Nebraska Official State Travel Guide - Nebraska 2026 Official State Travel Guide
Family
2025-11-14 07:54:15
Unadulterated Family Fun
Science museums, ranches, water parks, airboat tours, nature escapes, arcades and roadside attractions worth veering off for (did we mention the Bigfoot museum?) — yeah, you could say Nebraska is a one-of-a-kind family destination, and you’d be right. Load up the car, hit the road and make some family memories you’ll never forget.
NORTHWEST
OLD WEST BALLOON FEST, Mitchell • Watch as 50 hot-air balloons ascend over Scotts Bluff National Monument at Old West Balloon Fest.
CARHENGE, Alliance • A scale replica of Stonehenge built from 39 automobiles stands on farmland in northwestern Nebraska. This quirky roadside attraction is a must.
OUR HERITAGE GUEST RANCH, Crawford • Roll up your sleeves and experience ranch life. Join in cattle herding, livestock feeding, calving and fence repairs as part of your ranchcation.
SANDHILLS
VICTORIA SPRINGS STATE RECREATION AREA, Anselmo • Spend a quiet afternoon paddleboating or fishing the pond. Then, have a family picnic with grills and a picnic shelter onsite.
VALENTINE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, Valentine • Home to 350-plus animal species, this wildlife refuge is the perfect place to reconnect with nature. Birders, hikers, hunters and anglers are welcome.
CALAMUS OUTFITTERS, Burwell • Book a tanking or tubing trip with Calamus Outfitters. Then, hop in the back of a Jeep for a safari-style Sandhills Ranch Habitat EcoTour.
NORTHEAST
PAWNEE PLUNGE, Columbus • Cool off this summer with the lazy river, splash pad, lap pool, water slides and surf simulator at Pawnee Plunge.
NORFOLK LODGE & SUITES, Norfolk • With a heated indoor pool, 18-hole mini-golf course, the SandBar & Grill and Divots Brewery & Tap Room all onsite, these accommodations are perfect for a family getaway.
WOODY’S AIRBOAT TOURS, Fremont • Cruise down the Platte River on an airboat tour with Woody’s. Your trip could include wildlife sightings and sandbar stops — scenic river views are guaranteed.
METRO
OMAHA’S HENRY DOORLY ZOO & AQUARIUM, Omaha • Hands-on experiences, immersive habitats and a reputation as one of the most diverse zoos in the U.S. are among the reasons why this zoo was voted the nation’s best by USA TODAY 10Best in 2025.
KIEWIT LUMINARIUM, Omaha • Explore motion, shapes, patterns, numbers, sound, light and heat at this hands-on science museum featuring over 100 interactive exhibits.
FONTENELLE FOREST, Bellevue • Ease into nature at the Acorn Acres play area, traverse the aerial challenges of TreeRush Adventures and hike miles of trails — all just 15 minutes from Omaha.
SOUTHEAST
MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SPEED, Lincoln • Learn about racing and automotive history and culture as you browse collections of artwork, music, toys, vintage bicycles, lunchboxes, over 600 engines and 340 vehicles.
EDGERTON EXPLORIT CENTER, Aurora • The hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) stations and demonstrations at Edgerton Explorit Center are exciting for kids and adults alike.
ARBOR DAY FARM, Nebraska City • Tour the 260-acre farm on the Discovery Ride tractor pull. Then, explore 11 treehouses at the accessible Treetop Village. Extend your visit with a stay at Lied Lodge.
SOUTH CENTRAL
NEBRASKA STATE FAIR, Grand Island • Gear up for 11 days of concerts, carnival rides, motorsports, rodeo events, parades, vendors and more at Fonner Park each summer.
BIGFOOT CROSSROADS OF AMERICA MUSEUM, Hastings • Join the hunt for Sasquatch at the Bigfoot Crossroads of America Museum. Learn about the fabled cryptid and its sightings through artifacts, photographs, books and testimonials.
BIG APPLE FUN CENTER, Kearney • Laser tag, cosmic bowling, go-karts, sand volleyball, an arcade and an indoor playground really put the fun in Big Apple Fun Center.
SOUTHWEST
FRONT STREET AND COWBOY MUSEUM, Ogallala • Experience the days of the Old West in Ogallala. Browse cowboy artifacts at the free museum before watching the Crystal Palace Revue stage show and shootout reenactment.
GOLDEN SPIKE TOWER & VISITOR CENTER, North Platte • Ride an elevator to the top of the Golden Spike Tower for views of Bailey Yard, the world’s largest classification rail yard.
CODY GO KARTS, North Platte • Whip around the go-kart tracks, make waves in the bumper boats pool, slip down three water slides or grab your putter for mini golf. Cody Go Karts has it all.
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