8 Quirkiest Nebraska Towns You Didn't Know Existed
Nebraska is, for some, the most iconic of Midwestern states. A part of the Union since 1867, the place otherwise known as the Cornhusker State, after its abundant crop of that and other types of foodstuffs, the area's sweeping plains, rock formations, and varied natural features offer an abundance of choice for a weekend or longer visit. Beyond cities like Omaha and the capital, Lincoln, some of Nebraska's smaller towns feature quirky names like Broken Bow and Wahoo, but the reasons for those monikers always stem from the state's dynamic cultures of the past and present. For a look at Nebraska as it used to be and as it exists today, these towns provide fascinating glimpses into what makes the state unique. Let's visit the eight quirkiest Nebraska towns you didn't know existed.
Broken Bow
With a town slogan like "Rooted, but not standing still," the unusually named town of Broken Bow, set in the Sand Hills region of central Nebraska, stands apart. Broken Bow's first post office opened in 1879, after the local population had submitted three other names for the office and the town it would serve. A settler remembered finding a broken bow near the site, and a town name, and the promise of much future growth, sprung into existence.
Broken Bow lies on either side of the well-named Mud Creek, and its modern activities suggest a small but prosperous all-American town. The town helps host the Bike Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN) each summer. A lively downtown area brings together a historic square, local-favorite eateries like the Howdy Coffee Co. and Legends Neighborhood Grill. For a cold one after a long travel day, Kinkaider Brewing Company blends local ingredients in colorful, Nebraska-themed packaging. Family-friendly fun awaits at Melham Park northeast of downtown, where baseball game, or a dip in the Broken Bow Swimming Pool, will delight visitors of all ages.
Chadron
As a onetime trading post, the town of Chadron, in Nebraska's northwest corner, wears its past on its sleeve. The town's museums will appeal to any history buff, from the Museum of the Fur Trade to the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center, whose namesake author wrote more than 20 novels celebrating the culture and drama of the region. A separate part of the museum honors the legacy of cattle ranching in and around Chadron. More touches of culture are easy to find in the town's Commercial Historic District, which since 2007 enjoys a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fresh-air seekers are spoiled for choice in Chadron, and can head to Chadron State Park, the nearby Nebraska National Forest, or the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area, whose dramatic bluffs have inspired travelers and artists for generations. Pine Ridge is serious about keeping its environment natural: no motorized vehicles are allowed on its 6,600 acres, though the park does offer campgrounds and access to hiking and mountain-biking trails.
Crete
Like the Greek island of the same name, the town of Crete, in southeast Nebraska, shows just how far the state has come from its former days as a U.S. territory. The Crete Heritage Society operates in the onetime home of town founder, Jesse Bickle. The 1870s house, built in the Gothic Carpenter style, actually conceals the log cabin the Bickle occupied before his later prosperity as a farmer. These and other local, quirky histories stand on display at the house, open by appointment and at various public visit days throughout the year.
In town, dining options range from Mexican at De Leon's to classic American fare at the 9th Street Grill. Outdoors fans may want to go straight to Wild Plum Lake and Tanglewood Lake, where camping and boating are popular.
Gretna
For enthusiasts of unusual religious architecture, the town of Gretna, also in southeast Nebraska, promises a unique attraction. The Holy Family Shrine, built for Roman Catholics but open to all travelers, combines a 45-foot cross, glass-and-wood walls, an underground visitor's area, and a flowing water course to wow even the tourist who feels he or she has already seen it all. The site is free to enter, and easy to admire.
Gretna sits along Nebraska's vibrant I-80 highway, an artery that provides access to modern and classic folkways of the state. The town's Local Beer, Patio, and Kitchen serves up draft brews and delicious pizzas for families that may be traveling with hard-to-please younger eaters. The kids may be similarly interested in the Schramm Park State Recreation Area and Recreation Center, which features outdoor adventure and an aquarium with interactive exhibits.
Ogallala
Ogallala, in the state's southwest, calls itself the "Cowboy Capital of Nebraska." The legacies of its ranching days stand for all to see at the Front Street and Cowboy Museum, where displays and live re-enactments celebrate a time when cattle raising meant everything in these parts. For time outdoors, Lake McConaughy, the state's largest body of water, lies north of town. Ogallala itself sits on the north bank of the South Platte River, providing ample fishing, picnic, and waterside opportunities.
For a unique and quirky experience that comes free of charge, head to Boot Hill, a cemetery dedicated to cowboys, which serves as the final resting place for many pioneers, ranch hands, and drifters of old. A cowboy statue stands at the grave of Rattlesnake Ed, a real-life figure whose legend says he was shot over nine dollars during a game of cards in town.
Valentine
Like February's romantic holiday, Valentine, a town in north-central Nebraska, charms those who know it. Valentine's tourism tagline of "small town, big adventure," has attracted many out-of-towners over the years. In a quirk of geography, Valentine once boasted a curious feature: the Central and Mountain zones once divided the town's main street. Other unusual spots include the Smith Falls State Park, where a viewing deck allows for great photos of the namesake waterfall.
The town also offers visitors access to a stretch of the Cowboy Trail, a converted rail bed, now covered in crushed limestone, that invites cyclists and distance runners to explore its nearly 200 miles. The Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge gives protections to majestic local animals like white-tailed deer and American bison.
Seward
In eastern Nebraska, west of the city of Lincoln, the town of Seward shares its name with the surrounding county, and carries out a distinctly patriotic style of life. Those places took inspiration from William Henry Seward, the Secretary of War under President Abraham Lincoln, and a key political figure during the U.S. Civil War. Seward is well-known for its extravagant July 4th celebrations, and welcomes visitors from all over, who want to enjoy an all-American independence party. Fun fact: the Nebraska town is one among 10 U.S. place to bear the stateman's name today.
For more local traditions, head to the Seward County Courthouse Square Historic District. The area features a courthouse built in limestone, a park with a bandstand, and a Carnegie Library, designed to beautify and educate the populace of American communities just like the one here. Fans of beer and wine can sample local creations at Bottle Rocket Brewing and Junto Winery, both nearby.
Wahoo
The name Wahoo may sound almost silly, but the town's attractions make for serious fun. North of Lincoln, Wahoo offers a variety of ideas for outings, not least the Wahoo Country Music Show, or the Saunders County Historical Society Museum, which exhibits displays that include more than 25,000 artifacts to illustrate local life and histories. More culture stands out at the Howard Hanson House, which was the home of Howard Hanson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning music composer.
Wahoo is also a favorite among sportsman, and the town welcomes fishermen, boaters, and other outdoors types to Lake Wanahoo nearby. After a day on the water, local favorite restaurants like the Branding Iron Cafe and Chip's Restaurant and Bar provide cold brews, comfort food, and a place to spin out fishing stories with friends.
Overlooked, Undiscovered: Nebraska's Small Towns Await Exploration
As these towns suggest, some of Nebraska's finest points of interest lie outside of the larger cities like Lincoln or Omaha. Their sometimes-quirky charms can also be their strongest features. All-American towns like Broken Bow and Chadron reflect the tough beginnings of these towns as homesteads, and their later glory in producing parks, museums, and regional literature. Nebraska's cowboy legacy lives on in places like Ogallala and Valentine, highlighting a key element in the state's past. And in Seward and Wahoo, traditions from July 4th festivities to country music shows prove that Nebraska knows how to keep its local folkways alive. Quirky for some, inviting for all, Nebraska's eight quirkiest towns you didn't know existed warrant a visit from out-of-state travelers.
