Historic Sites
Chimney Rock National Historic Site
Chimney Rock was a guide on the trails west for the explorers and "mountain men". For the pioneers, the most recognized landmark along the Oregon Trail, Chimney Rock signaled the end of the prairie and the beginning of the High Plains and on to the more difficult mountain passage. It was noted in hundreds of journals of covered wagons emigrants; the spectacular shaft marked a good camping spot with a dependable spirng nearby. Thousands of emigrants climbed up the base to carve their names on the tower. Today the column towers 500 feet above the nearby North Platte River. Additional Information: Chimney rock National Historic Site, PO Box F, Bayard, NE 69334-3680. Phone: 308-586-2581
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Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
Located 20 miles south of Harrison or 34 miles north of Mitchell on Nebraska highway 29. See fossil beds with bones of animals formed 19 million years ago. The visitors center contains paleontology exhibits and one of the most noted Native American artifacts displays. The monument includes upper Niobrara River wetlands set in a High Plains ecosystem. Additional Information: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, 301 River Rd.. Harrison, NE 69346-2737. Phone: 308-668-2211
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Scotts Bluff National Monument
A majestic landmark used by the Indians, fur trappers, pioneers and modern travelers. Visitors center museum tells the story of the Oregon Trail, Oregon Trail ruts still visible. Walk the winding trails or drive to the 800-foot summit for a spectacular view of the North Platte River Valley and Laramie Peak (100 miles to the west). Name for Hiram Scott, a trapper who died here after his companions deserted him, this Oregon Trail landmark is just 3 miles west of Gering on Hwy 92. Additional Information: Scotts bluff National Monument, PO Box 27, Gering, NE 69341-0027. Phone: 308-436-4340
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Homestead National Monument of America
Four miles west of Beatrice in southeastern Nebraska, a reconstructed log cabin and a one-room school house honor Daniel Freeman, one of the first to take advantage of the 1862 Homestead Act of "free land". Stroll through the tall grass prairie and view pioneer artifacts in the visitor center explaining the expansion of settlers from across the country moving to new territories to stake their claim. Additional Information: Homestead National Monument of America, Rt. 3, Box 47, Beatrice, NE 68310-9416. Phone: 402-223-3514
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Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park
Home of famed showman-scout William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, Buffalo Bill Ranch SHP at North Platte., in central Nebraska, recaptures the life and career of the famed Pony Express rider, army scout, buffalo hunter turned showman. The spectacular house and magnificent barn exhibit memorabilia of this fascinating man. Buffalo Bill held the first known rodeo near his ranch. Horseback trail rides in the adjacent 233-acre state recreation area are also available. The ranch also boasts a bison viewing area. Additional Information: Buffalo Bill Ranch SHP, RR 1 Box 229, North Platte, NE 69101-9706. Phone: 308-535-8035
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Tourist Attractions
Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo
Swing the world's largest indoor rainforest viewing thundering waterfalls, exotic plants and animals, then watch sharks and stingrays swim beside you as you walk through a 70 foot underwater tunnel in the Scott Aquarium. Also visit North America's largest Cat Complex, a four-acre open aviary, polar bears and over 4,500 exotic animals. The Zoo also boasts larger-than-life movies on the Lozier IMAX Theater, with a screen as tall as six elephants. Additional Information: Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 South 10th St., Omaha, NE 68107-2200. Phone: 402-733-8401
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Cabela's
Visit Cabela's, a world renown sporting goods megastore selling outdoor equipment of every sort from fishing and hunting and backpacking at this huge 62,000 sq. ft. store. View it's more than 500 mounted wildlife specimens found around the world and an 8,000-gallon aquarium with fish from Nebraska. Additional Information: Cabela's, 115 Cabela Drive, Sidney, NE 69162. Phone: 308-254-7889
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Strategic Air Command Museum (SAC)
This multi-million, dollar facility boasts numerous military aircraft; interactive children's gallery, a permanent restoration center, research library, 200-seat theater and a traveling exhibit area. Located near Ashland, in eastern Nebraska, I-80 exit 426, this facility comprised of 300,000 square feet houses 33 aircraft, six missiles and more than 4, 000 artifacts. The highlight of the museum, the SR-71 Blackbird a craft that has the ability to fly more than three times the speed of sound, greets the visitors in the glass atrium entryway. Additional Information: Strategic Air Command Museum, PO Box 70, South Bend, NE 68058-0070. Location address: 28210 W. Park Hwy, Ashland, NE Phone: 402-944-3100
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Harold Warp Pioneer Village
The story of how America grew, view more than 20,000 historic items from every field of human endeavor, including 350 antique autos, extensive collection of pioneer memorabilia tracing man's progress sine 1830 are displayed in 28 buildings on 20 acres. Authentic originals arranged in their order of development, all mechanical items in operating condition, some run with the push of a button. Located at Minden, in south central Nebraska, US 6, 34 &10, twelve miles south of I-80 at exit 279 this display is so well arranged in chronological order of development that is can all be seen by walking less than a mile. Additional Information: Harold Warp Pioneer Village, US Hwys 6, 34 & NE 10, Minden, NE 68959 Phone: 800-445-4447
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Arbor Lodge State Historical Park
This beautiful estate in Nebraska City was home to J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day. "Other holidays repose upon the past. Arbor Day proposes for the future." Mr. Morton was an editor, farmer, legislator, Nebraska territorial secretary and US secretary of agriculture. From its beginning in 1855 as a four-room frame house, the magnificent mansion grew to 52 rooms through several remodeling. Authentic furnishings grace the rooms and displays capture the life and times of this exceptional man. Additional Information: Arbor Lodge SHP, PO Box 15, Nebraska City, NE 68410. Phone: 402-873-7222
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