Nebraska Official State Travel Guide - The Official 2021 Not-At-All What You Thought State Travel Guide
SCENIC BYWAYS
2020-12-31 06:51:50
GAWKING IS INEVITABLE
If you see people driving with permanent grins and wide-open eyes, they’re probably on one of Nebraska’s nine scenic byways. And it’s all perfectly understandable.
OUTLAW TRAIL SCENIC BYWAY
Add stops at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area, Smith Falls State Park and Valentine National Wildlife Refuge—some of Nebraska’s top outdoor playgrounds—for a wilder Outlaw experience.
4 WILD OPPORTUNITIES
1. Hit the Niobrara National Scenic River for water recreation surrounded by dramatic bluffs, diverse wildlife and gorgeous waterfalls. Brewers Canoers & Tubers in Valentine rents canoes, kayaks and tubes so you can explore at your own pace.
2. Step back into the 1950s at Bassett Lodge and Range Café. Guests can expect comfortable, yet affordable accommodations and mouth-watering fare like the cowpuncher roast beef sandwich and warm peach cobbler.
3. Grab a beer and burger from Elsie Eiler at Monowi Tavern. Tourists from all over the world travel to Monowi each year to visit Eiler, the mayor and lone citizen of the nation’s smallest town, and hear her story.
- At Ohiya Casino & Resort in Niobrara, owned and operated by the Santee Sioux Nation, play a variety of machine games, check out the evening’s entertainment and enjoy restaurant specials. Traveling with kids? Resort guests can access an arcade and indoor heated pool.
SMALL-TOWN STOP
CROFTON
Crofton calls itself the “Best Little Town by a Dam Site” because of its proximity to Lewis and Clark Lake. With just 700 residents, it’s a quiet place to take in some history and enjoy the outdoors.
DO Explore the development of the Missouri River Basin where you’ll see gorgeous views of Lewis and Clark Lake and the Missouri River.
SHOP Browse thousands of treasures at family-run Jeanne’s Antiques.
EAT Head to Wiebelhaus Recreation Restaurant and Lounge for volleyball, bowling and a delicious variety of tasty eats.
STAY Check into the Historic Argo Hotel, a bed-and-breakfast, steakhouse and lounge.
385 GOLD RUSH SCENIC BYWAY
At its peak, more than $200,000 worth of gold traveled this historic route daily. Today, U.S. 385 is considered one of the most scenic and historic roads in the nation, with impressive pine-covered buttes, rolling hills and lush river valleys.
4 GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES
1. Discover the source of residents’ early livelihood at the Museum of the Fur Trade near Chadron, featuring over 6,000 artifacts from the fur trade period. Then shop decor, books, toys and museum-item replicas at the Trade Shop.
2. You have to see Carhenge to believe it: Built as a tribute to his father, Jim Reinders’ free Alliance attraction uses 39 spray-painted automobiles to form a replica of Stonehenge. The artist studied Stonehenge before beginning construction.
3. Relive the history of the Sandhills region at the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center in Alliance, where exhibits delve into the area’s pioneer past, Native American life, railroad heritage and the larger-than-life personalities who settled the area.
4. Two rock formations, Courthouse and Jail Rocks, signaled to pioneers that they were on the right track during a transcontinental journey west. Where the rocks rise 240 feet above Pumpkin Creek in Bridgeport, take advantage of epic views and photo ops.
SMALL-TOWN STOP
CHADRON
This friendly community is home to Chadron State College. The scenic surroundings, college-town atmosphere and historic buildings create a small-town charm you won’t soon forget.
DO Discover the source of residents’ early livelihood at the Museum of the Fur Trade.
SHOP Browse locally made Native American goods at Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center.
EAT Cozy up with espresso drinks, cocktails and delicious food at Bean Broker Coffee House & Pub.
STAY Listen to live local music in the saloon of the Olde Main Street Inn.
BRIDGES TO BUTTES SCENIC BYWAY
From the high bridges of Valentine to the high plains near the Wyoming border, this route takes you through rolling Sandhills in the east, wild prairies in the northern panhandle and two natural wonders in the west: Toadstool Geologic Park and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.
4 GEMS WORTH A STOP
1. Stay overnight in the historic Harrison House Hotel in Harrison, built in 1886 by the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. With vintage details and period charm, this independently owned bed-and-breakfast gives guests a cozy yesteryear vibe.
2. Housed in Gordon’s oldest structure and featuring gems from hand-sewn quilts and clothing to Native American art and artifacts, the Scamahorn Museum offers a glimpse into the life of the area’s early settlers.
3. At Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area in Merriman, explore 180 acres of Sandhills scenery surrounding a 60-acre lake. The park is a perfect place to get away from it all with boating, fishing, bird watching and more.
4. Enjoy 3,000 acres of sparkling water in the midst of the Sandhills at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area near Valentine. The area is open year-round, though summer is most popular for boating, fishing, watersports and dark skies.
SMALL-TOWN STOP
CRAWFORD
Known as the “Big Game Capital of Nebraska,” Crawford sits in the Pine Ridge area, full of trails for hiking and biking, as well as hunting grounds for bighorn sheep and elk.
DO Visit a modern archaeological excavation site at Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center in Crawford, the site of the largest extinct bison bone bed in the world.
DO Play a round at Legend Buttes Golf Course, one of Nebraska’s most scenic courses.
EAT In season, hit Staabs Drive Inn, an old-school hamburger stand with thick malts.
STAY Stargazing, hiking and many more outdoor experiences await you in the foothills of the Pine Ridge when you stay at Our Heritage Guest Ranch.
HERITAGE HIGHWAY SCENIC BYWAY
Traversing 10 counties, the Heritage Highway Scenic Byway transports road-trippers to communities where Nebraska history is preserved and worth exploring. Whether you start or end in historic Brownville, take time to explore the Missouri, America’s longest river.
4 HISTORIC SITES TO SEE
1. The stage home of author Willa Cather, Red Cloud Opera House depicts the mood, scene and tone of the 1880s with a full schedule of performances. Marvel at the 19th-century grandeur of this Red Cloud venue, fully restored in 2003.
2. Want to stretch your legs with a tranquil view? Take an extended break at Superior Estates Winery in Superior, where vineyard views pair nicely with Nebraska wines.
3. In Fairbury, explore 350-acre Rock Creek Station State Historical Park. Among prairie hilltops, creek bottoms and rugged ravines, you’ll discover deep ruts carved by wagons that traveled the Oregon and California trails.
4. Stop at the Homestead National Monument of America in Beatrice to learn about the importance of the Homestead Act of 1862 in the expansion of the U.S.
SMALL-TOWN STOP
SUPERIOR
In the Republican River Valley sits Superior, the Victorian capital of Nebraska. Here you’ll find a fun-filled campground, delicious food and an eclectic museum featuring Native American history.
EAT Relax and enjoy your favorite coffee drinks and smoothies at The Dawg House Bistro.
DO At the Nuckolls County Museum, you’ll find Native American artifacts, military displays, exhibits on prominent area historic figures and the largest model airplane collection in Nebraska.
DO At Lincoln Park, Enjoy disc golf, volleyball, horseshoes, a catch-and-release fishing pond and more.
STAY Having too much fun at Lincoln Park? Stay overnight at Lincoln Park Campground for an extended family vacation.
LOUP RIVERS SCENIC BYWAY
From far-stretching farmlands, red barns and silos to the nature-scapes of the Sandhills and Calamus River, this byway is a treat for photographers and those willing to just sit back, relax and take it all in.
4 TREASURES IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA
1. The Calamus River flows gently to Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area near Burwell. Stop into Calamus River Outfitters nearby to rent a kayak, canoe or tank and float the river Nebraska-style.
2. See the most complete historical fort in Nebraska: Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park near Elyria. Hartsuff became a fortress for the friendly Pawnee tribe and pioneers.
3. Enjoy a pint of craft beer at Ord’s award-winning Scratchtown Brewing Company, the Sandhills’ first brewery. Choose from varieties such as the Black Eye Imperial Porter and Snipe Hunter American-Style Barleywine.
4. The Happy Jack Peak and Chalk Mine in Scotia is the only publicly accessible chalk room and pillar mine in North America. Explore more than 6,000 square feet of honeycomb caves inside.
SMALL-TOWN STOP
ORD
Valley County’s Ord is home to all kinds of fun, from water parks and aquatic centers to a brewery and a performing arts theater. The area’s river access also makes it a great stop for water recreation.
EAT From signature sandwiches to frozen treats and baked goods, Roy’s Place is a must-try local favorite.
DO Head to Valley County Fairgrounds each summer for live music, tractor games, animal shows and a parade.
DO Come relax on a sand-bottom river at Anderson Island. This serene stop features swimming, tubing, canoeing, bird watching and more.
STAY Enjoy a cozy, quiet Victorian home-stay at Shepherd’s Inn Bed & Breakfast.
LINCOLN HIGHWAY SCENIC BYWAY
What’s your rush? Get off the interstate and experience the history of pioneers, cowboys and Pony Express riders—plus cultural and natural treasures—as you cross the entire state of Nebraska.
4 DIVERSE DISCOVERIES
1. What is now the Fort Sidney Museum Complex ceased operation in 1894, but its post commander’s home, barracks and magazine building remain. Visit to learn the history of Sidney’s days as a railroad town.
2. History buffs will be pleased, and kids and adults alike will enjoy the hands-on exhibits at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island. Wander the complex of buildings to discover collections of Native American and Old West memorabilia, teepee replicas, bison that lived and grazed on the land, train cars from the 1800s and more.
3. Visit Omaha’s Hot Shops Art Center, notable for its four anchor art studios: Crystal Forge glass studio, Bruning Sculpture, Hot Shops Pottery clay studio and C.K. Fabrication blacksmithing shop. Bi-annual open houses allow you to explore the studios and see demonstrations.
4. Originally built by Mormon pioneers in 1847, the restored Florence Mill in Omaha now houses the Winter-Quarters Mill Museum, Art-Loft gallery with special exhibits and a farmers market on final Sundays (June through September).
SMALL-TOWN STOP
POTTER
Head to Potter in Cheyenne County for mouthwatering sundaes, duckpin bowling, beautiful gardens and serene campgrounds with country charm.
DO Your group will love Potter DuckPin Bowling, the only duckpin alley west of the Mississippi and one of only two historic hand-set lanes in the U.S.
EAT With an old-fashioned soda fountain and vintage ice cream counter, you won’t want to miss Potter Sundry. Be sure to try the famous tin roof sundae.
STAY Looking for a full-service RV park and campground in a beautiful country setting? Point of Rocks Motel & RV is just the spot for you.
DO Come explore Reading Garden Arboretum where you’ll find more than a dozen species of trees, a covered pavilion and a rose garden.
LEWIS & CLARK SCENIC BYWAY
Follow in the footsteps of the famous explorers. Through bountiful cropland and beautifully wooded bluffs framing the Missouri River, you’ll discover Native American culture as well as bustling Omaha, home to the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.
4 DISCOVERIES IN EASTERN NEBRASKA
1. The last full weekend in July, head to the Winnebago Reservation for the tribe’s annual Homecoming Powwow and Celebration. Year-round, visit the pasture of the tribe’s buffalo herd, also located in Winnebago.
2. A quarter of the U.S. Army was once stationed at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park in Fort Calhoun. Visit to experience life in an 1820s military fort and see periodic living history demonstrations in summer.
3. Also in Fort Calhoun, wander the vast floodplains of the Missouri River at Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge. These wetlands shelter migrating birds in spring and fall.
4. Inside Omaha’s historic Union Station, find The Durham Museum. Packed with regional displays and traveling exhibits, the museum gives visitors a deeper understanding of Nebraska history.
SMALL-TOWN STOP
TEKAMAH
Summit Lake State Recreation Area, offering hunting, fishing, boating, hiking and camping, anchors this northeast Nebraska town.
DO Sample, then buy a box of delicious creations at Serendipity Chocolate Factory inside Master’s Hand.
SHOP Next door, treasure-hunt for one-of-a-kind pieces at The Antiques Room.
EAT Enjoy comfort food and craft beer at community-favorite Chatterbox Brews.
STAY at Summit Lake State Recreation Area for hunting, fishing, hiking, boating and camping.
SANDHILLS JOURNEY SCENIC BYWAY
World-class natural wonders await along this rural route. Sand dunes and the Nebraska National Forest rise from the plains. In spring, migrating sandhill cranes fill the sky. By night, the stars put on an incredible show.
4 MUST-SEES
1. Located in a red barn in Broken Bow, the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Visitor Center invites road-trippers. Learn from exhibits inside and out, or chat with the friendly staff for area info.
2. Victoria Springs State Recreation Area marks the location of mineral springs near the community of Anselmo. Fish, paddleboat and picnic, then camp or rent a cabin to extend your exploration.
3. Create woodblock decorations, join a painting party or see what artists are exhibiting at the Carnegie Arts Center in Alliance. The center repurposes the town’s original grand library, which opened in 1912.
4. Especially during a new moon, stop and look up at the night sky along the byway’s vast stretches of open road—Nebraska promises some of the best stargazing anywhere in the world.
SMALL-TOWN STOP
MULLEN
Are you ready for a Sandhills adventure? Mullen offers ranch vacations and Middle Loup River access. Also, don’t miss the town’s arts center, museum and historical site and bowling alley.
STAY Head to Double R Guest Ranch in cowboy cattle country for a family-friendly adventure. Guests can expect fishing, hunting, hiking, horse boarding/riding and lots of outdoor games.
DO The Mullen Arts Center features local artists and hosts varied art exhibitions and adult and youth workshops each month.
DO Welcoming bowlers of all ages, Hondo Lanes is full of family fun. Come play together.
DO Ready for a river adventure? Glidden Canoe Rental features two tent campgrounds on the Middle Loup and Dismal Rivers and RV hookups at the Sandhills Motel. Tanking is also available.
WESTERN TRAILS SCENIC BYWAY
Pioneers would have come across the same towering formations and pine-shaded bluffs on this route as visitors encounter today. Get out of your “wagon” and explore: Storied sites, picturesque trails and sparkling lakes await your discovery.
4 WAYS TO DO THE WEST
1. Hike or mountain bike Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and Nature Center in Gering. The views—of rocky bluffs, evergreen-studded canyons and the North Platte River Valley—are epic.
2. Scotts Bluff National Monument protects 3,000 acres of historic overland trail remnants, mixed grass prairie, rugged badlands and towering bluffs. After you’ve navigated the corkscrew roadway to the summit, take an 800-foot-high panorama above the Platte Valley.
3. Chimney Rock National Historic Site in Bayard protects a rock formation so perfectly pointy, it appears to be “Towering to the Heavens.” Stop by the newly renovated visitor center for hands-on exhibits on the great migration west.
4. You’re in for an Old West shootout and show at Crystal Palace Saloon, resurrecting the days when Ogallala was a rough-and-tumble town full of cowhands, cattle barons and drifters.
SMALL-TOWN STOP
GERING
Near a spoil of outdoor activities and pioneering sites, Gering welcomes adventurers and history buffs alike. Visit in mid-July to experience Oregon Trail Days.
DO Catch a game at Oregon Trail Park Stadium, home of the Expedition League’s Western Nebraska Pioneers.
DO Catch a summer concert or movie under the stars at Five Rocks Amphitheater.
EAT Offering breakfast, lunch and made-from-scratch pastries, The Mixing Bowl is sure to give you your fill—from breakfast burgers to soft pretzels.
SHOP After a fun-filled day of exploring the Nature Center, stop by the Wildcat Hills Nature Center gift shop to pick up a souvenir.
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SCENIC BYWAYS
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