4.5Scotts Bluff National Monument(627 reviews) - Worth the short drive. Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours National Parks
I definitely recommend visiting here if you're near. The short drive from I80 or from the routes north to the Black Hills are well worth it, and the park itself is beautiful and easy to enjoy. It's also free. You can see/do a lot in a relatively short amount of time. Super nice visitor center with great museum and very nice staff. The drive to the top on the narrow road provides ever changing views of the surrounding landscapes. At the top, there is a parking area with nice views and two short trails if you wish to stretch your legs: South View (1/8 mile), North View (1/2 mile). Both trails are paved with great views and info exhibits. You can also take the trail down to the visitor center from here (1.6 miles). Views from the top are spectacular. Look down on the town of Gering and follow in your mind the old Oregon Trail all the way to Chimney Rock over 20 miles away. We were here late in the day so the colors were awesome.See more..
Feel the awe and curiosity the pioneers experienced when they saw the most famous landmark on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. The Chimney Rock Museum showcases unique items in our collections that tell the story of the most documented landmark of the western trails of the 1800s. Discover why Chimney Rock has fascinated people since before the state of Nebraska was established.See more..
We were aware of the restricted days/hours for the Water Park. . Arrived at 12:45 on the Wed of the week previous to July 4th with 92° temps. The line was shorter, but was a quickly moving line. Bath house was appropriately clean. They allowed us to bring in water bottles and chairs, not supposed to bring food. Nonswimmers had to pay the full price, still a bargain in our book. There were a lot of swimmers, but the large water features handled the crowd well. There were a goodly number of shaded areas, but they were quite full with limited chairs. The snack line was always long. The area was well taken care of by attentive staff. Our for grandchildren (ages 8-15) had a great time for the nearly three hours we were there. I would avoid the days adjacent to weekends, but we'd come back. See more..
This is an excellent state park with plenty of Western history, especially of the US cavalry and the native American tribes of the region. Markers note the location of the original fort and many buildings of the later installation remain, some being used as museums or cabins. There are some good trails on the edge of the park; we hiked up the ridges to the north for great views of the fort. Its in the middle of nowhere but a great stop to seek out.See more..
4.0Gene Leahy Mall(253 reviews) - Omaha - interesting activities for all ages Parks
Omaha is a lovely city. The downtown area is going through some nice renovation and the Leahy park that runs along the river is thoughtfully constructed for active civic engagement - with a beautiful dog park, a beautiful playground for kids, big swings for adults and an amphitheater. The old town area has some nice restaurants and shops. My favorite spot is Hot Shops - working artist studios in an old mill building. The Omaha zoo is not to be missed!See more..
We got there around 8 am and pretty much had the place to ourselves as we viewed the barn and outdoor areas. The barn has a lot of amazing photos with a little bit of history next to each one. We paid ($8 state park daily fee, $2 adult and $1 child fee) and went into the mansion around 9:20 am for a self-guided tour. Our visit ended around 10:20 as more people than I was comfortable with entered the mansion and we were about done anyway. We like history and walking so this was perfect for us.See more..
Anyone who played the video game Oregon Trail will appreciate this impressive multi-block sculpture group with wagons, horses, oxen and settlers occupying a full block in Omaha. The work actually extends to another park a block away with running bison and birds in flight, the idea of the sculpture being that the settlers came to found Omaha and the wildlife left. It’s an interesting sculpture that both celebrates the march of progress while recognizing the environmental consequences. It’s pleasantly integrated into the urban Omaha environment (one bison is literally embedded in a building corner).See more..
4.5Cody Park(208 reviews) - Trains and Peacocks Parks
Free admission to the park. You have access to the trains, the depot, animals, sports areas, kiddy rides and a small campground. We spent most of our time checking out the trains and the depot museum. You are able to climb aboard the locomotives, steam and diesel. The train cars have been transformed into a museum as well. The train depot is a walk back in time. Being able to see how the conductor received his orders and how mail was picked up at locations without having to stop the train was informative. The park also has peacocks, donkeys, elk, deer and lama. There are quarter feed stations along the fence line so you can feed the animals through shoots in the fence. However, you are not able to touch the animals.I personally love peacocks, so being able to hear them and watch them shake their tail feathers was fabulous. If you go at sun down the peacocks will have roosted in the trees and will be calling loudly to each other. Boy are they loud. Overall, the park was excellent.See more..
Our family had a wonderful time at Treerush. The courses had different challenges for different abilities and you had a guide to ask questions with. The course for the 4 to 6 year olds was a great way for beginners to learn how to climb and complete obstacles safely and build their confidence.See more..
4.5Arbor Day Farm(178 reviews) - Excellent outdoor option Monday: Amusement & Theme Parks
260 acres to explore and enjoy! Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure in Nebraska City, Nebraska, features Treetop Village, hiking trails, interactive exhibits, greenhouse facilities, and plenty of fun in the fresh air. Open year round; come visit today!See more..
I grew up in NE but was not aware of this park until recently. We visited on our way home from a trip to South Dakota. There are several waterfalls located near Valentine but our hotel recommended this one for accessibility. The park permit is self pay right now due to COVID. There are latrines located around the park, the visitor center is currently closed. It is about a 0.4 mile walk to the falls, down a few stairs, over a bridge, and on some boardwalks; it was not too much for my 4 yo and parents in their 60s. The waterfall is so beautiful and you can step into the cool water and sand at the bottom. I think a park employee was there monitoring safety. We were able to "social distance" for the most part. If we are able to return sometime I would definitely try to float the river as that looked very popular!See more..
4.5Pioneer Park Nature Center(153 reviews) - The great experiences of Pioneer Park Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
A 900-acre wildlife area that features hiking trails and other outdoor pleasures.See more..
The Omaha Riverfront is worth visiting, with a walk across the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge over to Council Bluffs, Iowa. You may stand in two states at once on the bridge. The National Park Service headquarters for the Lewis and Clark Trail is located near the bridge. It has exhibits, a store and a short Ken Burns film.The Storz Trophy Room restaurant is located on the landing, with good food and drinks. Storz is an old Omaha brewery. The area is paved with concrete because the landing is the site of the old Asarco lead refinery, and a superfund cleanup site. There's a great sculpture honoring the lead refinery workers. For good walkers, you can go from the Con Agra park and small lake near Omaha's Old Market over to the landing and pedestrian bridge. Lewis and Clark camped near here in August, 1804, and saw the collapsed earth lodge homes of an old Otoe Indian Village in today's downtown Omaha.See more..
Arbor Lodge in Nebraska City, Nebraska, was the home of the J. Sterling and Caroline Morton family. The four-room house built in 1855 was renovated over the years into a Victorian-style mansion. The 52-room mansion includes many Morton family Victorian and Empire-era furnishings. Guests may stroll the gardens and trails to view towering trees, many of which were planted by the Morton family. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park and Arboretum encompasses 72 acres of wooded area and gardens, with over 260 species of trees and shrubs.See more..
4.5Zorinsky Lake and Recreation Area(136 reviews) - just a nice little get away spot for walking or running. Bodies of Water • Parks
went here with my wife and had a great time. its calming, and nice not busy or hectic, easy parking and nice scenery.See more..
4.5Kenefick Park(126 reviews) - Big Toys Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Trams • Parks
I love trains and this was awesome! Never seen a Big Boy or a Centennial Locomotive up close. This really does make you feel small. UP has done a good job presenting both Locomotives and dedicating it all to Mr. Kenefick, I am left with a new respect for UP and even those these are static displays I think anyone that loves trains from young to old will enjoy.See more..
We stopped here to learn more about Nebraskan history and to retrieve our NPS passport stamp for the Oregon Trail. The visitor center is comfortable with a cute museum inside. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful. The grounds are beautiful and in March we could see sandhill cranes in the adjoining corn field!See more..
My family of 4 did the Tree Top Adventure & Zip Lining experience. Myself & spouse are 50, and our kids are 19 & 16. We all LOVED the experience! I personally am afraid of heights, especially when they're moving (like a stopped ferris wheel). However, I did fine for the most part. Only had one panic attack and the instructor was patient and encouraging, helping to talk me through it and calm me down so that I could continue. One thing to know is that if you do find yourself having a panic attack that you can't push through, there's no escape route or any way of getting down (that I saw or can think of) because you're secured the entire time. The obstacles & zip lines were SO FUN! I only wish the zip lines were longer. Definitely bring a change of clothes because you could be landing in mulch on your backside. There's also advantages and disadvantages to being both short & tall. Short->you're standing on your toes a lot to get through. Tall->you're bumping your head a lot. :-DSee more..
4.5Holmes Park & Lake(90 reviews) - Nice running/walking trail around the lake Bodies of Water • Parks
The center of outdoor activity in the heart of Lincoln including a lake for boating and fishing, plus picnic grounds and hiking trails.See more..
4.0Fun Plex(89 reviews) - Pretty good waterpark, but pricy. Amusement & Theme Parks
If $$ isnt a concern, then this is the best waterpark in the omaha area. Several slides, a wave pool, lazy river, etc. The only problem is it is expensive, especially if you have several children. If you want to spend the money though, you will have a fun day with the family.See more..
5.0Yanney Heritage Park(87 reviews) - Great place to relax and have fun Spent 1-2 hours Parks
This city park is loaded with features which are free to the public including trails, labyrinth, gardens, lake, splash pads (summer only) and playgrounds. There is a Senior Center that has activities and lunch (for a fee). During the summer months, there is a concessions stand and rentals available (for a fee). There are two air-conditioned facilities to rent for gatherings (for a fee). Great place to relax, play, walk, explore, fish, kayak, picnic, meet and much more! For more information about rentals, contact the City Park and Rec office at 308-237-4644. To donate to the park, contact the Yanney Heritage Park Foundation office at 308-237-7095.See more..
4.0Indian Cave State Park(80 reviews) - Great place to visit in the fall Monday: 6:30 AM - 9:00 PM State Parks
Awesome place to visit! It was really busy this weekend with lots of people camping. The Park was decked out for Halloween, even campers got in on the fun decorating their RVs and even tents! They had a small craft fair with food trucks, a scavenger hunt with clues throughout the park for everyone to participate if you wanted to. The living history sites were open so you could learn and enjoy a piece of history if you wanted. Lots of furry friends attended also with their families. Definitely a place to visit as the leaves were changing colors. The overlook is a great place to see as well as the old cemetery. The "cave" was an interesting piece of history as well. Definitely recommend!See more..
4.5Ponca State Park(78 reviews) - One of the best state parks we have visited! State Parks
This was one of the best state parks we have visited recently. Admission for non-Nebraska residents was $12, but wait, because we paid admission at another park yesterday and arrived here before noon today, there was no charge! There is an excellent visitor center and interpretive center about the Missouri, and for us it was great to go to the overlook and see the unchannelized Missouri. There are walking trails which we opted to skip, but the park has much to offer visitors, including rental cabins. If you’re interested in Lewis and Clark, this is an especially good stop.See more..
4.5OPPD Arboretum(74 reviews) - Excellent picture spot! Parks
Got my engagement pictures here and took my daughter's pictures here in the fall. All of them turned out great! It's such a great picture spot and also a great spot just to enjoy the beauty. The best time to take pictures here I would say is in the fall - about mid October. See more..
4.5Platte River State Park(67 reviews) - Platte River State Park - a very nice experience, relaxing and enjoyable !!! Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM State Parks • Parks
A very nice, and very large, rambling State Park...with tons of amenities that include rental cabins, camping areas, lodges, restaurant, observations towers, tennis courts, swimming/splash pads, athletic field, education facility/headquarters, fishing, miles and miles of hiking/walking trails, a waterfall, and of course the Platte River. A person could easily set aside a couple hours to just initially scratch the surface of what the State Park has to offer... just as easily take the entire day...and if feeling adventurous do some overnight camping. Enjoy !!See more..
We spent the weekend at Chadron State Park in one of their duplex cabins. I was disappointed to find satellite TV and internet, but my boys were happy. If you are a clean freak, this may not be for you. We had a mouse or rat get into our van and clean up after the kids. Lots of great trails for us to take the dogs with us on. The Trading Post was were my husband and oldest son spent most evenings. They were able to do archery and tomahawk throwing for $1.50 for 30 minutes. They even had figurines for the kids to paint. The frisbee golf course was the best one I've ever played! The trail to Lookout point is a must do! We timed it so we were up there at sunset. You can see all the way to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Amazing.See more..
Who knew this gem was in Nebraska? I Googled swimming beaches in Nebraska and Voila! Huge lake - all sand bottom. Great for fishing, watercraft activities and clean sand swimming beaches. Beautiful slice of American Pie to view. Bring your camera.See more..
4.5Elmwood Park(57 reviews) - Shady and wonderful! Parks
Elmwood is my favorite park in Omaha. Shady, peaceful, and plenty of spaces to stretch out. I run around the park at least twice a week and always look forward to the solitude it provides while being in the middle of town.See more..
The kids had a blast. Everything was clean. The husband and I even enjoyed the lazy river several times. Had lockers with locks to keep your valuables safe. The staff was great even when dealing with an extremely large group (100's) of rowdy teenagers.See more..
4.5Antelope Park(47 reviews) - Antelope Park is home to the Auld Pavilion Parks
Beautiful park offering gardens, a golf course, swimming pool and playground areas.See more..
It was a very nice campground ⛺️. We didn’t take full advantage of what they had to offer, pool, small bar or playground. Really nicely located to downtown Lincoln Nebraska and Omaha. Only thing for two days no soap in bathroom and no bench in shower. Otherwise really nice people and the grounds are keep really nice.See more..
Absolutely beautiful park! I can’t speak of the trails, as we just camped here overnight, but it was an exceptionally beautiful view from campsite number seven overlooking the river. It seemed each campsite was large and private, and the park seem to be a very peaceful place. Of course, we were there during the week, so maybe that was part of it! Our campsite had a view of the old bridge that went over the river, and I have to say I was slightly disappointed that the trail to the entrance of the bridge was closed. Sometime recently the bridge had collapsed, due to flooding, I think, and I’m guessing it is considered danger, but it would been cool to be able to see it up close. Overall, I would absolutely come back to this park if I was in the area.See more..
It is a shallow wide river, best views are up by Valentine and highly recommend to do a float trip. We Kayaked it (first time for both of us doing this and we are in our 60s (I know how to swim hubby no). Depth in Oct ran 2 inches up to probably 4 feet. Was a beautiful trip and is what made it worth going ti NBSee more..
We spent the weekend at the campground and hiked some of the trails. One of the nicest and quietest campgrounds we’ve been too. The spots are nice and big and well maintained. The shower house and restroom facilities are the nicest we’ve seen in a state park. The camp hosts Jerry and Emma were super friendly and inviting. They were eager to share maps and history of the area. We hiked some of the trails and were able to see the wagon ruts from the Oregon Trail wagons and well as many of the reconstructed buildings. The trails were very well maintained. We will be coming back and highly recommend the park. If you like history you’ll thoroughly enjoy spending some time on the trails. See more..
I love fishing there and moreover, eating what I caught. The scenery was beautiful. People were friendly and food, delicious! I also like the museum, Buffalo Bill's Rest Ranch, Cody Park, the Railroad Exhibit and the two rivers. What a great place to relax and enjoy.See more..
4.5Wilderness Park(27 reviews) - This place is awesome Parks
Hike, bike or horseback ride on the 13 1/2-mile Wilderness Park Trail through dense forest, meadows and creek beds in the city's largest park, which also offers fishing and picnicking.See more..
4.0Ash Hollow State Historical Park(25 reviews) - Quick, interesting stop Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • State Parks • Historic Walking Areas
We stopped here quickly on a drive to South Dakota. There is a small, inexpensive indoor museum with some artifacts. The small cave discovered on the site is a short walk from the front entrance and is enclosed in a glass fronted building. There are a couple of short trails, the Spring one is quite steep on the way back. Beautiful overlook of surrounding hills. Bathrooms were clean.See more..
4.0Pawnee Plunge Water Park(23 reviews) - Wonderful Water Park!! Fantastic day trip for anyone within 2 hours of Columbus! Spent 2-3 hours Water Parks
This waterpark is only $6 per person! Yes, you read that correctly! Plus, the lifeguards were really friendly. We drove in 2 hours from Omaha and were not disappointed. There was plenty of variety of types of slides, the "toiletbowl" being my boys' favorite. Although my boys are a little older, their toddler pirate ship section looks pretty neat if you have younger kids. There was another family there who had driven 2 hours the other way from Kearney and they were also just as pleasantly surprised. I will definitely make the 2 hour drive again. Great time!See more..
very nice park , everything was super , the grassey areas looked like a golfcourse , all the playground equipment was clean and well maintained See more..
4.5Ta-Ha-Zouka Park(20 reviews) - Picnic Spent More than 3 hours Parks
Very nice and clean. Plenty of room for everyone. Great place for a picnic. Has something for every age. Good for a relaxing day with the family.See more..
We enjoy meeting family for picnics at this state park. The location is convienent. The water is nice for swimming and water sports. We also enjoy the playground. One downside is the restrooms which are minimally maintained.See more..
4.0Aquacourt(15 reviews) - Best Water Park in Nebraska Water Parks This park is so clean. The cost is great, the staff was helpful, the river and wave pool were well cared for. We had cousins meet at the park, and they adults had a nice place to rest in the shade without being in water at all times. Very enjoyable.See more..
4.0Gavin's Point Dam(14 reviews) - Driving over Monday: Spent < 1 hour National Parks • Dams
Seeing just how much water is held back by the dam, oh my goodness. Lewis & Clardk Lake is beyond massive. Even though it was frozen, but once melted, there are so many trillions of gallons going through there, providing water for all sorts of needs. The construction of this was wonderful.See more..
For such a small town it has 3 really good parks. This one has multiple lakes to fish off of and awesome campgrounds next to a decent playground. You can drive atop a hill and primitive camp which gives you a great view of the area in the morning. Great fishing spot. See more..
5.0AquaVenture(14 reviews) - A Fun Day Monday: 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM Water Parks
This is a nice, newer pool, wave pool, slides. Fun for the whole family and reasonable with their prices. Highly recommend.See more..
4.5Chautauqua Park(13 reviews) - Beautiful back drop of the Flatiron with easy access to hiking paths Parks
Easy access to this park with lots of parking options. There’s different areas to go and lots of hiking paths to choose from. Come prepared with snacks and water. You will definitely want to stay there longer than planned. Can’t wait to return.See more..
5.0Stolley Park(12 reviews) - Great Park Spent 1-2 hours State Parks • Parks • Playgrounds
This is a great park and home of a large playground called Kids Kingdom. There is a beautiful flower garden and plenty of picnic tables. See more..
