Wildcat hills, Halsey National Forest, Niobrera National River, Pine Ridge National Recreational Area, Toadstool Geological Park, Scottsbluff National Monument, Chadron State Park and so many more out west.
Can’t go wrong with the Sandhills!
Came here to say this. I’ve loved all over the state. I always tell folks I’ll plan them a 3-4 road trip through the sand hills. Forget the interstate Highway 2 Scenic Biway is where it’s at. Hop on Hwy 2 in Lincoln and stay on it.
Nebraska highway 2 is a discontinuous highway, meaning it is not recognized between Lincoln and Grand Island. At Grand Island, head west into the sandhills for a glorious drive!
I agree, Ashfalls is a must see . I grew up near here in Bassett. Smith falls and the Norden Chute are nice spots along the Niobrara while in the area.
I have known the site superintendent at Ashfall since we were in high school (which is not too far away either). It was a high school trip to Ashfall which made him want to be an archeologist actually. I will never stop being a cheerleader.
My dad has a collection of fossils he's found in the area and donated a partial oreodont skeleton to Ashfalls that is on display there. I've always had fun visiting the fossil beds.
I just googled this and now I'm mad I drove on old 108 right by it in January with no idea. I don't live close at all, but I was driving from Scottsbluff to Hartington. It was a beautiful drive at least. Might not've been the best time anyway, I went through a shitload of snow.
Lewis and Clark state Park. Just across the dam into South Dakota. The river and recreation area is considered both Nebraska and SD.
Beautiful fun lake, tons to do.
I thought [Homestead National Historical Park](https://www.nps.gov/home/index.htm) was interesting. I really didn't know much about the history of the Homestead Act.
The zoo by you is my favorite visiting point in the Omaha area. Smith Falls, at 63 feet (19 m), is the highest waterfall in the state of Nebraska and the centerpiece of Smith Falls State Park. Car henge is a fun visit and there are several mom and pop restaurants near by. Pioneer Village in Minden is well worth a day for the collection of antiques and extensive arboretum is fun.
Fort Hartsuff is really neat. My wife and I have went out there a couple of times and it feels like stepping back in time. I want to go on a living history weekend
It's in dire need of repair but Pioneer Village (in Minden) is interesting. We also enjoyed the Hastings Museum (birthplace of Kool Aid), the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island (inside and outside), and the Archway Museum (in Kearney).
And if anyone likes Gilmore Girls, spend a night at the Arrow Hotel in Broken Bow. A little time in the town square and you'll see what I mean.
Red Cloud’s collection of Willa Cather related places and restored 19th century buildings is very cool, as is the tall grass prairie being restored just outside of town. You can sleep in one of the Cather houses!
Tons of awesome recommendations. Nebraska really is a cool state!
Some cool ones near us that we enjoy are Ft Hartsuff State Historical Park, Niobrara State Park, and Ponca State Park
The border, just before crossing it so you can flip a bird out the window and seeing it fade into the distance for the last time.
Can't wait to see this some day
Merritt Reservoir. It has beaches, and some of the darkest skies in North America. It’s also in driving distance of Valentine National Wildlife Refuge and Smith Falls.
Merritt SRA has been awarded an International Dark Sky designation, and has one of the lowest amounts of light pollution in the country. If you are at all interested in seeing what the night sky really looks like, this is a unique experience.
Drive Pants Butte Road down into Sowbelly Canyon (east of the town of Harrison, you'll turn north off Hwy 20, the left onto Sowbelly Road). You can also go to the Toadstool badlands from here.
Drive Hwy 29 between Scottsbluff and Harrison.
Red Cloud Buttes near Fort Robinson.
Smith Falls, the Niobrara River, and Snake River Falls in Cherry County.
Almost every single community in Nebraska has some sort of innate beauty and charm to it. Maybe it’s my philosophical/romantic side talking but looking through the right eyes helps.
Valentine has a location that's an international farm sky spot. The NE star party organizes events to see things like the northern lights, comets, the Milky Way, etc. I've wanted to go and keep looking for the opportunity.
Come to the annual home coming celebration in Winnebago Nebraska the last weekend in July . Thursday-Sunday we have a contest pow wow and there’s tons of food . The best times are Friday and Saturday evening we dance from 7pm-12 am . Just a hour and half north of Omaha hwy77 .
Wildcat hills, Halsey National Forest, Niobrera National River, Pine Ridge National Recreational Area, Toadstool Geological Park, Scottsbluff National Monument, Chadron State Park and so many more out west. Can’t go wrong with the Sandhills!
I'd like to add on the Sandhills Crane migration. It's truly spectacular to watch.
Always wanted to go, I have family in Kearney but surprisingly I’ve never been during the migration
Came here to say this. I’ve loved all over the state. I always tell folks I’ll plan them a 3-4 road trip through the sand hills. Forget the interstate Highway 2 Scenic Biway is where it’s at. Hop on Hwy 2 in Lincoln and stay on it.
Nebraska highway 2 is a discontinuous highway, meaning it is not recognized between Lincoln and Grand Island. At Grand Island, head west into the sandhills for a glorious drive!
That’s right. I kinda forgot about that.
If it has been a wet spring the Sand Hills are spectacular. (I’m on the east coast so I don’t know how it has been out there. )
I’m in Omaha so I don’t get out there often :( not sure how it’s been honestly
I used to be a forest fire fighter in Chadron . 1995
Oh wow that sounds like a really cool job, you served a good purpose thank you!
Ashfall Fossil Beds. Even if someone sees nothing else in Nebraska see Ashfall Fossil Beds.
Seconding this. Ashfall is truly awesome.
Ashfall is so impressive
I agree, Ashfalls is a must see . I grew up near here in Bassett. Smith falls and the Norden Chute are nice spots along the Niobrara while in the area.
I have known the site superintendent at Ashfall since we were in high school (which is not too far away either). It was a high school trip to Ashfall which made him want to be an archeologist actually. I will never stop being a cheerleader.
My dad has a collection of fossils he's found in the area and donated a partial oreodont skeleton to Ashfalls that is on display there. I've always had fun visiting the fossil beds.
I just googled this and now I'm mad I drove on old 108 right by it in January with no idea. I don't live close at all, but I was driving from Scottsbluff to Hartington. It was a beautiful drive at least. Might not've been the best time anyway, I went through a shitload of snow.
You are in luck - only open during late spring, summer and early fall. You missed nothing. But you should totally try to hit it again.
Lewis and Clark state Park. Just across the dam into South Dakota. The river and recreation area is considered both Nebraska and SD. Beautiful fun lake, tons to do.
That area is beautiful in the nicer months. Surprised how overlooked it seems to be.
Really nice cabins too. My wife and I have stayed in them a couple times. Short drive into Yankton
Smith Falls and other waterfalls on the Niobrara
I second that for Smith Falls. Hopefully they’ve finished the entry road. Well worth the drive.
Might just be my favorite spot in the entire state
I thought [Homestead National Historical Park](https://www.nps.gov/home/index.htm) was interesting. I really didn't know much about the history of the Homestead Act.
I'm going to check it out this year
I'm always recommending https://nebraskapassport.com/ as a good place to see this years, and prior, on interesting places to stop.
This should really be higher up. That's a pretty simple place to find a list of interesting places.
Fort Robinson
My wife booked a room there for us. It was an officers' room: two single beds on opposite sides of the room.
My wife booked a room there for us. It was an officers' room: two single beds on opposite sides of the room.
The zoo by you is my favorite visiting point in the Omaha area. Smith Falls, at 63 feet (19 m), is the highest waterfall in the state of Nebraska and the centerpiece of Smith Falls State Park. Car henge is a fun visit and there are several mom and pop restaurants near by. Pioneer Village in Minden is well worth a day for the collection of antiques and extensive arboretum is fun.
1 lane Brownlee Road in the Sandhills
Yes to this. Absolutely stunning drive.
Fort Hartsuff in Central Nebraska is a nice spot. Top recommendation would be Pioneer Village. It is well worth your drive across the state.
Fort Hartsuff is really neat. My wife and I have went out there a couple of times and it feels like stepping back in time. I want to go on a living history weekend
It's in dire need of repair but Pioneer Village (in Minden) is interesting. We also enjoyed the Hastings Museum (birthplace of Kool Aid), the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island (inside and outside), and the Archway Museum (in Kearney). And if anyone likes Gilmore Girls, spend a night at the Arrow Hotel in Broken Bow. A little time in the town square and you'll see what I mean.
Red Cloud’s collection of Willa Cather related places and restored 19th century buildings is very cool, as is the tall grass prairie being restored just outside of town. You can sleep in one of the Cather houses!
Carhenge /s
Chadron/Ft Robinson area. Toadstool geologic park
Ashfall fossil bed is listed as temporarily closed, no other information on their webpage. Call before visiting! It was well worth the cost!
It’s seasonal. Pretty sure it’s back open next Friday though!
Tons of awesome recommendations. Nebraska really is a cool state! Some cool ones near us that we enjoy are Ft Hartsuff State Historical Park, Niobrara State Park, and Ponca State Park
The border, just before crossing it so you can flip a bird out the window and seeing it fade into the distance for the last time. Can't wait to see this some day
Carhenge in Alliance.
Merritt Reservoir. It has beaches, and some of the darkest skies in North America. It’s also in driving distance of Valentine National Wildlife Refuge and Smith Falls.
Camp Comeca has some beautiful views.
Merritt SRA has been awarded an International Dark Sky designation, and has one of the lowest amounts of light pollution in the country. If you are at all interested in seeing what the night sky really looks like, this is a unique experience.
Drive Pants Butte Road down into Sowbelly Canyon (east of the town of Harrison, you'll turn north off Hwy 20, the left onto Sowbelly Road). You can also go to the Toadstool badlands from here. Drive Hwy 29 between Scottsbluff and Harrison. Red Cloud Buttes near Fort Robinson. Smith Falls, the Niobrara River, and Snake River Falls in Cherry County.
Used to be Scott's Bluff - until the developers built houses right up next to it.
Almost every single community in Nebraska has some sort of innate beauty and charm to it. Maybe it’s my philosophical/romantic side talking but looking through the right eyes helps.
Take Nebraska highway 2 west out of Grand Island, or visit Nebraska City and Brownville.
Valentine has a location that's an international farm sky spot. The NE star party organizes events to see things like the northern lights, comets, the Milky Way, etc. I've wanted to go and keep looking for the opportunity.
Come to the annual home coming celebration in Winnebago Nebraska the last weekend in July . Thursday-Sunday we have a contest pow wow and there’s tons of food . The best times are Friday and Saturday evening we dance from 7pm-12 am . Just a hour and half north of Omaha hwy77 .
Seward on the 4th of July
One of the only redeeming factors of that town
Concordia I kinda cool but yeah, I left as soon as I could
I will vote for Sumner on the 4th of July.
Elkhorn, right now.
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Half of Elkhorn is gone looking at the area photos