23 Best Things To Do In Nebraska
Last updated July 27, 2025
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Nebraska serve as a wonderful reminder that, without doubt, there are incredible things to experience anywhere even in areas you might not anticipate.
Regardless of whether you’re simply passing by or intend to devote an entire journey here, Nebraska is rich with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
Discover the 23 best things to do in Nebraska!
1. Toadstools Geological Park
Looking to travel to a different planet? Go to Toadstool Geological Park!
The park serves as a habitat for toadstools and badlands that started developing thirty million years in the past.
These mushroom-shaped structures form when water and wind wear away a soft claystone layer more quickly than the tough sandstone that covers it.
The park resembles a smaller version of South Dakota's Badlands National Park and the badlands in this area are connected to the exact stones discovered in that location.
To explore the toadstools and badlands, I recommend trekking the path that meanders through the structures because it will give you the sensation that you have departed from Earth.
It is particularly stunning at dawn, since you can observe the light illuminate the region.
Then, for an extended hike, venture onto the lovely Bison Trail.
The pathway will lead you to HudsonMeng Education Center. Here you can observe one of North America's most significant paleo-archaeological findings.
This Education Center operates with restricted hours, therefore visit their webpage for updates.
Also, in addition to hiking, you are free to set up camp there.
The park contains 6 locations having jre rings and picnic tables for $15 per night. 2 vault toilets are also available.
2. Tanking
Nebraska features more than 79,000 river miles, including 197 miles marked as Wild and Scenic, which means the country's most robust safeguard for unimpeded streams and rivers.
And a common method to enjoy them is through tanking! Now you might be curious, what is tanking?
It is a distinctive Nebraska pastime where you float in a tank submerged in the stream and there are several locations where you can lease tanks.
If you tank in the autumn, you will have the whole stream to yourself, unlike the peak summer period.
You will also have a great time drifting along the pristine river, enveloped by sand dunes and colliding with branches, while giggling and grinning continuously.
Without a doubt, tanking is among the most enjoyable experiences in Nebraska and I highly encourage tanking.
3. Omaha
Greetings from Nebraska's biggest city!
Omaha is found on the state's eastern boundary, directly adjacent to Iowa's border and beside the beautiful Missouri River.
You should dedicate a day at least to discovering the city’s tasty food options and its main attractions, and you'll really love it.
Also, during your time in Omaha, you should visit Zen Coffee.
This location features not just excellent coffee, but its uniqueness lies in the fact that they provide coffee lights.
You can select 4 distinct drinks and they're quite a decent size.
You can also experiment with their various distinctive lattes, such as their puppychow latte, which is so delightful.
4. Sandhills Region
Sandhills represent the biggest region of sand dunes and stabilized grass in Western Hemisphere, and they cover acres of over 13 million.
This region is roughly the same size as Rhode Island and Vermont.
A simple way to view these sandhills is taking a drive to the picturesque Sandhills Journey NationalScenic Byway.
This route stretches 272 miles to the Grand Island from Alliance and journeys across ranch territories, secluded sceneries, meandering streams, and undeniably lovely dunes.
It's particularly stunning if you schedule your journey at dusk, when the stunning sandhills radiate from the sunlight.
5. Chadron Park
Being the most ancient state park in Nebraska, this park has attracted visitors for many years.
The park is situated among the Pine Ridge of Nebraska and provides a blend of trekking, camping, outdoor adventures, and a pool for those warm summer days.
Also, if you enjoy discovering parks on foot, there exists several trails to explore here, including the Steamboat Trail, Blackhills Overlook Path, and a loop of 6 miles.
6. Dobby Frontier Town
The town stands as the creation of Kenneth Lee who wished to reveal what a Nebraska historic frontier town might have been like.
Kenneth preserved 19 heritage structures and revived them, leading to what you'll observe now.
In this town, there is a blacksmith store, a jail, a photo studio, a salon, and a lot more.
Visiting is free though contributions are highly appreciated to assist them in maintaining the town.
For your accommodation while in Nebraska, Scottsbluff remains the most populous city in this region to get a good accommodation, though the state parks and smaller towns in the vicinity provide accommodation as well.
Also, Toadstool Geological Park features six campsites equipped with jre rings and picnic tables at $15 per night.
Additionally, there are two pit restrooms available on-site.
Also, Chadron Park and Fort Robinson Park offer a diverse range of camping sites along with lodges.
Camping at Bayard City Park is free and accompanied by electric and water connections for RVs.
However, there are just a limited number of spaces here, so ensure to come ahead of time.
7. Omaha Old Market
The Old Market is another essential location to see in Omaha.
This region of the town is significant, dating back to the 1800s it was vibrant with merchants, customers, and carriers.
During the late 20th century, activities in the region petered down and it was in danger of being demolished.
However, a resident whose family possessed some structures, Sam Mercer, rescued the situation.
He conceived the notion of saving the structures by remodeling them for fresh purposes, which brought about the charming Old Market existing today.
This place is really awesome, featuring a lot of historic brickwork, structures, eateries, stores, and lodgings.
It is really cool to observe how they've maintained their timeless appeal while revitalizing the structures.
8. Carhenge
If you've ever desired to see Stonehenge but are unable to travel to England, simply visit Nebraska and visit Carhenge.
As suggested by its name, Carhenge is a reproduction of England's Stonehenge.
It contains 39 gray vehicles in identical shape and proportions to Stonehenge.
These vehicles are positioned vertically in holes five feet deep, while the autos opposite are fused into position.
Carhenge was developed by Reinders Jim who aimed to construct it in remembrance of his dad who resided on the farmland at the site of Carhenge.
Therefore, in 1987, a total of 35 relatives gathered to create it and it is currently a highly popular rest area in Nebraska.
9. Bob Kerrey Bridge
Omaha is situated directly on the Iowa boundary and you may enter Iowa through Bob Kerrey's Bridge.
This bridge spans 3000 feet and features a stylish design that extends across the stunning Missouri River.
This pedestrian bridge is affectionately called Bob, and when you position yourself on the boundary between Iowa and Nebraska and snap a picture, it’s referred to as “Bobbing”.
Also, beneath the bridge, there is a creature hiding - a troll called Omar.
He provides a great opportunity for a delightful photo after or before your stroll across the bridge.
10. Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock is the most prominent landmark mentioned in travelers’ diaries throughout California, Oregon, and the Mormon Trails.
It is an incredibly distinctive rock structure that stands at 325 feet and features a spire that is 120 feet tall.
Throughout the years, the rock has eroded, decreasing approximately 30 feet over the past 150 years.
However, it's still quite remarkable and distinct from any other thing in the region.
You're free to approach the rock formation, though I learned that rattlesnakes are numerous there, so you should observe with caution from Chimney Rock Cemetery's parking area.
Also, an alternative is to look at it from Chimney Rock Museum featuring displays related to westward expansion.
11. Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Omaha
This zoo is among the top zoos not just in the USA but globally.
Being the biggest North America indoor desert and spanning more than 160 acres, there are numerous sights and activities available here to fill an entire day.
It’s additionally a frontrunner in the conservation of endangered species and is generally regarded as part of the highest moral zoos around the globe.
Therefore, if you choose to become one of the 2 million yearly guests here, you can take comfort in discovering that the creatures here are cared for properly.
12. Scotts Bluff Monument
This National Monument rises 800 ft above the stunning North Platte River. It will give you the sensation that you’ve been moved to the South western United States.
And, aside from its beauty, this monument has served as a significant region for numerous years, beginning with the Native American people who inhabited and journeyed through this region.
It also functioned as a point of reference for visitors who passed through here while traveling west along the California, the Oregon, and Mormon routes.
Also, it was along the path of the former Pony Express postal service.
Among the most favored activities in this park is reaching the top of Scotts Bluff.
During specific hours, autos can reach the summit via Summit Road, the oldest Nebraska concrete road which includes the sole three automobile tunnels in Nebraska.
However, note that there are certain limitations on vehicles so ensure you review them beforehand.
Then, for those seeking more adventure, you can likewise trek to the picturesque Saddle Rock Trail's summit, which is a 3-mile round trip.
Along this path, you can ascend to the summit of the cliff, passing through an entertaining passageway along the route.
Upon reaching the summit, there are several vantage points that offer expansive views of your surroundings.
Then, in addition to seeing the summit, guests can explore William Henry Jackson’s works.
He is recognized as the first individual to capture images of Yellowstone.
Scotts Bluff Monument possesses the biggest collection of William's drawings, artworks, and pictures, with numerous examples showcased in their Visitor Center.
13. College World Series
Each June, Omaha changes to a baseball hub as it holds the CollegeWorld Series.
Eight leading college baseball
You will really enjoy seeing a game here.
14. Gene Leahy
Situated in the downtown center is this newly renovated park.
Here you will find various play zones for children, sculptures, slides, open areas for picnicking and playing, hammocks to relax in, etc.
You will enjoy strolling around this area, going down a few slides, and viewing the skyline of the city.
15. The Local Restaurants
An essential activity for me when exploring a bigger city is visiting its local dining options.
While I was in Omaha, I explored Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob, known for being inexpensive and fast.
It is ideal for breakfast and lunch.
Then, for a more upscale option for dinner, Au Courant and Yoshitomo are highly esteemed.
Lastly, Nite Owl and Krug Park are trendy places to get drinks.
16. Fort Robinson Park
This State Park can be found in the Pine Ridge area of Nebraska.
It is an ex-USA Army headquarters that was utilized for numerous purposes for over 70 years.
It’s most famously recognized as the location where Crazy Horse, Oglala Lakota head, passed away in the year 1877, and is also known for the 1879 Cheyenne Outbreak.
This Cheyenne Outbreak was when a Cheyenne Indians escaped from this fort, evading US troops for up to 12 days, till their concealment spot was discovered.
11 troops and 64 Cheyenne were slain and over 70 were captured again.
The total Cheyenne Outbreak casualties resulted in it being one of Indian Wars' significant conflicts.
Currently, Fort Robinson Park features paths, historic structures to discover, outdoor living, lodges to lease, and countless events.
In fact, since it provides plenty of activities and can accommodate large groups, it's recognized as one of the USA's leading family meeting places.
Numerous other activities can also be found in this park, such as mountain biking paths, trout fishing, horseback riding, cookouts, and stagecoach and jeep rides..
Be aware that there is an entry fee for Nebraska's State Parks.
17. Coneflower Creamery
This is one of the finest ice creams I've tasted in the USA and their margarine brickle flavor is out of this world.
Butter brickle is a cocoa-toffee covered in a coating that was first sold during the 1920s.
Nebraska's Blackstone Hotel is recognized for being the first to sell butter brickle.
Now, Coneflower Creamery has its own butter brickle and their site in the iconic Blackstone District is an awesome area to explore on foot.
18. Bessey Ranger District
In this district, there exist numerous leisure activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, ATV riding, and equestrian riding.
The stunning Bessey Recreation Area features a campground offering both electric and non-electric sites, and I have heard the locations are somewhat small and positioned closely.
19. Fontenelle Forest
Seeking a natural getaway close to Omaha? Make your way to Fontenelle Woods.
This forest, spanning 1,500 acres, is subject to a 15 short drive from the downtown area, and seems like a different realm distant.
Within this forest, you're free to trek any of its numerous paths or embrace more excitement and take on its aerial amusement park!
The price to explore the woods is $11 for adults but lower for children and seniors.
The park’s paths are accessible from dawn until sunset but canines are not permitted on the premises.
20. Indian Cave Park
Another stunning natural area to visit in Nebraska is this State Park.
Even though it's not actually located in Omaha, it's under a drive of 1.5 hours to the south, rendering it an excellent excursion for the day.
This park takes its name from a sizable sandstone cavern, which you will reach through a short ADA-compliant boardwalk.
However, if you seek a more extended journey to explore the cave, you’ll have to trek the IndianCave Trail (a 3.1-mile round trip).
Then, another excellent trail to explore is Rock BluffRun Trail, measuring approximately 6 miles for the round trip and featuring excellent perspectives of the beautiful Missouri River.
You're free to ride horses as well and camp backcountry and front country in the playground.
21. Runza
This is a quick-service restaurant in Nebraska that is famous for its tasty Runza sandwich and has more than 70 locations.
The Runza sandwich is a dough bread pouch filled with flavored beef, onions, and cabbage.
Without its form, it is identical to bierock, a well-known Midwest food introduced to the region in the early 1870s by Russian German Mennonite immigrants.
Runza restaurant offers various Runza sandwiches including their cheesesteak Philly Runza and cheese Runza.
You can also order their onion rings and fries along with their tasty ranch dressing.
Runza enjoys popularity and it certainly creates a filling, substantial snack or dish while you are on a fun Nebraska highway excursion.
And when you go in the autumn, be certain to sample their cinnamon rolls and chili - it’s an odd pairing that's really tasty.
22. Smith Falls Park
To view Nebraska's tallest waterfall, go to this State Park.
The high waterfall of 63 feet flows down a cliff, forming a distinctive waterfall that becomes broader and features several currents as it tumbles to the base.
The falls are a brief and simple stroll away, and in case you go during the summer, taking a dip in the lovely Niobrara River stands as a well-liked pastime.
23. Play Golf
Nebraska is recognized for its excellent golfing including its Sand Hills Golf Club, an internationally acclaimed private course.
Though it’s an exclusive course for members only, certain courses permit visitors.
