Things to do in Nebraska, United States: The Best Outdoor Activities

March 20, 2022 Venice Greaves

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. Billy Wolff Bike Trail

S. 27th Street Capitol Pkwy, Lincoln, NE
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Billy Wolff Bike Trail

2. Wild Horse Golf Club

41150 Road 768, Gothenburg, NE 69138-4002 +1 308-537-7700 [email protected] http://www.playwildhorse.com/
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 30 reviews

Wild Horse Golf Club

About Us Wild Horse Golf Club located in Gothenburg, Nebraska is rated one of the best golf courses in the United States. Several golf magazines have rated Wild Horse in their prestigious ratings. Among them are Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Golfweek Magazine. When you come play at Wild Horse Golf Club, you will thoroughly love our professionally serviced facilities. We feature a top quality Pro Shop, so if you are yearning for any new gear, be sure to chat with our golf professionals. And if you are hungry before or after your round of golf, be sure to stop in for a delicious bite at our snack bar. For the golfer who has to work late, we are equipped with a driving range where you can sharpen your skills or take a lesson from one of our golf professionals. Our eager staff has one primary goal; and that is to ensure that you have the best day of golf as possible.

Reviewed By SC18MMR

During a recent trip to Nebraska my son and I played several of the links style golf courses, including Awarii Dunes, just south of Kearny, NE, and this gem in Wild Horse. We've been playing the course off and on for 15 years now when we're visiting. It NEVER disappoints. Where Awarii is Ireland on the plains, Wild Horse would be the Scotland on the prairie. It is always meticulously maintained. Friendly, professional staff, easy access, and very competitive rates. This is golf that is not to be missed. BTW, on our way from Kearny to Gothenburg, we stopped in Cozad, NE for dinner at a new restaurant called 242 House. Wow!! This place is such a departure for typical small town and "interstate" cuisine. Great vibe, super friendly and caring staff, small, diverse, and really well executed menu. Rock solid wine list. And their outdoor area is fun for post-round and pre-dinner beverages, including some great apps and craft cocktails. It's right next to the Robert Henri art museum and only two minutes off I-80 at the Cozad, NE exit. Easy, Easy. Don't miss either Wild Horse or this gem called 242 House!!!

3. Dusty Trails

North Platte, NE +1 308-530-0048 [email protected] http://www.dustytrails.biz
Excellent
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5.0 based on 20 reviews

Dusty Trails

Outdoor Fun for the Whole Family Horseback Riding Petting Zoo River Runs (Tank, Kayak, Canoe, Tube) Fun Jumpz, LLC

Reviewed By kathya128 - Duluth, United States

Went in both a morning and evening sand hill crane blind tour. Did not disappoint. Cranes were abundant and tour included viewing them in the country fields. Also did the prairie chicken dance tourist was amazing to watch the male prairie chickens do their dance. Lots of birds to entertain us.

4. Christine's Horseback Riding

Kearney, NE 68847 +1 308-320-4908 [email protected] http://www.christineshorsebackriding.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 80 reviews

Christine's Horseback Riding

We are a kid and beginner friendly horse stable . We have kid broke safe horses and ponies for all ages and levels. All you need is a pair of sturdy boots or sneakers we provide the rest .we can take up to 5 riders at a time.

Reviewed By Q2980VWmichelec

What a perfect way to celebrate a birthday! I booked a unicorn party for my daughter and it did not disappoint. The kids learned about how to safely interact with horses and spent time decorating their hooves and giving the horses a new look with hair chalk to get comfortable around them and practice interacting before getting a pony ride. All of the kids had a lovely time. We are looking forward to spending more time doing trail rides or private lessons with Christine and her beautiful horses.

5. TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest

Excellent
91%
Good
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5.0 based on 153 reviews

TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest

Climb, zip and swing through a canopy of old-growth trees at TreeRush Adventures in Greater Omaha’s Fontenelle Forest. Explore zip lines, suspended bridges, rope ladders and a variety of exciting aerial challenges. Guests ages 4 to adult set their own pace while navigating easy to expert treetop trails. Feel the rush of excitement, empowerment, amazement and fulfillment at TreeRush Adventures.

6. Lincoln Children's Zoo

1222 S 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68502-1832 +1 402-475-6741 http://www.lincolnzoo.org/
Excellent
62%
Good
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4.5 based on 352 reviews

Lincoln Children's Zoo

Lincoln Children's Zoo is rated among the best zoos for children by Parent Magazine and is home to over 400 animals, including the world's smallest monkeys (pygmy marmosets), ring-tailed lemurs, dromedary camels, red pandas, meerkats, and more!. Over 40 of our animals are endangered, including the Humboldt Penguin, Amur leopard and Matschie's tree kangaroo. Featuring interactive Zoofari stations with Larry the Cable Guy, up-close animal encounters and the historic ZO&O Railroad, the Zoo is the perfect destination for the entire family. Lincoln Children's Zoo's mission is "to enrich lives through firsthand interaction with living things."

Reviewed By Charrigo - Chicago, United States

This was the perfect thing to do for myself and two teen girls after visit the UNL campus. We were looking for something fun to do that was not college related and this fit the bill. Close to downtown (about a 10 minute drive) and just the right size for a few hours fun. Don’t leave without feeding the giraffes, and look for the peacocks, penguins and flamingos! They also have some goats, camels, turkeys, snow leopards, an anteater, and lots of monkeys!

7. Henry Doorly Zoo

3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107-2200 +1 402-733-8401 [email protected] http://www.omahazoo.com/
Excellent
82%
Good
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Satisfactory
3%
Poor
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4.5 based on 5,840 reviews

Henry Doorly Zoo

This world-class zoo is famous for its involvement with breeding endangered species from around the world.

Reviewed By StephanieMRS - Omaha, United States

I have been to a couple of Zoos, but Henry Doorly is truly something special. A good place to visit at all times of year (since they have indoor exhibits too), their IMAX is great and has plently of educational options for those interested in learning more about animals or nature through documentaries. Don't forget that the dome has an underground exhibit as well! They allow you to bring food and water to be sure to save money on that front!

8. Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park

Excellent
85%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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4.5 based on 87 reviews

Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park

Go Ape is an unparalleled outdoor adventure experience in Ashland, Nebraska. Guests tackle dangling obstacles, explore the trees from a new perspective and fly around on multiple ziplines from exciting heights. The Treetop Adventure ropes course blends in with the forest environment, fostering a sense of natural wonder.

9. Quarry Oaks Golf Club

16600 Quarry Oaks Dr, Ashland, NE 68003-3820 +1 402-944-6000 http://quarryoaks.com/
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4.5 based on 34 reviews

Quarry Oaks Golf Club

Reputed to be one of the best new courses in the Midwest, the Quarry is a must play for serious golfers in the Omaha area.

10. Chalco Hills Recreation Area

8901 S 154th St, Omaha, NE 68138-3733 +1 402-444-6222 http://nrdrec.org/area.php
Excellent
62%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
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1%
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4.5 based on 74 reviews

Chalco Hills Recreation Area

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