Taking a Look At Nebraska

Chimney Rock National Historic Site in Bayard, has a Chimney Rock formation that dates back 25 to 24 million years ago. This impressive rock spire was a landmark to pioneers who were heading toward the West in the early to mid-19th century. There is a visitor center for information and you can learn about the Overland Trail.

The Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland.has an extensive collection and was first opened to the public in 1959. It showcases all manner of planes, spacecraft, and special exhibits that rotate regularly. On-site you'll also find a planetarium featuring seasonal astronomy shows and motion rides.

Scotts Bluff National Monument is an amazing natural structure that can seen far and wide all across the Nebraska prairies. Native Americans used it as a landmark and later travelers who passed through this area in the mid-19th century. Rangers dressed in period costumes roam the park on weekends and offer information and stories. The national monument was first founded in 1919. You'll find a winding road that leads up to the higher elevations and has three tunnels. You can also hike across the surrounding countryside or if you like you can take the summit shuttle to the very top and then hike down.

The Golden Spike Tower in North Platte gives everyone an amazing view over the Bailey Yard which has officially been certified as the world's largest railroad yard. Over 150 trains and 10,000 rail cars come through this yard every day. The tower rises up to eight stories and is enclosed in glass. From the viewing area, you can also see the Platte River Valley. The visitor center at the base of the tower has Union Pacific memorabilia on display.

Indian Cave State Park is southeast of Brownville and has amazing petroglyphs with nature scenes and wildlife lining the walls of the cave. The park is located on the banks of the Missouri River and has become a popular destination for hiking and camping, There are two campgrounds Huckleberry Hollow and Ash Grove with RV sites and electric service. There are 22 miles of hiking trails that wind around the park and include highlights like a ridge and the Lincoln Bend Wetlands.

If you take Highway 87 and drive three miles north of Alliance you'll come to the strangest sight you have ever seen called Carhenge. It duplicates the popular attraction in England known as Stonehenge but instead of stones standing up you'll see cars. There are 39 cars altogether arranged in different positions jutting out of the prairie grasslands. It has been replicated so perfectly after Stonehenge that the summer solstice also happens here as it does in England. If you look carefully you'll also see other things such as a metal fish emerging from the ground.

The Sandhills region of Nebraska is ideal for nature lovers. It covers one-quarter of the state consisting of dunes with some rising 300 feet high as well as grasslands and shallow lakes. Driving through this area is considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the U.S. It takes you on a 272-mile route past natural and man-made sights among them the unusual Carhenge. Most visitors begin their tour at Grand Island and end at Alliance.

The Valentine National Wildlife Preserve is a great place to view birds. It is located in the Sandhills region and is home to thousands of waterfowl who make their home in the shallow lakes.

If you ever wondered what it was like to be a cowboy then take the Cowboy Trail across the Great Plains. This 195-mile trail goes along an old railway line in the northern part of the state. You'll see small towns along the way where you can stock up on supplies. The trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. The best way to travel the trail is from the west to the east.

Norfolk is a small town with big city attractions like plenty of shopping, recreation, and festivals. You can enjoy activities like exploring 200 fossils at the Ashfall Fossil Beds or take a walk along the Cowboy Trail. Among outside activities, you can also enjoy here are kayaking, canoeing, golfing, hiking, and biking along the Maskenthine Lake Bike Trails. You can enjoy artwork at the Norfolk Art Center. Children love the Willow Creek Recreation Area with mini golf or the Memorial Aquaventure Waterpark in the summertime.

Fremont in northeastern Nebraska is a weekend getaway destination. The biggest draw here is water-related activities like the Splash Station Water Park, Bryson's Airboat Tour, and other recreation at the Fremont State Lakes. Downtown Fremont offers shopping, dining, and arts and culture. You can enjoy a guided tour of the Fontanelle Orchard, see vintage toys at Harold and Leona's Toy Museum, and ice skating at the Sidner Ice Arena.

Columbus offers a lot of activities for visitors. You can take a self-guided tour with historical markers all over the city such as Andrew Jackson Higgins, Ferry Rock, and Quincentenary Belltower. You will also enjoy the Agricultural Park, the Platt County Museum, and the Statue of Liberty Replica. For outdoor activities there are walking, jogging, and biking trails along tree-lined parks and two lakes.

Fort Robinson State Park in Crawford is the most popular park in western Nevada. It offers amazing Pine Ridge scenery, great lodging, wonderful campgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy. You can see herds of longhorn cattle and buffalo. Withi the park there are several tour opportunities that include morning horseback ride along Pine Ridge and riding in an open-air Jeep along the buttes. At the history center you can learn about the history of this outpost from Native days to WW II and from the restored or reconstructed buildings in the park.

Smith Falls State Park in Valentine has many lovely waterfalls. This park straddles the Niobrara River and visitors enjoy seeing the grandest Nebraska waterfall, Smith Falls that reaches nearly 70 feet. Overnight camping is available on the other side of the river. There are many trails to hike on either side of the Niobrara River and are connected by a footbridge that crosses it. Along the way, you can delight in many smaller waterfalls.

Ogallala is a small Nebraska farming town, adjacent to the Sandhills. Nearby you can find Lake McConaughy which is the largest reservoir in Nebraska.

There are 100 miles of shoreline, white sand beaches, and water sports activities at Lake McConaughey. Fishermen can catch rainbow trout, white, stipped, and smallmouth bass, and walleyes. Summer can be enjoyed by sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, scuba diving, and swimming, During the autumn waterfowl hunting is popular, and ice fishing in the winter.

The Archway in Kearney is a beautiful sight. Driving along Interstate 80 near Kearney you'll see the Archway stretching over the highway. It is a unique structure and is a museum that is dedicated to travelers who have passed this way. There are interactive displays related to Native Americans, fur trappers, pioneers, and railroaders. You'll also get to see a replica of a sod house, a Trailblaze Maze for children, and there is a lovely lake for picnicking,