Five Amazing Day Trips: Nebraska

The midwestern state of Nebraska offers visitors an amazing range of activities and experiences, from museums and historic sites to performing arts and year-round outdoor adventures across each of its travel regions. The two largest cities, Omaha and Lincoln, are just an hour apart and are perfect for long weekend trips to visit world-class museums, zoological parks, and botanical gardens, all centered around unique downtown areas with many local stores, notable restaurants, and luxury boutique hotels. A scenic road trip is the best way to see the remainder of the state, heading west through the Sandhills towards the iconic Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff National Monument and stopping at the small towns, historic sites, and roadside attractions along the way. Our day trips begin in Omaha and showcase many of the great destinations in the eastern and central regions of the state.

Here are five great day trips across the Cornhusker State:

Ashland (Museums & Attractions)

The small city of Ashland, about 30 miles southwest of Omaha, is home to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, one of the most impressive aviation museums in the United States. The museum preserves, restores, and displays a collection of historic aircraft, rockets, and spacecraft within 300,000 square feet of aircraft hangars, interactive exhibits, and an aircraft restoration gallery. The permanent exhibits span regional conflicts and major wars and showcase personal stories, historic artifacts, and significant events in aviation and aerospace history. Tours of the facility are available daily and last approximately two hours to highlight many of the significant artifacts in the collection. The Children’s Learning Center is perfect for families, with interactive exhibits that provide a hands-on learning environment and demonstrate the science, technology, and physics of air and space travel.

Beatrice (Parks & Recreation)

Located about 100 miles southwest of Omaha on the Big Blue River, Beatrice is a small rural city surrounded by miles of farms and agricultural land. The city is recognized as a significant location in the expansion and settlement of the American West— on January 1, 1863, the first plot of land under the Homestead Act was issued here to Daniel Freedman. Today, the Homestead National Monument of America sits on the exact location of the first claim and includes the Homestead Heritage Center and Education Center. Start your visit inside with the introductory film and two floors of interactive exhibits that highlight the complex topics, scope, and importance of the Homestead Act of 1862. After learning about some of the early homesteaders, take a walk outside to the Palmer-Epard Cabin. Representative of the many one-room cabins that existed at the time, this one was home to a family with 10 children. The second historic building at the national monument is the Freeman School, a restored brick school house that was in use from 1872 until 1967. The school was also used as a place of worship by the First Trinity Lutheran Church, as a polling center for the township, and as a gathering place for many local events and social clubs. If you want to stretch your legs and observe the local wildlife before getting back in the car, there are over three miles of trails that traverse the tallgrass prairie and woodlands that cover this 100-acre site.

Grand Island (Tours & Experiences)

Located in central Nebraska on the Platte River, Grand Island is “Home to the Sand Hill Crane Migration.” During the spring, Sandhill Cranes descend upon the largest remaining grassland ecosystem in the United States, a stopover on their annual northerly migration to their nesting sites. Considered one of the greatest natural wildlife migrations, this day trip allows visitors to witness the spectacular event in person. The best way to experience the wonders of the Sandhill Crane migration is through a guided tour offered by the Crane Trust and led by trained naturalist guides. There are multiple tour options with observation from viewing blinds and footbridges, as well as VIP package that include upgraded viewing areas and overnight lodging. Each of the tour experiences are designed to get you as close to the cranes as possible without disturbing them. The Crane Trust also operates a Nature and Visitor Center just 15 miles from Grand Island in the town of Wood River, a great place to begin this bucket-list day trip.

Lincoln (Museums & Attractions)

Located 60 miles southwest of Omaha, the capitol of Nebraska offers visitors a wide range of museums, attractions, and entertainment opportunities across vibrant neighborhoods and the downtown Haymarket district packed with boutique stores, coffee shops, local restaurants, and plenty of nightlife and entertainment. This day trip takes you to the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed, a world-class museum that showcases racing and automotive history. The extensive collection includes over 150 rare and one-of-a-kind vehicles and 600 significant engines, all of which have an interesting story that is thoughtfully told through displays and dioramas. The founders have done an amazing job integrating the people, places, and significant events of automotive history into the exhibits as well as including smaller artifacts, such as toys, memorabilia, and photographs.

Nebraska City (Museums & Attractions)

Famous for being the home of Arbor Day, Nebraska City is just 45 miles south of Omaha. The holiday, observed on the last Friday of April, was founded in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton to encourage people to plant a tree. A day trip to the 72-acre Arbor Day Farm has something for everyone to enjoy while visiting this National Historic Landmark. A few of the popular attractions include the Tree Adventure, Treetop Village, and a journey into the woodlands on the Discover Ride. History buffs won’t want to miss a tour of the former Morton family mansion, now called Arbor Lodge State Historical Park. Plan to spend the entire day exploring the farm, enjoying delicious barbeque at Porter’s, sampling the signature wines from the farm’s vineyards, and checking out the unique items and gifts sold at the handful of shops. There’s a lot to pack into one day trip, so next time consider staying at the all-new Lied Lodge & Conference Center.

**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states have travel restrictions and attractions may be temporarily closed or have limited hours. We direct you to their websites for updates and add them to your list for future travels!