Nebraska is often stereotyped as endless cornfields and little else. While agriculture is certainly important to the state’s identity, there’s a surprising variety of attractions, natural wonders, and cultural experiences that have nothing to do with corn.
The Cornhusker State offers adventures for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, art lovers, and foodies alike. Here is a list of 20 things to do in Nebraska that don’t involve standing in cornfields.
Chimney Rock
This iconic natural formation, nearly 500 feet tall, served as a landmark for pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail. The spire-shaped rock formation is visible across the North Platte River Valley.
The comprehensive visitor center has exhibits about westward migration and the significance of this natural wonder to both Native Americans and settlers.
Strategic Air Command Museum
Aviation enthusiasts will love this impressive collection of aircraft and aerospace artifacts near Ashland. The museum houses over 30 aircraft that played crucial roles in America’s military history.
You can walk alongside massive B-52 bombers and spy planes that once flew top-secret missions during the Cold War, making the experience educational and awe-inspiring.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Sandhill Crane Migration
Each spring, more than 80 percent of the world’s sandhill crane population gathers along the Platte River, creating one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in North America. Approximately 600,000 cranes stop in central Nebraska to rest and refuel during their migration.
Viewing these magnificent birds at sunrise or sunset is like watching nature’s symphony unfold across the Nebraska sky.
Henry Doorly Zoo
Consistently ranked among the world’s best zoos, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo features North America’s largest indoor rainforest and desert ecosystems. The zoo’s impressive aquarium houses penguins, sharks, and countless exotic fish species.
The sheer diversity of carefully designed habitats makes this attraction feel more like a series of expeditions around the globe than a traditional zoo experience.
Carhenge
This quirky roadside attraction near Alliance replicates England’s Stonehenge using vintage American automobiles. Artist Jim Reinders created it as a memorial to his father.
The structure consists of 39 vehicles arranged in the same pattern as the ancient monument. The cars are painted gray to resemble stone monoliths, creating a bizarre yet fascinating blend of ancient mysticism and American automotive culture.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Scotts Bluff National Monument
Rising nearly 800 feet above the North Platte River, these dramatic bluffs offered pioneers a landmark along the Oregon Trail. Visitors can drive or hike to the summit for panoramic views of the Nebraska Panhandle.
The visitor center features exhibits about the bluffs’ geological formation and their significance to westward expansion, providing context to this impressive natural landmark.
Old Market District
Omaha’s historic warehouse district has transformed into a vibrant neighborhood with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Cobblestone streets and preserved 19th-century buildings create a charming atmosphere for exploring.
On summer evenings, street performers often add to the lively ambiance, making it feel as though you’ve stepped into a much larger metropolitan area.
Ashfall Fossil Beds
This remarkable paleontological site preserves the remains of animals that died during a prehistoric volcanic eruption. Visitors can watch paleontologists excavate fossils of ancient rhinos, horses, and camels that once roamed Nebraska.
The skeletons remain exactly where the animals fell, creating an eerie snapshot of a prehistoric catastrophe that feels like walking through a paused moment.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Fort Robinson State Park
This former military outpost played a significant role in the Plains Indian Wars and later served as a POW camp during World War II. Today, the park offers horseback riding, jeep tours, and historical reenactments.
Its expansive landscape combines dramatic buttes, pine-covered hills, and grassy meadows, demonstrating Nebraska’s surprising geographical diversity.
Niobrara River
This National Scenic River, perfect for kayaking and tubing, flows through canyons and past waterfalls in northern Nebraska. Smith Falls, the state’s highest waterfall, is accessible via a short hike from the river.
The clear, shallow waters make for a relaxing float trip through landscapes that feel more like Colorado than the flat Nebraska of popular imagination.
Museum of American Speed
This Lincoln attraction houses an incredible collection of racing engines, vintage cars, and automotive memorabilia. The museum, founded by Speedy Bill Smith, displays everything from early Model Ts to record-breaking race cars.
The attention to detail and preservation of American automotive innovation make this museum feel like a mechanical time capsule of engineering brilliance.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Joslyn Art Museum
Omaha’s premier art museum features an impressive collection, from ancient Greek pottery to contemporary installations. The building is an architectural masterpiece of Art Deco with pink Georgia marble.
The museum’s Western American art collection particularly stands out, offering artistic perspectives on the very landscapes that surround you in Nebraska.
Indian Cave State Park
This park along the Missouri River features a sandstone cave with prehistoric petroglyphs carved by Native Americans. Hiking trails wind through hardwood forests that explode with color during autumn.
The rugged terrain and dense woodlands starkly contrast the open prairies typically associated with Nebraska.
Agate Fossil Beds
This national monument preserves fossils from the Miocene Epoch, including ancient mammals like the bear-dog and hornless rhinoceros. The visitor center displays complete skeletons and artifacts from the Lakota Sioux.
The surrounding shortgrass prairie remains unchanged from when these prehistoric creatures roamed the land, creating an immersive connection to Nebraska’s ancient past.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Golden Spike Tower
This eight-story observation tower overlooks the world’s largest railroad classification yard in North Platte. Visitors can watch the orchestrated movement of thousands of railcars being sorted and assembled into trains.
The sheer scale of the operation provides a fascinating glimpse into the continuing importance of rail transportation in America’s heartland.
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
This 3,000-foot cable-stayed bridge spans the Missouri River between Nebraska and Iowa. The curved walkway offers spectacular views of Omaha’s skyline, especially at sunset.
Standing in the middle allows you to place one foot in Nebraska and one in Iowa, making it a perfect spot for photos and a literal bridge between Midwestern states.
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area
This area along the Missouri River offers excellent fishing, boating, and camping opportunities. The visitor center details the Corps of Discovery’s journey through the region in 1804.
The massive Lewis and Clark Lake creates a recreational paradise that draws visitors across the Midwest for its clear waters and scenic shoreline.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Homestead National Historical Park
This site commemorates the Homestead Act of 1862, which granted land to settlers willing to farm it. The modern Heritage Center features interactive exhibits about pioneer life and environmental changes.
The surrounding tallgrass prairie has been restored to its pre-settlement condition, offering a glimpse of what early homesteaders encountered upon arrival in Nebraska.
Hastings Museum
Home to the country’s largest collection of mounted birds and the birthplace of Kool-Aid, this eclectic museum offers something for everyone. The planetarium and super-screen theater add to the diverse attractions under one roof.
The Kool-Aid exhibit is particularly nostalgic, celebrating the iconic drink invented by Edwin Perkins in Hastings in 1927.
Toadstool Geologic Park
Often called ‘Nebraska’s Badlands,’ this otherworldly landscape features mushroom-shaped rock formations created by erosion. Visitors can hike among these strange formations and spot fossils exposed by ongoing erosion.
The barren, moon-like terrain makes it difficult to believe you’re still in Nebraska, showcasing yet another unexpected facet of this diverse state.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
More Than Just Corn
Once you venture beyond the agricultural stereotypes, Nebraska reveals its surprising diversity and hidden treasures. From prehistoric fossils to modern art, rushing rivers to rugged badlands, the state offers experiences that challenge preconceptions.
Nebraska’s understated charm lies in these unexpected discoveries, which make exploring the state a genuinely rewarding adventure for curious travelers.
More from Travel Pug
- Cities Growing so Fast You Won’t Recognize Them in 10 Years
- 13 Destinations Where Tourists Regularly Regret Their Trip
- 20 Obscure WWII Sites Even History Buffs Don’t Know About
- 10 Under-the-Radar Mountain Towns That Are Both Affordable and Beautiful
- Remote Villages in Europe Where You Can Live for Free in Exchange for Work
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.