Wildlife Encounters

BUTTERFIELD ALPACA RANCH

5 miles east of Alma, Nebraska

Butterfield Alpaca Ranch raises both Hucaya and Suri alpaca breeds. Come get up close to the alpacas (and llamas) and learn all about them, feel their soft fleece and see a demonstration of how their fiber is turned into products. In-person tours are scheduled for 10 a.m. July 24, 31 and Aug. 28. $15 for ages 15 and older; fee can be applied as a credit in the mobile store at the end of the visit; butterfieldalpacaranch.com

WILDLIFE SAFARI

Exit 426 off I-80

At the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari in Ashland, Nebraska, you’ll think you’re on safari when you see majestic animals like bison and elk in a natural setting. Beyond the drive-through exhibits, there are opportunities to see eagles and other smaller creatures up close. $8 for adults, $6 for ages 3-11, $7 for seniors; wildlifesafaripark.com

A NIGHT AT THE ZOO

Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Did you know you can spend the night in the zoo? Pitch a tent near the new sea lion exhibit or stay in one of the zoo’s family safari tents near the lion habitat. Indoor adventures are available in the aquarium and desert dome. Sleeping Bag Safaris are available year-round. Children must be at least 4 years old and reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance.

Costs vary; omahazoo.com/sleeping-bagsafaris

STORY Ashlee Coffey

HDR The Schramm Education Center showcases eastern Nebraska’s habitat through interactive displays, aquariums and a classroom that opens to the outdoors.

SCHRAMM EDUCATION CENTER

Exit 432 off I-80, then 5 miles south on Hwy 31

Bring the family and check out aquariums that feature Nebraska’s natural aquatic habitats — cool water streams, rivers, reservoirs and farm ponds. Six tanks focus on some of Nebraska’s smaller, lesser-known fish species. There’s also 17 live animal tanks that feature Nebraska’s reptile and amphibian species. Additionally, the educational nature center areas include a reading nook, maker’s space, bird watching area and a preschool play area. Kids will have fun with interactive activities including a digital topographical map, interactive wayfinding maps and touch screens focusing on the species of the area. $10 for adults, $7 for ages 4-12; outdoornebraska.gov/ schrammeducationcenter

HERON HAVEN

11809 Old Maple Road, Omaha

At about a mile long, Heron Haven is perfect for little legs. Animals are plentiful on the 17-acre, spring-fed wetland, depending on the hour of the day. Youngsters will enjoy seeing turtles, frogs, deer, mink, foxes, opossums, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, 182 different species of birds and more. The trails are gravel and wheelchair-accessible.

Free; heronhaven.org

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and “America’s Main Street,” the Lincoln Highway. Then, watch the traffic on I-80 pass below you from our “Roadside Café” exhibit. Experience 180 years of Nebraska history in about an hour. Then, plan the rest of your travel adventure at the Archway’s Nebraska Visitor Center. $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $6 for youths ages 6-13, 5 and younger free; archway.org

WESSELS LIVING HISTORY FARM

5520 S. Lincoln Ave., York, Nebraska

The 1900s farm community includes a fully furnished two-story house, a post and beam barn, granary, equipment building, school house, church and other farm buildings. It is also home to many of the FFA animals from York High School from May through October. Their mission is to preserve the history and evolution of Nebraska’s past, agriculture and farm life while connecting to current agriculture practices through education. $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, $3 for ages 3 and 4, free for kids younger than 3 and active duty service members; livinghistoryfarm.org