8 Most Hospitable Small Towns In Nebraska
The Cornhusker State is rich in natural beauty, from the rolling prairies that bloom with wildflowers to the Missouri River bluffs. But Nebraska’s best natural resource is its down-to-earth and friendly locals. These hospitable towns are what make the Midwest one of the warmest and most welcoming regions in the country. From the 4th of July celebration in Seward to the historical sites in Columbus, these small hidden gems will make you never want to leave! So pack a bag and get ready to feel at home in these hospitable Nebraska towns.
Ogallala
Get ready to fall in love with the Old West charm of Ogallala. A walk down Front Street and through the Ogallala Historic District weaves the tale of Ogallala’s roots. On Front Street, you can travel back in time down dusty dirt roads and stop in the old jail or grab a pint at the rustic Front Street Steakhouse & Crystal Palace Saloon. And be sure to stop by the Cowboy Museum to learn the history of the town. In the summer, you can even catch a live reenactment of an Old West shootout!
Outside of its old-timey appeal, Ogallala is also a naturally beautiful town. To the north of town is Lake McConaughy, which is located within Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area and Wildlife Management Area. It’s a great place to relax along the waters, take a fishing boat out onto the lake, or hike the nearby scenic trails. If you love history in a peaceful setting, Boot Hill Cemetery is one of the town’s most iconic landmarks, with many of the original settlers laid to rest there.
Seward
West of Lincoln is where you’ll find the hidden gem of Seward. It’s a small, tight-knit community that’s affectionally referred to as Nebraska's Fourth of July City. It has held its iconic 4th of July celebration every year since 1868 and only gets better as the years pass. Today, you can expect the city to come alive with parades, an amazing fireworks show, great food, and family-friendly activities. If you want to get to know a little more about Seward’s rich history, there’s no better spot than the Seward County Historical Museum.
Once you are all partied out downtown, there is a lush wilderness to explore outside the city limits. The Smith Creek Recreation Area, featuring a 20-acre lake surrounded by miles of rolling prairies and untouched land, is the perfect secluded spot for fishing or walking along its clear waters. While there are many parks within the city limits, a local favorite is the Centennial Park near the Seward County Fairgrounds. It is a great place to go for a leisurely stroll along the Big Blue River while staying in the heart of Seward.
Columbus
A little over an hour outside of Omaha is the community of Columbus, a thriving city with both natural and historical sites worth checking out. The Platte County Historical Society is a historical gem of Columbus, depicting the early days of Columbus via artifacts and unique exhibits. History buffs have to check out the Andrew Jackson Higgins National Memorial along the Loup River. It has amazing statues and exhibits, but none compare to the “little boat that won World War II,” aka the Higgins Boat!
Columbus is chock full of unique attractions that you won’t find anywhere else. The Quincentenary Bell Tower is a must-see monument honoring Christopher Columbus, filling the town with the calming sound of church bells. Located in Pawnee Park, the bell tower houses 10 church bells that chime every 15 minutes. But if you’re looking for a little more excitement, the Columbus Thoroughbred Racing offers live races (and great food) in a covered stadium.
Chadron
Tucked away in the Northwest corner of Nebraska near the South Dakota border is Chadron, famous for its fur trade history. While its fur trading days are behind it, the town still celebrates its history in a few ways. Every July, this tight-knit community celebrates its heritage during its Fur Trade Days, an annual event hosting a carnival, live music, parades, and excellent local food. If you miss the parade, you can still learn all about this small community at the Museum of the Fur Trade.
If you thought Nebraska was nothing but cornfields, Chadron will prove you very wrong! The Chadron State Park is Nebraska’s oldest state park and allows visitors to explore the vast wilderness of open prairies, rugged cliffs and canyons, and relaxing views along Chadron Creek. Chadron is in the heart of the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area, offering over 6,000 acres of untouched ponderosa pines.
North Platte
As the hometown of Buffalo Bill, the residents of North Platte know how to have a good time! The Buffalo Bill Rodeo is one of North Platte’s most famous events. It was originally called the Old Glory Blowout in 1882 and was founded by Buffalo Bill himself. It’s a great way to experience the warm hospitality in North Platte with family-friendly activities, western entertainment, and rodeo events after the sun goes down. And if you want to learn a little more about North Platte’s hometown hero, be sure to visit the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, where you can take a tour of his home!
But there’s so much more to North Platte than just Buffalo Bill; it also has amazing parks and rare sights. During the spring, over 600,000 Sandhill Cranes pass over North Platte in the North Platte River valley. They even offer guided birding tours to get the best view of these amazing birds. And if you want to take in the sites of the North Platte area, the North Platte Trails Network zig zags through the area and offers easy to challenging hikes.
Gering
The small community of Gering is yet another city, proving Nebraska is more than cornfields and farmland. Its rocky terrain and steep elevations are worth the trip alone. Amid the rocky peaks is the small community of Gering, always ready to welcome visitors. Walking the tree-lined streets with brick sidewalks feels like stepping back in time. You can stop in local cafes like Emporium Express Bean and Bottle or grab a sweet treat at Gering Bakery.
Outside its charming and cozy downtown area is an open wilderness to discover. Some of the best spots to go for a hike in Gering include the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and the North Platte River. However, Gering's biggest attraction is the Scotts Bluff National Monument. It’s one of the most iconic natural attractions in Nebraska! You can hike to the top of this natural rock formation for breathtaking panoramic views of the area and then stop by the visitors center to learn more about how important this landmark was on the Oregon Trail.
Hastings
Hastings, located in south-central Nebraska, is the birthplace of Nebraska’s official soft drink, Kool-Aid! You can learn all about the origin of this iconic American beverage at the Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History, and it’s especially fun for the little ones. But there’s so much more to see at this museum than just the Kool-Aid Man (that’s just a bonus). It’s the largest museum between Chicago and Denver and offers visitors three floors of the history of the Nebraska plains, animal habitats, and a domed planetarium.
Visitors can catch a show at the Hastings Community Theatre which has a changing production depending upon the season. The best time of year to visit Hastings is during the summer during the Kool-Aid Days Festival held at the Adams County Fairgrounds. It’s a great family-friendly event with Kool-Aid tastings, great food, and fun activities like the Kool-Aid Kardboard Boat Races.
Nebraska City
South of Omaha, near the border of Iowa and Missouri, is Nebraska City, affectionately known as the birthplace of Arbor Day. At the Arbor Day Farm, visitors can hike the nearby trails or kick back and relax as the Discovery Ride takes you through shaded orchards and vineyards. And if you love apples, you have to plan your visit during the AppleJack Festival. It’s a weekend-long event held in September that celebrates everything apples (you have to try an apple fritter while you are there!) But if you miss the festival, you can still get your fill of apples at the Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm.
No trip to the Birthplace of Arbor Day is complete without exploring the woods that inspired the national holiday. The Steamboat Trace Hike/Bike Trail is a gravel trail that traces the Missouri River and the surrounding woods. This scenic trail is designated by the National Park Service as an official Lewis and Clark site.
Discover Nebraska's Most Welcoming Towns
From the Kool-Aid man to Buffalo Bill, these Nebraska towns are some of the most hospitable and welcoming communities that will make you feel right at home. These small communities host family-friendly events like the AppleJack Festival and the Buffalo Bill Rodeo; life is never dull in these hidden gems. Next time you’re looking for something fun to do in the Cornhusker State, take a detour away from the bigger cities and settle into small towns living in these charming Nebraska towns. They’ll make you feel like you’ve lived there your whole life!
