The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Nebraska, United States

October 18, 2021 Leonarda Pillsbury

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

525 E 1st St, Ogallala, NE 69153-2620 +1 308-284-9996 [email protected] http://www.petrifiedwoodgallery.com/
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 91 reviews

Petrified Wood Gallery

Reviewed By 21blackcats

We stopped here on a road trip that took us through Nebraska, and I wasn't sure what to expect. The gallery is also a museum, and there is TONS to see. It's free to enter, and sometimes the artists might stop in while you're there! There are huge varieties of petrified wood, various species in various forms, plus art made from the petrified wood and sandstone. There is also a whole section of arrow heads and other ancient tools, I've never seen a collection so big! Aside from the arrowheads and petrified wood, there are also displays with fossils and precious stones! More than a few of the finds in the gallery are local as well! The ladies working the gallery are all volunteers and very kind and passionate about their little town. Definitely worth a stop.

2. Museum of American Speed

599 Oak Creek Drive, Lincoln, NE 68528 +1 402-323-3166 http://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/default.dlp
Excellent
92%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 453 reviews

Museum of American Speed

Reviewed By millerhispeedheadco

Last week, my wife and I were treated to a comprehensive tour of the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed. What an amazing place! This museum, founded by Bill and Joyce Smith in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1992, commemorates the history of auto racing, technology, and period memorabilia. It contains everything from the history of the racing engine, to a collection of race cars, sprints, drags, land speed and hot rods; engines of every type, as well as period after-market accessories for the enthusiast. An entire room was devoted to Harry Miller outlining his accomplishments and history in bringing auto racing to the fore during his lifetime. He truly was the “Father of Speed”! We were impressed with the volume and variety of items on display. Also included in the collection were period pedal cars, lunch boxes, auto related record albums, children’s toys, and cookie jars which Joyce loved to collect. There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy at this outstanding museum!

3. Classic Car Collection

3600 Highway 30 E Ste B Suite B, Kearney, NE 68847-9790 +1 308-234-1964 [email protected] http://www.classiccarcollection.org
Excellent
85%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 183 reviews

Classic Car Collection

This collection of over 200 cars represents one man's 41-year love affair with the automobile. It also represents America's love affair and fascination with automobiles and the evolution of our society around the world of wheels. You'll see a variety of body types and styles. You'll enjoy the incredible detail crafted into many of these vehicles - artistic hood ornaments, instrument gauge panels, wheel styles and headlights. Coordinated together to tell their own stories and help us track the evolution of the model and of the age of automobiles. IPads are provided free of charge to give you additional photographs of the vehicle's details - some not able to be seen by the public as well as more information about the vehicles. This attraction is more than just automobiles. It features artistic displays, interactive multi-media shows and models.

Reviewed By jandrewkopf - Lincoln, United States

This is a great car collection and set up perfectly for easy single walk through to see everything. Very cool, the whole family was impressed. Don't miss it!

4. Boneyard Creation Museum

1709 S E St, Broken Bow, NE 68822-1842 +1 308-880-0407 [email protected] http://www.boneyardcreationmuseum.org
Excellent
88%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

Boneyard Creation Museum

The Boneyard Creation Museum is a non-profit educational museum located in Broken Bow, Nebraska for the purpose of displaying scientific evidence for creation and showing the difference between evolution and creation. There is a small gift shop with creation books, souvenirs, and fossils available for purchase. There is also a rock shop at the museum that has reasonable prices and a large variety of rocks, minerals, and supplies.

Reviewed By lorrieu602

Pam Miner so we came to Broken Bow, Nebraska for the weekend for Halloween/birthday celebration for Lance. there is the COOLEST little museum here, by appt only. there is an amazing collection of rocks, minerals, fossils, gems....i literally came away wishing that my life had been centered around rocks. it was just refreshing to hear Steve speak so knowledgeably about everything in his museum and he had a large piece, about 1sq ft of wooly mammoth hide! Whatever time you alot yourelf to visit here, double or triple it. You will NOT be dissapointed.

5. Cellar 426 Winery

1402 Dennis Dean Rd, Ashland, NE 68003-2278 +1 402-944-8109 [email protected] http://www.cellar426.com
Excellent
87%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 30 reviews

Cellar 426 Winery

Visit the beautiful lodge style winery to taste a wide variety of award winning wines from dry to sweet vinted and bottled on site. Enjoy a glass or bottle of wine on our expansive deck with scenic views that stretch for miles. Most days you'll even get a chance to visit with the owners. An experience like no other!

6. Hastings Museum

1330 N. Burlington Ave, Hastings, NE, Hastings, NE 68901-3099 +1 402-461-2399 [email protected] http://www.hastingsmuseum.org/
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 112 reviews

Hastings Museum

Founded in 1927, Hastings Museum is the largest municipal museum between Chicago and Denver. Featuring a Theatre with a 65-foot wide screen and large domed Planetarium, we house dozens of animal species set in their natural habitats, allowing you to get an up close look at many amazing creatures! We also chronicle the history of the early inhabitants of the Nebraska plains, from paleo-Indians to euro-Americans, while providing a look back at the creatures that used to roam this area and swim in Cretaceous Sea. Of course you'll also discover how Kool-Aid, the famous soft drink invented in Hastings, came to be such a success.

Reviewed By maddiedean17588 - Nebraska, United States

This is one that I visited when I was in grade school. They keep it changing so you experience new items along with the old ones as well.

7. Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum

28210 W Park Hwy 46-8, Ashland, NE 68003-3525 +1 402-944-3100 [email protected] http://www.SACMuseum.org
Excellent
60%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 516 reviews

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum

The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is home to one of the largest collections of Cold War aircraft and artifacts in the U.S. The Museum preserves and displays historic aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles and provides STEM education. The Museum is a 300,000-square-foot facility that features a glass atrium, two aircraft display hangars, a traveling exhibit area, a children's interactive gallery, a 200-seat theater, a museum store, an aircraft restoration gallery, and a cafe. The glass atrium is constructed of 525 glass panels that encase a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The Museum hosts regular exhibitions and several special events throughout the year. The Museum's Education Department is committed to fueling the curiosity of children across the Midwest and to educating them in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Regular STEM sessions, workshops and camp programs are available at the Museum.

Reviewed By kmarshall78 - Smithville, United States

We lived in Lincoln for two years and somehow never visited the SAC Museum. On a recent trip, we made a point to stop here. SAC is a critical piece of Cold War history, and there is a lot of information about the era. The collection of aircraft was fascinating for my husband, who loves military history. The tour is 1:45, but it flew by with all the information the guide had to share. The highlight was seeing the SR-71 Blackbird. They also have a very fun STEM area with interactive exhibits and activities for kids. Lunch from the cafe was very good and not over-priced. Well worth the stop. It is a 501c3 and fully donor-funded.

8. St. Cecilia's Cathedral

701 N 40th St, Omaha, NE 68131-1899 +1 402-551-2313 http://www.stceciliacathedral.org/
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 163 reviews

St. Cecilia's Cathedral

Guided tours are available through this Spanish Renaissance-style cathedral, which contains stained-glass windows from the 16th century.

Reviewed By KameradOwO - Sheridan, United States

The museum and gift shop was lovely, and the lady working it was very genuine and kind. Unfortunately the cathedral had a wake happening when I visited so I didn’t go past the first set of pews.

9. Great Platte River Road Archway Monument

3060 E 1st St, Kearney, NE 68847-0462 +1 308-237-1000 http://archway.org/
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 780 reviews

Great Platte River Road Archway Monument

Spanning I-80 at Exit 275 in Kearney, NE, the Archway's unique, family-friendly experience tells the story of the adventurers who followed the Great Platte River Road across Nebraska and helped to build America. Spend about an hour or more in our historical exhibit. Our personal audio guide lets you set the pace. Walk with the pioneers on the Oregon Trail. Watch a rider make a stop at a Pony Express Station. Hear Mark Twain's account of a cross-country stagecoach trip. Relive the creation the nation's first Transcontinental Railroad. Hear stories of early auto travel on the Lincoln Highway. Watch traffic pass below you on I-80. Then, see the replica sod house. Stretch your legs on our hike/bike trail. Picnic on the Archway grounds. Discover unique souvenirs at the Archway Mining Company. Make the Archway part of your family's travel adventure.

Reviewed By o4b - Destin, United States

The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument is a great place to stop and a great place to learn about the westward expansion during the 1800's and what a key role that the Kearney, NE area played in that time. But this experience will take you from the early beginnings all the way to present day and notes the historical events of each era. Very interesting and a very nice stop, regardless of age.

10. Omaha Children's Museum

500 S 20th St, Omaha, NE 68102-2505 +1 402-342-6164 [email protected] http://www.ocm.org
Excellent
62%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 490 reviews

Omaha Children's Museum

Omaha Children's Museum is a hands-on museum that provides an ever-changing series of interactive traveling and permanent exhibits, science shows, and special events. It's Nebraska most-visited museum, and serves families with children primarily ages 8 and younger. Permanent exhibits include the Imagination Playground, a science center, Arts Smart Center, Zooland, Susie's Station, and the Grass Patch. Omaha Children's Museum is a member of the Association of Science -Technology Centers. Parking is free in the two lots south of the museum building. Parking on the weekends is free at the elementary school across St. Mary Avenue. There is also meter parking along the street.

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