NEBRASKA TOURISM COMMISSIONERS Darrin Barner, John Chapo, Courtney Dentlinger, David Fudge, Deb Kelly, Rachel Kreikemeier, Roger Kuhn, Maureen Larsen, Barry McFarland, Ashley Olson, Robert Sabin, David Wolf, Paul Younes VISIT NEBRASKA STAFF DEPUTY DIRECTOR Heather Hogue Jenna Bartja COMMUNITY ACTIVATION MANAGER GROUP TRAVEL COORDINATOR Micheal Collins Jenn Gjerde MARKETING MANAGER PASSPORT PROGRAM COORDINATOR Madison Johnson Ben Jones MARKETING CONTENT SPECIALIST ADVENTURE TRAVEL SPECIALIST Graham Jordison Alisha Simonson NORTH OMAHA MURAL ACCOUNTANT Lilly Uhlmann INDUSTRY RELATIONS PUBLISHED BY DEAR FRIENDS AND TRAVELERS, Welcome to Nebraska! You may be a first-time visitor, a returning guest who’s been coming here for years or a fellow Nebraskan, but you all have something in common: By picking up this travel guide, you’ve opened the door to one-of-a-kind adventures. If it’s natural wonder you’re after, gaze at our pristine night skies at stargazing destinations like Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, Nebraska’s first International Dark Sky Park; float down the Niobrara National Scenic River, North America’s first International Quiet Trail; and head west to trek the unexpected bluffs and buttes that Oregon Trail travelers passed on their own journeys over a century ago. Speaking of history, Nebraska is a great place to explore the past. Learn about the origins of Arbor Day at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, visit the world-class Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron and get acquainted with the state’s rich Native American heritage at the many powwows hosted by local Native nations each summer. Some other things you may not know originated in Nebraska: Kool-Aid, Malcolm X, Johnny Carson and the Reuben sandwich. Go visit their birthplaces and learn their stories while you’re here! If you’re looking for a good festival, we’ve got you covered, too. Head to Grand Island for the Nebraska State Fair, stop into Omaha for one of the country’s top Cinco de Mayo celebrations, and celebrate all things Nebraska at NEBRASKAland Days in North Platte. Want a party that’s a little bit more, well, unique? Try the Wayne Chicken Show or Popcorn Days in North Loup. They’re best experienced in person! While you’re traversing our many scenic byways and charming back roads, you’ll have no shortage of places to stop and refuel with local and farm-fresh dining and drinking options. Whether your taste is Yoshitomo in Omaha, one of America’s top sushi restaurants; the Nebraska-original Tin Roof Sundae at the Potter Sundry; or good old-fashioned Nebraska beef from any number of our inviting steakhouses, there’s something for your taste. No matter which direction you pick to travel, we can’t wait for you to encounter everything that makes our state special. With this book as your guide, and maybe a Nebraska Passport and a state map, too, you already have a head start planning your Nebraska adventure. PUBLISHER Jay Salyers SR. ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Jordan Kuglitsch Mattie Hall Ally Jones ACCOUNT DIRECTOR ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR ACCOUNT COORDINATOR Shiann Olberding J.T. Mullen SR. CONTENT MANAGER SR. PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Carrieann Stutz Delaney Sholl ART DIRECTOR ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Cynthia Hazell-Cutchin Lisa Saturday MARKETING SALES EXECUTIVE The Official 2026 Nebraska State Travel Guide is a publication of the Nebraska Tourism Commission DBA Visit Nebraska. Contents and design ©2026, all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Every effort was made to ensure accuracy of the information in this guide as of press time (10/17/2025). However, the Nebraska Tourism Commission and Miles Partnership assume no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Miles Partnership would like to sincerely thank Visit Nebraska and its tourism industry partners for supplying images for the guide, including @a_hixon_photography; @courtneykaup; @hilary_noonan_author; @katiedotkate; @mamabear8115; @milla_abroad; @nikkimoorephoto; @nwnebraska; @prairieplains; @RobbersCaveTours; @rosecatcoffee; @ryanklataske; @the_ jrp_experience; Alliance Creative District; Back Alley Bakery; Bean Broker; Bill Frakes Photography; Bobby Olson; Broken Spoke Boutique; Carnegie Arts Center; Craig Chandler; Crescent Moon; Darcia Kovarik; Dave Weaver; Dean Jacobs; Ellie Middy Photography; Eric Francis; Fonner Park; Geoff Johnson; Grand Island Tourism; GROW Nebraska®; Hot Shops Art Center; Jean Norman; Jeff Colhoun; Joslyn Schmutte; Junto Wine; Lied Center for Performing Arts; Mike Dornbier; National Willa Cather Center; NEBCO INC.; Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; © Nic Lehoux; Nikki Moore Photo; Office of the Capitol Commission; Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse & Lounge; Our Lavender Co.; Ponderosa Ranch; Potter Sundry; Randy Mays; Rick Neibel; Rival Design, Kara Allbaugh; Russ Hadden Creative Studios; Spring Ranch Campground; Stuhr Museum; Suzanne Luttig, Timeless Nebraska Media; Tiffany Schank; Tom Kessler; Tom Kessler, Holland Performing Arts Center; Visit North Platte; Wax Buffalo; Woody’s Airboat Tours. Sincerely, Visit Nebraska 2 VisitNebraska.com
Nebraska Official State Travel Guide Nebraska 2026 Official State Travel Guide: Page 2
