frontier. 82034 Fort Ave. (308) 346-4715. Sandstone Grill offers gourmet fare and atmosphere combined with reasonable prices. 416 Grand Ave. (308) 346-4582. With a motto of “Life’s too short, enjoy the pizza,” the Pizza Palace has been tossing pies for 37 years. 204 Grand Ave. (308) 346-5200. The Hub serves lunch, ice cream treats and coffee in a historic three-story building complete with an antique store. 180 Grand Ave. (308) 346-4674.

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OUTLAW TRAILS SCENIC BYWAY This rugged route begins at South Sioux City and crosses northern Nebraska for 231 miles to Valentine. While following Nebraska Highway 12, visitors are in the land where outlaws like Doc Middleton and Kid Wade stole horses and hid their spoils in remote canyons. These scenic areas flanking the roadway are peaceful today. Byway visitors explore shopping and dining destinations, historical attractions and state parks while passing through three dozen communities. Native American lands, Nebraska’s tallest waterfall, the nation’s longest rail to trail conversion, historic bridges, the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri rivers and Nebraska’s own “Grand Canyon” are some of the sites to see. The opportunities for memorable travel adventures here are as much as the law will allow. nebraskaoutlawtrail.org.

GREELEY

A place where customers relax, unwind, and recharge.

www.milettavistawinery.com

308-754-4416 1732 Hwy 281, St. Paul, NE

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

The Greeley Irish Festival features Irish dancers, a beer tent, food and product vendors and an Irish cultural center. The community with the highest population of Irish residents in Nebraska celebrates their heritage in September, which residents claim is “half-way to St. Pat’s Day.” The full day of fun also includes a grand parade through town, an Irish beanbag tournament, a face painting booth and a daylong Irish jam featuring bands from the Emerald Isle. Tractor shuttles run all day. Enter on the town’s north side near Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Greeley City Park. The 2021 event is Sept. 18. (402) 428-5595. Residents here celebrate Greeley Days every third weekend of July. The event includes a rodeo, street dance, softball tournaments and a car and tractor show. (402) 429-6569. The names and rank of more than 1,000 area former service members are displayed on bricks at the Veterans’ Wall and Memorial in Courthouse

Square. Inside the Greeley County Courthouse, the Greeley County Historical Society Courthouse Museum displays Native American and pioneer artifacts, antique clothing, militaria and other historical items. Kildare St. and E. O’Neill Avenue. (402) 428-3115. Greeley City Park includes a large playground, RV camping sites, mature trees for shade, ball fields and the community’s heated swimming pool. Railway Street. (308) 428-4010.

RED CLOUD

The National Willa Cather Center occupies the nearly 20,000-square-feet Moon Block Building in downtown Red Cloud. Downtown appears much as it did when Cather, a noted author who moved to Red Cloud as a child, strolled these streets. Cather tourists explore the center’s museum and displays, art gallery and book store. Former first lady Laura Bush dedicated the center during a ceremony in 2017. Cather’s childhood home and other historic sites are part of the official tour. Live performances take place here in the original Red Cloud Opera House where Cather’s high school graduation took place. 413 N. Webster. (866) 731-7304. The Willa Cather Memorial Prairie is home to bobolinks, prairie chickens and wildflowers. This 612-acre preserve has never seen the plow. Five miles south of Red Cloud along U.S. Highway 281. (866) 731-7304. The Starke Round Barn was built in 1903 without any nails. 1639 U.S. Highway 136. (402) 746-4165. The barn is a gem, and Webster County Historical Museum is pure gold. Well, it’s painted gold. The mansion was the finest house for miles when built in 1909. 721 W. Fourth Ave. (402) 746-2444. Bluegill, largemouth bass, catfish and northern pike are common catches at Liberty Cove. Road U and Road 2400. (402) 364-2145. On The Brix is a popular wine tasting room at 437 N. Webster St. (402) 746-3120.

The community of St. Paul sits in a sweet spot 20 miles north of Grand Island between the North Loup and Middle Loup rivers. From its modern American Legion baseball facilities on its western edge, to the baseball slugger painted on its water tower, the community of 2,300 is known as the Historic Baseball Capital of Nebraska. Baseball buffs score by visiting the Museum of Nebraska Major League Baseball. Memorabilia about every Nebraskan to ever play big-league baseball makes this a shrine to America’s game. 619 Howard Ave. (308) 754-5558. Grover Cleveland Alexander was born in Howard County. He grew up pitching around Elba and St. Paul before leaving home to play professional baseball. A historical marker dedicated to the Hall of Fame pitcher stands

Halfway to St. Pat’s Day

in tribute at St. Paul City Park. Grover Cleveland Alexander Days keeps memories of the native son alive. The four-day festival in July includes a car show, quilt show, pie social, steak feed, baseball and other sports tournaments. (308) 754-5558. Loup River Distilling offers spirits made from grain grown on their Nebraska farm. 503 Howard Ave. (308) 754-2242. Tubby’s Firehouse Museum showcases firefighter Ron Tubbs’ collection of firefighting equipment dating to the Civil War. Open by appointment. 726 Howard Ave. (308) 750-5357. Alice Osterman has a fire extinguisher cookie jar and more than 1,753 others in her Sweet Shoppe cafe at 605 Howard Ave. After feasting your eyes on the collection, feast on huge omelets, burgers, nachos or Alice’s homemade jellies, breads and pastries. (308) 754-4900.

The Howard County Historical Village includes a blacksmith shop, railroad depot, the original Lutheran Church from Farwell, St. Libory School and the Cotesfield Post Office. 1005 Sixth St. (308) 754-4901. The St. Paul Waterpark is complete with swimming pools, towering water slides, elevated diving platforms and fountains at 418 Indian Ave. (308) 7544903. Visitors to Miletta Vista Winery enjoy a slower pace. There is a five-star restaurant on site. Diners and wine tasters look out over the North Loup River Valley through large windows in the dining room or from the spacious covered deck. Soup on the Loup, dinner theaters and murder mysteries are regular events. Elephant Ear Red, Prairie Rose and Cougarliscious are popular wines here on the edge of Nebraska’s Hill Country. 1732 U.S. Highway 281. (308) 754-4416.

14th Annual

ley I rish Festiv e e al Sept. 18, 2021 Gr 11 am-11:30 pm • Greeley, Nebraska

Wild Colonial Bhoys

Dublin City Ramblers

jWalk in her footsteps. Stay in her town. Tours • Prairie • Gallery • Museum Start planning your trip and browse upcoming events at www.WillaCather.org • (402) 746-2653

Miles from Dublin

The Town Pants

Located in Red Cloud

Omaha Pipes & Drums Dowd’s Irish Dance Academy NU vs Illinois Football Game Buy tickets on or before Sept. 7 for $15 or after, $20

greeleyirishfestival.com 308-428-5595

irishfestival@centercable.tv CENTRAL

CENTRAL

ST. PAUL

EASTERN NORFOLK

Alan J. Bartels

The Johnny Carson Mural in downtown Norfolk shows the comedic legend in stages of his life from his youth spent growing up in Norfolk to his final performance on The Tonight Show. Third Street and Norfolk Avenue. The Johnny Carson Boyhood Home is a private residence. Look for the sign at 306 S. 13th St., also known as Johnny Carson Boulevard. The Great American Comedy Festival honors Johnny Carson each June, but is on hold for 2021 due to COVID-19. greatamericancomedyfestival.com. Carson’s Emmy awards are showcased at Elkhorn Valley Museum. Also displayed here is one of only four Square Turn tractors known to exist. The innovative machines were manufactured in Norfolk more than a century ago and were ahead of their time. 515 Queen City Blvd. (402) 3713886. Ta-Ha-Zouka Park offers fishing, picnic and camping areas, sports fields and rental cabins near the Elkhorn River. A resident flock of waterfowl makes its home here. 2201 S. 13th St. (402) 844-2180. The Cowboy Trail begins in Norfolk and heads northwest for 321 miles to Valentine and eventually Chadron. Outfitted trips are available through North Fork Outfitting. (402) 3160157. They also outfit kayakers on the Elkhorn River and at Skyview Lake, and rent roller skates for visitors who want to explore the community on foot. Skyview Park and Skyview Lake are in the northwest part of town. The park is the site of the Christian Cross Festival and Big Bang Boom fireResidents and visitors gather at Skyview Lake in Norfolk for Big Bang Boom in July.

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

AJ Dahm

course. Entertainers Journey, Cheap Trick and ZZ Top are some of the big names who have thrilled crowds here. Divots Brewery attracts craft beer aficionados with taps pouring local brews. Visitors seeking the authentic taste of Norfolk can try Mollie’s Irish Red (named for a waitress), Donna’s Raspberry Pilsner (named for the owner) and Northfork Icebreaker, named for the branch of the Elkhorn River where the community was founded. Full-service gourmet restaurant on site. 4200 W. Norfolk Ave. (402) 379-3833. Black Cow Fat Pig Pub & Steak might have a funny name, but gourmet cuisine is serious business at 702 W. Norfolk Ave. Live entertainment and knowledgeable bartenders make dining here a memorable experience. (402) 316-4315. Lot 279 Premium Meat & Spirits features, aged beef from the Albers family

ranch, along with beer, wine and cocktails. Regular events include Oyster Night. Much more than a butcher shop. 439 W. Norfolk Ave. (402) 316-3688. The numbers game continues at The 411 Restaurant and Lounge. This elegant establishment in a historic downtown Norfolk building offers upscale cocktails and dining and is one few downtown restaurants open for breakfast. The dinner menu includes the adult grilled cheese sandwich, shepherd’s pie and a rotating Prairie Harvest weekly feature. The buffalo meatloaf has a stampeding following, and that’s no bull. 411 W. Norfolk Ave. (402) 851-3034. Franklin’s Bistro offers gourmet and homestyle entrees including steaks and pasta. The king of the sandwich menu is the local favorite Reuben burger. 904 Riverside Blvd. (402) 316-3308. Aroma Circuit is an Indian restaurant using local and regional produce when

E XPLO R E & STAY AWH I LE

Request a free Visitor’s Guide at VisitNorfolkNE.com

888.371.2932

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works event. A walking trail surrounds the lake. The lake is a popular fishing destination and attracts wildlife such as herons and an occasional loon. 1900 W. Maple Ave. (402) 844-2000. AquaVenture Water Park in Norfolk keeps hot summers cool. The attraction includes a wave pool, zero-entry pool, water walk, blow fish slide, body slide, dumping buckets and a concession stand. 715 S. First St. (402) 844-2270. Downtown Norfolk, called River Point, is an entertainment district with restaurants, shops, galleries, boutiques, live music and other events. The creativity of Nebraska artists is displayed at the Norfolk Arts Center. The center hosts game nights, workshops and other events. Two large galleries entertain at 305 N. Fifth St. (402) 371-7199. Divots Conference Center includes a hotel, event center, restaurant, sand volleyball courts and a mini golf

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AJ Dahm

The Elkhorn Valley Museum in Norfolk pays tribute to hometown funnyman Johnny Carson, who grew up only blocks away.

possible. Patrons eat clay oven bread while waiting for curry, lamb or other entrees. Located inside County Inn & Suites. 1201 S. 13th St. (402) 225-0808. Sakura Sushi and Steak House offers artisanal sushi prepared within view of the dining room. Visitors new to sushi may order a sample while relying on an expertly prepared steak as their meal. 1226 Riverside Blvd. (402) 379-9898. District Table & Tap features 23 beers on tap. Opened in late 2019, this pub’s Green Chile Mac N Cheese has quickly become a local favorite. 226 W. Norfolk Ave. (402) 316-4788. Downtown Coffee Company features coffees, teas, baked goods, sandwiches and salads at 302 W. Norfolk Ave. Free Wi-Fi available. (402) 844-3699. Kings Lanes & Sports Bar strikes fun with 32 bowling lanes, the Treasure Zone game room, snack bar and video games. 1000 Riverside Blvd. (402) 379-0551. Blockbusters play across the

We put the

FULL

in full-service hotel

parking lot at Norfolk 7 Theatre. 1000 Riverside Blvd. (402) 379-0424.

BATTLE CREEK

Evergreen Hills Golf Course is a ninehole course on rolling hills at 54602 837 Rd. (402) 675-5004. Goody’s Grille is known for sandwiches. The Bite-me Burger bites back with a handful of jalapenos. Cool off with pie and ice cream. 105 S. Second St. (402) 675-9900.

MADISON

Degroot Orchards sells apples, melons and other produce from a roadside stand along U.S. Highway 81. U-pick pumpkins are popular here as autumn and Halloween approach. The business has been a seasonal destination for more than 80 years. 83275 554th Ave. (402) 454-3445.

Book Your Stay or Event Today! Amenities · Upgraded rooms · Spacious suites · Gift shop · 24-hr coffee service · Guest laundry · Breakfast buffet · Fireside outdoor areas · Indoor atrium pool · Exercise room · 18-hole miniature golf · Sand volleyball courts

Events

· Concerts · Conference Rooms · Ballrooms

Dining

· SandBar & Grill · Divots Brewery · Hand-crafted beers · Outdoor patios · Beer garden

402-379-3833 • divotsconference.com 4200 W Norfolk Ave • Norfolk 26

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come EXPL RE

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The Madison County Historical Society displays a model railroad, firefighting equipment and communications technology. 210 W. Third St. (402) 992-1221.

COLUMBUS

Many visitors to Columbus pass by the Andrew Jackson Higgins Memorial on their way into town. The monument pays homage to a local man who changed the history of the entire world. Columbus businessman and inventor Andrew Jackson Higgins designed and built the landing craft used to storm enemy-held beaches during World War II. Following the war, Dwight D. Eisenhower was quoted as saying that Higgins “is the man who won the war for us.” The memorial in Pawnee Park includes a replica of one of his Higgins Boats and a squad of bronze soldiers staged as if bravely storming some foreign beach. Walking trails meet here, and a bronze bald eagle surveys the scene from atop a steel beam salvaged from the World Trade Center after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Glur’s Tavern is a Columbus legend. William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody was a regular in Columbus while prepping his Wild West Show for its debut in Omaha. The legend is retold often of Cody slapping a $1,000 bill on the bar and buying everyone in Columbus a drink. Built in 1876 and still in operation today, Glur’s is the longest continually operating tavern west of the Missouri River that is still in its original location. Do like the regulars do and order one of owner Todd Trofholz’s famous cheeseburgers. 2301 11th St. (402) 564-8615. The public mural “Discovering the Colorful History of Columbus” shows eight snippets of time ranging from the city’s beginnings in 1856 through the mural’s completion in 2006. It was painted by Waverly artist David Reiser. The mural can be viewed on the wall downtown at 2524 13th St. Pawnee Plunge Water Park covers seven acres and includes the FlowRid-

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

The Pawnee Plunge Water Park offers surfing, swimming and slides to keep Columbus visitors cool during summer heat. er, a six-lane swimming pool, splash pad, lazy river, octopus walk, several diving boards, climbing wall and slides. Locals are always happy for visitors to join in sand volleyball games and horseshoes matches in the spacious park equipped with baseball fields, tennis courts, a skate park, walking track, trails, picnic areas and a disc golf course. Find Pawnee Park on the south side of Columbus west of U.S. Highway 81. The water park is open May-August. 560 33rd Ave. (402) 5624269. Loup Park is 3 miles north of Columbus. The 31-acre park includes walking trails, charcoal grills, picnic tables and access to 200-acre Lake North. Camper pads with electrical hookups and tent camping spots are available at no charge. From 48th Avenue, turn east on Lakeview Road. (402) 562-5709. The aquatic fun grows to 600 acres when combined with the adjoining Lake Babcock.

Alan J. Bartels

Steaks and slow-roasted prime rib have people convoying to Dusters Restaurant. The fine dining restaurant is in a historic downtown building where owner Max Gottberg in the 1920s assembled cars for his buddy, Henry Ford. Look for stone reliefs of the front ends of those vehicles outside at the top of the building. That same food menu is available in the connected Gottberg Brew Pub, which serves local brews in a tasting room that looks and feels as if you are sneaking a drink in a grain bin. You can look right into the brewery from your tractor seat stool. Locals suggest the apricot pilsner or Platte River Pale Ale. This brew crew makes root beer and red cream soda with real cane sugar. 2804 13th St. (402) 562-6488. Tooley Drug is in the same building where brothers Dick and Frank Tooley opened their pharmacy and soda fountain downtown in 1928. One of Nebraska’s few operating soda

MONROE

Watch lemurs fly, zebras snort and touch an American alligator if you’ve got the nerve at Horn T Zoo on the west edge of the community. Events at this family-owned zoo include birthday parties, the Fall Festival in September and October, and a live animal Nativity scene in December. 37692 Nebraska Highway 22. (402) 276-0435.

FULLERTON

Headworks Park is a 10-acre site 13 miles northeast of Fullerton along Nebraska Highway 22. The recreation area is popular with families seeking outdoor adventures without having to go far off the beaten path. The park pond has a designated swimming area with a smooth, sandy bottom. The rest of the pond is open to anglers and small, non-motorized craft. Picnic areas, grills, restrooms, shade and electric camping pads for RVs are available. Weir Park is located here and includes RV camping spots and restrooms. The biggest draw here, besides the stunning scenery of Loup River, are the ATV trails snaking through the sandy river bottom. Both park areas are managed by the Loup Power District. 51137 N. Impala Ln. (402) 562-5709. Fullerton fun continues north of the community at Broken Arrow Wilderness. Mature oak trees provide shade amid cottage lodging, tent and RV campsites and a reception hall. Activities here include camping, hiking

and fishing. Trails are reserved for off-road vehicles on designated weekends. Broken Arrow outfits visitors for tanking and inner tube trips on the Cedar River. The historic site is home to Lover’s Leap, the steep cliff overlooking the Cedar River where local legend states a white man rode down it on his horse to win his bride’s freedom from hostiles. Broken Arrow also is a popular destination for reunions, weddings and concerts. 1025 P322 Rd. (308) 536-2441. Area service members past and present are honored at the Nance County Veterans Memorial on the north edge of Fullerton east of Nebraska Highway 14. 825 N. Third St. (308) 536-2691. The Nance County Historical Society’s Fullerton Museum is located in the community’s former Evangelical United Brethren Church. The attraction listed on the National Register of Historic Places preserves a thorough record of life in early Fullerton and Nance County. The site includes an

The Genoa U.S. Indian School Interpretive Center preserves the 1884-1934 era when native children were educated in Genoa. Alan J. Bartels

DUNCAN

The Dorothy Lynch dressing that Nebraskans cherish is made in Duncan. Small-town flavor flares up in June at Duncan Ribfest. Thousands of people will turn out for the weekend event featuring award-winning BBQ vendors and live music. The 2021 event is scheduled for June 26-27. (402) 897-3165.

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fountains is still here. Columbus residents and visitors enjoy the rare piece of history by slurping down malts, shakes, orange phosphates, green rivers, ice cream sundaes and other soda fountain treats. The full-service pharmacy includes a large selection of gift items, collectibles and a luncheonette. 2615 13th St. (402) 564-7205. Husker Steak House has been a Columbus dining destination for more than 60 years. The T-bones, sirloins, rib-eyes and filet mignon are thick and juicy. Seafood, salads, soups and sandwiches also are available. 1754 33rd Ave. (402) 564-4121. Picket Fence Cafe is another longtime Columbus dining favorite. Daily lunch specials draw in regulars and breakfast is served all day for late risers. The pies have a loyal following. Finding a seat during the Sunday buffet is a true blessing once the local church crowd rolls in. 2714 13th St. (402) 563-3915. Bistro on the Loup serves certified Angus beef inside the Ramada at 265 33rd Ave. (402) 564-1492. Whiskey Sands Bar & Grill is a popular local hangout also located here.

Explore NANCE COUNTY

HISTORICAL Genoa US Indian School Interpretive Center Nance County Museum Genoa Historical Museum Pawnee Reburial Memorial Nance County Veterans Memorial & Museum Genoa Veterans Memorial Mormon Historical Markers Broken Arrow Wilderness

GENOA

Redwood Motel • 402-993-2817 Genoa City Camping • 402-993-2330 Fill My Cup • 402-993-2872 Great Plains Café • 402-993-6540 DeNiles Restaurant • 402-948-1190 Sweets & Eats • 402-948-4299

Nebraska Tourism

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

RECREATION

Camping, Tanking & Tubing Hunting & fishing 7 Wildlife areas Pawnee Hills Golf Course Nance County Fair Hiking Trails, Jeep Trails

BELGRADE

New Frontier Saloon and Restaurant • 308-357-1121

FULLERTON

Broken Arrow Wilderness Camping & Cottages • 308-536-2441 Fullerton Inn • 308-536-2699 Caseys Pizza • 308-536-3210 Overtime Bar & Grill • 308-536-2700 Subway • 308-536-3179 Pappy’s Place • 308-536-2333 Loup River Inn • 308-536-2660

National Historic Sites • US Indian School • Broken Arrow Wilderness

NanceCounty.org Paid for by Nance County Tourism Fund

GENOA

The Genoa U.S. Indian School Interpretive Center commemorates the site of the fourth largest non-reservation Indian boarding school in the U.S. From 1884 to 1934 the facility existed to teach useful trades to Native American children while assimilating them into white culture. The facility grew to include 30 structures across 640 acres. One of the few remaining structures, the school’s former manual training building where students made horse harnesses, wagon wheels and other items, serves now as the museum. The facility hosts a reunion each year in August. A marker outside the front entrance is dedicated to the

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early one-room schoolhouse. Stop by to learn about Fullerton’s role in what became the first golf course in the United States. 501 Broadway St. (308) 536-2902. The Mormon Pioneer Campsite marks the location where several hundred pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints set up camp near the Loup River in early spring 1847. A pull-out 3 miles south of Fullerton along Nebraska Highway 14 provides access to the roadside marker. Pawnee Hills Golf Course is a nine-hole course in the rolling hills northeast of Fullerton. The final hole conveniently ends near the cart corral and clubhouse. The latter provides drinks, snacks and scenic views of the Loup River Valley, a nice reward no matter what the scorecard says. A whale-shaped pond near holes seven and eight is the only water hazard. A driving range allows for practice shots on the east edge of the facility. 52198 N. 273 Ave. (308) 536-2274. The Loup River Inn has drawn diners to the south bank of the Loup River for more than 35 years. The establishment is known for its Polish sausage and Sunday buffet. Residents swear that the fried chicken is the best in Nebraska. 26646 S. 555 St. (308) 536-2660.

Exhibits explain the early days of Christianity at the Clayton Museum of Ancient History at York College in York. students who perished while attending school here. Genoa is known as the Pawnee Capital of Nebraska. The museum is located at 209 E. Webster Ave. (402) 993-2330. Valley View Cemetery is home to the remains of nearly 1,000 Pawnee and their relatives repatriated by museums and other institutions in the 1990s. Two miles south of Fullerton and east of Nebraska Highway 14. The marker is in the cemetery’s northeast corner. The Genoa Historical Museum displays the Allen B. Atkins Pawnee Indian Artifact Collection. Every handmade piece was found within 5 miles of Genoa. Also exhibited are Mormon artifacts, fossils, pioneer tools, early weaponry and other items representing community history. 402 Willard Ave. (402) 993-2875. Fill My Cup Coffeehouse serves hot and cold coffee drinks, teas and Italian sodas along with sandwiches, soup, salads and sweets. 415 Willard Ave. (402) 993-2782. Genoa City Park includes a playground and plenty of lush grass, along with large shade trees, three

AJ Dahm

ball diamonds and a campground. A memorial honors local veterans at the park’s southeast corner. The Genoa Municipal Swimming Pool also is located in the park. 600-618 S. Maple St. (402) 993-2330. The Don Dworak Wildlife Management Area honors the late local state senator and dedicated conservationist who spurred Nebraska’s habitat stamp program. The 932-acre parcel near the Loup River provides habitat for native animals and a place for outdoorsy types to hunt, fish and explore. Channel catfish, carp, sunfish, whitetailed deer, rabbits, ducks, geese and wild turkeys attracts anglers and hunters to the marshy lowland area. Three miles south of Genoa on Nebraska Highway 14. (402) 370-3774.

YORK

A big red barn across I-80 from York’s famous hot air balloon water tower welcomes visitors to Wessels Living History Farm. This 145-acre working farm established by a gift from local farmer David Wessels showcases Nebraska’s agricultural history with EASTERN

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a focus on the 1920s. The 14-foot Dempster “gold wheel” windmill near the barn is gold plated. Volunteers portray characters from a century ago. Tractor rides full up fast. Want to know the difference between an outhouse and a privy? You can find out here. Open May 1-Oct. 31. Special events in December. 5520 S. Lincoln Ave. (402) 710-0682. The city of York isn’t likely to be confused with New York City, but York does have a world-class museum that would be well-received in the Big Apple. The Clayton Museum of Ancient History is a treasure trove of biblical proportions on the campus of York College. The museum includes exhibits about ancient Rome, the Near East, Mesopotamia, early Christianity and a reproduction of Jerusalem’s Western Wall. A Roman siege machine, legionary helmet, signet rings, ancient coins

and papyrus fragments also are part of the collection donated to York College in 2013 by philanthropist Foster Stanback. A realistic archaeological dig named the Little Kingdom helps young visitors experience the thrill of unearthing antiquities in the Holy Land. The museum is in the lower level of the Mackey Center. 1125 E. Eighth St. (402) 363-5748. Lee’s Legendary Marbles has one of the world’s largest collections of spherical sulfides, onionskins, shooters, cat’s eyes, European swirls and other marbles. More than 1 million marbles make up this priceless collection that has taken owner Lee Batterton a lifetime to amass. Lee’s is the place to be if you want to lay your hands on a single marble estimated to be worth $25,000. He has a radioactive marble, too. Antiques and coins also are available. Free admission for this priceless Nebraska attraction.

The Mennonite Heritage Park and Museum in Henderson remembers community history each September during Heritage Day.

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

Andrew Carpenean

3120 S. Lincoln Ave. (402) 362-3320. The Anna Bemis Palmer Museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of life in York County from 1860-1960. The collection of more than 5,000 artifacts includes rusty but trusty antique plows, a replica 1870s sod house, covered wagon, potato planter and digger, local oil paintings and the portraits of 155 Civil War veterans who settled in the area. The 1860 Abraham Lincoln campaign ribbon is available to view by appointment only. 211 E. Seventh St. (402) 362-1844. Community events take place year-round at Holthus Convention Center. These include the Nebraska Bridal Show, Haunt at the Holthus and Crossroad Junk & Vintage Holiday Market. The 12,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom can handle banquets for up to 800 people. 3130 Holen Ave. (402) 363-2675. Yorkshire Playhouse acts out with five shows annually. Productions for 2021 include The New Kid on the Block, Rabbit Hole and A Play About a Dragon. The curtain rises at 517 N. Lincoln Ave. (402) 362-7060. Family Aquatic Center has an eight-lane lap swimming pool, water slides, artificial climbing walls, deck geysers, a zero-depth area with fun spray features and a concession stand. Open daily in June, July and most of August. 2222 E. 14th St. (402) 362-2613. The York Country Club has a semi-private 18-hole golf course with public tournaments throughout summer. The pro shop sells golf shoes, clubs, tees and bags, hats, snacks and other golfing essentials. The dining room is open Tuesday through Sunday and is known for its tender prime rib, soups and Sunday brunch. The course has been a York landmark for more than a century. The York Open is a two-day stroke play tournament. 1016 W. Elm St. (402) 362-3720. York’s Chances “R” Restaurant has fed travelers since before I-80 was built. The place began as “The Cozy Lunch” in 1932. Their fried chicken is renowned. The restaurant has a

to Say yesYORK capacity for 550 hungry diners but the labyrinth of dining rooms somehow feel like home. This is one of the most popular motorcoach stops in Nebraska, and there is plenty of parking. Chances “R” is open every day of the year except for Christmas. 124 W. Fifth St. (402) 362-7755. Captain Red Beard’s Cafe serves fresh brewed coffee, lattes and espresso drinks, frappes, smoothies and fresh pastries downtown at 600 Grant Ave. (402) 745-6073. Film buffs can see the latest releases on three screens at the Sun Theatre. 427 N. Lincoln. (402) 362-7469. La Cocina Authentic Mexican Grill & Cantina sizzles with fajitas, spicy salads, family taco packs ands seafood. 928 N. Lincoln Ave. (402) 362-0356. Little Oven Creations satisfies each visitor’s sweet tooth with cakes, chocolate dipped strawberries, cupcakes and cookies. 216 E. Fifth St. (402) 363-9081. Kirkpatrick North Wildlife Management Basin offers habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl including American avocets, Canada geese, mallard and pintail ducks, trumpeter swans, mergansers and long-billed dowitchers. Concentrations of snow geese here in late winter can number in the thousands. Wildlife enthusiasts can sneak a look from 1 mile west of York on Road 10. (402) 471-0641.

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FOR YOUR 2021 DESTINATION

Wessels Living History Farm

Clayton Museum

Marble Museu

Discover York County’s museums, downtown, events and more at the Crossroads of the Midwest! February April May June July This ad sponsored by York County Visitors Bureau

August September October December

York Home & Garden Show • Holthus Convention Center Crossroads Junk & Vintage Market • Holthus Convention Center Mid-Plains Fiber Fair • York County Fairgrounds Ag Event Center Waco Days Firecracker Frenzy at York County Fairgrounds Henderson Community Days • Bradshaw Days York County Fair at York County Fairgrounds Yorkfest • McCool Mustang Round-up Annual Czechfest at Holthus Convention Center Christmas on the Farm at Wessels Living History Farm

Due to COVID-19, our regularly scheduled events are subject to change depending on health mandates. Call for the most current information.

402-362-4575 • yorkvisitors.org • 601 N Lincoln Ave • York, NE 68467

HENDERSON

Henderson traces its beginnings to 1874 when a group of Mennonite immigrants traveled by rail from New York to Nebraska. Those 35 families lived together that first winter. Their only shelter was the 20-foot by 80foot immigrant house built for them by the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. Homes, barns, farms and the town went up when spring arrived. Henderson’s Mennonite Heritage Park and Museum preserves the town’s past with a replica of the immigrant house those first settlers shared, a country church and 1911 barn. There also is a visitor center, and the gift shop sells local crafts and

Explore the Roman Empire and more through military and household relics. All new Bible exhibit tells the story of scripture from scroll to hand-copied manuscript to print edition. Call ahead, reservations required. ADMISSION IS FREE Check website for hours claytonmuseumofancienthistory.org 402-363-5748 • 1125 E 8th St • York

Paid for in part by a grant from the York County Visitors Bureau

at York College, Nebraska

Lower level of the Mackey Center on the York College campus EASTERN

The Tree Adventure experience at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City invites families to have fun above ground level.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE

FAMILY DESTINATION

Arbor Day Farm

souvenirs. This spacious park is home to the annual Heritage Day where visitors have fun on wagon rides and watch demonstrations of chores from the old days. Homemade apple cider and fresh baked bread is reason enough to attend. The museum is open May 1-Sept. 30, Tues-Sat. 720 Rd. B. (402) 723-5694. The fun continues during Henderson Community Days in July, and the celebration includes a Kid’s Camp, old-fashioned games, softball and volleyball tournaments, craft fair, food vendors, live entertainment and more. (402) 723-4228. Downtown City Park is a popular picnic spot with a playground and bandshell. This also is the site of the June through August Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings 5-7 p.m. East of Main Street. (402) 723-5782. At 55 acres in size, Lakeview Park is Henderson’s largest park. Locat-

VENUE

Explore

FARM LIFE

at Wessels Living History Farm

From the early 1900s to 2021, looking back at over one hundred years of farm life. History comes to life through the barn, outbuildings, farmhouse, rural church and school house. Visit the animals and learn through hands-on activities. Shop the Wessels Mercantile – a GROW Nebraska store! OPEN REGULARLY MAY-SEPT. June 4 Polka Fest June 1-30 Wedding A�re Through the Years July 1-31 Salute to our Veterans Aug. 1 Tractor Show & Summer Fair

Aug. 1-13 Aprons & Overalls Sept. 1-30 Back to School Oct. 9 Boo on the Farm Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 Christmas on the Farm and 2nd Annual Chirstmas Cruise

402-710-0682 • LivingHistoryFarm.org 1 mile south of I-80 exit 353 • York, NE MUSEUM

Paid for by the York County Visitors Bureau.

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

Experience life the

MENNONITE WAY Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park and History Museum Step back in time as you explore the general store, country school house and railroad depot.

Heritage Day • Sept. 11, 2021 May-Sept. • Tue-Sat, 1-4 pm or open upon request

402-723-4252 HENDERSONHERITAGE.ORG 1 mile south of Henderson, I-80 Exit 342 Paid in part by a grant from York County Visitor’s Bureau.

es the paintings and bronze sculptures of this hometown Henderson artist. 1053 Main St. (402) 723-4977.

NEBRASKA CITY

Arbor Lodge, once the home of Arbor Day creator J. Sterling Morton, is a 52-room mansion surrounded by the 72-acre Arbor Lodge State Historical Park. The park includes an arboretum, garden, log cabin, carriage house, walking trails and more than 200 varieties of flowering lilacs. 2600 Arbor Ave. (402) 873-7222. Arbor Day Farm encompasses 260 acres of natural beauty. This national historic landmark is home to the oneof-a-kind Tree Adventure and the Lied Lodge & Conference Center. Tree Adventure is a nature-themed attraction at Arbor Day Farm where trails lead through the fun forest to a 50-foot-tall treehouse. 2611 Arbor Ave.

(402) 873-8717. Lied Lodge & Conference Center is a popular venue for weddings, retreats, meetings and special events. Travelers check into 140 newly renovated guest rooms and luxury suites. The Timbers dining room prepares seasonal meals with local produce paired with striking views of Arbor Day Farm through the lodge’s massive windows or from the outdoor seating area, weather permitting. The fireplace and adult beverages provide warmth in the lodge’s Library Lounge. The pub stays true to its name with shelves of nature books to flip through while visiting with friends old and new. No library card required. Lied Lodge also includes an indoor Olympic-size swimming pool. Stay and play packages provide outdoor adventures and a comfortable bed at the end of the day. Every aspect of

Explore E

HENDERSON LOCATED IN YORK COUNTY TAKE I-80 EXIT 342 Home of Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park

Open Memorial Day-Labor Day Tues-Sat, 1-4 pm or by appointment 1.5 miles south of Exit 342 Henderson Community Days July 9-11 Heritage Day Sept. 11 Farmers Market June-Aug. 3 Tues | 5-7 pm

Getting away doesn’t have to mean going

far away.

Let the natural surroundings of Lied Lodge and Arbor Day Farm’s 260-acre property welcome you — for business, a family reunion, or a memorable weekend with those you love. Experience the new Treetop Village®, explore a historic mansion, raise a glass to new tastes, or simply relax in world-class comfort. Now’s the time to rediscover what you love in Nebraska City.

402-723-4228 | HendersonNE.com Produced in part by a grant from the York County Visitors Bureau

Nebraska City, Nebraska | 402-873-8733 | arbordayfarm.org EASTERN

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ed on the southwest side of town, a mile-long sidewalk surrounds the park’s lake where anglers try to catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Mature trees add plenty of shade to this popular destination. (402) 723-5782. The Henderson Aquatic Center is located at Lakeview Park. The heated pool, diving boards, slides and diving well entertain Memorial Day weekend through mid-August. 1100 Birch St. (402) 723-4860. The Henderson Sports Complex on the west side of town is home to summer softball and baseball leagues, T-ball and community events. (402) 723-5782. Main Street offers unique finds. Perks is a cafe and coffee shop specializing in some of the best perks in life: coffee, cake and conversation. 1045 N. Main St. (402) 723-5430. The Vern Friesen Gallery showcas-

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the lodging here is environmentally friendly from its recycling program to the onsite biomass heating system. Cool. 2700 Sylvan Rd. (402) 873-8733. The Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center allows modern-day explorers to follow in the footsteps of the explorers who traveled up the Missouri River near here in 1804. Step aboard a full-size replica keelboat or explore a Native American earth lodge. The Great Hall in the building’s loft displays some of the large animals that Lewis and Clark encountered. Somewhere inside visitors almost step upon a hidden prairie grizzly bear that roars to life unexpectedly. A larger-than-life prairie dog display on the lower level gives a glimpse of life underground. Four trails lead to outdoor adventures. 100 Valmont Dr. (402) 874-9900. The Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard

features 40 acres of u-pick produce. Visitors can harvest strawberries in late May, cherries in mid-June and peaches from mid-July through August. Apples and pumpkins are popular harvests, too. The tasting room offers wine samples year-round. 5995 G Rd. (402) 873-5293. The Kregel Windmill Museum is Nebraska’s City newest museum. The Kregel Windmill factory operated for 112 years. The factory closed in 1991 and appears as if the workers simply went home for the night and never clocked back in. 1416 Central Ave. (402) 873-1078. The Nebraska City Museum of Firefighting chronicles the Nebraska City Volunteer Fire Department’s long history with an 1884 Button steam engine used to draw water from the nearby Missouri River. 1320 Central Ave. (402) 873-4403. Nebraska City has long been known

TASTY, FRESH & FUN NEAR NEBRASKA CITY

Savor the farm-fresh produce and baked treats at Union Orchard. Bring the kids for pickyour-own fruit and pumpkins, plus monthly events held in our large pavilion. Sample a wide variety of Nebraska wines, hard ciders, and seasonal cocktails in our tasting room.

2021 EVENTS New Moon Campfire June 12 • July 10 • Aug. 7 Music Under the Stars June 26 • July 24 • Aug. 21

Open year-round

Applejack Festival Sept. 18-19 The Taste of Applejack Sept. 25-26

Nebraska City’s Historic and Only Family-Owned Orchard

2405 S Hwy 75 • Union, NE 68455 • 8 miles north of Nebraska City on Hwy 75 unionorchard.com • 402-263-4845 Check out our Facebook page for the full 2021 event calendar and more details.

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for its apple orchards. For more than half a century, the community has celebrated the fruit with its AppleJack Festival each September. Up to 80,000 people attend. Apples to apples, it’s the tastiest fruit fest around. (402) 873-6654. Union Orchard knows something about growing apples. The attraction 8 miles north of Nebraska City has roots to 1917 when the property served as a fruit farm for the University of Nebraska. A new batch of 10,000 trees planted in 2011 are already showing the fruits of the Worstrel family’s labor. Signs reading “fresh apple donuts” draw travelers passing by on U.S. Highway 75. Visitors pick their own apples, ride through the orchards on wagons, shop for apple cider and enjoy fruit wines while families enjoy picnics and fresh air. The orchard’s Full Moon Bonfire events feature experts and

SCHUYLER

Schuyler is well-known for the St. Benedict Conference Center, a nonprofit conference center and ecumenical retreat founded by Missionary Benedictines just north of town and east of Nebraska Highway 15. The peaceful setting, with a large reflective pond and sculpture gardens, allows visitors to relax and seek out spiritual healing. Theatrical pro-

ductions, holiday dinners and live musical performances are regular events. Lodging is available, and the center hosts organized retreats and Schuyler community events, such as the annual Christmas Craft Show. From Thanksgiving through December, the St. Benedict Conference Center shows a display of Nativity scenes from North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Holy Land. Group tours can be scheduled by appointment. Visitors also can explore the site via smartphone tours. Lunch is available to visitors most days. The center is appointed with artwork from around the world. A labyrinth within sight of the center invites visitors to embark on their own sacred journeys. The bookstore includes a selection of religious items, and art from Africa, Peru and Korea. Ask how first-time guests can receive a complimentary one night’s

Experience a S

lodging at the center. 1126 Road I. (402) 352-8819. Two city parks, South Park and Schuyler Park, offer a total of 155 acres of recreational opportunities for residents and travelers alike, including swimming, baseball, fishing, sand volleyball, horseshoe pitching, tennis, picnicking, relaxation, bird-watching and more. (402) 352-3101. The Oak Ballroom was built in 1937 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The ballroom is used for receptions, reunions and other community events. 175 Higgins Dr. (402) 352-9972. The Schuyler Historical Society chronicles the century and a half lineage of the county with interesting and informational displays and unique items donated by local families. 309 E. 11th St. (402) 615-0857. Schuyler Golf Course is a nine-hole affair along Nebraska Highway 15,

Sacred Oasis

CHUYLER’S lush farmland surrounds Saint Benedict Center’s peaceful oasis. The center creates an escape for reﬂection and discovery through interactive retreats, conferences and group tours. Be inspired by a stunning state-of-the-art display on The Saint John’s Bible and beautiful architecture. Enjoy delicious meals, view religious artwork, shop cultural artwork, rosaries, books and music.

1126 Road I • Schuyler, NE Call 402-352-8819 or visit www.stbenedictcenter.com EASTERN

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reenactors speaking about local and state history. 2405 S. U.S. Highway 75. Union. (402) 263-4845. Residents hankering for fruity flavors don’t have to leave town. The Central Apple Market is the Worstrels’ Nebraska City outlet for the same fruit, baked goods, wines, jellies, hot sauces and gift items that have made its rural location a destination. 701 Central Ave. (402) 873-1090.

EASTERN The old days of Missouri River travel live on aboard the Spirit of Brownville. The boat is docked at Brownville offers dinner cruises. south of town. The course is located in South City Park near the cherished Oak Ballroom. Cart rental available. 295 Higgins Dr. (402) 352-2900. Railside Green Arboretum was the dream of local resident Jim Kluck and is maintained today in his memory. The nearly 3-acre site once was an abandoned railroad right of way. Brought back to life by volunteers and Kluck’s friends, dozens of varieties of trees, shrubs, bushes, grasses, sedges and flowering plants thrive here. There is a walking path, and an old caboose is the only reminder of the site’s railroad days. 1103 B St. (402) 615-3179. Colfax Theatre keeps residents and visitors entertained on weekends with movies for children and families Friday through Sunday, continuing an entertainment tradition dating back decades. Grab a large popcorn for only $4, some candy and drinks and settle in for the show. 314 E. 11th Street. (402) 352-5847.

BROWNVILLE

For a town of just 127 residents, there’s a lot to do in Brownville. Railroaders make tracks to the Railroad Depot, and river rats board the Meriwether Lewis Dredge docked on the Missouri River. Book lovers browse four bookstores, and live-music lovers are thrilled by New York cabaret, Broadway, jazz, rock, bluegrass and classical performers at Brownville Concert Hall. Thespian fans attend rollicking

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

Bobbi and Steve Olson

repertory plays at the Brownville Village Theatre, and art aficionados can flock to the art shops, galleries and attend the Old Time Autumn event in October. Nature lovers and bird-watchers can hike and bike the Steamboat Trace Trail, stroll through Gov. Furnas Arboretum, or take a Spirit of Brownville cruise on the Missouri River. Shop ’til you drop for antiques, jewelry, handmade items, collectibles, gifts, bric-a-brac and more, especially at the Spring and Fall Flea Markets. Overnight stays include quaint bed and breakfasts, or a sumptuous room at the River Inn that floats out on the river. Enjoy fine dining at the Lyceum Restaurant, Book & Art Store, book a dinner cruise, and visit The Bluebird for ice cream treats and more. Discover other tastes while touring Whiskey Run Creek Winery and Distillery. TJ’s Tavern gets in on the act with country and rock bands, and more musical variety rings out during Friday events. Be as laid back or as busy as you like in Brownville.

FAIRBURY

Oregon Trail wagon ruts remain visible at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park. The 350-acre park at the site of Wild Bill Hickok’s first gunfight honors pioneers with an interpretive center and native prairie 6 miles southeast of Fairbury. Rock Creek Trail Days in June includes wagon rides and a buffalo stew cookout. Yee-

haw! 57426 710 Rd. (402) 729-5777. The Rock Island Depot Museum once was the western division headquarters for Rock Island Railroad. Open weekends, 1-5 p.m. 910 Second St. (402) 729-5131. The Fairbury City Museum is open weekends 1-4 p.m., and preserves local history, including a new fossil room. 1128 Elm St. (402) 671-6879 or (402) 239-6463. McDowell’s Tomb is a hand-carved mausoleum reached by traveling 2 miles south of Fairbury on Nebraska Highway 15, 3 miles west on Nebraska Highway 8 and then 1 ½ miles south on 566 Avenue. The narrow trail is challenging and impassable at times. Crystal-clear spring water fills a pair of lakes at Crystal Springs Campground. The secluded 73-acre park includes 60 RV camping sites with electrical hookups. 56701 Crystal Springs Rd. (402) 729-2148.

STEELE CITY

Thousands of visitors descend on this community for the Steele City Flea Market and Antique Farm Machinery Show. The September event features pedal tractor pulls for children and adults, and smoke will billow from the Village Blacksmith Shop. (402) 446-7486.

SEWARD

Sparks fly at Seward – “America’s Small Town Fourth of July City.” The community has celebrated the holiday every year since 1868. The independence party kicks off every July 4 at 7 a.m. (402) 643-4189. The Nebraska National Guard Museum explain the long history of the National Guard in Nebraska. Military vehicles outside provide strategic photo opportunities for families. 201 N. Eighth St. (402) 309-8763. Seward’s patriotism waves at the Parade of Flags. This attraction displaying military and state flags was the first in the U.S. to display the new Space Force flag. 2698 McKelvie Rd.

SEWARD COUNTY

welcomes you!

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Concordia University’s Bartels Museum displays rocks and gems from around the world. 800 N. Columbia Ave. (402) 643-7254. Red Path Gallery & Tasting Room showcases Nebraska artists and artisan offerings by Nebraska’s talented vintners, brewers and distillers. 514 Seward St. (402) 641-8211. Junto Winery makes tasty wines in the rolling hills of Seward County. 1356 182nd St. (402) 646-0515. Bottle Rocket Brewing Co. brews beer in tribute to Seward history with names such as Punk Lite, Wicked Spark and M-80. 230 S. Fifth St. (402) 304-5673. The World’s Largest Time Capsule has a car inside it. The attraction will reveal all of its contents on July 4, 2025. Drive by it at 318 Hillcrest Dr. The Holiday Christmas Festival includes a lighted evening parade downtown. (402) 643-4189.

iscover excitement and entertainment in Seward County. Museums, breweries, vineyards, and antique shops fill the county. Enjoy the 4th of July in Seward, Milford Family Fun Days, or check out Utica Days for some family fun. Learn more at cultivatesewardcounty.com.

402-643-4189

SewardNebraskaTourism.com • CultivateSewardCounty.com

Bee • Staplehurst • Garland • Seward • Utica • Goehner Beaver Crossing • Pleasant Dale • Milford • Cordova

Visit

BROWNVILLE

for History, Nature, Arts & More!

Brownville Historical Society Whiskey Run Creek Winery brownvillehistoricalsociety.org & Distillery whiskeyruncreek.com

Brownville Fine Arts Association Visit us on Facebook!

Brownville Concert Series Merriweather Lewis Riverboat Dredge Museum brownvilleconcertseries.com

Flatwater Folk Art Museum 402-825-4371 • 609 Main St

Gospel Coffee & Ice Cream John Lokke Art at gospel-coffee-icecream.square.site The Palmerton Gallery 402-825-3661 • 221 Main St

Brownville Market & Mary’s Emporium 402-825-1240

River Inn Resort River-Inn-Resort.com

Lone Tree Saloon/Boutique 116 Main St Visit us on Facebook!

402-825-1240 • brownville-ne.com

Located just 10 minutes west of I-29 on US Hwy 136 • Exit 110 EASTERN

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BELLEVUE

Visitors can hike 19 miles of trails peppered with white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and other critters at Fontenelle Forest. The Hickory Trail leads visitors to the Missouri River. The trails are open sunrise to sunset. The organization founded in 1913 is one of the oldest conservation groups in the U.S. Bird-watchers have recorded 246 species of birds here, including 35 varieties of warblers. This is the only location in Nebraska where red-shouldered hawks are known to breed. Bringing binoculars is recommended, and they are also available for rent here for a small fee. Visitors flock to see rehabilitated but non-releasable hawks, owls, bald eagles, falcons and turkey vultures at Fontenelle Forest’s Raptor Woodland Refuge. Many of these animals were injured by the hand of man. The role of these feathered friends is to educate the public about the role of raptors in the ecosystem. Visiting the refuge is an adventure as people walk between enclosures on suspended walkways high above the forest floor. Also located here is Fontenelle Forest’s TreeRush Adventure Park. Nine aerial trails through the treetops, and zipline adventures 50 feet above the ground, make for lofty family fun. Fear of heights is safely challenged on cable bridges and netted tunnels while wearing climbing gear. These aerial trails are color coded: Yellow is the easiest. The Black Trail takes climbers 55 feet above ground. Acorn Acres is a one-acre natural play area where unstructured play is encouraged. Animal costumes and games at Habitat Hollow teach children about the wild Ridge Trail at Fontenelle Forest provides views of the Missouri River near Bellevue. AJ Dahm

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toric structure regarded as the oldest building in Nebraska. The cabin is at 1805 Hancock St. Find the museum at 2402 Clay St. (402) 292-1880. The curtain has raised for entertainment at the Bellevue Little Theatre for more than half a century. More than 200 volunteers build sets, work with the public and appear on stage during two musicals and three plays each year. Productions scheduled for 2021 include The Outsider and Temporary Insanity. 203 W. Mission Ave. (402) 291-1554. Stella’s Bar & Grill has prepared their famous hamburgers the same way since 1936. The family-owned business continues racking up awards for the behemoth, including “Nebraska’s Best Burger” by the Nebraska Beef Council and 10 years in a row as “Omaha’s Best Burger.” Menu offerings using hand pressed patties sandwiched between bread buns from the

local Rotella’s Italian Bakery include singles, double and triple cheeseburgers, and the vegan Double Impossible Burger. The Stella’s Staple Burger is topped with cheese, bacon and a fried egg. 106 Galvin Rd. (402) 291-6088.

PAPILLION

The great outdoors soars at Walnut Creek Recreation Area near Papillion. The area includes a 150-acre reservoir, 450 acres of breathtaking views, winding trails and the state’s largest outdoor covered stage. French settlers named this town after its beautiful butterflies. The winged beauties remain in abundance at this sprawling outdoor attraction. This waterfront delight offers boat docks, trails, picnic areas, RV camping spots, a no-leash dog area, restrooms and Nebraska native prairie. 11601 S. 96th St. (402) 679-9889.

WALK & WANDER

ZIP & CLIMB DOWN LOW OR UP HIGH - HEALTHY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES! Join Us! Minutes from Downtown Omaha 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N. Bellevue, NE

FontenelleForest.org • (402) 731-3140

TreeRush.com • (402) 316-7038 METRO

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animals that live nearby. 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N. (402) 731-3140. Glimpses of present-day agriculture abound nearby at the 400-acre Gifford Farm. The farm is open for educational tours and farm animal encounters during Fun Family Saturdays. More than 30,000 school students visit this property each year and learn aspects of farming, nature, science, history and teamwork. 700 Camp Gifford Rd. (402) 597-4920. Bellevue is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Nebraska. That long history is preserved at the Sarpy County Historical Museum. The 4,000-square-foot facility includes military, pioneer and Native American exhibits. The 1869 depot adjacent to the museum is Nebraska’s oldest. Predating the depot by more than three decades is the Bellevue Log Cabin, built in approximately 1835. The museum offers tours of the his-

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The Sumtur Amphitheater is a popular place to catch a summer concert under the stars. Performances planned for 2021 include singer Josh Turner and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The amphitheater with room for 2,500 music fans is located on seven acres in Walnut Creek Recreation Area. 11691 S. 108th St. (402) 597-2065. The Halleck Park area overflows with family-friendly recreation. Visitors can pedal bikes along the West Papio Trail, go fishing in a 4-acre stocked pond or sharpen their serves at the tennis and sand volleyball courts. The Papio Fun Park has go-karts, mini-golf, laser tag and exciting arcade games. 210 E. Lincoln St. (402) 592-5671. Papio Bay Aquatic Center, with a children’s butterfly slide and other water slides, diving boards, wading pools, a sand play area and concession stand, is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. 815 E. Halleck St. (402) 597-2055.

GRETNA

Passing travelers stare with wonder toward Holy Family Shrine south of I-80 Exit 432 at Gretna. From the road the structure appears as mostly glass and wooden beams. It is. Two streams of water flow through the limestone chapel floor. The view from inside reveals stunning prairie scenes. 23132 Pflug Rd. (402) 332-4565. Schramm Park State Recreation Area overflows with scenery. Home to the Schramm Education Center, the park offers kayaking, fishing, hiking and bicycling. With a mix of grasslands and forested areas, this is one of the most popular bird-watching destinations in Nebraska. The Kentucky warbler, rare in most of Nebraska, is a regular summer visitor here. Eagles and herons are commonly seen. The largest living common snapping turtle known to exist is a popular resident in the center’s aquarium complex. State park entry permit required. 21502 Nebraska Highway 31. (402) 332-3901. The nearby Lied Platte River Bridge has an easily accessible bird’s-eye view of the river and sur-

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

Holy Family Shrine is a Catholic retreat on a hill overlooking Interstate 80 near Gretna. The facility is open to the public. rounding woodlands. 21502 W. Nebraska Highway 31. (402) 234-6855. From mid-September through the end of October, Vala’s Pumpkin Patch delights goblins and ghouls young and old. Visitors start egg fights (with foam balls) in a three-story barn, try to escape from the 3-acre corn maze, slingshot apples at ghostly targets and sink their teeth into slices of pumpkin pie. 12102 S. 180th St. (402) 332-4200.

LA VISTA

Go fly a kite! This newest city in the state, incorporated in 1960, hosts kite festivals in April and October. Enthusiasts launch wind-catchers into the Nebraska breeze. Some string their spools while others kick back and take in the La Vista Kite Fly at 7346 S. 66th St. La Vista is home to some of Nebraska’s most popular craft breweries and a distillery. Nebraska Brewing Co. offers brewery tours on Thursday and Saturday. Their Cardinal Pale Ale is a statewide favorite. 6950 S. 108th St. (402) 934-7988.

AJ Dahm

Lucky Bucket Brewing Co. is known for barrel-aged ales, pre-Prohibition lagers and tart sours. Tours the first Saturday of each month. 11941 Centennial Rd. (402) 763-8868. Kros Strain Brewing burst onto the Nebraska craft beer scene in 2017. Their 20-barrel system means 21 beers on tap at 10411 Portal Rd. (402) 779-7990. Pint Nine Brewing Company offers 16 tap beers and brewer’s choice specials next door to Kros Strain. 10411 Portal Rd. (402) 359-1418. Patriarch Distiller/Soldier Valley Spirits produces vodka, bourbon, rum and a variety of whiskeys in a facility with a patriotic theme. 12251 Cary Cir. (402) 690-3490.

SPRINGFIELD

Soaring Wings Vineyard & Brewing makes 22 wines, mostly from their own grapes. The tasting room offers tasty flights of five wines, which include a souvenir wine glass to take home. Their craft beers are served by the pint, pitcher or 64-ounce growl-

STAY & PLAY IN SARPY COUNTY! Tree Rush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue

Located just a few minutes south of Omaha, Sarpy County awaits with a wonderful mix of fun things to see and do. Your choice of breweries, wine-tastings, outdoor entertainment, historical sites, parks, restaurants, and premier hotels makes this the ultimate escape. But the best part, there’s always something new to discover when you visit. To see why Sarpy County is the perfect destination for your next getaway, visit us online at GoSarpy.com!

BELLEVUE • GRETNA • LA VISTA • PAPILLION • SPRINGFIELD • OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE • OMAHA METRO Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Bellevue

Nebraska Crossing Outlets, Gretna Holy Family Shrine, near Gretna

Graley’s Creamery, Papillion Kayaking the Platte

The Stellanator at Stella’s Bar & Grill, Bellevue

Werner Park, Papillion Schramm Park State Recreation Area, near Gretna

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er. Live bands play on most Friday evenings in summer, and other events take place regularly throughout the year. Wed.-Sat., noon-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 17111 S. 138th St. (402) 253-2479. Springﬁeld Artworks specializes in fused glass art and fascinators (hats), derby hats and cocktail hats. Customized classes are available for families and groups of friends. Mid-February through December at 183 Main St. (402) 301-9162.

OMAHA

The Skyfari ride provides aerial views of exotic animals and their habitat at Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha.

GENERAL CROOK HOUSE MUSEUM

Eric Francis/Visit Omaha

The Durham Museum, located in the former Union Station railroad depot, preserves Omaha’s prosperous railroad days and the history of the community. The massive 124,000 square-foot building was the first of Union Pacific’s Art Deco stations. Built by Omaha’s Peter Kiewit and Sons,

CREATE HISTORY TOURS | PROGRAMS | RENTALS

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Weekdays 10 am-4 pm Weekends 1 pm-4 pm Celebrating over 140 years, the beautifully restored Italianate General’s quarters was built in 1879 on Historic Fort Omaha. 5730 N. 30th St. #11b Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-9990 www.DouglasCoHistory.org

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

OMAHA, NE | 402.595.2199 | JoslynCastle.com

Army Gen. George Crook, commander of Fort Omaha. More than 110 varieties of plants thrive in the heirloom garden. The museum’s collection of 7,500 artifacts includes political buttons, art, antiques and a collection of vintage costumes and clothing from the 19th and 20th centuries. Afternoon tea events include museum tours. Lunchtime tours include a light meal. 570 N. 30th St. (402) 455-9990. The Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters marks the location of the main settlement on the Missouri River of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This North Omaha memorial showcases the hardships these pioneers faced, particularly during the winter of 1846-1847, before the founding of Omaha. Handcarts, covered wagons, sculptures of grizzled travelers and a free museum filled with historical displays tell the story

of their daunting exodus. 3215 State St. (402) 453-9372. Nearby, Florence Mill is the state’s oldest business. Brigham Young oversaw the building of this grist mill for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Winter Quarters settlement in 1846. The main floor of the historic mill is now a museum and the top floor is an art gallery. Live musicians play during bustling weekend farmers markets. 9102 N. 30th St. (402) 551-1233. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is home to the world’s largest indoor desert and largest indoor rainforest in North America. Sharks and sea turtles swim in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium. 3701 S. 10th St. (402) 733-8401. The Joslyn Castle stands one block from Dodge Street. The former residence of early Omaha businessman George Joslyn and his wife, Sarah, is an architectural wonder inside and out near 39th and Dodge Street. Built in 1903, the lavish 5.5 acres of manicured gardens are open to the public daily. Call for information about public tours. 3902 Davenport St. (402) 595-2199. The Joslyn Art Museum is known for its diverse collections of European, American and Native American art. Described as “pink marble glory,” 38 types of marble from seven countries were hand-hammered to produce the unique exterior. The museum’s Discovery Garden includes sculptures that are bight and bold with interactive art that is meant to be touched. 2200 Dodge St. (402) 342-3300. The Old Market is the heart of the city’s vibrant downtown arts and entertainment scene. Bordered by Heartland of America Park, the historic cobbled streets come alive at night with street performers, jazz clubs and horse-drawn carriages. Harney and 11th streets. The Holland Performing Arts Center is the home of the Omaha Symphony, but it also sets its stage for a diverse lineup of national and internationally acclaimed artists. METRO

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its construction began in July 1929, only months before the stock market crash. The station emulates the strength and power of the railroad. The last train rolled out in 1971. Visiting train fans stroll through an elegant passenger car, see a steam locomotive up-close and taste an old-fashioned phosphate at the working soda fountain. Irreplaceable Omaha items enshrined here include Titanic victim Emil Brandeis’ pocket watch, an 1866 Omaha plat map, chandeliers from the Blackstone Hotel where the Reuben sandwich was invented, and a cash register from the Buffett & Son Grocery Store that operated in the Dundee neighborhood from 1915 to 1969. 801 S. 10th St. (402) 444-5071. The General Crook House Museum is the home of the Douglas County Historical Society. The building went up in 1879 as the residence of U.S.

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1200 Douglas St. (402) 345-0202. The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts houses gallery space for local, regional, national and international artists. Exhibits are free and open to the public. 724 S. 12th St. (402) 341-7130. The Omaha Community Playhouse is the largest community theater in the nation. It presents 10 or more productions annually. 6915 Cass St. (402) 553-0800. El Museo Latino is a celebration of Latino culture featuring art, dance and music. 4701 S. 25th St. (402) 731-1137. Hot Shops Art Center houses space for glass blowing, pottery, bronze casting and blacksmithing. 1301 Nicholas St. (402) 342-6452. Lauritzen Gardens boasts 100 acres of plants, sculptures and fountains. 100 Bancroft St. (402) 346-4002. The Rose Theater is the premier place to experience performing arts in Omaha. 2001 Farnam St. (402) 345-4849. The Omaha Children’s Museum features two floors of imaginative and interactive exhibits. 500 S. 20th St. (402) 342-6164.

ASHLAND

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. 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 over-

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

The SR-71 “Blackbird” is one of more than 60 military aircraft at Ashland’s Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum. looking 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. Apollo’s Blend is a dry red named for the winery’s chocolate Labrador retriever. 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, the gallery with an artificial creek flowing through the inside is one of a kind. On the other side of that manmade stream is the Archie Hightshow Animal Collection. Hight-

Alan J. Bartels

show was a local leader who enjoyed hunting. His harvests from around the world, preserved by taxidermists, live again to thrill Ashland visitors. 1431 Silver St. (402) 944-3613. There is no stream flowing through the building, but Turtle Creek Gallery did gush onto 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 at 1412 Silver St. (402) 944-6027. 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’s

2021 EVENTS Stir Up Days • July 16-18 Alien Encounter: Carnival, Car Show, Grand Parade, Wine & Beer Tasting, Family Activities Chautauqua • Aug. 6 & 7 Ashland Hosts History Event Sponsored by Humanities of Nebraska: “Focus on the 50s” Flea Market • Sept. 12 Stroll the Bricks on Silver Street to find unique treasures Hometown Christmas • Dec. 11 Light Parade, Santa, Family Activities

Discover Historic Ashland WWW.ASHLAND-NE.COM

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Lincoln Children’s Zoo

Lincoln visitors get up close with hungry giraffes at Lincoln Children’s Zoo.

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. The clubhouse doubles as a venue for wedding receptions and other events. 16119 U.S. Highway 6. (402) 944-3388. Ashland’s annual Stir-Up Days is a July event featuring a car show, Saturday grand parade, street dance, carnival games, live music, food vendors, beer and wine garden, face painting, a dunking booth and more. Events are held across the community. The 2021 celebration is July 16-18. (402) 944-3387. Visitors working up an appetite exploring Ashland can take a load off at the counter at Cherri O’s Coffee House

CHIMNEY ROCK STORY BE YOUR GUIDE. LET HI EST. 1867

history.nebraska.gov

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

and Ice Cream Parlour. This downtown destination features gourmet breakfast with omelets, waffles, wraps and pastries. Soups, salads, sandwiches and daily lunch specials such as the ham, turkey and guacamole Silver Street Special are massive meals here. Smart diners save room for ice cream. The Belly Buster is a tall tower of ice creaminess not for the faint of heart. 1404 Silver St. (402) 944-9499. The half-pound beef burgers at Parker’s Smokehouse are anything but standard fare. These fire-grilled slabs are meals in themselves, but they do come with a side. St. Louis-style barbecued spare ribs, Georgia pulled pork and smoked Texas beef brisket give national flavor to this Nebraska landmark. Speaking of Nebraska, there is nothing else even close to Parker’s prime rib Reuben sandwich. The Nebraska Melt is served on marble rye. Emily’s peanut butter pie is served with two spoons. Bon appetit! 16880 U.S. Highway 6. (402) 944-2040. Round the Bend Steakhouse bills itself as “Nebraska’s Premier Steakhouse.” The roots of the business are traced to nearby South Bend in 1995. The business outgrew its building, and the current facility was built closer to Ashland. Four chunks of meat here are filed under “end of the week showdown” on the menu. The largest, the Round the Bend cut, is a two-pound slice of prime rib that will set you back $49. Prime rib lovers say the meat is worth it. Smaller steaks, seafood and chicken fill the rest of the main course menu. The restaurant’s annual Testicle Festival is a holdover from the early days. The Father’s Day weekend event fills the restaurant and attached 10,000-square-foot ballroom with diners eating beef fries, drinking cold beer and dancing the night away. 30801 E. Park Highway. 944-9974.

LINCOLN

The Nebraska History Museum contains 125,000 items dating from 12,000 years ago through today. This is Nebraska’s official history museum.

Elephant Hall because it boasts the world’s premier collection of fossil elephants. 645 N. 14th St. (402) 472-2642. A mass migration of more than 100,000 German Russians to North America began in the 1870s. Their history is preserved at the American Society of Germans From Russia Museum. 631 D St. (402) 474-3363. No Lincoln visit is complete without stopping by the Nebraska State Capitol. Symbolism abounds in this stately statehouse where corn motifs blend into walls, woodwork and even light fixtures. (402) 471-0448. Speed demons brake for the Museum of American Speed. The museum founded in 1992 by “Speedy” Bill and Joyce Smith contains thousands of items chronicling the history of the automotive and racing industries. 599 Oak Creek Dr. (402) 323-3166. Sheldon Museum of Art at 12th and R streets houses nearly 13,000 pieces

of art inside a modernist building that is itself a work of art. (402) 472-2461. Great works of art are preserved and displayed at the Great Plains Art Museum in UNL’s Center for Great Plains Studies. 1155 Q St. (402) 472-6220. Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket teems with unique shops, art galleries, fine food and trendy bars. The architecture is distinct and beautiful. Start at Seventh and P streets. (402) 435-7496. Pinnacle Bank Arena has capacity for more than 15,000 enthusiastic sports or live entertainment fans. 400 Pinnacle Bank Dr. (402) 904-4444. Comedian Johnny Carson donated generously to the University of Nebraska. Generations later, students learn the ins and outs of performing at UNL’s Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. The school’s Nebraska Repertory Theatre features live productions. 12th and R streets. (402) 472-4747. The Lied Center for Performing

Discover

the Village of Boys Town!

Explore Lincoln’s Best Treasure hunt 25,000 sq-ft-plus of antiques and collectibles. You’l find something for everyone at the Aardvark Antique Mall. Lincoln’s best kept secret!

There’s a square mile in Nebraska where miracles of the heart happen every day.

boystown.org/visit 800-625-1400

aardvarkantiquemall.com

402-464-5100 • 5800 Arbor Rd • Lincoln

2002-038-02h

Located off I-80 and Exit 405. Open daily, 9 am-8 pm

VISIT US VIRTUALLY! METRO

METRO

131 Centennial Mall N. (402) 471-4782. See p. 4 to learn more. Functional and beautiful art is displayed at the International Quilt Museum. Travelers with even a thread of time should weave their way through this cherished destination. 1523 N. 33rd St. (402) 472-6549. The Aardvark Antique Mall calls out to travelers near I-80 Exit 405. The store stocked by 250 local dealers has 25,000 square feet of antiques. Visitors peruse 600 booths of glassware, coins, vintage toys, antique furniture, old tools, historic photos, man cave collectibles and she shed décor. One corner set up as a vintage diner is a popular location for a cup of coffee and to contemplate purchases. Treasures found daily from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. 5800 Arbor Rd. (402) 464-5100. The Nebraska State Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is known as Morrill Hall, but also

METRO

Arts provides a 2,000-plus-seat venue for dance troupes, musicians, comedians and theatrical productions. 301 N. 12th St. (402) 472-4747. Memorial Stadium is the center of the college football world for Nebraska Cornhusker fans. Tours available. 1 Memorial Stadium Dr. (402) 472-4224. More than 350 animals live at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. 1222 S. 27th St. (402) 475-6741. The Lincoln Children’s Museum’s prairie dog tunnels are favorites for active subterranean fun. 1420 P St. (402) 477-4000. Lincoln’s Sunken Gardens bloom with more than 30,000 plants along its walking trail and gardens. 27th Street and Capital Parkway. (402) 441-8267. Pioneers Park Nature Center has elk, bison and deer herds outdoors, and turtles and frogs indoors. Eight miles of hiking trails through more than 600 acres of prairie, wetlands

and woodlands near downtown. 3201 S. Coddington Ave. (402) 441-7847.

FREMONT

Fishing holes, a swimming area, campgrounds and sandy beaches can be found at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area. Rainbow trout lurk in Lake 2. Muskellunge have been stocked in Lake 20. The 56-pound, 3-ounce Nebraska state record smallmouth buffalo fish was hooked and landed here (barely). Power boating, skiing and jet skiing is allowed on lakes 10, 15 and 20. 4349 W. State Lakes Rd. (402) 727-2922. The shallow Platte River near Fremont runs deep with aquatic adventure. Equipping their 21-foot-long boats with 700-horsepower engines allows Bryson Airboat Tours to cruise customers at speeds of up to 60 mph in only inches of water. Even the wild-

life turns to look when visitors speed by. 839 County Rd. 19. (402) 968-8534. Aquatic recreation also flows within city limits. The Fremont Splash Station keeps things fun with a body slide, speed slide, wave pool and splash pad. Hot summers have never been so cool. 2809 Fremont Dr. (402) 727-2619. Residents celebrate the history of Fremont each July during John C. Fremont Days. The affair includes a rodeo, tractor show, pony rides, beer garden and live music. Generations of young girls have vied for the title of Little Miss Fremont. (402) 727-9428. The founders of Fremont named the community for explorer John C. Fremont in 1856. The soldier earned the moniker “Pathfinder” while exploring the American West. The community named for him has blazed a successful trail ever since. The Dodge County Historical Society’s Louis E. May Museum was built

visitfremontne.org In Fremont the views are just a bit different. Here you have the opportunity to do anything from sleeping under the stars, to air boating with amazing wildlife views, or even swimming in one of our amazingly beautiful lakes, and now you too can enjoy the view.

Visit Fremont!

Fremont & Dodge County CVB 529 N. Main St. Ste. 1 | Fremont, NE 68025 Ph: 402-753-6414 | www.visitfremontne.org

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

in 1874 as the home of Fremont’s first mayor. The two-story structure with six columns in front has an extensive flower garden. The manicured grounds with mature trees are an affiliate of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. 1643 N. Nye Ave. (402) 721-4515. Fremont Golf Club is a private 18hole course. The first nine holes were completed in 1930. The course added nine more holes after a fire in the early 1960s burned down the clubhouse. Hotshots play the Rawhide Rumble here today, one of the oldest golf tournaments in the state. 2710 N. Somers Ave. (402) 721-6641. Valley View Golf Course is a public 18-hole course with a driving range. Compact in both size and layout, the front nine has several parallel fairways. The par-4 holes are short here, averaging only 288 yards. 1126 County Rd. X. (402) 721-7772. Fremont’s Whitetail Run Golf Course is a ninehole public course with rolling hills, strategically placed trees and sloping greens. The eighth fairway overlooks the Platte River. Holes 2, 5 and 7 have tight fairways leaving no room for error. 2725 Reed Ln. (402) 721-4403.

BOYS TOWN

Boys Town is a community within Omaha with its own police force, fire department, churches, school, post office, farm and zip code. More than 100,00 people visits Boys Town each year. Father Edward Flanagan began caring for wayward boys in Omaha in 1917. He purchased Overlook Farm in 1921, moved the children there and Boys Town was born. His work was immortalized on the silver screen by actor Spencer Tracy in 1938. The “Best Actor” Oscar award that Tracy received for his portrayal of Flanagan is displayed in the Boys Town Hall of History. The museum in the facility’s former dining hall displays religious relics, art, historical photos, and uniforms, trophies and other awards earned by Boys Town sports teams and choirs. Souvenirs and inspirational keepsakes are available at the Visitors

Visit Omaha

Boys Town is not only a home for children, it is actually a town with its own zip code. Attractions here include the World’s Largest Ball of Stamps. Center Gift Shop. Travelers are welcome to have breakfast or lunch in the Visitors Center Cafe. The Village Drive is a self-guided tour though farmland, gardens and the landscape. The most popular attraction is the stamp ball in its Leon Myers Stamp Center. The 600-pound ball of stamps, with its rumored golf ball core, was built one stamp at a time by the small hands of Nebraska children and now weighs in as the world’s largest ball of stamps. 13628 Flanagan Blvd. (402) 498-1141.

CASS COUNTY

The Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari at I-80 Exit 426 is where bison and elk herds, wolves and other critters are seen from the road. The attraction belonging to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo also houses raptors and prairie dogs. (402) 944-9453. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers recreation north of I-80. The park includes an observation tower, horse trail rides and fishing. Ice skating and sledding hill available during winter. 28500 W. Park Highway. (402) 944-2523. Platte River State Park offers trails, bird-watching and an on-site restau-

rant. This 453-acre park also is home to a rare eastern Nebraska waterfall. 14421 346 St. (402) 234-2217. Look an SR-71 “Blackbird” in the nose cone at Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum. The facility is home to more than 60 military aircraft and rockets. Exhibits soar inside and outside the museum. 28210 W. Park Highway. (402) 944-3100.

ELMWOOD

The Bess Streeter Aldrich House preserves the 24-years when she built her literary legacy at 204 E. F St. Bess Streeter Aldrich Museum is at 124 W. D St. (402) 994-3855.

PLATTSMOUTH

Bay Hills Golf Club is an 18-hole par72 course. 3200 Buccaneer Blvd. (402) 298-8191. Lake Ridge Golf Course is a nine-hole par-36 course. 1536 County Club Cir. (402) 235-4653. Corn is king at the September Harvest Festival.

LOUISVILLE

Cass County visitors fill up at B’s Diner & Bakery. 127 Main St. (402) 234-2669. METRO

METRO

NEHAWKA

Slattery Vintage Estates specializes in glamour camping “glamour camping.” Forty-four wines are served in the tasting room along with craft beer and non-alcoholic drinks. 8925 Adams St. (402) 267-5267.

UNION

Union JunKtion is an antique, vintage and junk store open weekends, by chance or by appointment. 115 W. Main St. (402) 696-0694. Union Orchard sells 18 varieties of apples and bushels of family fun from the roadside. Read more about this attraction on page 36.

WEEPING WATER

Local history is preserved at the Weeping Water Valley Historical Museum. The 1867 Heritage House building is

made of limestone. 215 Eldora Ave. (402) 267-4925. Limestone Days rocks this Cass County community with a carnival, fishing contest and fireworks in June. Contact Weeping Water Chamber of Commerce at (402) 267-5152.

WAVERLY

The Camp Creek Antique Machinery and Threshing Show is one of the largest events of its type in the U.S. Antique tractors, steam cranes, corn shellers, locomotives and other piston-powered might have delighted attendees of this event for 45 years. Visitors can watch butter making, plowing and field demonstrations, threshing and bailing. The 2021 event is scheduled for July 17-18. The group’s 75-acre show grounds east of Waverly includes a one-room schoolhouse, a country church, summer kitchen, general store, blacksmith

shop, craft barn, post office, print shop, food pavilion and ice cream shop. The group will hold its tractor pull, flea market, fall swap meet and railroaders show on the weekend of Sept. 11-12, 2021. 17200 Bluff Rd. (402) 786-3003. Wayne Park is the largest of Waverly’s three municipal parks. Travelers are welcome to use the basketball and tennis courts, playground, picnic facilities and the city swimming pool. 10311 Holly Dr. (402) 786-2755. HoneyCreek Dining has served hungry Waverly residents and visitors with homestyle cuisine and comfort food for more than 40 years. The pizza menu is new. The HoneyCreek supreme pizza is now a local favorite pulling in customers from as far away as Lincoln and Omaha. The Hog & Honey pie has mouths watering with its hot honey drizzle. Jimmy’s grilled Buffalo chicken wings have foodies flocking to Waverly. 13631 Energy Way. (402) 786-3838.

Celebrate the heritage of Camp Creek Threshers

45th Annual Camp Creek Antique Machinery & Threshing Show • July 17-18 Experience the excitement of one of the largest Threshing Shows in Nebraska. Featuring John Deere tractors, John Deere gas engines and the FENA Regional Expo - Ferguson tractors & Implements.

Visit Waverly for other annual events: Swap Meet • May 16 & September 11 Antique Tractor Pull • September 11 Camp Creek Railroaders Fall Show • Sept. 11-12 Eek at the Creek • Oct. 16

17200 Bluff Rd • Waverly

All activities at the Camp Creek Showgrounds

Visit ccthreshers.org or call 402-786-3003

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

You’re invited to visit the

Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center Chadron State College, 1000 Main Street, Chadron, Nebraska Carmen and John Gottschalk – Mari Sandoz Gallery

The Carmen and John Gottschalk Mari Sandoz Gallery tells the story of the life and literature of Mari Sandoz. The exhibit examines topics of her writing – landscape, advocacy for Native Americans, her writing style, and her dedication to research – through the lens of her personal experience.

Peter Kiewit Foundation – High Plains Gallery

The Peter Kiewit Foundation High Plains Gallery showcases the history and culture of the High Plains through rotational exhibits from the Center’s archival collections, local artists and collaborations with regional public and private collectors.

C. F Coffee Gallery

The C. F. Coffee Gallery is dedicated to the history of cattle ranching in the High Plains. Exhibits in the gallery space begin with the movement of cattle from Texas to the High Plains, the open range era, and the transition to the ranching system we know today. The primary focus of the gallery’s work has been collecting archival resources for use by the students of Chadron State College and researchers from around the world.

Ethel Abbott Library

The Ethel Abbott Library houses books, objects, and archival material belonging to the Chadron State College Foundation, Chadron State College, the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society, and C. F. Coffee Foundation. These collections focus on the heritage and history of the High Plains and are accessible to students, faculty, and other researchers by appointment.

Gift Shop

Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop when you visit. The shop showcases Mari Sandoz, Nebraskan authors, and the history and culture of the region through books and gifts.

Children’s Corner

Kids of all ages are welcome to enjoy the Sandhills-themed ranch set, puzzles, coloring pages, and books located in the Children’s Corner.

Free Admission

Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. – Noon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m. to Noon Saturday: Winter: Closed; Summer: 10 a.m. to Noon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and Holidays: Closed Hours and accessibility are subject to change without notice. Please call us at (308) 432-6401 or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/sandozcenter for current hours and accessibility.

METRO

WESTERN CHADRON

Chadron is located in Nebraska’s scenic Pine Ridge region, which has ponderosa pine forests and rugged butte-studded hills. The scenic beauty of the region is showcased at Chadron State Park, which was founded in 1921 as Nebraska’s first state park. This 974-acre retreat 10 miles south of Chadron is popular with campers, fishermen, hikers and photographers. Mountain biking is exciting here and on adjacent Nebraska National Forest lands. Visitors also enjoy cabins, a swimming pool, picnic shelters, fishing pond and paddleboats. Campground hosts sell fire wood, and the Trading Post sells buffalo burgers, other meals, ice cream, snacks and drinks. The post also has educational displays, an aquarium of native fish and animals and an outdoor tomahawk throwing course. Special events are planned to celebrate the park and Nebraska’s state park system’s centennial in 2021. 15951 U.S. Highway 385. (308) 432-6167. The Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center at Chadron State College preserves the memory of one of Nebraska’s most beloved writers. Sandoz grew up in the sand hills of neighboring Sheridan County. Her father, immigrant pioneer Jules Sandoz, discouraged her from writing, and he referred to artists and writers as “the maggots of society.” However, he later made a deathbed plea to Mari to write his life story. That 1935 biography, Old Jules, was her first successful book The Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center at Chadron State College celebrates the life and literature of one of Nebraska’s favorite authors. Alan J. Bartels

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

and is considered a masterpiece work of literature about the settlement of western Nebraska. The facility in the college’s former Carnegie-style library features exhibits about the writer’s life and career. The archival library includes items formerly belonging to Sandoz and her family, as well as the author’s books from around the world printed in foreign languages. A two-story atrium adjacent to the center houses additional exhibits and is used for special events. Outside, the Heritage Garden features the Old Jules Orchard of fruit producing plants and trees once grown by Sandoz. The Sandoz Collection is planted at the feet of a bronze statue of Mari Sandoz. Col. C.F. Coffee was one of the first cattle ranchers in northwest Nebraska. The Coffee Gallery on the lower level of the Sandoz Center features exhibits about High Plains ranching. Coffee, who had the equivalent of a fifth-grade education, grew up to be a successful businessman, rancher and banker. The gallery includes historical cattle brand books and a banking exhibit. 1000 Main St. at Chadron State College. (308) 432-6401. Chadron is home to the Museum of the Fur Trade – the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the frontier fur trade era. Clothing, firearms, knives, axes, quilts, kettles, a canoe and James Bordeaux’s 1837 trading post bring American and global fur trade to life as if it never faded at all. The museum has more than 6,000 items on display and adds new exhibits every year. Among them are firearms once belonging to Kit Carson and Chief Tecumseh – even artifacts from Russia and Europe. Most of the plants in the museum’s Heirloom Garden are the result of seeds obtained directly from Native Americans more than 125 years ago. The garden propagates those rare species for future generations. Excess seeds are sold to green-thumbed museum visitors. 6321 U.S. Highway 20. (308) 432-3843. The Dawes County Historical

Alan J. Bartels

Ponderosa pine forests at Chadron State Park are the backdrop to tent campsites, RV pads and historic 1930s cabins. Museum is located on the original site of the Nellie and Lee Card farm. The main museum building displays pioneer household goods, Native American relics, antique toys, historic photos, military uniforms and a model of the World War II USS Chadron submarine chaser. Treasured textiles are displayed in the museum’s quilt room. Also on site are a country school, cabin and railroad caboose. Regular events include 1800s School, Railroad Weekend, and the Garden Party. The museum also has a new farm equipment building. Seen nowhere else in Nebraska or anywhere are the many innovative creations of Dawes County farmer and inventor Marcus Cain. The homemade 200-horsepower tractor that he built from a World War II tank retriever is one of the agricultural inventions on display. Some of the inventions in the museum’s new Cullan-Littrel Building are so large that the structure was erected around them because they would have been too big to move in later. Cain’s other big ideas included a 20-foot stubble chopper that he built long before no-till farming

was a common practice, and a 24foot self-propelled tiller with three engines. 341 Country Club Rd. (308) 432-4999. Travelers needing to stretch their legs can put on some miles at Chadron State College on the south side of town. The Sandoz Heritage Trail is 1.1 miles long and rated easy for walkers and bicyclists. This trail has a paved surface and is maintained during winter. The route winds through the Thompson Natural History Preserve, crosses the upper dam at Briggs Pond and leads visitors to a high point overlooking the college town. C Hill Trail is narrow, and the grass is not mowed often. It leads to the 80-foot white letter “C” created in 1926. The campus landmark can be seen for miles. Five more miles of trails cross the campus where 3,000 students attend class. Visitors not lodging in the park can rest at the Olde Main Street Inn. This is no ordinary hotel. The business has been in owner Jeanne Goetzinger’s family since 1969. The building’s history goes back much further – it was built in 1890. U.S. Army Gen. Nelson Miles used the building, then known WESTERN

as the Hotel Chadron, as his military headquarters after the Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota that same year. One of the rooms is named for the general. Another is named for Mari Sandoz. The hotel’s 77 Long Branch Saloon collects an eclectic clientele of college professors, writers, philosophers and travelers for cold beer and conversation. 115 Main St. (308) 432-3380.

SCOTTSBLUFF & GERING

Joshua Hardin

Scotts Bluff National Monument commemorates this important pioneer landmark.

Scotts Bluff was major landmark noted in the journals of pioneers traveling the Mormon, Oregon and California trails in the 1800s. The bluff was named for fur trader Hiram Scott after his remains were found nearby after his 1828 death. Scotts Bluff National Monument includes

the 800-foot-tall bluff and 3,000 surrounding acres of arid, rocky land. Four miles of trails cross these acres, including a stretch of the original Oregon Trail where wagon ruts remain visible. Summit Road leads visitors to the top, passing through three tunnels along the way. At the base of the bluff, the Oregon Trail Museum displays antique firearms, Native American artifacts and pioneer belongings. The museum also houses the William Henry Jackson collection of frontier paintings and early photographs. 190276 Old Oregon Trail. (308) 436-1989. Bordering the national monument to the east is the Legacy of the Plains Museum. Outside exhibits include a farm machinery collection, 80-acre working farm and a small herd of longhorn cattle. The museum displays interior exhibits about pioneer history, the westward migration, transporta-

Discover

YMCA

TRAILS WEST Explore this private country getaway nestled on the banks of the North Platte River. Overlook Scotts Bluff National Monument while enjoying your family reunions, weddings, meetings or church outreach. Check out our overnight lodging options with our cabins or tent camping.

cottsbluff’s Hampton Inn & Suites welcomes all travelers. Use it as your home and base camp while exploring western Nebraska.

• Free Wifi • Free Breakfast • Pool & Spa • Fitness Center • Conference Center

308-635-5200 • 301 W Hwy 26 • Scottsbluff, NE • hilton.com 56

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

308-635-2318

trailswest@ymcaofscottsbluff.org YMCAofScottsBluff.org

Riverside Park also is home to the Scottsbluff Family YMCA’s Trails West Camp. The facility hosts summer camp adventures and is available for rent for weddings, family reunions, meetings and other events. 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 Scotts Bluff. 1918 S. Beltline Highway West. (308) 635-2318. 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 entertaining 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 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. Artisanal ales, pilsners, IPAs and other brews soar at Flyover Brewing Company. The brewery’s aviation theme is hard to miss with the wing of a World War II cargo plane hanging over the bar. Hot wings and pizzas from the wood-fired brick oven land on the food menu. The brewery’s Campaign amber lager is a salute to the area’s annual sugar beet harvest and the farmers who work the fields. The sweet beets are used in this beer. 1824 Broadway. (308) 575-0335. Great Plains Distillery is a father and son operation producing vodka in the center of town. Future plans are to make gin, run, whiskey and a series of flavored vodkas from their 120-gallon still. Drinks served in the tasting room use fresh herbs grown on site. 213 W. Railway St. (308) 672-3007. 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, year books and military service records. The facility also hosts book signings and family reunions. 1602 Ave. A. (308) 635-2400. Hampton Inn and Suites is centrally located in Scottsbluff within a short distance of restaurants, medical facilities, shopping and attractions. Visitors may use the indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness center and onsite convenience store. Free breakfast is provided with an overnight stay. 301 U.S. Highway 26. (308) 635-5200.

OGALLALA

This western Nebraska community quenches travelers’ thirst for adventure in many ways The Keith County WESTERN

WESTERN

tion, and ranching and farming – including western Nebraska’s sugar beet industry, pioneer history. Also at the museum is the High Plains Art Gallery. 2930 Old Oregon Trail. (308) 436-1989. The rocky landscape of this area is known as the Wildcat Hills. The Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area encompasses 531 acres of the unique ecosystem. A nature center, observation decks and trails allow visitors to see it up close while watching for deer, elk and occasional mountain lions. 210615 Nebraska Highway 71. (308) 436-3777. Animals roar, howl, dig and jump at the Riverside Discovery Center. This zoo on the north bank of the North Platte River is home to chimpanzees, a pair of grizzly bear brothers, parrots, bison, zebras and a giant tortoise. The zoo founded in 1950 in Riverside Park includes a playground, splash pad and the Dino Dig. 1600 S. Beltway Highway West. (308) 630-6236.

The Ogallala area offers adventurous visitors the opportunity to explore the largest lake in Nebraska, Lake McConaughy.

Christopher Amundson

community of 4,600 is the home of Nebraska’s largest reservoir. Lake McConaughy is a water-lover’s paradise. At full pool, it is 22 miles long and nearly 4 miles wide. Kingsley Dam holds back the waters of the North Platte River to form the reservoir. Anglers reel giant walleye and feisty wipers from the depths. Stripers weighing more than 60 pounds have been hooked in this Sandhills lake. Miles of sand beaches attracts sunbathers and artistic sand castle creators. Water-skiers trail behind powerboats, and sailors ride the breeze. Nearly 2 million travelers visit “Big Mac” every year. There seems to be plenty of room for everyone to stake out their own tranquil stretch of beach. The Lake McConaughy Visitors Center and Water Interpretive Center has exhibits explaining the High Plains Aquifer and the Platte River watershed. Plantings around the building include native prairie plants.

EXPERIENCE

LakeMcConaughy A four-season outdoor recreation paradise Largest lake in 3 states White sand beaches Explore the area’s Old West heritage at the Petrified Wood & Art Gallery, Boot Hill, Mansion on the Hill Museum and more!

Just off I-80 at Ogallala Exit 126 58

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

Check out OutdoorNebraska.gov for camping info 800-658-4390 • ILoveLakeMac.com • ExploreKeithCounty.com Presented by the Keith County Visitors Committee

The open range days are over, but the historic cemetery remains as a reminder of the era. 10th Street and Parkhill Drive. L.A. Brandhoefer used local bricks to build a mansion overlooking Ogallala in 1887. The grand home is now known as the Mansion on the Hill Museum. The elegant home with a pair of hand carved cherrywood fireplaces signaled a change from the days of Ogallala being known widely as the “Gomorrah of the Plains.” The museum includes the one-room District 7 country school from nearby Roscoe, and the historic O’Brien-Lute Home. 1004 N. Spruce St. (800) 658-4390. Tri-Trails Park commemorates the Oregon, Pony Express and Texas trails that passed near Ogallala in the 1800s. The site includes an Oregon Trail marker. Road W. 80 and Lawrence Road. (800) 658-4390.

Stay in

modern luxury at the new Holiday Inn Express

Book a room for your Ogallala trip. Enjoy a day at Lake McConaughy, tour the beautiful Mansion on the Hill and stop at the historic Boot Hill cemetery. You’ll love your large, clean room, the hot buffet breakfast and business center amenities. Ask about accommodations for furry friends.

206 Pony Express Ln • Ogallala 308-284-6080 • ihg.com Located by I-80 and Hwy 61

The Wild West era lives on at the Front Street Restaurant and Bar. This replica frontier town includes a real general store stocked with souvenirs, collectibles and gift items. The attraction also includes a free museum of cowboy items, Native American artifacts and cattle ranching memorabilia. The Crystal Palace Revue entertains with staged fistfights, gunfights and song and dance numbers, as it has for more than 50 years. The show is Nebraska’s longest-running summer stock production. 519 E. First St. (308) 284-6000. Twin brothers Harvey and Howard Kenfield’s collection of rare Native American artifacts and ancient petrified wood is displayed at the Petriﬁed Wood Gallery. So are their petrified wood creations and the works of many other artists. 418 E. First St. (308) 284-9996. Golfers visiting the Ogallala area swing at two Keith County courses. Bayside Golf uses the natural lay of the sand hills to challenge golfers. Playing this course pays off with scenic lake views no matter how the round went. The par-72 course has 18 challenging holes. 865 Lakeview West Rd. (308) 287-4653. Crandall Creek Golf Club is a par-72 course with 18 holes on rolling land. A stocked-to-the-gills pro shop can make a golfer out of anyone, or at least make you look like one. The club house includes a full bar. 359 Rd. E. 85. (308) 284-4358. Travelers exhausting themselves while exploring Ogallala’s many attractions can catch some ZZZs at Holiday Inn Express & Suites. The hotel on the south bank of the South Platte River is within short walking distance of many restaurants with attractions being only a short drive away. Guests find an indoor swimming pool, laundry facilities, a snack bar, complimentary coffee and tea, self-serve breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Each guest room has a 45-inch flatscreen TV set up with cable. The spacious patio area is equipped with fire rings, grills and furniture. 206 Pony Express Ln. (308) 284-6080. WESTERN

WESTERN

Public artworks are on site. 1475 Nebraska Highway 61. (308) 284-8800. East of Lake McConaughy and across Kingsley Dam is Lake Ogallala. Often referred to as Ogallala’s “Little Lake,” the 320-acre impoundment is smaller than its big brother, but it teems with big rainbow trout and large numbers of anglers who come to hook them. Lake Ogallala lacks sand beaches but is sheltered from the persistent Sandhills breeze. Camping and picnic facilities are available at both lakes. 1450 Nebraska Highway 61 N. Lives were cheap during the lawless days of Ogallala’s early beginnings. Boot Hill Cemetery quickly accumulated numerous burials, many appearing mysteriously under the cover of darkness. Legend tells of Rattlesnake Ed being interred here after being shot over a $9 bet. Sure, that was a lot more money back then, but really?

WESTERN

CURTIS

This community of 900 residents is situated on Medicine Creek. Medicine Creek Reservoir has huge fish, bountiful game, beach relaxation and boating in Frontier County’s southeast corner. The islands in the 1,768-acre lake hold schools of crappie. The walleye fishing really takes off in June. There are 72 RV camping pads with electrical hookups, and 238 primitive camping sites. Four lakefront cabins are available at Shady Bay Campground. (308) 697-4667. Red Willow Reservoir teems with large fish, too. The Nebraska rod and reel state-record white crappie and striped hybrid bass were landed here. (308) 345-5899. The same Ogallala Aquifer water that feeds those reservoirs flows into residents’ taps. The tap water in Curtis was judged best tasting in the nation at the National Rural Water Rally

in Washington, D.C. in 2014. It isn’t holy water, but residents in Curtis, “Nebraska’s Easter City,” consider it a blessing. A 20-foot-tall cross 3 miles south of Curtis is illuminated from Christmas through Easter. The annual Palm Sunday Living Picture Pageant uses 65 actors to portray 17 scenes including “The Living Cross” and Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” When the used football helmets that had been converted to Roman headgear finally wore out, the pageant was able to replace them with Hollywood props that appeared in movies such as BenHur and Julius Caesar. 303 Crook Ave. (308) 367-4122. Entertainment shows year-round at the volunteer-run Star Theater. When new technology threatened the existence of the longtime movie house, residents came together and raised $100,000 in only weeks to save

RETREAT TO THE

Great Plains

Frontier County is

VACATION COUNTRY

featuring fun, relaxation and rural charm..

Natures Rural Retreat Eustis Pool Hall Medicine Creek Three Brother Winery

Lazy RW Distellery Arrowhead Meadows Golf Hunting & Fishing Valley View Inn

Plan your Retreat | (308) 367-4580 | VisitFrontierCounty.com 60

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

and upgrade the theater. 321 Center Ave. (308) 367-4422. Arrowhead Meadows Golf Course is a nine-hole public course with a driving range and putting green along the beautiful Medicine Creek. Range balls are $3 per bucket. The all grass, par-36 course is open daily from dawn to dusk. The club house is known for its bloody mary drinks. The course campground has six RV camping pads, each with a fire ring, picnic table and electrical hookup. 1101 Arrowhead Meadows Dr. (308) 367-4123. Farm and ranch kids from across Nebraska and the United States come to Curtis, home of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, to learn more about agriculture before returning to their farm and ranch homes. The school began as an agricultural trade school for high school students in 1913. The school became part of the University of Nebraska system in 1994.

McCOOK

The Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival showcases storytellers, musicians and comedians each June. (308) 737-6111. Many of the storytelling events take place at Sehnert’s Bakery and Bieroc Cafe. The cafe’s namesake dish, the bieroc, is a homemade roll filled with ground beef and either kraut or cabbage. The cafe-bakery is open all year long for McCook residents and visitors and also is home to

the Live at the Bieroc Concert Series. 312 Norris Ave. (308) 345-6500. Prairie Chicken Dance Tours fills viewing blinds with visitors to watch male greater prairie chickens joust with one another to win over the hens. Tours available in March and April. (308) 345-1200. Stop by the Museum of the High Plains and Carnegie Museum to see wreckage from a UFO. Well, maybe. Is the translucent chunk of green “glass” an artifact from an 1800s UFO crash, or is it end-of-shift leftover glass from a 7-Up bottling plant in North Platte? 421 Norris Ave. (308) 345-3661. The museum has maps of the Heritage Square Walking Tour. The historical destinations are within easy walking distance. McCook is home to the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in Nebraska. The Sutton House is not open to the public but can be seen at 602

Norris Ave. Former Nebraska Gov. Ben Nelson’s boyhood home is next door. Look for the bronze statue in the front yard. Continue north to Sen. George W. Norris State Historic Site at 706 Norris Ave. (308) 345-8484. The home of former Nebraska Gov. Frank Morrison also is in this architecturally stunning neighborhood. There are many opportunities for recreation in McCook. Fishing and hiking are popular pursuits at Barnett Park. Feeding the geese is a favorite of visitors. Five lighted fountains brighten the fun. The Republican River flows through this park on the south edge of McCook. (308) 345-2022. Kelley Park covers six city blocks. McCook’s swimming pool, disc golf course and Bolles Canyon Skatepark are here. E. Third St. (308) 345-2022. Golfers hunting for birdies and eagles take shots at Heritage Hills Golf

BAKERY • ESPRESSO • SANDWICHES

2019 AMERICA’S CLASSICS AWARD WINNER

1st Annual Red Willow County

2021

BIRDING CHALLENGE

Savor

January 1 – December 31

Open to all ages and all countries! At least one of your birding locations must be at the Red Willow State Recreation Area.

a meal and music in McCook

Enjoy award-winning comfort food and listen to live music at Sehnert’s Bakery. The menu features breads and pastries baked with locally grown and milled wheat from Wauneta Roller Mills.

308-345-6500 Order on-line at Sehnerts.com Check out McCook - It’s worth the stop

Go to VisitMcCook.com for application, details and birding locations.

All challenge finishers will earn a 2021 commemorative patch! WESTERN

WESTERN

Valley View Inn is conveniently located along Nebraska Highway 23. Each of the 20 rooms have HDTV and free Wi-Fi. Two suites feature full kitchens, and some rooms are designated as pet friendly. Guests relaxing in the gazebo take in scenic views of the neighboring golf course. 202 Garlick Ave. (308) 367-4580.

North Platte is a railroad town that’s home to Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, the largest railroad classification yard in the world.

  Explore

our Corner of Nebraska

AJ Dahm

Course. The 6,700-yard course offers 18 holes. 6000 Clubhouse Dr. (308) 345-5032. Fishing poles replace putters at Red Willow Reservoir. Fighting at the end of their lines may be smallmouth bass or flathead catfish. 72718 Trail 2. (308) 345-5899. Animals of another sort draw crowds to Kiplinger Arena at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. A variety of equine events draw 30,000 to 40,000 horse lovers to McCook each year. July is Red Willow County Fair time. This old-fashioned county fair includes corndogs and popcorn, bawling livestock and carnival rides. W. Fifth Street. (308) 345-4650. Loop Brewing Company serves local brews and creative cuisine from a former railroad ice house. 404 W. A St. (308) 345-5198.

Broken Arrow Cellars

Champion Mill State Historical Park

Smokin’ on Broadway

The Balcony House Bed & Breakfast

NJOY an abundance of outdoor recreational activities from hunting to golfing. Experience our fair, festivals and events. There are activities for all ages! Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area Champion Mill State Historical Park Imperial Country Club Golf Course Enders Lake Golf Course Broken Arrow Cellars

The Balcony House Bed & Breakfast Imperial Inn Northside Motel

Imperial * Wauneta * Champion * Enders * Lamar Visit chasecounty.com for more information or call 308 - 882- 5444.

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

B e er. Pizz a. Oas is .

Downtown Imperial provides opportunities for shopping and dining. The Balcony House Bed and Breakfast offers cozy stays in a unique building with a long history dating to the 1890s. The original part of the home was Imperial’s first school. Five suites are available. The Prairie Lakes Suite can accommodate up to three guests. The Sunflower Suite can comfortably fit a family of five. Overnight stays end with a hearty breakfast. 1006 Court St. (308) 882-5597. If wives enjoy wine, and husbands like beer, those couples are in luck when visiting Imperial. Broken Arrow Cellars offers their own Nebraska-made wines. Hanging Horseshoe Brewing Company brews craft beer in the same building. The vintners and brew masters here team up and go all out for Oktoberfest and other tasty special events. Venue includes full-service kitchen and seating for up to 300 people. 73892 332 Ave. (308) 882-7772. Imperial Country Club is located on the west side of Campbell Park. This lush par-35, nine-hole course has smooth, fast fairways. Trees come into play on holes two and five. The course’s challenging greens have frustrated a golfer or two, too. Cart rental available. 810 W. 10th St. (308) 882-4697. Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area is southeast of Imperial near the town of Enders. The recreation area encompasses 3,200 acres, of which Enders Reservoir is a 1,700-acre lake for boating, fishing, camping and otherwise playing outdoors. Anglers catch white bass, largemouth bass, crappie, walleye, channel catfish, carp and wipers. A Nebraska park entry permit is required for vehicles entering the area. 73122 338th Ave. (308) 394-5118. If the fish aren’t biting, or even if they are, the Enders Lake Golf Course provides outdoor excitement without having to clean your catch or hitch up a boat. This nine-hole course has a driving range and putting green with available cart rental and a clubhouse. The course is relatively flat and has

bluegrass fairways and bentgrass greens. Shots that land in the rough are in native grass. A swimming area is located just across the highway. Stunning prairie views from the course might just be the best catch of the day. Located north of U.S. Highway 6 near Enders Reservoir. (308) 882-5300.

CHAMPION

The community of Champion, southwest of Imperial, is home to Champion Mill State Historical Park and Recreation Area. The old mill pond is a good place for youngsters to splash around in or learn to catch fish, and there are six camping sites equipped with electrical hookups. Tent camping is allowed, too. Also at the park is a large, restored 1892 flour mill. This attraction is the only operating water-powered mill remaining in Nebraska. The historical park is open Memorial Day-Labor Day, 1-5 p.m. (308) 882-5860.

WESTERN

IMPERIAL

Stop into Pals Brewing Company and enjoy local handcrafted brews, toprated pizza, wine and spirits. Have fun with your family at the dog-friendly 2-acre outdoor “Beer Oasis.” Seasonal outdoor/indoor entertainment. 308-221-6715 PalsBrewingCompany.com Check out our Bed & Brew. Tuesday-Saturday: 11am-10pm Sunday: 11am-9pm

4520 S. Buffalo Bill Ave. North Platte, NE 69101

NORTH PLATTE

North Platte is home to Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, the word’s largest railroad classification yard. The Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center draws railroad enthusiasts for aerial views of the Bailey Yard’s 315 miles of track. View from the seventh-floor open-air deck or the enclosed top floor. 1249 N. Homestead Rd. (308) 532-9920. Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park showcases the home and horse barn of the frontiersman-turned-showman William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. He developed a series of “Wild West” shows that included rodeo performances and re-enactments of events from the American frontier. Much of his home and ranch in North Platte, Scout’s Rest Ranch, is preserved at the park. 2921 Scouts Rest Ranch Rd. (308) 535-8035. Fort Cody Trading Post resembles a frontier stockade where mannequins dressed as frontiersmen stand guard near I-80. Inside is a museum, bookstore, jewelry store, gift shop and WESTERN

TA K E T I M E TO WESTERN

UNWIND

Travel with you in mind Get refreshed and refueled in Sidney, Nebraska. We offer every comfort a road-tripper needs right off Interstate 80, including restaurants, hotels, gas stations, convenience stores and more. Escape the long stretch of road with us.

VisitSidneyNE.com

Ole’s Big Game

S ince 1933 Steakhouse & Lounge

Surround yourself with great food and big game at Ole’s FEATURING FAMOUS NEBRASKA BEEF

Call us (308) 239-4500

olesbiggame.com I-80 Exit 145 • Main Street, Paxton, Nebraska 64

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

roadside souvenir stand all in one. A stuffed two-headed calf is displayed in a glass case near the 20,000-piece hand-carved Buffalo Bill Wild West Show that cranks to life every half hour. The courtyard features stagecoaches, a frontier jail and one of the last remaining fiberglass Muffler Men statues. This one is made to look like a Native American standing 20 feet tall. 221 Halligan Dr. (308) 532-8081. Nebraskans are world-renowned for their hospitality, and nowhere was that made known more than in Word War II when American troops bound for training and the front lines stopped briefly at the North Platte railroad depot. Known as the “Canteen,” local residents greeted them with food, coffee and a friendly smile. The North Platte Canteen is commemorated at the Lincoln County Historical Museum. Other exhibits at the museum include the Two River Blacksmith Shop, Birdwood Schoolhouse, Brady Island railroad depot, a general store, barbershop and original mid-1860s log cabin from nearby Fort McPherson. 2403 N. Buffalo Bill Ave. (308) 534-5640. Flavorful beer attracts travelers to Pals Brewing Company. Brews such as Explosive Apricot Wheat and Jalapeno Cream Ale impress even experienced beer aficionados. Pals’ pizza oven pleases with the Hog Heaven, topped with pecan-smoked pork shoulder bacon and Italian sausage. Railroader Ribs honor North Platte’s railroad heritage. 4520 S. Buffalo Bill Ave. (308) 221-6715. McNeil House Bed and Brew has a fire pit, covered porch and full kitchen. Visitors who don’t feel like cooking can walk the short trail to Pals Brewing Company. Each stay includes a food voucher and four free pints. The cabin sleeps four. 2351 W. State Farm Rd. (308) 530-0889.

PAXTON

Rosser O. Herstedt was better known as Ole. In 1938 he hung in his bar the antlered head of an elk. Ole traveled the world for the next three decades

Camp Lookout is the restored outpost first built by soldiers from Fort Sedgwick, Colorado. The structure later became Sidney Barracks. On the corner of Elm Street and 10th Avenue. The Fort Sidney Museum is in the fort’s former Officers’ Quarters. The Post Commander’s Home has been restored and furnished with period items. The fort’s former Powder Magazine is an octagonal structure made of stone. Find the magazine at 1047 Fifth Ave. The Fort Sidney Museum and Post Commander’s Home are at Sixth and Jackson streets. The Fort Sidney Complex opens the day after Memorial Day through Labor Day. (308) 254-2959. Dude’s Steakhouse & Branding Iron Bar is a fourth-generation family business known for its steaks, including a giant 30-oz porterhouse. The staff says that it is the house made au jus juice with “perfectly sautéed mushrooms” that makes each cut of

meat stand out. Western art including colorful murals by artist Aaron Pyle decorate the restaurant. Dude’s has been a landmark in Sidney since 1952. 2126 Illinois St. (308) 254-9080. Hunters and anglers stock up on supplies at Cabela’s. This flagship showroom for the Nebraska-born outdoor retailer offers two stories of recreational goods including boats, off-road vehicles, clothing, gift items and décor. The extensive gun library includes rare models. 115 Cabela Dr. (308) 254-7889.

POTTER

This community claims the cool slogan: “It’s Hotter in Potter. Even cooler are the tin roof sundaes at Potter Sundry. They were invented here in the 1930s. Next door, Potter’s Duckpin Bowling Alley features pint-size pins and hand-sized wooden bowling balls. 328 Chestnut St. (308) 879-4451.

Life is Dandy in Dundy County

SIDNEY

Cheyenne County’s role in military history began in 1867 when Sidney Barracks was built to provide security for railroad workers. In 1870 the post was renamed Fort Sidney. The post remained vital during the Plains Indian Wars. The sprawling concern once had 40 buildings. Four remaining buildings are open to the public.

Enjoy seasonal festivals like the Fall Tumbleweed Festival, spring Dundy Roo Art Festival, summer Music in the Park Festival, and the Dundy County Fair.

Dundy County Visitors Committee 308-423-2365 • 516 Chief St • Benkelman, NE WESTERN

WESTERN

hunting and collecting exotic animal taxidermy mounts, and then displaying them in his bar. Herstedt’s vision became Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse and Lounge. Residents have given nicknames to the polar bear (Boris), giraffe (Ginger) and elephant (Ellie) that Ole shot years ago. None of those exotic animals are served on Ole’s menu, but the chicken-fried steak has a mammoth following nationwide since visitors from across the country can drop in from I-80. There is a buffalo burger weighing in at a half pound, a boneless rib-eye steak and a hot beef platter topped with a mountain of mashed potatoes and gravy. Owner Tim Holzfaster keeps the doors open every day of the year but Christmas. 123 N. Oak St. (308) 239-4500. Hunters still flock to Paxton. Visiting hunters can take aim at waterfowl with Central Nebraska Outﬁtters. The North and South Platte rivers near Paxton provide habitat for the ducks and geese that clients target here in the heart of the Central Flyway. Hunting for deer and turkey also is available. 303 E. Second St. (308) 239-2354. Anne Marie’s Coffee Shop, Antiques & Gifts is located on the southern edge of Paxton in an 1890s Union Pacific railroad depot. A small building out back is full of antique furniture. When owner Leah Fotes heard in 2016 that the town’s original grain elevator was slated for demolition, she had it moved to her store. Now renovated and known as The Grainery, the historic building is a combination coffee shop, ice cream shop and eatery. 111 S. Oak St. (308) 239-4400.

WESTERN

The Niobrara River downstream of Valentine fills during summer with visitors piloting inner tubes, kayaks and canoes.

LODGEPOLE

The Depot Museum tracks Lodgepole history dating to 1867. Corner of Bates Boulevard and McCall Street. (308) 483-5339. Lodgepole has celebrated the Old Settlers’ Reunion since 1924. (308) 483-5353.

Journey to Deuel County

Phelps Hotel in Big Springs was built in 1885.

Liberty Park in Chappell

Chappell and Big Springs offer a taste of small town American life. An abundance of wildlife provides great fishing and hunting in the area. Easily accessible from Interstate 80, restaurants, lodging, camping and pioneer history await you. Journey to Deuel County for a relaxing vacation!

DEUEL COUNTY T

visitdeuelcounty.com • 308-464-0983 PO Box 14 • Big Springs, NE 69122

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

DUNDY COUNTY

Dundy County is proudly known as the “Cornerstone of Nebraska.” The One-Room Schoolhouse and Cornerstone Museums in Haigler preserve area history. U.S. Highway 34 and Porter Ave. (308) 297-3226. The Sunshine Thrift Store keeps shopping interesting with an inventory that changes day to day. 251 E. Norman St. (308) 297-3226. Anglers hook bass, catfish, perch and trout at Rock Creek Lake State Recreation Area near Parks. Trout grow really big upstream at Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery. The tiger trout hatched here are voracious and rarely occur in the wild. (308) 423-2080. To find the hatchery and lake, take U.S. Highway 34 to Parks and then follow the signs west and north of the community. Visitors find Uppa Crik Hop Yard & Tap Room downstream from the lake. Nebraska-made craft beers and spirits flow from this remote attraction. 36261 Rock Creek Rd. (308) 423-4455. Residents in Max invite visitors to

AJ Dahm

join them for fish fry suppers November through March. (308) 234-2712. Signs proclaim Benkelman as hometown of actor Ward Bond. He is remembered for the 1950s television series Wagon Train. Bond’s wagon isn’t in the Dundy County Museum, but there is an exhibit honoring the hometown actor. The museum flavors local history with a working soda fountain. 522 Arapahoe St. (308) 423-5454. The Dundy County Fair in July features food vendors, games, prizes, entertainment and a carnival. The carnival isn’t one that travels town to town. The community owns this seasonal amusement park. (308) 423-2365.

ALLIANCE

What may be the quirkiest attraction in Nebraska is parked at Alliance. Carhenge is a replica of England’s Stonehenge made from 39 cars, each painted gray. Some are half-buried just like stones at the real Stonehenge. Other automobile art decorates the site north of town. A small visitor center sells T-shirts, shot glasses and other souvenirs. 2151 Co. Rd. 59. (308) 762-3569. Exhibits at Knight Museum and Sandhills Center include Native American artifacts, railroad memorabilia, military history, ranching and the Sandhills potash industry of

BIG SPRINGS

Sam Bass’ 1877 train robbery of $60,000 put Big Springs on the map, but the community owes its existence to a natural spring. The spring still bubbles in Eiler Park on First Street. The Phelps Hotel was built in 1885. A historical marker in front of the building explains its history. 410 Pine St. (308) 889-3580. Big Springs Depot Museum preserves area railroad and agricultural history at 206 W. Second St.

(800) 658-4024. The river flows through the Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. The 19,131-acre refuge has a self-guided auto route where visitors watch prairie dogs, bison, elk, badgers and birds. A steep trail leads through the riverine forest to Fort Falls, the tallest of the refuge’s waterfalls. The refuge museum displays animal mounts, fossils and educational displays. 39983 Refuge Rd. (402) 376-3789. The tallest waterfall in Nebraska tumbles 63-feet at Smith Falls State Park. Canoers and kayakers ditch their boats to experience the cascading shower. The park 12 miles northeast of Valentine has a campground and picnic facilities. State park entry permit required. A 25-mile stretch of the Niobrara River is preserved at The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve 37 miles southeast of Valentine. Visitors can explore the 56,000-acre

preserve of forest, prairie, riverfront and canyons year-round. The two bison herds grazing here are a big draw. Neighboring landowners also graze their cattle her as part of the preserve’s management. Fishing is permitted but campfires are not. The site provides access to the river’s swift Norden Chute. Trails lead visitors past many of the 581 plant species known to live here. More than 200 bird species and 70 varieties of butterflies also have been recoded from these wildlands. 42269 Morel Rd. (402) 722-4440. Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area is an aquatic playground 27 miles southwest of Valentine. The Snake River and Boardman Creek fill this landmark lake known for big catches of walleye, crappie, white bass and channel catfish. Park entry permit required. Nebraska Highway 97 and Cedar Bay. (308) 389-0672.

CHAPPELL

A massive American flag is painted on the Chappell Farmers Elevator near I-80. The 30-acre Chappell Interstate Lake at Exit 85 tempts anglers with visions of largemouth bass, channel catfish and other catches. Near the lake where fishermen hook lunkers, bunkers challenge golfers at Chappell Golf Club. Steer clear of the water hazards strategically placed on holes four and nine. A resident flock of Canada geese sometimes get in the way, too. 1240 Road 167. (308) 874-2729.

VALENTINE

The Cherry County community of Valentine is basecamp for thousands of annual visitors exploring the Niobrara River. More than a dozen local outfitters are equipped to send river adventurers downstream in kayaks, canoes or livestock tanks with everything they need for a fun and memorable trip. WESTERN

WESTERN

World War I. 908 Yellowstone Ave. (308) 762-2384. Carnegie Arts Center features local and regional artists and traveling installations. 204 W. Fourth St. (308) 762-4571. Dobby’s Frontier Town preserves 26 buildings from the 1890s through Prohibition. Free admission. 320 E. 25th St. (308) 762-4321. The Nebraska Veterans Cemetery opened in 2010 on 20 acres once part of the Alliance Army Airfield. 2610 County Rd. 57. (308) 763-2958.

CHIMNEY ROCK MUSEUM -New interactive exhibits -Newly remodeled museum 68

NEBRASKA TRAVELER

Nebraska Traveler 2021

Articles inside

Lincoln

Chadron

Mari Sandoz/Chadron State College

Keith County Visitors Committee McCook/Red Willow County

Ashland

Broken Bow

Norfolk Area Visitors Bureau

Durham Museum

Bellevue

Norfolk

Nance County Tourism