Golden Spike National Historical Park · NPS Photo · Public domain (US federal government)

Road Trip Guide:
Nebraska

Explore Nebraska

Interstate 80 crosses Nebraska in 455 miles, built along the Great Platte River Road where the Oregon, California and Mormon trails ran before it. The state's name comes from Native words meaning “flat water,” after the same river.

Around 30 breweries sit near the stops we cover in Nebraska. 11 of them are brewpubs with a kitchen, which off the motorway is often the useful part. The kitchen figure is a floor: the source lists some full restaurants as production sites.

Brewpub locations from Open Brewery DB (MIT)

Around 2 public campgrounds sit near the stops we cover in Nebraska. All of them are first-come rather than bookable. Public campgrounds run by federal agencies. State-park and private campgrounds are not included.

Outdoors

Public land, water and snow — the places that are the reason for the drive.

National parks and federal sites in Nebraska

10 National Park Service sites in Nebraska. We have written guides to only a few of these — the rest are here so you can see what is in the state.

*Check before you go. Entrance fees, seasonal road closures, timed-entry reservations and whether a site suits your family are set by each park and change through the year. Follow the link and check with the park itself.

Park register from the National Park Service (public domain)

State parks in Nebraska

16 state parks we know of in Nebraska. We have not visited these and have no guide to them — this is a list of what exists, so you can look one up.

See all 16

Arbor Lodge State Historical Park and Arboretum
Ash Hollow State Historical Park
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park
Bowring Ranch State Historical Park
Chadron State Park
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Fort Atkinson State Historical Park
Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park
Fort Robinson State Park
Indian Cave State Park
John G. Neihardt State Historic Site
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area
Niobrara State Park
Platte River State Park
Ponca State Park
Smith Falls State Park

*Check before you go. Opening hours, entry fees, campsite availability and whether a park suits your family are not in this data and change with the season. Several of these are day-use only. Please confirm with the park before setting out.

State park locations from Wikidata (CC0)

Lakes in Nebraska

3 lakes in Nebraska that we have checked. These are the ones from our research that we could check against an official page — not every lake there is. We have not been to these; this is what the official pages say, so you can look one up.

Harlan County Lake
near Republican City; Alma · 13,250 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - fish cleaning station at Corps parks
- BoatingBoat ramps at Corps parks
- Rentals & marinayes - North Shore and Patterson Harbor marinas
- Swimmingyes - Corps park beaches
- Campingyes - Methodist Cove and Hunter Cove sites with utilities
- EntryAnnual day-use pass $40; day-use fees not collected per page notice
- SeasonDesignated campsites open May through October
Hunter Cove low-water boat ramp closed per page notice
Run by US Army Corps of Engineers with Nebraska Game and Parks
Lake McConaughy
near Ogallala NE (~9 mi) · 35,700 acres · reservoir
- Boatingyes - more than a dozen boat ramps, most free
- Swimmingyes - sandy beaches on the north shore
- Campingyes - modern campgrounds at Little Thunder Bay, Lone Eagle Bay, Cedar Vue
- EntryNGPC park entry permit required per vehicle
Low lake levels: some ramps extended as low-water ramps
Run by Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District (dam/reservoir); Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (State Recreation Area)
Lewis and Clark Lake
near Yankton SD (~4 mi); Springfield SD; Niobrara NE · 31,400 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - NE or SD resident licenses valid on both shores
- Boatingyes - boating and sailing
- Rentals & marinayes - Lewis & Clark Marina (SD) has slip and boat rentals
- Swimmingyes - swim beaches at SD recreation area
- Campingyes - four campgrounds at SD Lewis & Clark Recreation Area
- EntrySD recreation area daily $10 resident, $15 nonresident
Run by US Army Corps of Engineers (Omaha District); NGPC & SD GFP co-manage public lands

*Check before you go. Every lake here links to the official page we checked it against. Each state a price we read off that page on the date we checked. Fees, seasons, water levels, algal advisories and ramp closures change without notice and belong to the agency that runs the water. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something the lake lacks. Never assume a lifeguard. Whether a beach is staffed turns on the season, the day, and which agency runs that particular beach — two beaches on one lake can differ. If that matters to your family, confirm it with the agency before you set out.

Long Bike Trails

1 in this state.

Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail
Length
195 miles
Surface
Crushed stone
End to end
Norfolk NE – Valentine NE
Remote Sandhills crossing with Niobrara River trestle

This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.

Days out with the family

Gated attractions with a front door, a ticket and a car park.

Zoos and Wildlife Parks

4 across Nebraska, by town.

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife SafariAZA-accreditedAshland
Hours
9am-5pm (current day listing)
Admission
Adult from $14 (ages 12+) · Child $12 (ages 3-11)
Site noted phone/online ticket outage at time of check
Lincoln Children's Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedLincoln
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Closed Nov 26 and Dec 24-25
* We could not confirm: admission not shown on homepage. Check their site before you go.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and AquariumAZA-accreditedOmaha
Hours
Gates 9am-5pm; grounds close 6pm
Season
year-round
Admission
Adult from $28.95 (ages 12+) · Child $20.95 (ages 3-11)
Reservations
Not required
Site noted phone/online ticketing outage at time of check
Riverside Discovery CenterScottsbluff
Hours
Daily from 9:30; closes 4:30 in summer and 4:00 in winter
Season
Open daily year-round; summer close 4:30 p.m. and winter close 4:00 p.m. - the site does not state when its summer and winter periods begin
Admission
Adult $14 · Child $10
Reservations
Not required
Opens at 9:30 a.m. every day; closes 4:30 p.m. in summer and 4 p.m. in winter. Fully wheelchair accessible. The splash pad runs in summer only, and visitor reviews on the site's own page mention portions of the park being closed at times, so some areas may be shut off-season. Group visits booked through the front desk on 308.630.6236. Note on the stored URL: the www host's TLS certificate covers only the bare domain, so https://www.riversidediscoverycenter.org/ fails certificate validation - use the non-www form. Note on the flag: this row was marked seasonal, but the centre's own FAQ describes daily year-round opening.

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. 3 of these carry an accreditation we confirmed against the accrediting body’s own register. Where there is no badge we did not confirm one — that is not a judgement on the place, and a good many municipal, state and university sites belong to no register we check. One entry is marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, prices and seasons change without notice, so check the operator’s own site — every name above links to it.

Amusement and Water Parks

2 across Nebraska, by town.

Fun-PlexSeasonalamusement park and water parkOmaha
summer-only rides and water park
The Amazing Pizza Machinefamily entertainment centerOmaha
indoor family entertainment center with buffet

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. 1 of these runs a season rather than opening year round. Opening and closing dates move every year and we hold none of them, so check the park’s own calendar before you build a day around it. Prices, hours and ride closures change without notice — every name above links to the park’s own site.

Wineries in Nebraska

1 producer in Nebraska that we have checked. These are the ones from our research we could check against their own site — not every producer there is. We have not been to these; this is what their own sites say, so you can look one up.

James Arthur Vineyards
winery · Raymond, NE · Southeast Nebraska (near Lincoln) · founded 1996
Winery minutes north of Lincoln, established 1996 and opened to the public in September 1997.
- HoursNov-Mar: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-6pm; Apr-Oct: Mon-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-6pm
- Toursno - event-based experiences only (e.g., carriage rides)
2001 W. Raymond Rd., Raymond, NE 68428

*Check before you go. Every producer here links to its own site, which is where we read these details on the date we checked. Opening hours, tour times, tasting fees and who may come in change without notice and belong to the producer. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something they lack. None of these say anything about children, so do not plan around it without asking them.

Venues and Annual Events

16 across Nebraska, by town.

Where to see something

Pinnacle Bank ArenaarenaLincoln
Address
400 Pinnacle Arena Dr.
Capacity
Up to 16,130
Lincoln downtown arena.
Wild West Arenafestival groundsNorth Platte
Hours
Event days only
Home of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo.

What is on, and when

Custer County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairBroken Bow
Usually
Late July–early August
Held at
Custer County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Platte County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairColumbus
Usually
July
Held at
Platte County Ag Park
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Nebraska State FairfairGrand Island
Usually
Late August-early September (ends Labor Day), over several days
Held at
State fair facilities next to Fonner Park
Since
First held 1859; Grand Island since 2011
Adams County Fairfest — some details below are unconfirmedfairHastings
Usually
Late July–early August
Held at
Adams County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Buffalo County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairKearney
Usually
Late July–early August
Held at
Buffalo County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Dawson County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairLexington
Usually
Late July–early August
Held at
Dawson County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.

See the other 8

Lancaster County Super FairfairLincoln
Usually
Late July–early August, over several days
Held at
Sandhills Global Event Center
Saunders County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairMead
Usually
Late July
Held at
Saunders County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Scotts Bluff County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairMitchell
Usually
August
Held at
Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
NEBRASKAland DAYS / Buffalo Bill RodeorodeoNorth Platte
Usually
June (third week), over several days
Held at
Wild West Arena
Since
Festival since 1965; North Platte since 1968
Men's College World Seriessports-motorsportOmaha
Usually
June, over several days
Held at
Charles Schwab Field Omaha
Since
First held 1947; in Omaha since 1950
Douglas County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairRalston
Usually
July
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Dodge County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairScribner
Usually
July
Held at
Dodge County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Sarpy County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairSpringfield
Usually
Late July–early August
Held at
Sarpy County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Events are listed by the month they usually fall in, because that is what we hold — we do not publish dates, and a month is not a promise. Check the organiser before you plan around one. 10 entries are marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, line-ups and ticketing change without notice, so check the venue’s or organiser’s own site — every name above links to it.

On the road

Before you set off.

Scenic roads through Nebraska

Federally designated scenic byways and All-American Roads, with the places we publish along each one in the order you meet them.

Lincoln Highway Scenic & History BywayNebraska · 5 places we publish

What to wear in Nebraska

Illustrated outfit board for Nebraska: four seasonal panels of clothing with average temperatures.

Spring 61°/36°F (16°/2°C)

Spring brings changeable temperatures, rain, and windy stops.

Wear: Start with a long-sleeve tee, stretch pants, and a fleece or sweater. Add a rain shell when the wind or showers pick up.
Shoes: Water-resistant walking shoes with grip; boots for muddy stops.
Pack: fleece or sweater
rain shell
light beanie
spare dry socks

Summer 85°/59°F (29°/15°C)

Summer is hot, with greater humidity generally toward the east.

Wear: Choose a loose, breathable tee or shirt with quick-drying shorts, lightweight pants, or an airy dress. Carry a thin layer for chilly indoor stops.
Shoes: Breathable walking sneakers; secure sandals for casual paved stops.
Pack: sun hat
sunglasses
light indoor layer
light rain shell
spare tee

Fall 64°/37°F (18°/3°C)

Fall brings cooling days and cold overnight temperatures.

Wear: Build around a long-sleeve tee, comfortable pants, and a sweater or fleece. Add a wind-resistant jacket for breezy overlooks.
Shoes: Walking shoes with grip; water-resistant boots for wet or muddy routes.
Pack: sweater or fleece
wind and rain shell
beanie
light gloves
spare socks

Winter 38°/16°F (3°/-9°C)

Winter can be very cold, with wind and snow.

Wear: Use thermal top and bottoms, an insulating fleece or sweater, and a wind-resistant insulated parka. Add insulated pants for extended outdoor stops.
Shoes: Waterproof insulated winter boots with wool or synthetic socks.
Pack: thermal base layers
insulated parka
insulated pants
beanie
mittens
neck gaiter
dry spare socks

Adjust for your route. The Panhandle is drier than the southeast. Pack sun and wind coverage in the west and rainwear for wetter eastern stops.

Climate background: NOAA State Climate Summary

See what to wear in every state →

Keep exploring

See It in the Book

Explore Nebraska

Locations in Nebraska

Kearney

Lincoln

North Platte

Omaha

National parks and federal sites in Nebraska

State parks in Nebraska

Lakes in Nebraska

Harlan County Lake

Lake McConaughy

Lewis and Clark Lake

Long Bike Trails

Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail

Zoos and Wildlife Parks

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife SafariAZA-accreditedAshland

Lincoln Children's Zoo* — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedLincoln

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and AquariumAZA-accreditedOmaha

Riverside Discovery CenterScottsbluff

Amusement and Water Parks

Fun-PlexSeasonalamusement park and water parkOmaha

The Amazing Pizza Machinefamily entertainment centerOmaha

Wineries in Nebraska

James Arthur Vineyards

Venues and Annual Events

Where to see something

Pinnacle Bank ArenaarenaLincoln

Wild West Arenafestival groundsNorth Platte

What is on, and when

Custer County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairBroken Bow

Platte County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairColumbus

Nebraska State FairfairGrand Island

Adams County Fairfest* — some details below are unconfirmedfairHastings

Buffalo County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairKearney

Dawson County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairLexington

Lancaster County Super FairfairLincoln

Saunders County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairMead

Scotts Bluff County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairMitchell

NEBRASKAland DAYS / Buffalo Bill RodeorodeoNorth Platte

Men's College World Seriessports-motorsportOmaha

Douglas County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairRalston

Dodge County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairScribner

Sarpy County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairSpringfield

Scenic roads through Nebraska

What to wear in Nebraska

Spring 61°/36°F (16°/2°C)

Summer 85°/59°F (29°/15°C)

Fall 64°/37°F (18°/3°C)

Winter 38°/16°F (3°/-9°C)

Keep exploring

Lincoln Children's Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedLincoln

Custer County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairBroken Bow

Platte County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairColumbus

Adams County Fairfest — some details below are unconfirmedfairHastings

Buffalo County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairKearney

Dawson County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairLexington

Saunders County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairMead

Scotts Bluff County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairMitchell

Douglas County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairRalston

Dodge County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairScribner

Sarpy County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairSpringfield