The U.S. state of Nebraska is known for many things, including Warren Buffet and Kool-Aid. But, there’s more to the Cornhusker State than a world-famous business mogul and flavored drink mix. 

From the beauty and bounty of nature to the exhilarating great outdoors, from flavorful food and rich history, Nebraska has many things to offer visitors and locals alike. Below is a rundown of the best things that make adjusting to Nebraska easy. 

Best Nebraska Attractions to Visit

Nebraska has tons of attractions, but these should be in your bucket list. 

Nebraska’s Scenic Byways

There are nine in all and each one will take you on a journey through historic sites, natural wonders, and scenic landscapes. 

The Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway follows the footsteps of the famous explorers, while the Heritage Highway Scenic Byway and the Western Trails Scenic & Historic Byway preserve the trails of pioneers. Some are rich in history themselves. The 365-Gold Rush Scenic Byway, for instance, once saw more than $200,000 worth of gold make its way through it daily. Others  

Of course, the view is astounding! The naturescapes along Loup Rivers Scenic Byway, for example, are favorite subjects of photographers. 

Chimney Rock National Historic Site

Located in Bayard, Chimney Rock National Historic Site features a towering rock formation that was described by pioneers as “towering to the heavens.” Rising 480 feet (about 1464 meters), it was the most recognizable landmark along the Oregon Trail. Chimney Rock is estimated to be around 25 to 24 million years old.   

Strategic Air Command and Space Museum

This museum is located in Ashland, about 30 miles from Omaha. It is focused on aircraft, aviation, and space. You’ll find historical airplanes, spacecraft, and missiles spread across the museum’s more than 300,000 square feet (roughly 7 acres). There’s even a planetarium where you can watch seasonal astronomy shows and go on motion rides. The latter can simulate the feeling of riding a helicopter. 

Golden Spike Tower

Sitting on the outer edge of North Platte is the eight-story Golden Spike Tower. It is fully enclosed in glass so you have a great view of the Bailey Yard and the Platter River valley from the viewing area. The Bailey Yard is one of largest railroad yards in the world, with more than 150 trains and 10,000 rail cars entering the yard daily. 

Carhenge

In Alliance stands a structure that mimics the ancient monument in Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. However, instead of a circle of large stones, this replica uses 39 vintage cars. The old vehicles are painted gray to resemble the stones of the original Stonehenge.

Carhenge was created by Jim Reinders in 1987 in memory of his father. It is joined by other equally unique sculptures made from old cars and car parts, including a metal fish emerging from the prairie grasslands. 

The Archway

If you’re traveling along Interstate 80 near Kearny, it’s hard to miss this colorful structure that spans over the highway. Aptly named The Archway, the structure houses a museum that follows the journey of the travelers who have come this way from the Oregon Trail Era 180 years ago until today. The museum has interactive displays and a replica sod house. The Archway also has a fun maze for kids and a lake where you can have a tranquil picnic. 

Best Things to Do in Nebraska

Aside from sightseeing and visiting popular attractions, there are many other activities you can partake of in Nebraska. Here are some of the best things you can do in the state. 

Get a Taste of Farm Life and Homesteading with a Ranch-cation

Back in the late 1860s, the Homestead Act gave more than 270 million acres (about 109 million hectares) of land to individuals for free. You can learn this and all other related information about homesteading in museums, but to be able to appreciate what homesteaders had to do back then, you might want to go on a ranch-cation. 

Admittedly, you’re still on vacation and you’ll only get a teaser of what life is like working in a farm or ranch. Still, it will be a memorable experience, so why not head over to the Nebraska ranches that welcome guests, including:

• Our Heritage Guest Ranch near Crawford is a B&B that offers horseback riding and other rural activities. 
• Big Blue Ranch in Buchard stands in one of the state’s only remaining preserved tall grass prairies.
• Rowse’s 1+1 Ranch in Burwell is a seventh-generation working ranch raising 800 cow-calf pairs on more than 7,000 acres (nearly 3,000 hectares).  

Go on a Fossil Road Trip

If you love dinosaurs and you’re heading to Nebraska, why not plan a Great Plains fossil road trip. Even if you’re not into digging the dirt for old bones, you might still find the skeletal remains of ancient animals interesting. Many sites in the Midwest hold fossils, particularly the following places:  

• Badlands National Park is known for its striking geologic deposits. But, this soil is rich in fossil deposits. If you come visit, rangers can teach you how to dig for one. Just remember that when you do find a fossil, report it to the park rangers and get a Fossil Finder Patch in return. 
• The Agate Fossil Beds National Monument appears mostly as a grass-covered plain. But, don’t be deceived by its verdant exterior, though, as it is an important source of Miocene-epoch mammal fossils. 
• Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park is a National Natural Landmark. It holds fossil skeletons of animals that died at a watering hole after a volcano erupted nearly 12 million years ago. 

Watch Migrating Cranes

Every March and April, thousands of sandhill cranes stopover in Nebraska’s Platte River Valley before continuing their migration north. You can spot them in the cornfields along Interstate 80. One of the best places to view is Kearney, where there are lookout platforms and highway pull-offs. You can also view them at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon. In any case, they’re hard to miss as a huge number fly together – It’s an amazing sight.