Selfie Spots

Continued from page 9 MASTER’S HAND

Tekamah, Nebraska

Find the world’s best cinnamon rolls. They’re in the pastry case at Master’s Hand, a cute gift shop, bakery and tea room in Tekamah, about 55 miles north of Omaha. The shop won its “world’s best” designation in 2020 from, of course, worldsbestcinnamonroll. com. It also has other desserts — the butterscotch pie is worth the price of gas from just about anywhere. Closed Sundays. mastershandcandles.com

PASTRY SHOPS

Pack a picnic, and don’t forget the pastries. Omaha has a number of artisan bake shops that can help you fill a big basket. A couple of social media favorites: Le Petit Paris, 567 N. 155th Plaza, where “cruffins,” a combination of croissants and muffins with fruit or cream fillings, have been a sensation of late; and Brownie Bar Omaha, 1217 Leavenworth St., which has a variety of brownies, frostings and fruit toppings. browniebaromahacom; lepetitparisfrenchbakery.com

ANGUS BURGERS & SHAKES

Kearney and Omaha

Share a milkshake (or two) at Angus Burgers & Shakes, a Nebraska-owned company with two locations. The restaurant describes its milkshakes as “non-typical.” One of them is The King, with vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, banana and chocolate syrup. The time to try it? It’s now or never, of course. 421 W. Talmadge St., Kearney; 10177 S. 168th Ave., Omaha. angusburgersandshakes.com

If you are on the quest for the perfect selfie this summer, look no further than this list of iconic Nebraska destinations.

STORY Kiley Cruse

BOB KERREY PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

705 Riverfront Drive, Omaha

Affectionately referred to as The Bob, this stunning, 3,000-foot long walkway was the first walking bridge in the United States to connect two states. It stretches across the Missouri River, giving pedestrians a perfect view of Omaha’s skyline. Floating 60 feet above the water gives walkers an almost airborne experience. On the Nebraska side, enjoy the 3-acre Omaha Plaza with an interactive water jet fountain, River Critters Environmental Play Area and access to the National Park Service Visitors Center. Two 210-foot-tall towers light up at night.

WORLD’S LARGEST PORCH SWING

Fifth Street and Jefferson Avenue, Hebron

Head to Nebraska’s “Porch Swing Capital” for a chance to sit on the 32-foot-long swing. It was constructed from a section of a center pivot irrigation frame which forms the top girder. The swing is said to be long enough for 24 children or 18 adults. It was originally built in 1985 and moved to its current location in 1991. A covering was added in 2016. The attraction is located in a beautifully maintained city park. There is plenty of shade, a gazebo with picnic tables and large playground for the kids to burn some energy. Public restrooms are available. It’s a must-see stop on your next road trip through Nebraska — be sure to “swing by” on the way to Carhenge.

CARHENGE

2.5 miles north of Alliance, along Highway 87

This unique sculpture in western Nebraska is a replica of Stonehenge, England’s most famous prehistoric monument. Built in the summer of 1987 by Jim Reinders and his family, Carhenge consists of 39 automobiles which were placed to assume the same proportions as Stonehenge. The gray, spray-painted cars form a circle that measures about 96 feet in diameter. Additional sculptures made of old cars and car parts have been built on the site as part of the Car Art Reserve, including “Spawning Salmon” and Dino the dinosaur among others. The 10-acre preserve was gifted to the city of Alliance in 2013.

Admission is free and Carhenge is open during daylight hours year-round. A gift shop, visitors center and information kiosk are open during the summer.

CHIMNEY ROCK

1.5 miles south of Highway 92 on Chimney Rock Road, Bayard

Chimney Rock looms large on the Great Plains. Standing about 325 feet tall from base to peak, it was a cherished landmark that greeted thousands as they traveled west along the Oregon, California and the Mormon Trails. An estimated 500,000 settlers traveled the 2,000 miles of the Oregon Trail in the 19th century. Chimney Rock was a sign that about one-third of their journey was complete. The Ethel and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor’s Center houses museum exhibits, a handson opportunity to “pack your wagon,” and a video presentation that tells the story of the great migration West. Chimney Rock was designated as a National Historic Site in 1956. $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-18; history.nebraska.gov/rock

SMITH FALLS

12 miles east of Valentine or 3 miles southwest of Sparks

At 63 feet, Smith Falls is the highest waterfall in Nebraska and is the centerpiece of scenic Smith Falls State Park. The only access to the falls is via a footbridge across the river from the north side of the park. Hiking to the falls is limited to established trails to prevent erosion and to protect rare plants. Nebraska’s newest state park is a popular destination for campers, as well as canoers, kayakers, tubers and others who visit the area to experience the Niobrara River, a National Scenic River. Smith Falls is named for Frederic Smith, who filed the first homestead patent on the land that encompasses the falls.

State park permit required; outdoornebraska. gov/smithfalls