10 Fantastic Vacation Spots In Nebraska

Though stereotyped as a flat, featureless state meant to be flown over, Nebraska is a vibrant wonderland if you know where to look. Often, the places to look are tiny—mere dots on a map necessitating a magnifying glass. Yet these super-small settlements are full of booming businesses and surrounded by spectacular scenery. From Valentine and its skies to Ord and its brewery to Nebraska City and its farm, the following Nebraska haunts make incredible vacation spots.

Valentine

You might fall in love inside Valentine at the Coachlight Cafe and Bunkhouse Restaurant & Saloon, but you are more likely to fall in love outside Valentine. Each year, people from all over America send Valentine's Day cards to Cupid's Mailbox, PO Box 201, Valentine, NE 69201, to be rerouted to their loved ones with a coveted Valentine postmark. They also explore the lovely nature on the outskirts of town, namely the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, and Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, the last of which doubles as an International Dark Sky Park and hosts the annual Nebraska Star Party.

Ashland

From its lush plot along the Platte River, Ashland offers a variety of scenic attractions. They include the Iron Horse Golf Club, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, Cellar 426 Winery, and Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park, where you can drive/walk among wolves, bears, bison, eagles, elk, and myriad other animals. It is a nominee for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice 2025 Award for Best Safari Park. A bit farther down the river sits Platte River State Park, where you can admire native wildlife in their natural habitat.

Ponca

Located along the Missouri River in northeastern Nebraska, Ponca is a small city with big wonders. The biggest is Ponca State Park, a 2,100ish-acre preserve of towering bluffs and gateway to a 59-mile recreation section of the mighty Missouri. Among the in-park activities are hiking, biking, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting, picnicking, swimming, camping, and archery. Another big Ponca wonder is the Days of '56 Rodeo, which enlivens and enlarges the city with an array of agricultural attractions. The 56th Days of '56 Rodeo happened in June 2024.

Brownville

Brownville is a time capsule on the southeastern Nebraskan stretch of the Missouri River. Once a river boomtown with over 1,000 people, Brownville has only a tiny fraction of its historic population but a large fraction of its historic structures. Time travelers can tour the Carson House (c. 1860), Governor Furnas House Museum (c. 1868), Captain Bailey House Museum (c. 1870s), and Brownville Village Theater (c. 1903). But the holy grail of Brownville relics is the Meriwether Lewis Dredge Museum of Missouri River History, which is a 1930s-built dredge that was drydocked and turned into a one-of-a-kind museum.

Stromsburg

As its name suggests, Stromsburg is dubbed "The Swede Capital of Nebraska." Swedish immigrants named and founded this small NE city in the late 1800s. Today, many of their marks remain. A visitor can gaze upon such Scandinavian-inspired buildings as the Charles H. Morrill Homestead and the Viking Center. Though not bedecked with human skulls like a stereotypical Viking haunt, the latter was made out of "native" brick like other structures along Stromsburg's Square. To taste Nebraskan-Swedish treats, shop at the Economy Hometown Market or attend the Swedish Festival in June.

Ord

It may be named Ord, but this city is far from ordinary. Thanks to a revitalization campaign totaling $125 million since 2000, the Ord area has exploded with jobs and businesses, which have attracted residents and tourists. The Scratchtown Brewing Company, Y'All Come Back Saloon & Grill, and Carl’s Tavern are among the brightest beacons. Though much is said about Ord's commerce, its nature is equally alluring. A visitor can follow the scenic North Loup River to the Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area, which comprises a 5,000ish-acre lake and a 5,000ish-acre preserve.

Seward

Nicknamed the "4th of July City," Seward is one of the best places to be for Independence Day. Since 1868, it has hosted a state- and later country-renowned extravaganza celebrating the birth of America. Festivities include a craft fair, car show, freedom run, live music, grand parade, and, of course, a giant fireworks display. In addition to those once-a-year events, Seward has attractions that can be seen on most days. The Nebraska National Guard Museum, Historic Rivoli Theatre, Bottle Rocket Brewing Company, and the World’s Largest Time Capsule make Seward a year-round destination.

Chadron

A hub of the Nebraska Panhandle, Chadron funnels tourists into the state's oft-overlooked oases. To the west of this snug settlement is the Oglala National Grassland, whose 94,000 acres are suited for hiking, camping, horseback riding, rockhounding, picnicking, and nature viewing. To the south sit similarly scenic Chadron State Park and the Nebraska National Forest. But before you explore any of those preserves, get inspiration from the Museum of the Fur Trade, which houses over 6,000 early American artifacts three miles east of Chadron. After your adventures, rest and refuel in Chadron proper at Wild's Bar & Grill.

Alliance

Another breathtaking NE ecoregion is the Sandhills, which covers thousands of square miles in the center of the state. Before embarking on sandy and hilly exploration, visit the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center in Alliance. This museum details five areas of local history, namely the Sandhills, but also Native American history and the history of Alliance. These days, a rather surprising feature brings the most life to Alliance. Called Carhenge, it is a replica of England's Stonehenge made out of classic American cars. Countless tourists pose with this Nebraskan twist on British prehistory.

Nebraska City

Though it sounds like a sprawling metropolis, Nebraska City is a quaint community of about 7,200. Making it even more quaint are woodlands and orchards courtesy of Arbor Day Farm, the 260-acre birthplace of that titular observance. The farm's then-owner, J. Sterling Morton, conceived Arbor Day in 1872. After exploring the beautiful grounds, you can tour Morton's 52-room former mansion, which is part of the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, and then stay overnight at Lied Lodge. Of course, you can visit said sites during actual Arbor Day for an Arbor Day to remember.

Take "flyover" out of your vocabulary and fly right into Nebraska. There, you can have a fantastic trip through unsung settlements surrounded by unsung attractions. Whether you are driving among wolves and bears near Ashland, touring a boat museum in Brownville, worshipping a knock-off Stonehenge near Alliance or celebrating the original Arbor Day in Nebraska City, Nebraska is bound to surprise and stimulate you for an entire vacation.