2024's Towns In Nebraska That Come Alive In The Fall

Despite being the NE famous for monochrome corn fields, Nebraska is a vibrant autumnal paradise. New England may have denser, brighter foliage, but Nebraska, given its central location, really comes alive in the fall, keeping colors later in the year. Even in November, swaths of riverside trees still show swatches of red, orange, and yellow. Leaf peepers can thus extend their vacation in the other NE while enjoying late fall activities. From looking at leaves to driving byways and tasting wine, behold the best things to do—and the best Nebraska towns to do them in—during fall 2024.

Brownville

It's fitting to begin with Brownville, which, in fall, can also be called Redville, Orangeville, or Yellowville. Such colors put peepers on this Missouri River enclave, which was once a booming port town and is now a 140ish-person village rife with relics. Sure, the Meriwether Lewis Dredge and Governor Furnas House are fascinating sights, but leave it to multicolored leaves to bring this historic hub to life. Brownville is the start or end of the Heritage Highway Scenic Byway, a 238-mile stretch of US Route 136 that is perfect for fall foliage.

Best of all, since this byway crosses the southern portion of the state, travelers can still find bright foliage in November. Another ravishing route veers south toward Indian Cave State Park, a 3,000ish-acre wooded wonderland. In addition to hiking, biking, and boating, autumn in Indian Cave offers Haunted Hollow. This Halloween-themed festival has been enthralling park visitors for almost 30 years.

Decatur

Also, a village on the Missouri River, Decatur, transforms into a decadent destination during fall. Riverfront foliage creates a vibrant backdrop for diners at Pop-n-Docs and campers at Beck Memorial Park, which is itself a tranquil municipal preserve. From the park, a tourist can traipse through town, peeping more reds, yellows, and browns before sitting at the Green Lantern Steakhouse and Lounge.

Lastly, Decatur is a short drive north of the Nebraska Country Hill Cabins, which is a short drive south of the Blackbird Scenic Overlook. The overlook provides views of fall vegetation and a replica Indigenous earth lodge. It is part of the Omaha Reservation and the Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway.

Valentine

Valentine has the wrong name for a fall destination but the right attractions. This 2,600ish-person city, named for Nebraska politician Edward K. Valentine, is flanked by nature preserves that explode with color in autumn. These include the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest, Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, and Smith Falls State Park. The last of those features Nebraska's tallest waterfall, which, when centering a mosaic of vibrant vegetation, will make you fall for the fall in fall. Valentine and its adjoining parks can be seen along the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway, which runs for roughly 230 miles.

Ponca

At the eastern end of the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway sits Ponca, a city of about 900 people on the Missouri River. Like many riverside settlements, especially in Nebraska, Ponca is a fall oasis, given its river-nourished foliage. Bright forests decorate Ponca State Park, which is located just north of town. Parkgoers can peep the leaves while hiking, biking, camping, picnicking, boating, hunting, fishing, and surveying Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota from the 3 State Overlook.

Additionally, if visiting in October, partake in HallowFest, a long-running Halloween spectacular. Activities include pumpkin carving, pumpkin rolling, and hayriding.

Chadron

Panning the Great Plains in Nebraska's northwest corner, Chadron may not seem like a colorful autumn attraction. After all, yellow grass stays yellow. However, in addition to being a gateway to the Oglala National Grassland, Chadron is the nearest hub to Oglala's wooded sister, the Nebraska National Forest (Pine Ridge Ranger District). Evergreens fill the forest, but color-changing cottonwoods line the waterways and provide ample photo opportunities for fall tourists.

Also preserved is Chadron State Park, which, beyond sightseeing and photography, offers everything from horseback riding to pickleball to archery. After the target shooting, target the Museum of the Fur Trade just outside Chadron proper. There you can learn about Nebraska fur trading, especially at its reconstructed Bordeaux Trading Post. Unfortunately, the museum closes on October 31, so you will have to visit next year.

Nebraska City

What's a list of foliage destinations without the home of Arbor Day? Nebraska City, a Nebraska city with about 7,200 residents, seeded America's top arboreal observance in 1872. An estimated one million trees were planted in Nebraska that April. Modern Nebraska City celebrates trees not just in April but year-round, thanks to Arbor Day Farm. This 260-acre property contains, among many other attractions, the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, Lied Lodge, Apple House Market, Treetop Village, Orchard, Historic Barns, and hundreds of varieties of trees and shrubs.

Leaf peeping aside, autumn at Arbor Day Farm comprises the AppleJack Festival in late September, apple picking in early October, Oktoberfest in mid-October, and Halloween festivities in late October. On the docket for November are wine, Thanksgiving, and early Christmas events.

North Platte

Though North Platte is larger than other communities, its ~23,000 residents and spectacular shrubbery make it a quaint fall getaway by other Americans' standards. North Platte sits in west-central Nebraska at the confluence of the North and South Platte rivers. Those waterways are fringed with foliage that spins the color wheel in autumn.

After seeing where the arrow lands, tourists can follow the tributaries to other colorful attractions like the Buffalo Bill State Historical Park, whose fall events include Dusty's Pumpkin Fest and Homestead Pumpkin Patch, which hosts such activities as cornhole, ziplining, hayriding, and human foosball. Homestead has already closed for the season, but Buffalo Bill's gorgeous grounds are open year-round.

Nebraska may not be the first choice for a fall vacation, but this midwestern state has lush parks and rivers that change colors later in the year. Brown, orange, yellow, and red foliage bedeck Nebraska even into November, meaning that, if you hurry, you can still peep leaves and other autumn attractions in 2024. Let Brownville, Decatur, Valentine, Ponca, Chadron, Nebraska City, and North Platte be your bases for late fall fun.