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Things to do in Nebraska are wide-open prairie excursions to intriguing cultural gems, quirky roadside attractions to historic pathways that forged a nation. In the heart of the American Midwest, there’s a place where frontier spirit coexists with contemporary charm. Whether browsing Sandhills stars, discovering fossilised petroglyphs, strolling vibrant arts districts, or beholding the breathtaking migration of Sandhill Cranes, Nebraska delights and captivates at every turn with nature-oriented adventures, historical authenticity, and Midwestern hospitality. Nebraska is not a drive-through state, but a destination for travellers who crave connection, exploration, and a slower, more abundant lifestyle.
Top 10 Things To Do In Nebraska
Things to do in Nebraska include exploring wide-open skies, pioneer landmarks, lively downtowns, surprising art, family parks, and serene landscapes full of adventure and charm.
1. Explore Global Wildlife At Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Photo: Collinulness / Wikimedia Commons
One of the highlights of Nebraska is a trip to the world-renowned Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Omaha. This 130-acre phenomenon is no zoo; it’s a seven-continent tour of wildlife featuring more than 9,000 animals from all over the planet. Begin your journey in the Lied Jungle, a tropical rainforest indoor environment filled with birds, waterfalls, and draped vines. Next, venture into the Desert Dome, the world’s largest indoor desert, where saguaro cacti stretch overhead above inquisitive meerkats and other desert dwellers. Explore underwater in the Scott Aquarium, where colourful coral reefs, penguin play, and glass tunnels bring marine creatures up close.
Top Highlights: Exotic animals, interactive exhibits, tram ride
Distance From City Centre: 42.2 miles
2. Stroll, Shop, And Sip In The Old Market District
Photo: C.S. Imming / Wikimedia Commons
The most adorable thing to do in Nebraska is a tour of the Old Market District in downtown Omaha, a wonderful mix of history, culture, and creativity. Walking along cobblestone sidewalks lined with refurbished 19th-century red-brick warehouses, you’re immediately transported to earlier times. The neighbourhood is bounded by one-off boutiques, alternative galleries, and snug cafes that spill onto the pavement beneath a canopy, festooned with lights. Venture into the Old Market Passage to find a strange blend of antique oddities, handmade items, and contemporary design.
Top Highlights: Food, boutique shopping, live ambiance
Distance From City Centre: 50.3 miles
3. Take In Architecture And History At The Nebraska State Capitol
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons
The most symbolically iconic state activity is to behold the stunning Nebraska State Capitol building in Lincoln, a work of Art Deco design and civic pride. Standing tall above the city at 400 feet, the Capitol’s central tower can be spotted from miles away, representing the state’s hopes and heritage. Start your tour in the rotunda, where mosaic floor patterns, bronze doors, and stone sculptures reflect Nebraska’s agricultural roots and idealistic values. The Capitol is not just an office building, it’s a work of art and culture you’ll want to see.
Top Highlights: Architecture, skyline views, guided tours
Distance From City Centre: 50 miles
4. Witness The Sandhill Crane Migration At The Platte River Flyway
Photo: James St. John / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most inspiring things to see in Nebraska is observing the Sandhill Crane migration at the Platte River Flyway in the Central Platte Valley. Each spring and autumn, this peaceful river stretch is a theatre of wings as more than half a million Sandhill Cranes come to their wintering area. Their otherworldly call, coupled with the flocks rising together into the air, is a time of sheer natural wonder. Rise with the dawn to pilot a pontoon boat or occupy a riverbank blind at Kearney or Grand Island for optimal viewing.
Top Highlights: Crane migration, wildlife presentations, photography
Distance From City Centre: 100 miles
5. Retrace Pioneer Paths At Chimney Rock & Scotts Bluff
Photo: Richard Stephen Haynes / Wikimedia Commons
The most iconic view in Nebraska is probably Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff, gigantic monuments that once led thousands of pioneers along the Oregon Trail. Start your journey at Chimney Rock, where this 325-foot natural column looms from the valley bottom, the gateway to the American West. At the interpretive centre, discover exhibits, films, and artefacts that bring 19th-century migration history alive. Hike down for sweeping views evocative of history. Next, visit nearby Scotts Bluff National Monument and hike the Saddle Rock Trail or ride a scenic tram to Panorama Point.
Top Highlights: Historical sites, canyon walks, and shaded tram
Nearest Airport: Western Nebraska Regional Airport
6. Discover Folk Art At Carhenge
Photo: Richard J Woodland / Wikimedia Commons
If you’re exploring what to do in Nebraska, a visit to Carhenge near Alliance is a must. This eccentric roadside attraction is a playful replica of England’s Stonehenge, made from 37 vintage American cars, stacked and painted grey to mimic ancient stone. Set atop a quiet prairie hill, Carhenge blends humor, nostalgia, and folk art in a surreal setting. Just steps away, the Car Art Reserve features more sculptures crafted from scrap metal and auto parts. With picnic spots, a small visitor center, and golden hour views, it’s a bizarre and unforgettable Nebraska experience.
Top Highlights: Kitschy paintings, photographs, vintage atmosphere
Nearest Airport: Alliance Municipal Airport
7. Soar Through Aviation History At The Strategic Air & Space Museum
Photo: Aeroprints.com / Wikimedia Commons
The most intriguing thing to do in Nebraska is to go see the Strategic Air & Space Museum in Ashland, a tribute to flight and space travel. Situated mid-way between Omaha and Lincoln, this massive complex contains some of the world’s most famous aeroplanes ever constructed, Cold War-era B-52s and SR-71 Blackbirds, and an entire full-scale B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Walk under giant fuselages and eye-to-eye with the planes that once thundered overhead. Inside, planetarium presentations send you flying through far-off galaxies, with interactive displays chronicling achievements from the Wright Brothers to the Apollo missions.
Top Highlights: Large aeroplanes, planetarium, interactive exhibits
Nearest Airport: Eppley Airfield
8. Kayak To Waterfalls At Smith Falls & Hike Niobrara Trails
Photo: Patti Black / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
One of Nebraska’s most revitalising activities is to witness the unspoiled beauty of Smith Falls State Park and adjacent Niobrara State Park. Situated near Valentine in north-central Nebraska, Smith Falls is Nebraska’s biggest waterfall, plunging almost 70 feet into a serene rock pool lined with moss-covered ledges and shaded pine ridges. You can reach it by a short stroll along an old-timey footbridge or, for the sporty tourist, paddle down the Niobrara River in a canoe or kayak. Idyllic river that winds its way through sunlight-touched cliffs, fossil beds, and luscious wildlife.
Top Highlights: Waterfall vistas, kayaking, fossil hikes
Nearest Airport: Sioux Falls Regional Airport
9. Drive Scenic Byways Through The Sandhills
Photo: Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons
Travelling through the Sandhills is perhaps the most distinctive and emotional thing to do in Nebraska. Composed of over 9,300 square miles, this region is the largest grass-stabilised dune area on the Western Hemisphere, presenting unspoiled beauty and peaceful isolation. A road trip down NE-2 is a visually appealing one, with rolling hills, shining lakes, and seemingly endless skies. Adventurists canoe or tube along low branches of the Platte River, or they simply pull over and watch white-tailed deer graze on grassy meadows at dusk. Waterfowl enthusiasts are treated to sightings of meadowlarks, sandhill cranes, and sage grouse.
Top Highlights: Nature drives, river trips, country lodges
Nearest Airport: North Platte Regional Airport
10. Hike To Petroglyphs At Indian Cave State Park
Photo: DickClarkMises / Wikimedia Commons
East of Lincoln is Indian Cave State Park, a fascinating and most gratifying place to go in Nebraska. Indian Cave State Park has made a natural landscape blend perfectly with rich history and archaeological importance. Petroglyph Canyon, named such because of prehistoric Native American petroglyphs carved on a sandstone cave, provides a glimpse into prehistory as well as frontier homestead remains from the 1850s. Outdoor enthusiasts will discover more than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails along river valleys and wooded ridges. The Missouri River beckons canoeing, kayaking, and rejuvenating swims on its sandy shores.
Top Highlights: Petroglyph cave, riverboating, pioneer village
Nearest Airport: Lincoln Airport
A rich mix of heritage and heartland charm, Nebraska offers endless things to do in Nebraska for every kind of traveler. Follow the Oregon Trail, witness Sandhill Cranes in flight, explore quirky roadside attractions, or relax in the peaceful Sandhills. With vibrant cities, historic landmarks, and sweeping skylines, Nebraska invites both reflection and adventure. Plan your unforgettable journey today with TripXL for the most memorable trip to Nebraska.
Cover Photo: Jan Kronies / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
