The Northeast region is perfect for those seeking outdoor adventures, eco-education, or a scenic drive. It’s also an ideal destination for travelers in search of one-of-a-kind attractions and accommodations. The abundance of activities in Northeast Nebraska awaits, as long as you know where to find them.
For example, you can visit Niobrara State Park, which is located where the Niobrara and Missouri rivers meet. This park has many scenic trails and campsites with scenic views. It’s also a great place for a wide range of outdoor activities, like river rafting and horseback riding.
Here is a list of our top things to do in Northeast Nebraska
The 98 Most Popular Things To Do In Northeast Nebraska
98. Panorama Point
3.8
(9 reviews)
Credit: Skye Marthaler, Google Maps
97. Calamus Reservoir
4.5
(22 reviews)96. Great Plains Art Museum
4.8
(33 reviews)
Credit: Great Plains Art Museum, Google Maps
Location: 1155 Q Street Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 472 6220
Web Address: http://unl.edu/plains/great-plains-art-museum
95. Lied Jungle
4.6
(33 reviews)
Credit: Drew Lynes, Google Maps
Location: 916 D Street Omaha NE
Web Address: http://omahazoo.com/exhibits/lied-jungle/
94. Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
4.0
(38 reviews)
Credit: Richard Thyer, Google Maps
Location: Valentine NE
Tel: 308 533 2257
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/nebraska/recarea/
93. Hastings Museum
4.6
(63 reviews)Location: 1330 N Burlington Ave Hastings NE
Tel: 402 461 2399
Web Address: https://hastingsmuseum.org/
92. Glenn Cunningham Lake
4.3
(69 reviews)
Credit: Yuni Dominguez, Google Maps
91. El Museo Latino
4.3
(74 reviews)
Credit: El Museo Latino, Google Maps
Location: 4701 S 25th Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 731 1137
Web Address: http://elmuseolatino.org/
90. Pawnee Lake
4.6
(79 reviews)
Credit: Jose Perez, Google Maps
89. Branched Oak Lake
4.7
(82 reviews)
Credit: Josh Burton, Google Maps
88. Bemis Center For Contemporary Arts
4.6
(85 reviews)
Credit: Bemis Center For Contemporary Arts, Google Maps
Location: 724 S 12th Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 341 7130
Web Address: http://bemiscenter.org/
87. General Crook House Museum
4.6
(85 reviews)
Credit: Michael Miller, Google Maps
Location: 5730 N 30th Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 455 9990
Web Address: http://douglascohistory.org/
86. National Museum of Roller Skating
4.4
(88 reviews)
Credit: Anderic Johnson, Google Maps
Location: 4730 South Street Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 243 0068
Web Address: https://rollerskatingmuseum.org/
85. Lake Wanahoo
4.4
(91 reviews)
Credit: Dan Krueger, Google Maps
84. Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center
4.2
(100 reviews)
Location: 601 Riverfront Dr Omaha NE
Tel: 402 661 1804
Web Address: https://nps.gov/lecl/planyourvisit/hours.htm
83. Lux Center For the Arts
4.8
(102 reviews)
Credit: Lux Center For the Arts, Google Maps
Location: 2601 N 48th Street Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 466 8692
Web Address: http://luxcenter.org/
82. Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
4.6
(112 reviews)Location: 39679 Pony Lake Road Valentine NE
Tel: 402 376 1889
Web Address: https://fws.gov/refuge/valentine
81. Smith Falls
4.8
(122 reviews)80. Courthouse & Jail Rock
4.7
(123 reviews)Location: Bridgeport NE
Tel: 505 986 5214
Web Address: http://nps.gov/history/nr/travel/scotts_bluff/courthouse_jail_rocks.html
79. Windlass Hill
4.7
(127 reviews)
Credit: Ammodramus, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4055 US 26 Lewellen NE
Tel: 308 778 5651
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/ashhollow/
78. Freedom Park
4.5
(128 reviews)
Credit: Lacy Mann, Google Maps
Location: 2497 Freedom Park Road Omaha NE
Tel: 402 444 5955
Web Address: https://parks.cityofomaha.org/parks/freedom-park
77. Arbor Lodge Mansion
4.7
(133 reviews)
Credit: Arbor Lodge Mansion, Google Maps
Location: arbor lodge Nebraska City NE
Tel: 402 873 8757
Web Address: https://arbordayfarm.org/activities/arbor-lodge.cfm
76. Desert Dome
4.8
(148 reviews)Location: 3701 S 10th Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 733 8401
Web Address: http://omahazoo.com/exhibits/desert-dome
75. Wilderness Park
4.5
(152 reviews)
Credit: Ashton Braun, Google Maps
Location: 4700 4798 S 1st Street Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 441 7847
Web Address: http://friendsofwildernesspark.org/
74. Harlan County Lake
4.7
(158 reviews)
73. Rock Creek Station State Historical Park
4.6
(164 reviews)
Credit: Mike Longenbaker, Google Maps
Location: 57426 710th Road Fairbury NE
Tel: 402 729 5777
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/rockcreekstation/
72. MONA
4.6
(178 reviews)
Location: 2401 Central Ave Kearney NE
Tel: 308 865 8559
Web Address: http://mona.unk.edu/
71. Zorinsky Lake
4.6
(182 reviews)
Credit: Devin Jacobson, Google Maps
70. Arbor Day Farm
4.6
(185 reviews)
Credit: Arbor Day Farm, Google Maps
Location: 2611 Arbor Ave Nebraska City NE
Tel: 402 873 8717
Web Address: http://arbordayfarm.org/
69. Oglala National Grassland
4.6
(187 reviews)Location: Harrison NE
Tel: 308 432 0300
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/nebraska
68. Lincoln County Historical Museum
4.7
(189 reviews)
Credit: Ammodramus, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2403 N Buffalo Bill Ave North Platte NE
Tel: 308 534 5640
Web Address: https://lincolncountymuseum.org/
67. Fort Kearny State Historical Park
4.1
(193 reviews)Location: 1020 V Road Kearney NE
Tel: 308 865 5305
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/fortkearny/
66. Rowe Sanctuary
4.8
(196 reviews)Location: 44450 Elm Island Road Gibbon NE
Tel: 308 468 5282
Web Address: http://rowe.audubon.org/
65. Museum of the Fur Trade
4.7
(221 reviews)
Credit: Museum of the Fur Trade, Google Maps
Location: 6321 US 20ron NE
Tel: 308 432 3843
Web Address: http://furtrade.org/
64. Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area
4.6
(223 reviews)
Credit: Mike Radel, Google Maps
Location: 1475 NE 61 Ogallala NE
Tel: 308 284 8800
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/
63. Kearney Area Children’s Museum
4.8
(226 reviews)
Credit: Kearney Area Children’s Museum, Google Maps
Location: 5827 4th Ave Kearney NE
Tel: 308 698 2228
Web Address: http://kearneychildrensmuseum.org/
62. Neale Woods
4.6
(227 reviews)
Credit: Neale Woods, Google Maps
Location: 14323 Edith Marie Ave Omaha NE
Tel: 402 731 3140
Web Address: https://fontenelleforest.org/visit/
61. Nebraska State Capitol
4.6
(231 reviews)
Credit: Hanyou23, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1445 K Street Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 471 0448
Web Address: https://capitol.nebraska.gov/
60. Cellar 426 Winery
4.7
(241 reviews)
Credit: Cellar 426 Winery, Google Maps
Location: 1402 S 9th Street Ashland NE
Tel: 402 944 8109
Web Address: http://cellar426.com/
59. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
4.6
(248 reviews)Location: 39983 Refuge Road Valentine NE
Tel: 402 376 3789
Web Address: https://fws.gov/fortniobrara/
58. International Quilt Museum
4.7
(258 reviews)
Credit: Denise Fuller, Google Maps
Location: entrance off 33rd not 1523 N 33rd Street Holdrege Street Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 472 6549
Web Address: https://internationalquiltmuseum.org/
57. Fort Atkinson State Historical Park
4.6
(261 reviews)Location: 201 S 7th Street Fort Calhoun NE
Tel: 402 468 5611
Web Address: http://fortatkinsononline.org/
56. Saint Cecilia Cathedral
4.7
(276 reviews)
Credit: Tuggen Even, Google Maps
Location: 701 N 40th Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 551 2313
Web Address: https://stceciliacathedral.org/
55. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park
4.8
(284 reviews)
Credit: Jacek Poniatowski, Google Maps
Location: 2600 Arbor Ave Nebraska City NE
Tel: 402 873 7222
Web Address: https://visitnebraska.com/nebraska-city/arbor-lodge-state-historical-park
54. Nebraska History Museum
4.4
(290 reviews)Location: 131 Centennial Mall N Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 471 4782
Web Address: https://history.nebraska.gov/museum
53. Legacy of the Plains Museum
4.8
(292 reviews)
Credit: Legacy of the Plains Museum, Google Maps
Location: 2930 Old Oregon Trail Gering NE
Tel: 308 436 1989
Web Address: http://legacyoftheplains.org/
52. SCHRAMM PARK STATE RECREATION AREA
4.5
(310 reviews)
Credit: Derek L. Hays, Google Maps
Location: 20874 21146 NE 31 Gretna NE
Tel: 402 332 3901
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/schramm/
51. Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area
4.6
(332 reviews)
Credit: Eva Zuckerman, Google Maps
Location: 210615 NE 71 Gering NE
Tel: 308 436 3777
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/wildcathills/
50. Sheldon Museum of Art
4.6
(336 reviews)
Credit: Ammodramus, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: University of Nebraska Lincoln 12th and R Street Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 472 2461
Web Address: http://sheldonartmuseum.org/
49. Niobrara State Park
4.6
(364 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 89261 522 Ave Niobrara NE
Tel: 402 857 3373
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/niobrara/
48. McConaughy Lake
4.6
(390 reviews)47. Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center
4.7
(391 reviews)
Credit: Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center, Google Maps
Location: 9325 S Alda Road Wood River NE
Tel: 308 382 1820
Web Address: http://cranetrust.org/
46. Island Oasis Water Park
4.4
(422 reviews)
Credit: Tara Jacobsen, Google Maps
Location: 321 E Fonner Park Road Grand Island NE
Tel: 308 385 5381
Web Address: http://grand-island.com/index.aspx
45. Johnson Lake State Recreation Area
4.5
(425 reviews)
Credit: Wendy Smith, Google Maps
Location: 1 Drive 25A Elwood NE
Tel: 308 785 2685
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/johnsonlake/
44. Museum of American Speed
4.9
(459 reviews)
Credit: Museum of American Speed, Google Maps
Location: 599 Oakcreek Dr Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 323 3166
Web Address: http://museumofamericanspeed.com/
43. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park
4.7
(478 reviews)
Credit: Sarah D. Morse, Google Maps
Location: 86930 517th Ave Royal NE
Tel: 402 893 2000
Web Address: http://ashfall.unl.edu/
42. Chadron State Park
4.7
(491 reviews)
Credit: Max Donovan, Google Maps
Location: 15951 Gold Rush Bywayron NE
Tel: 308 432 6167
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/chadron/
41. Homestead National Historical Park
4.8
(499 reviews)Location: 8523 NE 4 Beatrice NE
Tel: 402 223 3514
Web Address: http://nps.gov/home
40. Fort Robinson Museum & History Center
4.6
(505 reviews)
Credit: David Kramer, Google Maps
Location: 3200 US 20 Crawford NE
Tel: 308 665 2919
Web Address: https://history.nebraska.gov/visit/fort-robinson-history-center
39. Riverside Discovery Center
4.5
(533 reviews)Location: 1600 S Beltline Hwy W Scottsbluff NE
Tel: 308 630 6236
Web Address: http://riversidediscoverycenter.org/
38. Joslyn Castle
4.6
(581 reviews)
Credit: Ammodramus, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3902 Davenport Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 595 2199
Web Address: http://joslyncastle.com/
37. Fort Robinson State Park
4.7
(645 reviews)
Credit: Chris Peters, Google Maps
Location: Soldier Creek Road & US Hwy 20 Crawford NE
Tel: 308 665 2900
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/fortrobinson/
36. Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront
4.4
(654 reviews)Location: 1001 Douglas Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 599 6565
Web Address: https://theriverfrontomaha.com/
35. Pioneer Village
4.5
(664 reviews)
Credit: Crofutt, George, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 138 US 6 Minden NE
Tel: 308 832 1181
Web Address: https://pioneervillage.com/
34. Stuhr Museum-Prairie Pioneer
4.7
(672 reviews)
Credit: Niccolo’ Anesa, Google Maps
Location: 3133 US 34 Grand Island NE
Tel: 308 385 5316
Web Address: http://stuhrmuseum.org/
33. Ponca State Park
4.7
(880 reviews)
Location: 88090 Spur 26 E Ponca NE
Tel: 402 755 2284
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/ponca/
32. Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
4.7
(912 reviews)
Credit: Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, Google Maps
Location: 28210 W Park Hwy Ashland NE
Tel: 402 944 3100
Web Address: http://sacmuseum.org/
31. State Museum of Natural History
4.7
(925 reviews)
Credit: James St. John, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Morrill Hall 645 N 14th Street Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 472 2637
Web Address: http://museum.unl.edu/
30. Indian Cave State Park
4.5
(931 reviews)Location: 65296 720 Road Shubert NE
Tel: 402 883 2575
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/indiancave/
29. Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront
4.6
(986 reviews)Location: 345 Riverfront Dr Omaha NE
Tel: 402 599 6565
Web Address: http://theriverfrontomaha.com/
28. Lincoln Children’s Museum
4.7
(1,082 reviews)
Credit: Hanyou23, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1420 P Street Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 477 4000
Web Address: https://lincolnchildrensmuseum.org/
27. Golden Spike Tower
4.7
(1,204 reviews)
Credit: Golden Spike Tower, Google Maps
Location: 1249 N Homestead Road North Platte NE
Tel: 308 532 9920
Web Address: https://goldenspiketower.com/
26. Fontenelle Forest
4.8
(1,228 reviews)Location: 1111 Bellevue Blvd N Bellevue NE
Tel: 402 731 3140
Web Address: http://fontenelleforest.org/
25. Standing Bear Lake
4.6
(1,264 reviews)
Credit: Rosa Duncan, Google Maps
Location: 6404 N 132nd Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 444 5955
Web Address: http://parks.cityofomaha.org/
24. Cody Park
4.6
(1,308 reviews)
Credit: Evan Huntzinger, Google Maps
Location: 1601 N Jeffers Street North Platte NE
Tel: 308 535 6700
Web Address: http://ci.north-platte.ne.us/parks/cody-park/
23. Wildlife Safari Park
4.7
(1,383 reviews)Location: 16406 292nd Street Ashland NE
Tel: 402 944 9453
Web Address: http://wildlifesafaripark.com/
22. Platte River State Park
4.7
(1,503 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: 14421 346th Street Louisville NE
Tel: 402 234 2217
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/platteriver/
21. Chalco Hills Recreation Area
4.7
(1,653 reviews)
Location: 8901 S 154th Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 444 6222
Web Address: https://papionrd.org/recreation-wildlife/parks-and-trails/chalco-hills-at-wehrspann-lake/
20. Fun-Plex Waterpark & Rides
4.3
(1,677 reviews)
Credit: Fun-Plex Waterpark & Rides, Google Maps
Location: 7003 Q Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 331 8436
Web Address: http://fun-plex.com/
19. Pioneers Park Nature Center
4.7
(1,875 reviews)
Credit: Pioneers Park Nature Center, Google Maps
Location: 3201 South Coddington Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 441 7895
Web Address: http://lincoln.ne.gov/city/parks/naturecenter/index.htm
18. Branched Oak State Recreation Area
4.5
(1,918 reviews)
Credit: Debra Bolte Heald, Google Maps
Location: 12000 W Branched Oak Road Raymond NE
Tel: 402 783 3400
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/branchedoak/
17. Great Platte River Road Archway Monument
4.6
(1,941 reviews)
Credit: Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, Google Maps
Location: 3060 E 1st Street Kearney NE
Tel: 308 237 1000
Web Address: http://archway.org/
16. Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront
4.5
(2,085 reviews)Location: 800 Douglas Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 599 6565
Web Address: http://theriverfrontomaha.com/
15. The Amazing Pizza Machine
4.2
(2,242 reviews)Location: 13955 S Plaza Omaha NE
Tel: 402 829 1777
Web Address: http://amazingpizzamachine.com/
14. Sunken Gardens
4.8
(2,689 reviews)
Location: 2600 D Street Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 441 8258
Web Address: http://lincolnparks.org/what_we_do/tributes-memorials/sunken-gardens.html
13. Lincoln Children’s Zoo
4.7
(3,210 reviews)Location: 1222 S 27th Street Lincoln NE
Tel: 402 475 6741
Web Address: http://lincolnzoo.org/
12. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
4.6
(3,245 reviews)Location: 28500 W Park Hwy Ashland NE
Tel: 402 944 2523
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/mahoney/
11. Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.
4.8
(3,824 reviews)Location: 705 Riverfront Dr Omaha NE
Tel: 402 444 5900
Web Address: http://omaha.net/places/bob-kerrey-pedestrian-bridge
10. Lauritzen Gardens-Kenefick Park
4.8
(4,039 reviews)
Credit: Lauritzen Gardens/Kenefick Park, Google Maps
Location: 100 Bancroft Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 346 4002
Web Address: https://lauritzengardens.org/
Our Top picks
9. Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park Museum
4.6
(260 reviews)
Credit: Terry Harroun, Google Maps
Location: 2921 Scouts Rest Ranch Road North Platte NE
Tel: 308 535 8035
Web Address: http://outdoornebraska.gov/buffalobillranch/
8. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
4.5
(464 reviews)Location: 301 River Road Harrison NE
Tel: 308 665 4113
Web Address: http://nps.gov/agfo/contacts.htm
7. Chimney Rock Museum
4.4
(696 reviews)Location: 9822 County Road 75 Bayard NE
Tel: 308 586 2581
Web Address: https://history.nebraska.gov/rock
6. Scotts Bluff National Monument
4.8
(1,588 reviews)
Credit: Xnatedawgx, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 190276 Old Oregon Trail Gering NE
Tel: 308 436 9700
Web Address: http://nps.gov/scbl
5. Carhenge
4.6
(2,169 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: 2151 Co Road 59 Alliance NE
Tel: 308 762 3569
Web Address: https://carhenge.com/
4. Joslyn Art Museum
4.7
(2,175 reviews)Location: 2200 Dodge Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 342 3300
Web Address: http://joslyn.org/
3. The Durham Museum
4.7
(2,633 reviews)Location: 801 S 10th Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 444 5071
Web Address: https://durhammuseum.org/
2. Omaha Children’s Museum
4.7
(3,123 reviews)
Credit: Omaha Children’s Museum, Google Maps
Location: 500 S 20th Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 342 6164
Web Address: https://ocm.org/
1. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
4.8
(26,531 reviews)Location: 3701 S 10th Street Omaha NE
Tel: 402 733 8400
Web Address: http://omahazoo.com/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Northeast Nebraska! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
Join the TouristWire community
At TouristWire, our team works tirelessly to bring you the most comprehensive itineraries and reviews to help you plan your next trip. Don’t miss out, join our mailing list and our reviews delivered directly to your mailbox!
.