The Best Nebraska Travel Destination For Retirees

Nebraska is a wonderful state for retirees to travel to. What makes it so exciting? This midwestern state is known for its scenic prairie grasslands, fascinating Native American and pioneer history, quirky attractions, and majestic wildlife. That’s right, you can experience all of this and more at the Nebraska travel destinations listed below. Whether you prefer to walk, bike, drive, or travel by horseback, there is a place to do it in Nebraska. Continue reading to learn more about what makes Nebraska such an enticing locale for seniors and retirees to visit.

Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock National Historic Site is easily one of the most famous landmarks in Nebraska. The natural geological formation resembles a smokestack or chimney stack, which is how it got its name. The rock itself dates back tens of millions of years and is 480 feet tall. Given that it is surrounded by pastoral countryside, you can bet that it stands out. In fact, historically, Chimney Rock served as a landmark for pioneers traveling west. This site is located in the North Platte River Valley in southwest Nebraska. Before leaving, be sure to check out the visitor’s center, which has an interpretive and interactive museum.

Scotts Bluff National Monument

Scotts Bluff National Monument is another Nebraska travel destination that nature-loving retirees won’t want to miss. Encompassing 3,000 acres of land, Scotts Bluff National Monument was officially founded in 1919, though the rock formations and bluffs that make up the park were there long before the 20th century. Similar to Chimney Rock, the bluffs that make up this natural sight are easy to spot given their location in the prairies, with some standing as tall as 800 feet.

As such, they were also used by pioneers as landmarks when they were traveling across the plains toward California and Oregon.

There are plenty of easy hiking trails throughout Scott Bluffs National Park. However, retirees can also opt to take the summit shuttle or drive the 1.6-mile Summit Road for unbeatable views from the top of Scotts Bluff.

Carhenge

You’ve probably heard of Stonehenge, but have you heard of Carhenge? One of the more eccentric attractions in Nebraska is called Carhenge. Carhenge is located in western Nebraska, roughly three miles north of the town of Alliance, and was designed to be an automobile-themed replica of the original Stonehenge in the United Kingdom. A total of 39 cars arranged in gravity-defying positions make up the attraction. Carhenge can be found in the prairie grasslands that the state is known for. While visiting this quirky destination is free of charge, there is a gift shop called Pitstop selling themed merchandise.

Golden Spike Tower

If you’re a retiree who is interested in seeing the world’s largest rail yard, then visiting Nebraska’s Golden Spike Tower is a must. Not only will you get to view this massive rail yard, which sees over 150 trains and 10,000 rail cars entering it on a daily basis, but you will also get to experience it from a unique vantage point - from the top of Golden Spike Tower! The tower is eight stories high and fully enclosed in glass, which means you will have views of Bailey Yard as well as the Platte River Valley. There is also a visitor’s center at the base of the tower. Golden Spike Tower and the Bailey Yard are located in the town of North Platte in central Nebraska.

Sandhills

Whether you love fishing, bird watching, hiking, or simply want to enjoy nature from the comfort of your car, you can do so in the Sandhills. The Sandhills is a region of Nebraska that retirees are sure to fall in love with. There is so much to do and see in this one region, from dunes standing as tall as 300 feet to prairie grasslands, shallow lakes, and a mesmerizing bird refuge called Valentine National Wildlife Preserve. If you plan to visit Nebraska in the spring or fall, try to time your trip so that you can witness the Sandhill Crane Migration. The cranes fly north in the spring and south in the fall, and roughly 80% of them fly together, which makes for a truly stunning sight.

Driving around the Sandhills is easy to do thanks to Highway 2, which runs right through the area, spanning 272 miles between Grand Island and Alliance.

The Archway

If you find yourself driving down Interstate 80 near Kearney in south-central Nebraska, you will likely notice an imposing structure towering over the highway. This unique destination is called the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, simply referred to as The Archway, and inside of the arch is a museum that chronicles the travelers who traveled this way before you. The museum covers everyone from local Native American tribes to fur trappers and pioneers.

There are plenty of interactive exhibits for tourists of all ages to enjoy. Visitors will have a chance to walk alongside the pioneers on the Oregon Trail, watch a rider make a quick pit stop to change their horse at a Pony Express Station and hear Mark Twain’s account of his travels in a stagecoach.

Cowboy Trail

The Cowboy Trail is a fantastic Nebraska tourist destination for retirees who love long walks or bike rides. Why? The Cowboy Trail is a 195-mile path that follows a past Chicago and Northwestern railway lane. It is situated in northeast and north-central Nebraska and can be walked, biked, or even ridden on horseback. This recreational route will take you through a wide range of small Nebraska towns, which makes it easy to stop and rest or refuel. Whatever you do, make sure to check the weather conditions before starting your journey and enjoy your time on this recreational route, which is made up of a mix of gravel and limestone.

Indian Cave State Park

Indian Cave State Park is named after the large sandstone cave for which the park is known. That said, there is much more to explore than a single cave. Indian Cave State Park covers over 3,000 acres of land and consists of more than 22 miles of picturesque hiking and biking trails. Much of the park sits on the banks of the Missouri River, which means there are plenty of scenic spots for camping and picnics. There are two main campgrounds, Hackberry Hollow and Ash Grove, which together have 134 RV sites with electrical and water hookups. The park is also home to fascinating prehistoric Native American petroglyphs. There are a number of festivals and events held in Indian Cave State Park throughout the year, like Haunted Hollow in October. Indian Cave State Park is located near Brownville in southeastern Nebraska.

Are you ready to start exploring Nebraska? This midwestern state has tons of travel destinations for retirees to take advantage of. Seniors will enjoy RV camping at the beautiful Indian State Park, marveling at the biannual Sandhills Crane Migration, biking along the Cowboy Trail, and hiking around Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff National Monument. As you can see, there is no shortage of fun activities and locations in Nebraska.