Nebraska is a Western state located in the Great Plains region, with a landscape made up of mostly flat area and hills, as well as several mountains and three rivers. Nebraska is an important hub for transportation, especially in the railroad sector, due to its location in the heart of the central United States. Culture in Nebraska is heavily influenced by its Native American ancestry, and farming and cattle ranching are still the mainstays of the Nebraska economy. Nebraska has a population of less than two million. Most of the residents live in the Lincoln and Omaha metropolitan areas in the eastern part of the state, leaving hundreds of smaller cities throughout the west with fewer than one thousand people.
Nebraska is traversed by nine National Scenic Byways. Running east to west, these byways are a great way to see many of the sights and popular cities as you travel across Nebraska by car. Some of the larger paths include the Sand Hills Journey Scenic Byway, Lincoln Highway Scenic Byway, Heritage Highway, and the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway.
Scottsbluff is located on the Western Trails Historic and Scenic Byway, also called Route 26 which leads to the Lincoln Scenic Byway. The city lies on the North Platte River across from the Scotts Bluff National Monument and Park. The Riverfront also features and exciting downtown, the Riverside Park and Zoo, and the Lake Minatare State Recreation Area
Alliance is located in the Sand Hills region, at the beginning of the Sand Hills Journey Scenic Byway, also known as State Route 2. Alliance is the home of Carhenge, a monument built out of automobiles as a replica of the famous Stonehenge in England.
The small city of Kimball is located at the beginning of the Lincoln Scenic Byway, on the Nebraska Panhandle. Panorama Point, the highest point in Nebraska, is just outside the city limits. Other sites of interest include the Gotte Park and the Oliver State Recreation Area in which visitors can enjoy boating, swimming, fishing, camping and a host of other outdoor activities
Sidney is a small farming and cattle ranching city. There are several historic landmarks including the famous Fort Sidney outpost. Experience what life was like for a soldier in the Civil War with a visit to the Fort Sidney Museum and Post Commander's House. Stroll through the beautiful flowers at the Living Memorial Gardens and see the tallest flagpole in the country - 141 feet high
Ogallala is a city of five thousand in Keith County. A few local attractions include the Old West-styled Front Street with shops and cafes, and the Ogallala Aquifer
Lexington consists of ten thousand residents along the Platte River. Lexington is a Hispanic-influenced residential and commercial center. For recreation, visit the Dawson County Historical Museum, Johnson Lake, or Gallagher Canyon
North Platte is located along Interstate 80 at the junction of the North Platte River and the South Platte River. North Platte is a famous railroad town and features Bailey Yard, the largest rail yard in the world. To learn more about the city, visit the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historic Park and the Lincoln County Historical Museum.
Kearney is a city of thirty thousand along Interstate 80. The city was originally founded as Army Outpost Fort Kearney, along the Oregon Trail. Today Kearney is a college town that is the home of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The local parks are numerous and include the Cottonmill Lake Recreation Area, Buffalo Ridge Golf Course, and the Yanney Heritage Park. Other attractions in Kearney are the Museum of Nebraska Art, FirsTier Events Center sports arena, and two local microbreweries
Grand Island is located at the meeting of the Sand Hills Journey Scenic Byway and the Lincoln Highway Scenic Byway. Grand Island is formed by the Wood River and the North Platte River, and is the largest inland island in the world
Washington is a small village in the Grand Island metropolitan area. The Mormon Island State Recreation area is part of the Chain of Lakes located nearby. At this forty-six acre lake, you can enjoy fishing, swimming, camping and boating
The city of Hastings is located just off the Lincoln Scenic Byway, south of Grand Island. A local must-see is the Jacob Fisher Rainbow Fountain in Highland Park, and a visit to the Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History with its planetarium and theatre should not be missed
Bellevue is the oldest city in Nebraska. Located slightly south of Omaha, Bellevue is the third-largest city in the state. Bellevue is the home of the Offutt Air Force Base. Many come to visit the Fontenelle Forest, featuring over one thousand acres of parks and trails along the Mississippi River.
Columbus is located along the Lincoln Highway Scenic Byway and the Loup River. Boating, hydroelectric power, and manufacturing play a large role in the economy of Columbus. Visit the Agricultural Park to see horseracing, or the Butler County Motorplex and US 30 Speedway for stock car racing, both popular Columbus pastimes
Norfolk is located at the junction of Route 81 and Route 275 directly north of Columbus, also known as the easternmost point of the Cowboy Trail. Norfolk is named after the northern fork of the Elkhorn River and this is pronounced "nor-fork".
Wayne is a city of five thousand slightly north of Norfolk. Wayne County Museum, the Planetarium, and the Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park are just a few of the places that can provide entertainment and fascination for the whole family during your visit to Wayne. Garden Perennials is a must when you visit this area, and you can enjoy an array of fabulous plants and beautiful flowers here. The Cuthills Vineyards will give you the opportunity to enjoy a little wine tasting whilst in Wayne, or if you crave recreation you will find a number of facilities and recreational areas such as the Willow Creek State Recreational Area
Fremont is a city of twenty five thousand near Omaha, along the Platte River. Get a taste of Fremont history by taking a ride on the Fremont and Elkhorn Valley Railroad, visiting the Louis E. May Historical Museum, and checking out historic downtown Fremont. A popular local attraction is the Splash Station water park
York can be found at the intersection of Interstate 80 and Route 81. The most impressive attraction is Lee's Marble Museum, where you will find over one million marbles. History buffs will want to visit the Anna Bemis Palmer Museum to see the memorabilia related to the American Revolution and the Rough Riders, the Yorkshire Playhouse, where you can take in a theatrical performance or enjoy a presentation of vintage fashions and an old-fashioned tea party with Petticoats on the Prairie. Learn the story of the agricultural heritage of York at Wessel's Living History Farm, and the York Children's Museum has hands on and interactive exhibits. There are three golf courses in the area. Recharge Lake is the place to go if you want to enjoy fishing and boating. Beaver Creek is the setting for walking the nature trails, hiking or cycling
Seward is a small town just west of Lincoln on Route 34. In Seward, you can see the World's Largest Time Capsule or the extensive rock and mineral collection at Concordia University. Take in an old movie at the Rivoli Theater, which is furnished and decorated like the movie theaters of the 1950s or enjoy a game at Seward Bowl. Although Seward is a residential city, it also features several parks, tennis courts, and a large campground
Syracuse is a small, residential city outside Lincoln. Syracuse features several small parks and exciting annual festivals. The Otoe County Museum is comprised an old church, a home dating back to the 1800s, a wildlife exhibit and an outdoor herb garden
Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska, and was named after former president Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Metropolitan Area consists of about three hundred thousand residents. Visit Antelope Park to see the Sunken Gardens and Lincoln Children's Zoo, go for shopping and dining in the historic Haymarket neighborhood, or explore one of five arboretums. The University of Nebraska at Lincoln also features the Great Plains Art Museum, Lentz Center for Asian Culture, Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lied Center for Performing Arts, and much more on its college campus.
McCook is located at the beginning of the 238-mile Heritage Highway, situated on the Republican River. With an abundance of waters in the form of the river and lakes, as well as some excellent walking trails, you can really enjoy the great outdoors in this McCook. You can soak up some of the area history with a visit to places such as the Frank Lloyd Wright Sutton House, the Heritage Square Historical Walking Tour, a stroll in the Historic Downtown area, or a visit to the Museum of the High Plains and Carnegie Library. McCook is also known for its local vineyards
Omaha , located on the Missouri River, is the largest city in Nebraska with over four hundred thousand residents, and over one million in its metropolitan area. Founded in 1854, Omaha is a historically preserved town with over a dozen historic districts and hundreds of landmarks. Modern attractions include the Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha Children's Museum, and Omaha Botanical Gardens. Live music and minor league sports are also a large part of the culture in Omaha. The extensive parks system offers visitors quality time outdoors amidst beautiful natural surroundings - enjoy a choice of activities such as biking, nature walks, picnics and more. You can also take part in activities such as fishing, golf, and a choice of indoor and outdoor sports in the area
Nebraska is a state with many activities waiting to be discovered. Its easily-traveled system of highways, extensive transportation networks, and proximity to other Western states like Wyoming and Colorado, Nebraska is the perfect place to plan a vacation. Visit the Metropolitan Region for its many attractions, experience life firsthand in one of the historically preserved Frontier Towns, or spend days without seeing another soul while camping in vast wilderness areas. Nebraska offers all of this and more.