Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Nebraska, United States

August 11, 2021 Giuseppe Pratt

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. 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!

2. 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
0%
Terrible
0%
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!

3. 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.

4. Old Market

1100 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102-2817 +1 402-341-7151 http://oldmarket.com
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,531 reviews

Old Market

Omaha preserves its historic place in time in this historic section of town where visitors can stroll along the cobbled streets and explore the many preserved buildings.

Reviewed By BoloBunch - Jacksonville, United States

This quaint old factory town with cobblestone streets, horse carriages, and cinderella rides, has some fun and delicious restaurants packed in the renovated factory buildings. Extremely walkable area for all restaurants in Old Market. On nice weather days/nights, the many outdoor terraces are chock full of people enjoying their time outside. There's a famous bar bike called The Patio Ride which meanders (lively) through the streets of Old Market. With the many parks and trails around the Old Market, walking it off never seemed so good. From microbrew beer to consignment stores to interesting shops, restaurants aren't the only thing that dot Old Market. Its a pretty cool place and one that pleasantly surprises most visitors.

5. Pioneer Park Nature Center

3201 S Coddington Ave, Lincoln, NE 68522-9212 +1 402-441-7895 http://lincoln.ne.gov/City/parks/naturecenter/index.htm
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 151 reviews

Pioneer Park Nature Center

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.

6. Lincoln Children's Zoo

1222 S 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68502-1832 +1 402-475-6741 http://www.lincolnzoo.org/
Excellent
62%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

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. 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.

8. Henry Doorly Zoo

3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107-2200 +1 402-733-8401 [email protected] http://www.omahazoo.com/
Excellent
82%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

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!

9. Niobrara River

+1 402-376-1822 http://www.nps.gov/niob/index.htm
Excellent
65%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
9%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 60 reviews

Niobrara River

Reviewed By lauraaD5725FH - Indianapolis, United States

We had a fantastic time on our tubing trip. We used Dryland Aquatics out of Sparks, NE. We had a double tube with a back rest - absolutely the way to go!! We did the 4 hour, starting at Berry Bridge, it was the perfect length and we still got to stop and see Smith Falls!

10. Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center

9325 S Alda Rd I-80 Exit #305, Grand Island, NE 68883-9565 +1 308-382-1820 [email protected] http://cranetrust.org
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 267 reviews

Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center

Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center is the public face of the Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust. We are a nonprofit whose mission is the preservation and restoration of Platte River Valley habitat for whooping cranes, sandhill cranes, and other migratory birds. The Nature & Visitor Center has 10 miles of walking trails, an observation tower, a bison herd, art gallery, gift shop, and informational exhibits. We also offer tourism information for the state of Nebraska. During the spring crane migration, we offer viewing blind tours to see cranes up close on their river roosts and driving maps of the area so visitors can see the cranes while they are in the fields feeding.

Reviewed By 382chrisw - Omaha, United States

The tour was well organized by enthusiastic, knowledgeable volunteers. The blinds were right on the riverbank, and the view was amazing. We chose the evening viewing and would like to come again for a morning tour. Can’t say enough good things about the center and the viewing experience. I wish I had taken more time in the gift shop.

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