9 Picture-Perfect Towns In Nebraska
Nebraska, the nation’s sole triply landlocked state located in the American Midwest is acclaimed for its gently rolling hills, expansive grasslands, treeless prairies, crystal-clear water bodies, vibrant cultural scenes, and other noteworthy attractions. Traditionally inhabited by various indigenous tribes for thousands of years before the Europeans arrived, Nebraska is the perfect place to learn more about the rich Native American history and Old West culture. While a majority of tourists think of touring significant metropolises like Lincoln (the state capital) and Omaha (the biggest city) whenever they visit Nebraska, the many picture-perfect towns dotting the Cornhusker State are waiting to be discovered by the vacationers.
Brownville
Brownville is an attractive hamlet situated in the rolling Loess Hills of southeastern Nebraska’s Nemaha County above the Missouri River Valley. A famed tourist destination, the town has been designated a National Register Historic District featuring innumerable meticulously maintained houses that have been turned into museums and opened for public tours. Brownville’s interesting museums include the Meriwether Lewis Museum of Missouri River History, Carson House, Governor Furnas House, Wheel Museum, and Captain Bailey House. Additionally, the multiple boutique shops, art galleries, bookstores, dining options, wineries, and bed & breakfasts like the River Inn Resort, have helped transform the town into an exciting getaway alluring visitors from the bigger cities in the region. Spare time for exploring the nearby Indian Cave Park, besides attending the semi-annual flea markets, Brownville concert series, Brownville Fine Art Show, and Freedom Day festivities on the Fourth of July.
McCook
McCook, named after Brigadier General Alexander McDowell McCook, is located in southwestern Nebraska’s Red Willow County, about 15 miles north of the state boundary with Kansas. Tourists visiting McCook can take a self-guided walking tour of the town’s Heritage Square and other notable sites such as the Museum of the High Plains, the 18-hole par-72 championship Heritage Hills Golf Course, Senator George Norris State Historic Site, the Harvey P. Sutton House – designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and McCook Art Guild. The neighboring Red Willow State Recreation Area offers an array of recreational activities like fishing, camping, swimming, hiking, kayaking, and wildlife-watching. The town also hosts various events like the Heritage Days, the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival, Crazy Days, and the Red Willow County Fair.
Red Cloud
Platted in 1872 by Captain Silas Garber, this small town of only 962 inhabitants is situated in southern Nebraska’s Webster County, near the Republican River, around 35 miles south of Hastings. Red Cloud is best known by literary enthusiasts for being the childhood home of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Willa Sibert Cather. Several 19th-century properties described by the author in her novels, currently form a part of the Willa Cather Historic District, the nation’s biggest collection of nationally-designated historic sites dedicated to a celebrated American writer. Created in 1955, the not-for-profit Willa Cather Foundation manages the historic district in addition to the National Willa Cather Center which includes a bookstore, an art gallery, the Red Cloud Opera House, a permanent exhibit on the author’s life & works, and a huge climate-controlled Special Collections & Archives. The 612-acre Willa Cather Memorial Prairie has two miles of walking and hiking trails which offer incredible views of the surrounding landscape in all seasons.
Aurora
Laid out as a town by David Stone in 1871 who called it after his former Illinois hometown, Aurora, the seat of government of Hamilton County is located roughly 75 miles away from Lincoln. Renowned for its enchanting scenery and friendly ambiance, the town’s remarkable attractions include the Central Park Square, Plainsman Museum, Gjerloff Prairie & Sherman Ranch, Cole Park, and Edgerton Explorit Center. Grab a bite at any of the town’s locally-owned restaurants like the Leadership Center at Espressions, Grandview Café & Lounge, JoJo’s Gelato & Grill, and Rath’s Café. During the summer months, enjoy the Farmers’ Market serving fresh homegrown veggies, spices, pastries, jams, jellies, and hand-crafted goods.
Minden
Settled initially by Danish, German, and Swedish immigrants, and named after a middle-sized German town, Minden is situated in south-central Nebraska’s Kearney County approximately 15 miles southeast of Kearney. Being a part of the Kearney Micropolitan Statistical Area, this tranquil town of 3,118 residents is well-known for housing the Chicago manufacturer Harold Warp’s Pioneer Village. Located along U.S. Route 6, the Pioneer Village Museum comprises a complex of 28 buildings spread over an area of 20 acres with a collection of more than 50,000 items. The town often advertises itself as “Nebraska’s Christmas City,” where the courthouse square is illuminated by over 12,000 bulbs and a Christmas spectacle, "The Light of the World” is staged yearly. The National Audubon Society’s Rowe Sanctuary along the Central Platte River offers guided viewing experiences for nature lovers to watch millions of Sandhill cranes that pass through this area on their way to the north.
Valentine
Nicknamed “America’s Heart City,” Valentine, the Cherry County seat, is located on the Sandhills region’s northern extremity just north of the Niobrara River. Featuring miles of hiking trails, two national wildlife refuges, a National Scenic River, championship golf courses, and ample fishing and hunting opportunities, Valentine is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Heritage buffs must not miss the neighboring Arthur Bowring Ranch State Historical Park, Cherry County Historical Society Museum, and Centennial Hall. Outdoorsy types can visit the Smith Falls State Park to gaze in wonder at the state’s tallest waterfall, kayak down the Niobrara River, explore Valentine and Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuges, and hike/bike the Cowboy Trail that covers about 200 miles of a railroad line originally used by the Chicago and Northwestern railroad. After a hectic day of exploration, dine at any of the town’s famed eateries like Peppermill Restaurant & EKV Lounge, the Bunkhouse Restaurant & Saloon, Coach Light Inn, and Old Mill Bulk Foods & Deli.
Ashland
This adorable small town of 3,086 inhabitants, christened after the Kentucky statesman Henry Clay Sr.’s estate is located along the Salt Creek River in Saunders County. The town benefits greatly due to its proximity to the Interstate 80 freeway as well as the two biggest metropolitan areas of the state: Omaha and Lincoln. From its initial beginnings as a railroad town to currently being a popular bedroom community for these larger cities, Ashland captivates vacationers with its perfect blend of history, culture, and outdoor recreation. The popular sites in the town include the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, Kountze Memorial Theatre, Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Quarry Oaks Golf Club, and Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park. Ashland also hosts yearly events like Stir-Up Days, Fourth of July fireworks, Silver Street Flea Market, Classic Car Show, Memorial Day Parade, and Hometown Christmas.
Ogallala
Named after the native Oglala Sioux tribe, this serene grassland community along the South Platte River banks in southwestern Nebraska is the administrative center of Keith County. Originally a stop on the Pony Express during the time of the Nebraska Territory, travelers visiting Ogallala can go back to the Old West days by walking down Front Street packed with uncountable 19th-century landmark properties, gift shops, a free western museum, the Crystal Palace Revue, the Kenfield Brothers Petrified Gallery, and eateries serving steaks and real buffalo burgers. Moreover, the town’s biggest attraction is the nearby Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area which offers plenty of recreational activities like fishing, camping, boating, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.
Nebraska City
Otoe County’s seat of government, Nebraska City is located in the state’s southeastern portion along the western shores of the Missouri River, around 40 miles south of Omaha. Established by a special act of the Nebraska Territorial Legislature in 1855, the Nebraska State Legislature considers Nebraska City as the state’s oldest incorporated city. The well-maintained historic structures that fill the downtown area provide tourists a peek into the town’s bygone days. The Arbor Lodge State Historical Park (estate of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day), Kregel Windmill Factory Museum, Arbor Day Farm, Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, Nebraska City Museum of Firefighting, Civil War Veterans Museum at the G.A.R. Memorial Hall, Wildwood Historic Center, and Mayhew Cabin & Historical Village are some of Nebraska City’s must-visit points of interest. Every year on the third weekend of September, over 50,000 spectators visit Nebraska City to attend the AppleJack Festival, which includes a variety of events such as craft shows, the AppleJack Fun Run/Walk, a classic car show, quilt show, carnival rides, and a parade.
From the delightful Minden – “Nebraska’s Christmas City” to the spectacular landscapes that encircle Valentine, each town in the nation’s 16th-largest and 38th most-populous state draws vacationers with their distinctive charms. Although mostly overshadowed by the state’s buzzing cities, these towns with their stunning natural beauty, historical landmarks, colorful festivals, multiple recreations, and friendly locals, welcome hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, revelers, and culture geeks for an unforgettable Nebraskan experience.
