8 Best Nebraska Towns For A Weekend Trip
The 37th State to be admitted to the Union, Nebraska is the country’s one (and only) triply landlocked state situated in the Midwestern United States. Distinguished for its softly curving hills, unwooded prairies, sweeping grasslands, see-through aqueous realms, colorful cultural scenes, and world-famous sightseeing resources, the Cornhusker State crams myriad enchantments within its borders. While urban conurbations, including Lincoln - the state capital- and Omaha - the largest city, always hog much of the tourist limelight, the innumerable teeny settlements scattered all over the state are worth venturing to on your holiday weekends.
Chadron
Dawes County’s administrative center, named in honor of Louis Chartran - a Metis fur trapper, Chadron is located in the Nebraska Panhandle near the White River, a few miles south of the state border with South Dakota. Placed in the instant vicinity of greenbelts like the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area and Chadron State Park, outdoor lovers get to partake in copious, fun-filled activities. On top of that, book your stay at the Best Western West Hills Inn, besides exploring the Museum of Fur Trade, which exhibits over 6000 artifacts and sits on the site of the quondam Bordeaux Trading Post of the American Fur Company. Every July, the ‘Fur Trade Days’ event is hosted by the town to memorialize Chadron’s origins in the 19th century as a ‘fur and hide trading post.’
Ogallala
The seat of government of southwestern Nebraska’s Keith County, Ogallala is an unruffled grassland community along the South Platte River banks. A stop on the Pony Express during the Nebraska Territory days, globetrotters on an excursion to Ogallala must walk down Front Street and look at the many 19th-century structures, gift shops like MaKenzi’s Boutique, art galleries like Petrified Wood Gallery, vintage cowboy-themed Front Street Steakhouse & Crystal Palace Saloon serving appetizing steaks and buffalo chicken burgers, and boarding houses like Hampton Inn Ogallala. Furthermore, the accessible Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area proffers bountiful recreational activities.
Ashland
Ashland, called after the estate of the influential Kentucky statesman Henry Clay Sr., is a hypnotizing Saunders County community located alongside the Salt Creek River. Initially set up as a railroad town and currently a ‘bedroom community’ for the larger metropolises, Ashland significantly benefits due to its nearness to the Interstate 80 Freeway and Nebraska’s two commercial centers: Lincoln and Omaha. Take a stroll through the energetic Silver Street and survey clothing stores like Lighthouse Boutique, wine bars like Glacial Till Cedar House & Tasting Room, restaurants like Cheri O’s, and accommodations like The Roost Bed & Breakfast; apart from the town’s supplemental tourist magnets such as Kountze Memorial Theatre, Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari, Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, and Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park. Also, try to be there at any of Ashland’s yearly festivities, such as the Stir-Up Days Celebration, Trick or Treat on Silver Street, Summer Art Walk, Flea Market, and Christmas Open House.
McCook
Baptized in memory of Alexander McDowell McCook - a Brigadier General in the federal army during the American Civil War, McCook is a tiny, adorable settlement in southwestern Nebraska’s Red Willow County. Travelers on a trip to this ‘Capital of the Buffalo Commons’ should embark on a walking tour of McCook’s Heritage Square and multiple notable sites of interest, such as the Senator George Norris State Historic Site, McCook Art Guild, Heritage Hills Golf Course, Museum of the High Plains & Carnegie Library, and Harvey P. Sutton House. Those wishing to partake in swimming, fishing, kayaking, wildlife-watching, hiking, and camping activities should head straight to the proximate Red Willow State Recreation Area, in addition to unwinding at Holiday Inn Express McCook and enjoying seasonal festivals like Southwest Nebraska Freedom Festival, Buffalo Commons Storytelling & Music Festival, and ‘Heritage Days.’
Seward
Home to 7,643 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, this administrative capital of Seward County, platted in 1868, is a part of the Lincoln Metropolitan Statistical Area. Esteemed for its inherent gorgeousness, Seward invites tourists to spend quality time at the nearby Plum Creek Park, whose sylvan settings provide opportunities for various sporting facilities. To acquire knowledge about the interesting past and cultural traditions of Seward, explore the Centennial Rivoli Theater, Bartels Museum & Marxhausen Gallery of Art, Nebraska National Guard Museum, and Seward County Museum. Likewise, have a comfortable stay at Sunset Inn & Suites - Seward, attend the Flatwater Film Festival at Rivoli Theater, and the continual Independence Day festivities since 1868 at this ‘America’s Official Fourth of July City - Small Town USA.’
Valentine
Cherry County’s seat of government, dubbed ‘America’s Heart City,’ is set immediately north of the Niobrara River on the northern edge of the Sandhills region. Adventurists flock to Valentine in large numbers, allured by its championship golf courses, Nebraska’s tallest waterfall at the Smith Falls State Park, and several miles of hiking trails - especially the Cowboy Trail that covers about 200 miles of a railroad line initially used by the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, a National Scenic River, the Fort Niobrara and Valentine National Wildlife Refuges, and abundant hunting and fishing opportunities. After an eventful day, dine at the Peppermill Restaurant & EKV Lounge or Bunkhouse Restaurant & Saloon, and de-stress at Super 8 by Wyndham Valentine.
Brownville
This bewitching hamlet in Nemaha County of southeastern Nebraska sits in the undulating Loess Hills above the Missouri River Valley. A most sought-after vacation spot and a designated National Register Historic District, Brownville features uncountable painstakingly preserved landmark properties that have been converted into noteworthy museums like the Governor Furnas House, Meriwether Lewis Museum of Missouri River History, Carson House, Wheel Museum, and Captain Bailey House. When in town, the adjacent Indian Cave Park, art galleries like Schoolhouse Art Gallery & Nature Center, gift shops like The Bird’s Nest Trading Post, eateries like The Lyceum, and homey accommodations like The River Inn Resort are must-stops. Spare time from your crazy routines to show up at the town’s yearly spring & fall flea markets, Brownville Concert Series, Brownville Fine Art Show, and the Fourth of July’s Freedom Day Celebration.
Minden
Minden, christened after its namesake German town, forms a portion of the Kearney Micropolitan Statistical Area in south-central Nebraska’s Kearney County. Located around 15 miles southeast of Kearney, this serene 3,118-inhabitant community is widely known for housing Pioneer Village - established in 1953 by Harold Warp - a Chicago-based plastic film Flex-O-Glass manufacturer. Spread over 20 acres alongside U.S. Route 6, the Pioneer Village Museum Complex comprises a complex of 28 buildings with a collection of over 50,000 items. Minden also actively promotes itself as ‘Nebraska’s Christmas City,’ where more than 12,000 bulbs illuminate the courthouse square and the Christmas pageant - “The Light of The World” is staged annually. The Rowe Sanctuary of the National Audubon Society offers guided Sandhill crane-watching opportunities for nature enthusiasts while out-of-towners can rest for the night at The Harold Warp Pioneer Motel.
From Valentine - ‘America’s Heart City’ to McCook - ‘Capital of the Buffalo Commons,’ the irresistible small towns in the 16th largest and 38th most populous state of the nation are some of its untapped delights waiting to welcome all sojourners. So, if you are looking for comforting enclaves to stay in or locales to fraternize on your weekend nearcations, these Nebraska towns will assuredly leave a lingering imprint on every leisure seeker.
