Main street in Ogallala, NE. Editorial credit: Sandra Foyt / Shutterstock.com

10 Nicest Small Towns In Nebraska

Nebraska, located in the midwestern U.S., is a state that garners a lot of tourism from all over. With its rural and suburban small towns full of vibrant locales and landmarks, travelers will find a lot to see and do. Alongside ambient stops, a fun-loving community can also be found in each place, making for endless memories. These nice small towns in the "Cornhusker State" are sure to bring smiles and newfound appreciation!

Red Cloud

Red Cloud, Nebraska.
Red Cloud, Nebraska. Image credit: Jimmy Emerson DVM via Flickr.com

Red Cloud is a fun destination with trendy stopping points and lovable locals! The National Willa Cather Center offers both cultural events devoted to American novelists and book archive tours led by welcoming hosts. For others, the Webster County Historical Museum is more suitable if one prefers knowledge about agriculture and a pioneer upbringing.

Downtown in Red Cloud, Nebraska.
Downtown in Red Cloud, Nebraska.

The Starke Round Barn is a rural landmark with massive barn architecture and fascinating timber foundations as an engineering marvel for tourism. On the Brix is a renowned wine bar that serves globally recognized wines, Nebraska friendliness, and memorable charcuterie comfort that is unrivaled among other towns!

Ogallala

Post office in Ogallala, Nebraska.
Post office in Ogallala, Nebraska. Image credit Sandra Foyt via Shutterstock

Also known as "The Cowboy Capital," Ogallala has plenty of thrilling motivators to keep people on their toes! The Mansion on the Hill is a mainstay for schoolhouse history, 1880s Victorian themes, and family legacies. Lake McConaughy is a natural detour for reservoir beauty and is dubbed "Big Mac" for its gigantic recreational landscape.

Front Street view in Ogallala, Nebraska.
Front Street view in Ogallala, Nebraska. Editorial credit: YULIYAPHOTO / Shutterstock.com

Crandall Creek Golf Course allows visitors to enjoy southwestern environments while golfing on sunlit greenery or sipping on cold brews. Those seeking a unique dining experience can eat at the Front Street Steakhouse & Crystal Palace Saloon, where vintage cowboy elements combine with theatrical performances to create the ultimate Wild West outing!

Alliance

Carhenge sculpture in Alliance, Nebraska.
Carhenge sculpture in Alliance, Nebraska. Editorial credit: Edwin Verin / Shutterstock.com.

Alliance, or "An Oasis in the Sandhills" and "The Queen City of the Plains," is an underrated destination that deserves more recognition. Alliance Knight Museum transports tourists back to the old days with lots of Native American delicacies, prehistoric exhibits, and early countryside origins. The Central Park Fountain grants both fountain pool solace and arboretum adventures for traveling groups with kids.

Downtown Alliance, Nebraska.
Downtown Alliance, Nebraska.

The Carhenge is one of the most interesting attractions in town, with its England Stonehenge-esque wrecked car arrangements that will awe anyone! Wonderful Kitchen is a must for casual Chinese fare and delicious traditional dishes that are guaranteed to bring people back for more.

Gering

Covered wagon in front of Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, Nebraska.
Covered wagon in front of Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, Nebraska.

Small towns like Gering know how to please outsiders! At the Legacy of the Plains Museum, backpackers can explore Oregon Trail contributions and famed tractors from previous prairie generations. Scotts Bluff National Monument is both a North Platte River gateway and a testament to Native American migration with its special mountainside formations and 18th-century rocky remnants.

A view of the east side of 10th Street in Gering, Nebraska, looking northeast from M Street.
A view of the east side of 10th Street in Gering, Nebraska, looking northeast from M Street.

For canine lovers, Monument Dog Park offers a great spot for dog walking and features cozy picnic areas perfect for vacationers looking to host animal play dates. The Mixing Bowl is a pivotal locale for midwestern German meals and welcoming owners who love to mingle with weekenders!

Chadron

Main Street in Chadron, Nebraska.
Main Street in Chadron, Nebraska. Image credit Jasperdo via Flickr.com

A Great Plains town that is also seen as "The Magic City," Chadron has many splendors to offer tourists! Dawes County Historical Museum contains old-fashioned typewriters and curated household memorabilia from the past. There is also the Museum of the Fur Trade, catering to history buffs with its extensive Native American and European exploration workshops about fur trading.

Main Street in Chadron, Nebraska.
Main Street in Chadron, Nebraska. Image credit: Jasperdo via Flickr.com.

Nebraska National Forest is a haven for nature admirers who enjoy quiet hiking trails and blissful forestry. Anyone with a need for coffee can stop by Bean Broke Coffee House and Pub, where outsiders and locals can chit-chat while trying out rich coffee flavors or savoring hot sandwiches.

Valentine

Downtown Valentine, Nebraska, west side of Main Street.
Downtown Valentine, Nebraska, west side of Main Street.

Valentine is a destination that is usually overlooked but deserves lots of praise! Smith Falls State Park is home to the highest waterfall in the state and has numerous camping and canoeing opportunities for families who favor scenic itineraries. Little Outlaw Canoes, Tubes & Kayaks presents romantic and or honeymoon-driven backpackers with ways to float and kayak around the Niobrara River!

Street view in Valentine, Nebraska.
Street view in Valentine, Nebraska. Image credit Jasperdo via Flickr.com

Fort Niobara Wildlife Refuge's 77,000-acre landscape is a grand point for wildlife enthusiasts and marshland spotters who need a bit of time away from the noise. At Rosebud Casino, guests are enticed into slot machine games and playing their hands at poker tables alongside joyful residents!

Seward

Local businesses in downtown Seward, Nebraska.
Local businesses in downtown Seward, Nebraska. Image credit Ammodramus via Wikimedia Commons

Also referred to as "Nebraska's 4th of July City," Seward is a patriotic town full of historical and commercial finds. The Nebraska National Guard Museum features a collection of National Guard props and artifacts, accompanied by guided tours that explore military heritage. Plum Creek Trail & Garden Area knows how to keep tourists invested with its baseball friendliness, fireworks celebrations, and colorful shrubberies!

Christmas parade in Seward, Nebraska.
Christmas parade in Seward, Nebraska. Image credit: Shannon Patrick17 via Flickr.com.

Junto Wine delivers equal amounts of luxury and comfort with its soothing music sessions and grape-filled rolling hills to maintain a classy ambiance. Squire Ward's Public House is one of the best locales for pizza cravings or burger satisfaction in a social crowd that loves getting to know travelers!

Ashland

Downtown Ashland: Silver Street.
Downtown Ashland: Silver Street. By Ammodramus - Own work, CC0, Wikipedia.

Ashland is one of those towns often touted for its commercial and natural vibrance. The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum includes interactive aircraft exhibits and family-friendly planetarium showcases for those needing a science escape. At Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, trekkers can take on 690 acres of cabin recreation and horseback riding while seeing gorgeous Platte River sights!

Animal encounters are most pleasurable at Wildlife Safari Park, a nature preserve that makes tourists feel right at home while viewing all types of elk, bears, wolves, and other creatures. For hungry stomachs, Luna Azul Mexican Restaurant has appealing fajitas and margaritas to satisfy Mexican food fans.

Papillion

Aerial view of Papillion, Nebraska.
Aerial view of Papillion, Nebraska.

Papillion, or "Papio" to the locals, is a heartwarming itinerary choice in many ways! The Papillion Area Historical Society has 1970s Sautter farmhouse estates and rural showrooms to fit into all types of travels. Werner Park is home to minor league baseball enjoyment and doubles as a light show venue for Christmas celebrations!

For a splendid sports bar retreat, travelers can check out Sinnott's Sand Bar, where sand volleyball activities and patio relaxation keep everyone happy. SumTur Amphitheater is an evening highlight for all who like hillside seats and outdoor performances that are worth the return trip during any season!

Brownville

Missouri River downstream of Brownville, Nebraska.
Missouri River downstream of Brownville, Nebraska.

Brownville is an extraordinary place to be, regardless of itinerary length. At Captain Meriwether Lewis Dredge, museumgoers can explore dredge steamboats that survived time and Native American heritage around the Missouri River. The Ice House Museum of Brownville is another historic stop for the most quaint creekside cabins and rustic ice house upbringing!

Flatwater Folk Art Museum is one part museum and one part commercialized, with its expressionist folk art and abstract pieces that will always leave a lasting impression on outsiders. The Bird's Nest Trading Post is a welcoming stop for multicultural handmade gifts and vintage Southwestern accessories that make for an excellent end to any trip!

There is nothing quite as nice and spectacular as the small towns in Nebraska. With endless opportunities for community comfort and scenic locales and landmarks to remember for a lifetime, outsiders can feel like they have been around forever. This list will make it easier for familiar and unfamiliar faces alike to go on a new adventure in the "Cornhusker State"!

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