Nebraska Official State Travel Guide - The Official 2021 Not-At-All What You Thought State Travel Guide
FAMILY
2020-12-31 06:45:30
BORED CHILD SYNDROME? CURED!
Heavy sighs and rolling eyes will be a thing of the past, because Nebraska vacations keep kids interested and happy.
FAMILY ROAD TRIP!
ROAD TRIP 1: LINCOLN TO OMAHA
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» Ready for an outdoor family adventure? Come explore the Platte River Basin at Louisville’s Platte River State Park. Match your favorite style of camping with full hookup campsites, cozy vintage cabins or luxurious glamping cabins.
» For year-round fun, head to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland. Stay at a campsite or cabin and enjoy seasonal amenities such as the water park in summer and the ice-skating rink in winter.
» Calling all water-lovers! With five sandpit lakes and an array of camping amenities, the 192-acre Louisville State Recreation Area in Louisville is the ultimate camping destination for those looking to hit the water.
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» With more than 400 animals and hands-on experiences like feeding giraffes, adults and kids alike will love the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.
» You can expect hours of fun throughout Lincoln Children’s Museum’s three floors of educational exhibits and programs.
» See a collection of historic cars, engines and memorabilia at Lincoln’s Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed.
» Touch stingrays, explore America’s largest indoor rain forest and walk through a shark tunnel at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.
» Celebrate the visual arts from photography to sculptures throughout the galleries and gardens at Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha.
» Trek across the Missouri River on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in Omaha.
» The Omaha Fun-Plex offers all kinds of family-friendly activities such as go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf and more.
ROAD TRIP 2: HASTINGS TO KEARNEY
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» With hiking trails, a swimming beach and over 100 campsites, Kearney’s Fort Kearny State Recreation Area is perfect for your family getaway.
» Modern campers will love the swimming beaches and fishing at Mormon Island State Recreation Area near Grand Island.
» With six lakes and excellent picnicking facilities, Windmill State Recreation Area draws campers for first-rate angling and family picnics.
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» Search for Sasquatch in Hastings at the Bigfoot Crossroads of America Museum, devoted to the great quest of discovering Bigfoot.
» Splash over to Hastings Aquacourt for a wave pool, water slides, a lazy river and more water attractions.
» Experience natural and cultural history through educational films, cutting-edge astronomy shows and interactive displays and exhibits at the Hastings Museum.
» Follow in the footsteps of pioneers at The Archway in Kearney. This historical exhibit allows you to explore the path settlers took on the Oregon Trail.
» Head to Kearney’s Big Apple Fun Center for bowling, laser tag, mini golf, sand volleyball and tons of family fun.
» With splashgrounds, playgrounds, boat rentals and fishing piers, Yanney Heritage Park in Kearney offers outdoor fun for all ages.
WHO SAID THERE'S NOTHING TO DO HERE?
JULY
KITES AND CASTLES
Lake McConaughy
Come join us for this annual sandcastle-building competition and kite-flying festival at Lake McConaughy.
JULY
CRUISE NITE
Kearney
Get a close look at all sorts of classic cars at the annual Cruise Nite’s Show & Shine, auction, drag races and more.
AUG
KOOL-AID DAYS
Hastings
Celebrate the invention of Kool-Aid with live music, fireworks and a Kool-Aid drinking contest.
! Soooo NOT BORING:
Learn about the state’s agricultural heritage — and future — through hands-on, interactive exhibits at Raising Nebraska in Grand Island.
ROAD TRIP 3: LAKE MCCONAUGHY TO NORTH PLATTE
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» Hit the water at the state’s largest reservoir at both Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala State Recreation Areas near Ogallala. With year-round campsites and 30,000 acres of water, these recreation areas are teeming with outdoor possibilities.
» Just south of North Platte, Lake Maloney State Recreation Area offers fishing, wakeboarding, wildlife viewing and camping year-round.
» With four boat ramps, two swimming areas and a nine-hole golf course, Sutherland State Recreation Area near Sutherland is the perfect spot for a relaxing vacation.
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» Head to North Platte for bowling, laser tag, arcade games and more at Wild Bill’s Fun Center.
» Climb to the top of North Platte’s Golden Spike Tower and see Bailey Yard, the world’s largest classification rail yard, in action.
» Get a taste of the Old West (and buy some souvenirs) at Nebraska’s largest Western gift store, Fort Cody Trading Post in North Platte.
» North Platte’s Cody Go-Karts Family Fun Park features water slides, bumper boats, arcade games and go-karts for all ages. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
» You can take in a summer concert, view wildlife, play horseshoes and enjoy amusement park rides all at Cody Park. Craft your own adventure at this eclectic North Platte park.
STELLAR SIGHTS
ROOM FOR THE WHOLE CREW
Throughout the state, you’ll find all kinds of family-friendly accommodations. Here are just a few that we know you’ll love:
STAY & PLAY
DOWN HOME RANCH HOUSE
Book your stay at Crawford’s 100-plus-year-old, guest house surrounded by wildlife and nature.
UNCLE BUCK'S LODGE
Head to the Sandhills and stop over at this Brewster property, a working cattle ranch teeming with historic sites and nature.
DECATUR RIVER CABINS
Stay on the Missouri River at these Decatur cabins. The accommodations feature bunk beds and a full kitchen.
NORFOLK LODGE & SUITES
With mini golf, an indoor pool and easy access to the Cowboy Trail, families will love this Norfolk spot.
HIGH PLAINS HOMESTEAD
Spend time at this Old West frontier village in Crawford to enjoy birding, fossil hunting, mountain biking and more.
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FAMILY
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