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Regardless of the source, Nebraska is always listed as one of the least visited US states. When someone has been to Nebraska it’s usually because they are from the Midwest and driving through on the way out west. The number one question I received before and after my Nebraska road trip was, “what is there to do in Nebraska?” Even my family who I was going on the trip with was a little skeptical! 

For some reason Nebraska doesn’t make it onto most people’s bucket list. Even one of the state’s former tourism slogans was “Nebraska, it’s not for everyone!” It’s true it’s not for everyone. You have to want to learn about the country’s history, enjoy shopping in quaint small towns, talk with the friendliest people in the country, eat delicious BBQ, admire amazing art, and walk amongst the most beautiful flowers in the US! Seriously Nebraska has a lot going for it and you’re missing out if you don’t plan a visit. 

The state is divided into six regions. When planning I found so many unique places to visit in Nebraska that I had to narrow down our trip to one region, southeast Nebraska. Even with five full days there wasn’t nearly enough time to do all the things to do in southeast Nebraska that I had on my list. This southeast Nebraska road trip is divided into five sections (five different towns or cities). You’ll want at least a day in each area, but you can easily spend 2 – 3 days in each. I included recommendations based on what we did and what I had researched but we didn’t have time for. 

This Nebraska road trip forms a counterclockwise loop starting and ending in Omaha. You can easily change the direction or combine it with a road trip to any of the surrounding states. 

The Ultimate Southeast Nebraska Road Trip 

Omaha 

Many of the best things to do in Nebraska are located in the state’s largest city. We spent two and half days in Omaha, but there are enough things to do in Omaha to fill a whole week or more. 

What to Do in Omaha

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium 

When people talk about the best zoo in the US, San Diego Zoo often comes up. Omaha’s Zoo was actually rated number one this year by USA Today. I don’t choose favorites or bests, but let’s just say I agree with that ranking! 

Those of you who don’t typically like zoos will be impressed. The paths throughout the zoo are very green and inviting. Animals have large exhibits designed to mimic their native habitats. It took 10 minutes just to walk the full length of the elephant exhibit! We were lucky and walked the whole way alongside the elephants as they moved from one end of their exhibit to another throwing dirt on themselves, rolling around in the mud, and playing with wooden boxes.

We were also really lucky with the giraffes. One of them was munching on some leaves only a couple feet away from the fence. Another highlight was the gorillas and orangutans. I could watch them all day. Also I was glad we caught the harbor seal and sea lion training. On the hot summer day we visited I wanted to jump right in with those friendly pinnipeds!  

You’ll definitely want to save a full day during your Nebraska road trip to spend at the zoo. We were there almost the entire day and weren’t able to see everything. It takes a while to get from one side of the zoo to another. It’s best to plan your day going either clockwise or counterclockwise around the zoo on the main path to avoid backtracking. 

Note that there are several places to eat in the zoo, but only a few are open year-round. You can bring your own food. Water bottle refill stations are located at all of the bathrooms. 

The Durham Museum

There is no shortage of museums in Omaha. History lovers will want to head to the Durham Museum which covers the history of Omaha. With the wide range of topics there is something for everyone. 

The majority of the exhibits are on the lower level (one floor below where you enter). A good place to start on the lower level is the introduction video. Then head to the permanent exhibits that give a partially chronologically and partially thematic history of Omaha. Begin by learning about the first inhabitants of the land, the Lewis & Clark expedition, and the founding of Omaha. There isn’t a clear chronological path, but other sections I found interesting include the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition gallery, the section on life in different Omaha homes, and the area on livestock.  

A large section of the museum includes the history of transportation in Omaha. You can walk through several modes of transportation including a restored National Command 1202. The train was part of the 1956 Pullman sleeper cars series. Also enjoy watching the large model train set which depicts the main line from Omaha to Ogden in the 1950s. 

Located in the former train station, the building itself is full of history. The main level of the museum incorporates original details of the train station including ticket windows, waiting room benches, and the Soda Fountain. The Soda Fountain (described below) within the museum is a fun place to eat. Don’t miss the exhibit on the history of the train station on this level. 

If you’re someone who likes to read everything, one day at the museum is hardly enough. I didn’t even make it to the temporary exhibit that changes a few times a year. 

Boys Town

I always like to do and recommend activities that are specific to a place. Boys Town is one of those unique places to visit in Nebraska. You may have seen the movie Boys Town about the real place and real man, Father Flanagan, who started it. 

If you’re not familiar with it, Boys Town is its own village within Omaha. For over 100 years it has been home to boys (and more recently girls) who need additional support. Children live with family teachers and go to school on site. 

As it truly is its own village, it is open for visitors. Just like any other small town there is a mayor, but Boys Town’s mayor is a high school student! Start your visit at the visitor center to receive some general information and a map. Then head to the Hall of History to learn how Father Flanagan began helping homeless boys in Omaha in 1917. See how his efforts grew in his lifetime and then how they have changed and expanded in the decades since. 

The Dowd Chapel and Father Flanagan’s home are also open to visitors. I appreciated the impromptu tours from volunteers in both. As a former teacher I found the place fascinating and don’t understand why if the program is working why the principles behind it can’t be extended to more schools and children in need. 

Lewis and Clark Visitor Center

This national park service visitor center has a few informational signs to read and a large map showing all the sites along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. No need to plan a lot of time here as you can easily read everything in about 10 minutes. 

With NPS rangers on hand and plenty of informational brochures it is a good spot to stop for recommendations. There is also a small gift shop and restrooms. 

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Have you ever sat in two states at once? One of the best things to do in Omaha is to go to Iowa! Start from the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center and say hello to Omar the big blue troll under the bridge. Don’t worry he will let you cross the bridge!

As you walk or bike across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge from west to east over the Missouri River you will go from Nebraska to Iowa. Stop on the marked line to sit in both states at the same time! 

The Heartland Bike Share app has bikes you can rent at bike racks throughout the city. There is one location right near Omar under the bridge. For a longer bike ride or walk continue on the trails that run north and south on both sides of the river. We walked to the Dodge Riverside Golf Club on the east side of the river. You didn’t hear it from me, but there are restrooms right inside the door. 

More Things to Do in Omaha 

• River City History Walking and Bus Tours with Durham Museum
• Shopping at the Old Market 
• Lauritzen Gardens
• The Joslyn Art Museum
• Joslyn Castle & Gardens – tours of the historic property  
• Mormon Trail at Winter Quarters – historic landmark along the Mormon Trail with exhibits 
• General Crook House Museum – restored home of Civil War and American Frontier Wars veteran 
• Freedom Park Navy Museum – outdoor naval museum with ships 
• Great Plains Black History Museum
• El Museo Latino – Latino and Hispanic art and history 
• Bemis Center for Contemporary Art
• Playgrounds – so many cool looking playgrounds around Omaha 

Where to Eat in Omaha 

Porky Butts BBQ

When I was researching places to eat in Omaha I was surprised with all the highly rated BBQ restaurants. After a quick look at the map and seeing that Kansas City was only a few hours away, it made sense. Kansas City is one of the best BBQ cities in America and known for their thick tomato based BBQ sauce. Many of Omaha’s BBQ spots are KC style.

Porky Butts is an award winning counter serve BBQ restaurant in Omaha. The Pit-master Blane Hunter, known as Mr. Porky Butts, learned his BBQ skills from an early age growing up in Texas. The long line out the door will be your first clue about the deliciousness that awaits. 

When the name of a food is in the restaurant name it’s a safe bet to assume that is what you should order. From the first bite I could taste why the pulled pork was a winner. There is a good variety of sides including fried okra which isn’t on the printed menu at the restaurant. 

Hartland Bar-B-Que

Hartland Bar-B-Que is another very good casual BBQ place in Omaha that smokes their meat daily. They are known for brisket and ribs. I had pulled pork again and loved it. My mom wasn’t too nuts about the chicken. Three BBQ sauces come on the side. You can choose from mild, sweet, or spicy. I liked the mix of sweet and spicy together. 

All the homemade side dishes were very good. Be aware that they can run out. I lucked out with the last order of the green beans. I can usually take or leave baked beans, but the ones here were exceptional. 

Dirty Birds

If you want good chicken in Omaha eat at Dirty Birds. You won’t find dry chicken here. I had the farm stand salad with achiote chicken. Achiote is a very flavorful spice. The sweet tea brined chicken was also very good and you don’t need to like sweet tea to enjoy the flavor. 

Most of the menu is made from scratch in house. You really can’t go wrong with what you order. If you’re looking for an appetizer, choose the blue corn hush puppies. If you want to be stuffed to the feather, order the chicken and pancakes. 

Cafe Botanica 

As much as I love the heartier southern fare, I like to mix in some lighter, healthier meals. Cafe Botanica was just what I was looking for. They have two locations in Omaha. 

The fast casual healthy restaurant serves salads, wraps, smoothie bowls, and toasts. They also have a large list of drinks including juices and smoothies. My mom has a very big sweet tooth and isn’t always too excited by my healthy restaurant choices, but she even had to admit that the peanut chicken wrap was very good. We ate at the Pacific St location and she may or may not have suggested we go to the nearby Nothing Bundt Cakes afterwards! 

Soda Fountain at The Durham Museum

Open during The Durham Museum hours, the Soda Fountain is a good spot for lunch or a treat when visiting the museum. Restored to look like the original soda fountain in Union Station during the heyday of the station, you can imagine dining just as train travelers did decades ago. 

Museums often have pretty basic, lackluster food or more expensive New American food. The Soda Fountain has a nice selection of salads, sandwiches, and American classics. Ice cream treats and historic phosphates are the highlight of the menu. 

My mom ordered a lime phosphate that looked more like a chemistry experiment than a drink, but it was one of her favorite things from our entire Nebraska road trip! 

Nepali Restaurant

According to the Nebraska Nepalese Society the Nepalese population is growing in Nebraska. Fortunately that means there are more Nepalese restaurants like Nepali Restaurant! I recommend a platter with a variety of dishes including crunchy wai wai which I had never had before, but I will definitely be on the lookout for this flavorful dish again! 

More Places to Eat in Omaha

• Via Farina – pizza and pasta in Little Italy 
• Fizzy’s Fountain – adult cocktail diner in Little Bohemia
• Wilson & Washburn – American 
• Block 16 – sandwiches & burgers
• Cumbia – latin bistro
• Inner Rail Food Hall
• Wave Bistro – Asian fusion 
• Coneflower Creamery – ice cream 

Where to Stay in Omaha 

Fairfield Inn Omaha Northwest

If you have a car, staying outside of downtown Omaha will save you some money on accommodations. The Fairfield Inn Omaha NW is right off of I – 680 and will take you to the Omaha Zoo and downtown area in about a 15 – 20 minute drive. 

The hotel is modern and clean. The hotel staff accommodated me with my preferred choice of room location. All the amenities you might want including a small indoor pool and a gym are available. 

The included breakfast varied depending on who was on staff each morning. I wasn’t overly impressed as there were some packaged hot items the first mornings and the waffles didn’t turn out well. There were enough other choices and I liked the oatmeal topping selections. 

Holiday Inn Council Bluffs 1 – 29

Council Bluffs, across the Missouri River in Iowa, is another good place to stay near Omaha. Prices are lower than in downtown Omaha, but Council Bluffs is only a short drive away from all the fun things to do in Omaha. The Holiday Inn was only a five minute drive to the zoo and a ten minute drive to downtown Omaha. 

The waffle maker here was much better than at the Fairfield and there were more non-packaged hot choices at breakfast. 

I was so sad there wasn’t time to swim in the large indoor pool that overlooked the Missouri River. On nice days the large outdoor doors are opened to the deck. There is also an indoor hot tub. 

More Places to Stay in Omaha

• My Place Hotel Council Bluffs – a good budget option that can have breakfast included for an extra cost.
• Courtyard by Marriott Council Bluffs – a renovated Courtyard with an indoor swimming pool.
• Magnolia Hotel  – a historic 4 star hotel located directly downtown.
• Kimpton Cottonwood – a luxury 4 star hotel near downtown in the trendy Blackstone District. 

Ashland

It takes about an hour to drive from Omaha to Lincoln. Ashland is the perfect small town to visit halfway in between. Make a short stop for lunch and shopping or spend a full day checking out all the attractions in the area. 

What to Do in Ashland

Shopping

We spent our short visit in Ashland in the local shops. Almost all of the shops and galleries are located on Silver Street between N 14th St and N 16th St. 

Postscript is a cute paper goods shop. You can order a cup of coffee when you shop and there are restrooms in the back. For home goods visit Salt Creek Mercantile. Cooper Studio & Gallery showcases a variety of art including paintings from the owner. If you’re looking for a cute clothing shop visit Lighthouse Boutique. 

More Things to Do in Ashland

The town of Ashland is quite small, but there are several interesting things to do around the town. 

• Wildlife Safari Park – a four mile drive through a North American wildlife park. There is also a visitor center and two miles of hiking trails. 
• Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum – historic aircraft, missile, and spacecraft museum.
• Eugene T Mahoney State Park – Year-round state park with a variety of activities depending on the season including hiking, biking, rock climbing, an adventure course, sledding, and skating. In the summer there are melodramas, fun interactive theater performances. 
• Platte River State Park – a little farther afield in Louisville. The state park has hiking and biking trails, observation towers, and places to kayak and canoe. The park is known for its picturesque waterfalls.
• Platte River Rentals – rent kayaks or canoes near the state park. 

Where to Eat in Ashland 

• Cheri O’s – a cute cafe and ice cream parlor tucked between the shops on Silver St. 
• Fariner Bakery – a french inspired bakery with breads and other baked goods.
• Breadeaux Pizza – this casual pizza place smelled so good! Most days it is only open for a couple of hours around lunchtime and a couple of hours in the early evening.

Where to Stay in Ashland

There are not a lot of places to stay in Ashland. The Peter Kiewit Lodge offers lodge accommodations within Eugene T Mahoney State Park. The park also has cabins and tent camping available. 

Platte River State Park has a variety of camping, glamping, and cabin options. 

Lincoln

The next stop on your Nebraska road trip should be the capital city of Lincoln. It may not be a huge city, but there are a lot of things to do in Lincoln. 

What to Do in Lincoln

Nebraska State Capitol

Take a guided or self-guided tour of the state capitol. Although I love reading information, I always prefer the guided tours at the state capitals as I enjoy the additional stories from the guides. Without a guide I would never know the meanings behind the artwork throughout the building. 

Despite the large group size, our guide did an excellent job leading an informative and interesting tour. We were able to sit inside the supreme court which was unique to most of the capitol tours I have been on as many states have their supreme courts in separate buildings or even separate cities. 

Tours start from the north entrance of the second floor on the hour during opening hours. They last about an hour and cover the second floor, the main floor of the capitol. You don’t need to reserve a tour ahead of time. 

Ride one of the tiny elevators up to the 14th floor before or after your tour for views of Lincoln. Although they aren’t usually all opened at the same time, there are eight doors leading to outdoor balconies in eight different directions. 

National Museum of Roller Skating

Did you grow up going to the roller rink on a Saturday night? This museum will feel like a trip down memory lane. The free museum isn’t just about roller skating, it covers a variety of topics and roller sports. Whether you want to see the largest collection of roller skating artifacts in the world or learn how roller skating was invented, you can find it here! 

I was surprised to learn that the first big roller skating craze was in the 1880s! The exhibits on vaudeville and variety shows that featured roller skating were also really interesting. There was a lot more to see and read in the museum than I expected! 

International Quilt Museum

Another niche museum to add to your list of fun things to do in Lincoln is the International Quilt Museum. I wouldn’t say I’m particularly interested in quilts, but as they truly are works of art I was quite impressed. Learning the history of different types of quilts also appealed to me. 

Most of the exhibits rotate and are only on display for a few months. While all the exhibits showcase quilts, there is quite a wide range of topics. “Feed Sacks: An American Fairy Tale” is now closed, but it offered an interesting look into how people used old feed sacks to make quilts. Another exhibit that will be on display until November 2024 features modern quilts made out of recycled materials. I’m all for reusing whenever possible and was impressed with all the creative ideas people have. Instead of throwing away things so quickly we all need to be better about fixing or repurposing!  

Lux Center for the Arts

Lincoln’s community arts center has a variety of programs, workshops, events, and exhibits. Exhibits are free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday. There are usually a few small exhibits on view at one time. An exhibit on hand-produced relief prints from linoleum cut, wood engraving, woodblock, and mixed media by different artists was on display when I visited. 

There is a gift shop and restrooms inside the center as well. 

The art isn’t limited to the indoor center. Murals line the alleyways and beautify the sides of buildings along 48th street around the art center. Pick up a free mural map to do a mural walk and learn more about the muralists and their artwork. Most of the murals are within a two block radius. 

Sunken Gardens 

Whenever someone hears Nebraska they think of corn. What they should really be imagining is stunning flowers and gardens. After visiting the Sunken Gardens you’ll see what I mean! 

As the gardens are a public park (open from 5am – 11pm) there is no admission charge. You expect meticulously maintained paths and blooming flowers in the spring at expensive botanical gardens, but it is almost unbelievable to see so many colorful blooming flowers in July at a city park.  

Everyone loves these gardens so expect limited parking. There are restrooms next to the parking lot. They are open April through October 9am – 8pm. 

More Things to Do in Lincoln

• Nebraska History Museum – history of the state 
• Nebraska Governor’s Mansion Tours – tours Thursday afternoons by appointment
• University of Nebraska State Museum – natural history museum 
• Sheldon Museum of Art – 19th & 20th century art 
• Museum of American Speed – racing & automotive history 
• Lincoln Children’s Zoo 
• Lincoln Children’s Museum 
• Pioneers Park Nature Center – indoor & outdoor exhibits, nature trails 
• Lincoln Paddle Company – kayak and paddleboard rentals at different lakes

Where to Eat in Lincoln

Lila Mae’s

You may have started to notice a pattern from the BBQ and fried chicken places to eat in Omaha. Nebraska really knows how to do southern food! Lila Mae’s doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the real appeal is the food inside. 

They serve southern favorites like shrimp ‘n grits and fried fish. They are known for their Nashville Hot Chicken. While the fish was good, I definitely wish I would have ordered the chicken. Whatever you order make sure you get a waffle and cornbread with your meal. Call me a cornbread connoisseur as I travel across the country searching for the best cornbread. I sure would like a piece of Lila Mae’s cornbread right now! 

The only bad part of the meal is that I didn’t have room for dessert. Mississippi mud pie, Georgia peach cobbler, and Kentucky Butter Cake……. what a delectable sounding spread of southern delights! 

Hub Cafe 

Hub Cafe is where to go for breakfast, lunch, or a mid-day cup of coffee. As of writing they are also open two nights a week for dinner. They have indoor and outdoor seating. 

The main menu has a little bit of everything. Order the biscuits and gravy for a hearty breakfast or the mole chilaquiles for a tex-mex lunch. Late in the day they were out of the roasted sweet potato sandwich so I ordered a savory breakfast bowl. I made the mistake of mixing the spicy sambal throughout my entire bowl and my mouth was on fire. The citrus/ginger carrots also seemed to have an extra kick. The cafe made my mom’s mocha drink just right. 

More Places to Eat in Lincoln 

• Canyon Joe’s – BBQ
• Super Taco – Mexican 
• Pita & Naan – casual Indian 

Where to Stay in Lincoln

Towneplace Suites North Lincoln 

Similar to Omaha and almost every city, you’ll most likely find lower rates when staying outside of the downtown area. We stayed in north Lincoln at the Towneplace Suites. It’s one of my go to hotel brands because of the extra space and the hot breakfast included regardless of whether or not you are a member. 

The best part of the hotel was the free upgrade we received to a two bedroom, two bathroom suite with a full living room and kitchen. Not only do you save money on hotels when you earn and redeem points, but you also work towards status and amazing perks like this free upgrade! When traveling with family it was a real treat to have the extra space. 

More Places to Stay in Lincoln

• Holiday Inn Express Lincoln I – 80 – located right off I-80 north of Lincoln and has an indoor swimming pool and breakfast included. 
• Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites – also with an indoor swimming pool and breakfast included right off of I – 80. 
• Hampton Inn Lincoln Airport – near the Lincoln airport with breakfast included and an indoor pool. 
• The Kindler Hotel – a luxury boutique hotel located downtown. 

Beatrice

Leave the big cities of Omaha and Lincoln behind and head south. The next stop on your Nebraska road trip is Beatrice, a small city about a 45 minute drive south of Lincoln. Take note that the town is pronounced “be-at-trice” instead of how Beatrice, the woman’s name, is commonly pronounced.  

What to Do in Beatrice

Homestead National Historical Park

The main reason to visit Beatrice is because of the city’s pioneer history. The Homestead National Historical Park is located outside of Beatrice on the site of the first homesteader. Several buildings make up the free NPS site. 

Start your visit at the Homestead Heritage Center with the introductory film. After the film, head downstairs to the National Homesteading Museum. It covers the history of homesteading starting with the creation of the Homestead Act of 1862 and the forced removal of Native Americans from their lands. It continues to explain the challenges of homesteading and the lives of different homesteaders. I was shocked to learn that the Homestead Act was in place until 1976. There is a section that covers the very first and very last homesteaders! Restrooms, rangers, a gift shop, and computers to research homesteading family members are upstairs. 

Head outside the center to the Palmer-Epard Cabin and the burial site of Daniel Freedman who is believed to be the first homesteader. Continue on to the Homestead Education Center by walking in the footsteps of the early pioneers on the tallgrass prairie trails. While the trails are maintained and you don’t need to bring all your belongings like the original homesteaders, you can also drive and park at the education center. This center includes additional exhibits. It also has rangers and restrooms. 

Before leaving make your way on foot or by car to the Freeman School. It’s the longest continually running one room schoolhouse in Nebraska. A volunteer happened to come to open up the school house and give us a mini tour and talk about its history. The volunteer had even gone to a one room schoolhouse himself as a boy! 

The historical site is definitely one of the many cool places in Nebraska to visit. You can easily spend a few hours here or even a full day. If you’re planning a longer visit make sure to bring lunch as there is no food available for purchase. 

More Things to Do in Beatrice

• Gage County Historical Society – Gage County history museum 
• Homestead Trail – a 60 mile long unpaved trail that runs from Lincoln to Kansas. A portion runs through Beatrice and there are plans to connect it to the Homestead National Historical Park. 
• Rock Creek Station State Historical Park – a former stage and pony express station about 30 minutes southwest of Beatrice that is now a historical state park with reconstructed historical buildings and nature trails. 

Where to Eat in Beatrice 

Beto’s

Beto’s is a casual Mexican restaurant in Beatrice. The large menu makes choosing what to order difficult, but luckily you can enjoy the best chips and salsa as you decide. 

Runza 

Runza is a regional fast food chain that started in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1949. The majority of the locations are in Nebraska. I wouldn’t go out of your way to try one, but you won’t have a problem finding one on this southeast Nebraska road trip as there are locations all over. I’m not one for fast food, but at least it is a local experience!  

A runza is a German bread roll typically filled with beef, cabbage or sauerkraut, and onions. No surprise that Runza’s menu consists of different kinds of runzas. The original runza includes ground beef, cabbage, and onions on fresh baked bread. Even the kid’s runza has cabbage on it. I was wondering how many kids would eat cabbage, but the menu description says “trick your child into eating cabbage”. I guess tricking them is the way to do it! 

Where Else to Eat in Beatrice

• Black Crow: a highly rated American dinner restaurant. 

Where to Stay in Beatrice

Holiday Inn & Express

Accommodations in and around Beatrice are limited. The Holiday Inn & Express is one of the few places to stay in Beatrice with a good rating. Despite a good rating we thought the cleaning left a bit to be desired and had a very clogged up bathroom sink. The front desk was apologetic and offered me points to make up for the inconvenience. 

It wouldn’t be my first choice to stay again, but without many options in the Beatrice area I would still recommend it. The property was in a good location and there were plenty of choices in the included hot breakfast. 

Another Place to Stay in Beatrice

• My Place Hotel Beatrice – a basic hotel in a good location. There is no swimming pool and breakfast is only included for an extra charge. 

Brownville & Nebraska City 

There are so many unique places to visit in Nebraska. We were running out of time by the time we left Beatrice and didn’t have a lot of time to spend in the most southeasternmost corner of the state. 

From Beatrice you can head to Brownville, a small Nebraska village that has a lot to do considering its size. We didn’t make it here, but I included some suggestions below if you are able to fit it in your Nebraska road trip. 

About a 30 minute drive north of Brownville is Nebraska City. The “city” is bigger than Brownville, but would still be considered a small town by most people’s standards. 

What to Do in Brownville

• Brownville Historical Society – several small museums and historical properties that are free to visit
• Flatwater Folk Art Museum
• Captain Meriwether Lewis Dredge – US national historical landmark museum on a restored dredge
• Brownville Depot & Railroad History Museum 
• Spirit of Brownville – sightseeing and dinner cruises 
• Brownville Village Theater – community theater with multiple summer productions 

What to Do in Nebraska City

Kregel Windmill Factory Museum

When visiting some of the historical sites in Rhode Island I had an awesome tour of the Old Slater Mill. While searching for hidden gems in Nebraska I discovered another industrial era factory. I wrongly assumed a windmill factory would be just as fascinating as the textile mill. It really shows that a good tour guide makes a world of difference.

There was no tour at the museum and it was a self-guided experience through what I would say was a lot of “old stuff”. There were some interactive screens that explained what and where some of the “old stuff” was, but I would have loved to learn more about the Kregel family and the history of the factory. 

If you’re into machines, tools, and windmill parts you might find it interesting, but if you’re looking for a historical learning experience you need to readjust your expectations. 

More Things to Do in Nebraska City

• Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trails & Visitor Center – a stop along the Lewis & Clark trail with exhibits focused on their scientific discoveries. There are also outdoor hiking trails. 
• Neb City Museum of Firefighting – history of firefighting in Nebraska City with a large collection of fire equipment
• Arbor Lodge State Historical Park – the former estate of the founder of Arbor Day. Tours of the mansion and tree adventures at Arbor Day farm are among the different activities available. 

Where to Stay in Nebraska City

Beatrice, Brownville, and Nebraska City form a triangle that has very few accommodations. We stayed in Beatrice one night and then only spent a few hours in Nebraska City before returning to the Omaha area. 

The following Nebraska City hotels all have good ratings. 

• Deluxe Inn – budget motel with no breakfast or indoor swimming pool. 
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites – indoor swimming pool and breakfast included.
• Best Western Nebraska City Inn – indoor swimming pool and breakfast included.
• Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm – Upscale lodge on an orchard with a restaurant, a large indoor swimming pool, spa, golf course, and hiking trails on site or nearby.  

Are you ready to plan your Nebraska road trip? If I helped you discover all the unique places to visit in Nebraska, please consider supporting me by Buying Me a Coffee.

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