The 10 Best Things to Do in Kearney, United States

November 11, 2017 Christa Meece

Kearney /ˈkɑːrni/ is a city in and the county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 30,787 at the 2010 census. It is home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The westward push of the railroad as the Civil War ended gave birth to the community.
Restaurants in Kearney

1. Classic Car Collection

3600 Highway 30 E, Suite B, Kearney, NE 68847-9790 +1 308-234-1964
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 127 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 goldentraveler2015 - Kearney, Nebraska

What a great experience two men had this past week visiting this wonderful museum of interesting, well kept automobiles. There is quite a variety. The place is very clean. The cars are beautiful. One of the men was a mechanic of automobiles all of his working career. He was just in awe at how beautiful the collection is. The collection is in top condition, one place you will not want to miss seeing.

2. Great Platte River Road Archway Monument

3060 E 1st St, Kearney, NE 68847-0462 +1 308-237-1000
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 606 reviews

Great Platte River Road Archway Monument

Spanning Interstate 80 - formerly the Great Platte River Road - that connects east to west, this archway holds 79,000 square feet of exhibits on the route's evolution and importance.

Reviewed By Goldfisher132 - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The hundred or more times Iv'e sped under the arch it didn't look like much, only a blink. Having some time to kill between bird watching we chose to check it out. When entering you are greeted by one of the hosts, who explains what it is all about. There is a gift shot where you purchase tickets, then enter the rather large museum with the history of the exhibits broadcast threw your headsets. There are a lot of artifacts and antiques spanning the discovery years up to the present. The staff is very helpful and first rate. Worth the time.

3. Yanney Heritage Park

2020 W. 11th Street, Kearney, NE 68848 +1 308-237-7095
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 75 reviews

Yanney Heritage Park

This city park is loaded with features which are free to the public including trails, labyrinth, gardens, lake, splash pads (summer only) and playgrounds. There is a Senior Center that has activities and lunch (for a fee). During the summer months, there is a concessions stand and rentals available (for a fee). There are two air-conditioned facilities to rent for gatherings (for a fee). Great place to relax, play, walk, explore, fish, kayak, picnic, meet and much more! For more information about rentals, contact the City Park and Rec office at 308-237-4644. To donate to the park, contact the Yanney Heritage Park Foundation office at 308-237-7095.

Reviewed By twoboys4me - Lincoln, NE

We were passing through town on a vacation around Nebraska. We decided to try renting kayaks and paddle boats for an hour. Super cheap entertainment as the rental of 3 kayaks and 2 boats came in less than $20. We enjoyed the hour and then explored the park, climbed the observation tower and looked at the gardens. Absolutely fantastic park, Kearney should be proud. There were also 2 playgrounds and 2 spraygrounds and a concession stand.

4. Museum of Nebraska Art

2401 Central Ave, Downtown Kearney, Kearney, NE 68847-4501 +1 308-865-8559
Excellent
73%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 88 reviews

Museum of Nebraska Art

The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) celebrates the history of Nebraska's visual art for diverse audiences. MONA collects, preserves, researches, exhibits, and interprets the work of artists who were born, lived, trained, or worked in Nebraska or who created artworks that reflect the culture of Nebraska.

Reviewed By readzalot - Flagstaff, Arizona

Housed in a former Post Office building, this museum dedicates itself to art made by Nebraskans. That may sound a bit provincial, but you'll be pleasantly surprised by the level of sophistication and the quality of the art and the exhibits. Extremely well done. Kudos all around. And a bonus: the Museum shop is outstanding.

5. Cottonmill Lake

Buffalo County, Kearney, NE 68845
Excellent
68%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 40 reviews

Cottonmill Lake

Reviewed By Mindy and Roger A - Janesville, Wisconsin

Very Impressed with this Park! Lots of parking areas. Wonderful place to take kids to run around or play on the swing set equipment. Good variety of hiking trails. Flat, shorter hiking trail along the Lake. Hiking on dirt/grass trails of different lengths & scenery. Excellent connector, paved trail to the University Campus and continues to downtown for bikers, walkers or runners. Flush toilets. There is even "Disc Golf" ! Open to the public, FREE.

6. Hike-Bike Trail Bridge

1020 V Rd, Kearney, NE 68847-8043 +1 800-228-4307 ext. 926
Excellent
67%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 47 reviews

Hike-Bike Trail Bridge

Great place for watching sunrises and sunsets.

Reviewed By fatzaz - Vermillion, South Dakota

We stopped here at sunrise to see the cranes on the Platte. It is a very nice walk from the parking lot to the bridge, and the wide sidewalk makes it very accessible. Pretty area, with wildlife - we saw owls and deer, as well as the Sandhill Cranes. There are some houses near the entryway and an area that may be a maintenance area and it looked kind of junky, but after you pass these, it is quite a nice area.

7. The World Theatre

2318 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847-5349 +1 308-234-8046
Excellent
88%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 24 reviews

The World Theatre

Reviewed By DemarisAnn - Kearney, Nebraska

A local group has restored this theatre to its original glory. They show older movies or host special features but charge a reduced rate. It's staffed 100% by volunteers, so families will sometimes work together. They even offer alcoholic beverages to enjoy during the show!

8. Kearney Area Children's Museum

5827 4th Ave, Kearney, NE 68845-2879 +1 308-698-2228
Excellent
62%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

Kearney Area Children's Museum

We are proud to offer more than twenty interactive exhibits that cover a wide variety of interests that include an art studio, science center, train depot, grocery store, fire station, and agriculture area. Guests have the opportunity to explore at their own pace, and are invited to touch, push, pull, build, and play with every exhibit.

Reviewed By PattiMahrt

Took 2 grandchildren, boys 4 and 6 yrs. They LOVED it! We stayed 3.5 hours and they still didn't want to leave. They LOVED the pizza parlor and store, train station, water table area and all the real vehicles (fire truck, rescue unit and mail...MoreThank you for the fantastic review Patti! We're so glad your grandchildren enjoyed our museum and hope to have you all back soon! Yes, we're always working on new and updated exhibits for our guests!

9. Fort Kearny State Historical Park

1020 V Rd, Kearney, NE 68847-8043 +1 308-234-9513
Excellent
32%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
12%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 66 reviews

Fort Kearny State Historical Park

Reviewed By alphawolfie - oklahoma

This is a jewel in the crown of Nebraska. It is well preserved, has a great museum and the people there are very friendly. The buildings are gone but they have rebuilt the blacksmith shop. Where the fort buildings were are all well marked. There is plaques detailing the daily life of the fort. Not hard to find and not expensive to visit.

10. G.W. Frank Museum of History and Culture

2010 University DR, Kearney, NE 68849-0001 +1 308-865-8284
Excellent
58%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
7%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

G.W. Frank Museum of History and Culture

The Frank Museum is located in one of the largest mansions built during Kearney's 19th century industrial boom. Completed in 1890, the home of George and Phoebe Frank was notable for its opulence and modernity, featuring hand-carved oak woodwork, electric lighting, indoor plumbing, steam heating, large fireplaces, and other modern amenities. Following Kearney's collapse in the mid-1890s, the building served as both a private sanitarium and the residency for the Nebraska State Hospital for the Tubercular (now the West Campus of UNK). Today, the museum's mission is to engage diverse audiences with the history and culture of Kearney, Nebraska, and the larger Great Plains region through collecting, preserving, and sharing the stories of the many individuals associated with this historic site. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Frank Museum serves as a living institution, interpreting the home and its cultural resources, and is dedicated to exploring our past as a way of better understanding our present and future. Throughout the year, the museum is available for public and private tours, school trips, university functions, and as a resource for class projects.

Reviewed By Dianna F - Bremerton, Washington

I have gone past this place for years, growing up just 18 miles from it. Back then this was not open to the public. Now it is part of the UNK and open to the public. The first thing I noticed was the woodwork as...MoreThanks for your review! Your input is very helpful. We are aware that parking is an issue and hope to have a solution soon.

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