8 of the Most Hospitable Small Towns in Nebraska
Much like the Kool-Aid Man, you will be unable to contain your excitement as you explore Nebraska, the state where Kool-Aid originated. In the Cornhusker State, there are many welcoming places to explore and stunning sights to remember, especially in the most hospitable small towns in Nebraska. From historic towns like Chadron and Seward to nature-loving settlements like Valentine and Nebraska City, there is no shortage of opportunities to feel safe and excited in a strange new land. So come visit this underrated state that preserves much of the Wild West, and feel comfortable and joyful in the most hospitable small towns in Nebraska.
Chadron
As a former 1885 fur-trading hub in the vast Pine Ridge National Recreation Area, the town of Chadron is an idyllic place to learn more about Nebraska’s High Plains heritage. The Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center and the Museum of the Fur Trade provide insightful explanations and lessons regarding Chadron’s role in history. Fort Robinson State Park also contains an array of military structures and Native American relics.
If memorabilia is not to your liking, then explore Chadron’s vibrant side at the Nebraska National Forest and Chadron State Park, Nebraska’s first state park. So visit this quiet town about two hours away from Valentine and find good accommodations at Chadron Inn & Suites.
Gering
Located at the foot of an Oregon Trail landmark and less than two hours away from Chadron, the town of Gering preserves many historical and natural wonders from an era of roving pioneers and watchful frontiersmen. Atop the awesome Scotts Bluff National Monument and the dynamic Wildcat Hills, one can witness the unchanged majesty of the land and even glimpse actual wagon wheel ruts left behind by travelers along the Oregon and Mormon trails. One can pay homage to these early American ancestors at the Pioneer Graves, or you can appreciate their lifestyle at the Robidoux Trading Post.
When you are heading to the Wildcat Hills or the Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Area, stop at the "Hi" rock formation for picture-perfect shots of the welcoming landscape. Lastly, get some rest and relaxation at the Monument Inn & Suites, Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, or Circle S Lodge.
Nebraska City
History and nature blend like an excellent apple cider in the small town of Nebraska City. The town commemorates the voyage of the Lewis and Clark expedition with featured exhibits at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center. Nebraska City also honors the abolitionist movement at the Mayhew Cabin and John Brown's Cave. While you are discovering the natural and historic grandeur of Nebraska City, you ought to first explore the 260-acre campus of Arbor Day Farm, complete with a treehouse that includes a 50-foot-tall slide.
Close at hand, the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park was the former estate of Arbor Day founder J. Sterling Morton. Most importantly, you will want to visit Nebraska City around April 26 – 28 to attend Arbor Day, a secular celebration of planting trees that began in 1872. For lodgings, Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast and Lied Lodge are some of the finest places you can spend your Arbor Day.
McCook
As American author Willa Cather once said: “Anybody can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the prairie.” And in the small town of McCook, there is nothing more lovely than the prairies all over the area. Also known as the “Capital of the Buffalo Commons,” visitors may be treated to the sights of the great herds grazing all over the plains and prairies of McCook. The Sutton House, the only building in Nebraska made by Frank Lloyd Wright, stands as an architectural attraction. One can learn all about McCook’s past at the Museum of the High Plains.
Elsewhere, the Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area on Hugh Butler Lake offers many opportunities for camping and fishing. On the other hand, the Kiplinger Arena hosts yearly rodeos and other equestrian events for fun and games. If you are in need of a place to stay, then consider Coratel Inn & Suites By Jasper McCook, Bobwhite Perch Lodge, or Horse Creek Inn for options.
Ogallala
Get ready to ogle and idolize the town of Ogallala, a Wild Western settlement along the Texas Trail. The town earned its name from the Ogala (Oklada) Sioux tribe that seasonally hunted in the area. Nowadays, people visit Ogallala to sample the Big Mac—or Lake McConaughy, as it is formally called. A popular yearly event that transpires on the Big Mac’s shores is the Kites and Castles, a sand-sculpting competition on July 27.
Nearby, the Ash Hollow State Historical Park contains geological and historical relics long before and during the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails. Due to its historically preserved saloons and stores, Ogallala has been called “The Cowboy Capital of Nebraska,” and one can be entertained and informed about Ogallala’s wild and western heritage at Front Street and the Cowboy Museum. You can always recharge at the Lazy K Motel when you are finished with your tour.
Seward
Seward, the seat of Seward Country and located about 25 miles from Lincoln, derived its name from William Henry Seward, Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln. The town has further embodied American patriotism since the town's first Fourth of July celebration took place in Seward in 1868, and has since earned the moniker “Nebraska’s Fourth of July City.”
Seward continues to provide one of the biggest festivals to remember the Declaration of Independence every July 4, so you should not miss this yearly festivity. If you want to learn more about Seward’s legacy, then venture into the Nebraska National Guard Museum or the Seward County Historical Society and Museum.
Red Cloud
About 40 miles from Hastings, Red Cloud is a rosy little village near the Republican River. Founded in 1871, the town was named after the warrior-chief of the Oglala Sioux, Red Cloud, but has been noted for being home to one of the childhood residents of Willa Cather, author of many fine works regarding the portrayal of frontier life on the Great Plains. Today, the Willa Cather State Historic Site exhibits the novelist’s notes and family memorabilia. Cather’s home and other locations that harken to or reference her literary pieces are part of the Willa Cather Thematic District.
Aside from literary references, Red Cloud hosts the annual Street Car Days celebration during the first weekend of August. Burlington Depot Historical Marker elaborates on the town’s pivotal reliance on the Missouri River Railroad. The Indian Creek State Wildlife Management Area promotes many wildlife and natural attractions for nature-savvy visitors. Lastly, the Green Acres Motel, 345 Red Cloud, and Bar S Lodge are a few excellent lodgings to hang out.
Valentine
Be prepared to fall in love with the vibrant town of Valentine. Lounging on the languid Niobrara River, Valentine is an outdoor lover’s paradise as the placid, rolling river promotes kayaking and diving opportunities. Nearby, the Smith Falls State Park is home to many crashing waterfalls and cascades for you to soak in the misty spray, while the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge and the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest are abundant with prairie biodiversity.
Journey through the Sandhills of Nebraska, the largest tract of stabilized sand dunes in the Western Hemisphere, or appreciate the simplistic ranch livelihood at the Arthur Bowring Ranch State Historical Park. A sinuous trek through the Cowboy Trail will offer panoramic experiences of the surrounding landscape. Lest you forget, book rooms at the Niobrara Lodge, the Heartland Elk Ranch, or Raine Motel for a lovely stay in Valentine.
From the Otoe Native American word nebrathka, meaning "flat water” (as an allusion to the Platte River), the state of Nebraska is far from flat. Rolling hills and dynamic forests dominate the terrain, and even in the city of Omaha, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium contains the largest indoor rainforest in the United States. But it is the most hospitable small towns in Nebraska that truly show the beauty of the Cornhusker State. Whether you are celebrating Arbor Day in Nebraska City, honoring the Fourth of July in Seward, or enjoying the splendid scenery at Gering, these small towns will feel as wonderful as a fresh drink of Kool-Aid.
