Top Things to do in Nebraska
Top Hotels in Nebraska
- 1. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham North Platte
- 2. Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites
- 3. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lincoln Airport, NE
- 4. Hampton Inn Omaha West-Lakeside
- 5. Husker Inn
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lincoln North Hotel and Conference Center, NE
- 7. Hampton Inn Lincoln Airport
- 8. La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Omaha West
- 9. Best Western Plus York Hotel & Conference Center
- 10. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Sidney, NE
Countries
10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Nebraska That You Shouldn't Miss
Nebraska has something for everyone. From cowboys to wine industry, you’ll find many attractions when you visit this Great Plains state. If you are planning a family vacation to Nebraska, you won’t want to miss the Lincoln Children's Zoo in the state capital. Featuring more than 400 animals, you and the kids can see Amur leopards, Bactrian camels, river otters, eagles, crocodiles, reindeer, and more. At the zoo’s Butterfly Pavilion you can watch as butterflies emerge from their cocoon. The Aquacourt Family Water Park in Hastings features a wave pool, climbing wall and waterslides. In Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city, you won’t want to miss the Omaha Children's Museum. For history buffs, Lincoln is your place. This city is home to the Nebraska History Museum, with permanent exhibits that interpret more than 12,000 years of human experience on the Plains. You can make history personal in Lincoln with a visit to the Nebraska State Historical Society Headquarters, where you can research your family history. Omaha is also home to The Durham Museum, featuring restored train cars, 1940's storefronts and other historical artifacts. For a bit of Nebraska heritage, make sure you visit Front Street and Cowboy Museum in Ogallala and the Tri-State Old Time Cowboys Memorial Museum in Gordon. Learn about the area’s wine industry and history on a Nebraska Cork & Bottle Tour through Raymond, Pawnee City, Lexington and St. Paul, sampling fine wines and taking in the scenic views.
Restaurants in Nebraska
1. Audubon Rowe Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 183 reviews
Conserving habitat along the Platte River focusing on Sandhill cranes, other wildlife and their habitats. Rowe sanctuary offers hiking trails, a visitor center, and gift shop. Seasonally, we offer viewing blinds which are strategically placed along the Platte River to provide excellent views of the Sandhill Cranes while they are on their river roost.
Reviewed By cindycollie
We were very pleased that Rowe was offering tours with limited numbers due to Covid and we were able to snag a morning tour to watch and hear the waking of the Sandhill Cranes and then their majestic flight as they departed in mass. The blinds are brand new and simply wonderful. Masks were required and worn by everyone. Be prepared for the weather, bring binoculars and you will have an unforgettable experience.
2. Branched Oak State Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
3. Crane Trust Wild Rose Ranch
4. Pioneer Park Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
A 900-acre wildlife area that features hiking trails and other outdoor pleasures.
Reviewed By jmdz5459 - Papillion, United States
We stumbled unto Pioneer Park as we were trying to Travel Nebraska. We wanted to learn about the areas history and walk trails. Pioneer Park was a pleasant surprise as we walked thru wooded & grassy, yet safes, trails. Nature Center had just closed as we arrived so will have to return for that.
5. Willa Cather Memorial Prairie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Protected 608-acres of land which is popular for visitors, from roadside viewing of a prairie landscape as well as for school groups, Cather Foundation tours and other tourists.
6. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Prairie dogs, antelope and buffalo are some of the animals that can be spotted at this wildlife refuge.
Reviewed By vandvinc - Kansas City, United States
A definite must that only takes 30 minutes max. Outside Valentine Neb, on the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is a great walking path down to Fort Falls. Very pretty easily accessible. But does require stair climbing. Turn off at Fort Niobrara launch and drive back towards the Visitor Center. Just follow the signs for the Falls. Once there at the trail head, take the trail down to the Falls. It is a combo of stairs and paths. Continue past the falls and you are at the river. A great find!!
7. Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
More than 1,000 acres of forested hardwoods and wildlife-filled wetlands include a nature center with animal exhibits and children's programs.
Reviewed By gneissgirl2017 - Enfield, United States
Visitors will be astonished at the vastness of this WOODED and shady acreage that is home to native trees, other forest vegetation and animal life (so different from Nebraska's quintessential cornfields & grasslands). Educational displays both inside and outdoors are accurate and fun for all ages. Highlights are the aviary of injured birds of prey that are well cared for by the knowledgeable staff - both paid and volunteer. There is a well preserved home site of Native Americans. The real treat are the miles of maintained trails that lead to the Missouri River, hilly & sometimes muddy. A short-distanced boardwalk is wheelchair accessible. Lots of great programs for the novice and experienced nature lover. Bring your camera!
8. Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 256 reviews
Drive-through adventure zoo's road leads visitors through several different 'lands' featuring Sandhill Cranes, antelope, deer and a large buffalo herd. Most of the animals freely roam this corner of the county. All can be seen from visitors' cars, but Wolf Woods section requires a short walk. The interactive nature exhibits can be explored hile out of the car.
Reviewed By torpdo - Des Moines, United States
I saw a sign for this park on the Interstate and decided to check it out. What a great place! There are elk, bison, pelicans, trumpeter swans, cranes and other animals. This is a drive-thru park with opportunities to pull off to the side to spend time looking at the animals. Some cranes were walking on the road so it was easy to get close-up pictures. Elk were feeding at a station. Raccoons were stealing food at stations. You can spend as much time as you want and even go for a second loop around the bison.
9. Heron Haven
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By JuunTukup - Omaha, United States
We went at the end of October and while we saw birds and some late flowers, we missed the butterflies and other plants. It was still well worth the trip and is definitely on our list of stops in early spring.
10. Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
This is a nice native tallgrass prairie near the small town of Denton, Nebraska. There are many miles of walking trails through more than 600 acres of native prairie. There are still wagon ruts from the Oregon trail cutoff etches deep in the soil. This is a great quiet place to unwind on a sunny day. The pond is fed by a spring all year and the wildlife around the pond in summer is wonderful.
Reviewed By wx4rmk - North Platte, United States
A lesser known park only about 20 min from Lincoln. A great place to see a multitude of birds and other animals. Also great place to learn about the Oregon Trail and early settlers as there are some well pronounced wagon ruts in the park.
