/ REGIONS / SOUTH CENTRAL Follow the trails—this region is full of them. Just be sure to look up for the iconic Archway and in spring, the sandhill crane migration. What to Do “ THE SANDHILL CRANES OF #NEBRASKA ARE QUITE THE IMPRESSIVE LITTLE GUYS. I LOVE THE RED COLOR ON THEIR FACES. —@melodytravels, via Twitter Follow 100-plus brightly painted blocks along the Barn Quilts Trail for a scenic drive through Cozad. In Minden, pause at Pioneer Village to see what life was like on the open trail. PONY EXPRESS, In Kearney, April GOTHENBURG through October, try paddling (or paddle-boarding) the 2.3-mile Kearney Water Trail. In Gothenburg, journeys are inspired by the Pony Express. Visit the Hastings Museum to see a former station of the pioneering delivery route. For an authentic taste of the region, eat at Sozo American Cuisine in Kearney, where the menu features local produce and beef. Go for a variety of coffee-based drinks—beer and cocktails included—at Kearney's TRU Café. For an authentic vibe—good food, friendly service and down-to-earth digs—hit Kirk’s Nebraskaland Restaurant in Lexington or Shirley K’s in Cambridge, a favorite for coffee and delectable sandwiches. For some-thing different, munch on bruschetta boards and noodle bowls at Odyssey in Hastings. Where to Eat BREWING COMPANY, KEARNEY PHOTO CAPTION Families love Holiday Inn Kearney, where kids eat free and the Captain’s Lagoon features water slides for all ages and a kids’ pool. For a natural retreat, try Whisker Creek Ranch and Lodge in Gibbon, surrounded by 25 acres of land with access to the Platte River. Or, take a step back in time at the Kaley House Bed and Breakfast in Red Cloud, a modern-ized Queen Anne-style home that dates to 1886 and sits near sites relat-THUNDERHEAD ed to author Willa Cather. Where to Stay Where to Drink Sample Nebraska wines, brews and spirits at the George Spencer Tasting Room in Gibbon. You can even rent out the tasting room’s suite for a unique overnight stay. At Steeple Brewing Co. in Hastings, settle into one of the old church pews for fellowship with friends and craft beer—maybe the Bats in the Belfry nut brown ale. Don’t miss seasonal creations, such as the Prairie Peach pale wheat ale, at Thunderhead Brewing in Kearney. PLATTE RIVER 72 VisitNebraska.com CREDITS: MAREK/ADOBE STOCK
Nebraska Official State Travel Guide The Official 2019 Not-At-All What You Thought State Travel Guide: Page 76
