Smack-dab in the middle of America, Nebraska was once full of inspired settlers looking for fortune. Now it's just as inspired, with magnificent hiking views of waterfalls and rock formations, museums that promote education disguised as play, wil... see more »
Smack-dab in the middle of America, Nebraska was once full of inspired settlers looking for fortune. Now it's just as inspired, with magnificent hiking views of waterfalls and rock formations, museums that promote education disguised as play, wild animals roaming in full view, and peaceful areas to sit back in and look at the stars.
Explore the greenery of the Nebraska State Park system, which covers the entire state, border to border. The Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area provides adventurous water activities and plentiful wildlife to observe. You can rent a teepee for the kids while camping at the Platte River State Park and take in all the unique land formations and trickling waterfalls while in a canoe or inner tube. Geological marvels are pretty spectacular at the Toadstool Geological Park, so be sure to hike the one mile loop trail with the kids and gaze in awe at the "moonscape" shaped sandstone slabs. Fascinate your children with the preserved fossils of extinct species such tortoises, rhinos, saber-toothed cats that once roamed the area.
Let your kids put their lab coats on and be a scientist at the Lincoln Children’s Museum, where playing is a requirement. At the nearby Pioneer Park Nature Center, kids can run free through the prairie grass, woodlands and wetlands. Delight your little ones with a walk as you easily spot bison, elk, deer, and other wildlife. In Omaha, you can experience the world’s largest indoor desert and rainforest at the Henry Doorly Zoo, satisfying your child's thirst to see unique animals. Kids can travel the biomes of the world without ever leaving!
Follow in the paths of great explorers, pioneers, and Plains Indians. The Oregon Trail Wagon Train and the Scotts Bluff National Monument will both fulfill any history buff’s desire to learn about early settlements. If you have a bird fanatic in the family, Nebraska is the place to be, with more than 500,000 crane and millions of snow geese migrating through the middle of Nebraska in early spring. The Sandhill Cranes can be seen feeding and resting near the Platte River from February through April. Retreat into nature at Merritt Reservoir’s Snake River Campground. The dark skies here have little to no light pollution, making it ideal for a peaceful campout under the stars.
« Read less
