8 of the Quirkiest Towns in Nebraska
There is something decidedly unexpected about the Cornhusker State. Its vast, sweeping plains might convince you there is nothing to see here at first glance, but you would be greatly mistaken. Beneath its fertile soil and plentiful sand dunes is a playful character as buoyant and enthralling as anything found in coastal metropolitan hubs. There is a bevy of quirks in Nebraska just waiting to be discovered. Be sure to consider this Midwestern marvel in the American heartland if you are looking for enjoyment, flavor, and a heaping helping of that Great Plains hospitality.
Nebraska City
If you are looking for quirky, look no further than Nebraska City. This Midwestern town may not be big in size, but it certainly has a big green thumb. The townsfolk planted roughly one million trees back in 1854, America’s first Arbor Day, and now the town is full of them and each year, Nebraska annually hosts the Applejack Festival, a testament to its love affair with all things green and growing.
Visitors will want to see the Arbor Day Farm where they can climb a 50-foot tall treehouse and pick plenty of apples (when in season), and trek through the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center. You can even learn about the “metal trees” that have historically provided water to the town at the Kregel Windmill Museum. As a tip: Try to time your trips to Nebraska City so that they arrive either during apple blossom season in springtime or around the apple harvest each fall.
North Platte
Two words come to mind when discussing North Platte: Cranes and trains. If you love trains, you will love the incredible amount of trains that make their way to the Union Pacific Railroad’s Bailey Yard each day in North Platte! The town’s train yard is the largest in the world, built to handle the 14,000 rail cars that pass through daily. Train enthusiasts can watch the locomotive comings and goings from the Golden Spike Tower. Although the upper viewing deck offers a 360-degree view, the lower deck is equally good as well.
Every spring in North Platte, approximately 400,000 sandhill cranes make their way to the North Platte River to roost and mate. Bring a pair of binoculars to witness the beautiful dances of courtship and listen to the mating calls on display. Next, the famed showman Buffalo Bill Cody built his ranch in North Platte. Fans of the bison hunter extraordinaire can visit his mansion, barn, and grounds in the 25-acre Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park. There is an even a rodeo hosted here under the same name, "Buffalo Bill Rodeo."
Ogallala
The town of Ogallala has undergone somewhat of a transformation in recent years. A former waystation for cattlemen, the town was a hardscrabble place known for its saloons and the occasional bit of gunplay. Today, Ogallala is a haven for watersports enthusiasts thanks to the white sand beaches of Lake Mac, the state’s largest lake, found only eight miles from town. Wakesurfing, swimming, and more await at the lake’s edge, while the trout fishing at Lake Ogallala is absolutely divine. The lake is kept from freezing over by the Kingsley Dam and is a great place for bird watching as the eagles dive for fish. The dam itself is a tourist attraction, standing 162 feet high and spanning 1,100 feet thick at its base.
Ogallala may be known for its lakes, but it is hardly a one-horse town. The western and cowboy history of Ogallala has been lovingly preserved for visitors to see today. Take a trip through the gunslinging, cowpoke past of Ogallala by visiting Front Street and the Cowboy Museum. The Wild West show and authentic saloon dining options make for an excellent way to wind down after a long day splashing in the lake. You can even stop in for a can-can show at the Front Street Steakhouse and visit Boot Hill, the area’s first burial ground ensuring seamier times.
Crawford
Crawford is an incredibly unique place thanks to its unique geological features in the nearby Toadstool Geological Park. The park is half an hour from town but visitors will swear they transported themselves to the surface of the moon. Hikers are treated to winding trails and plenty of signs of fossils of animals that passed through the area as far back as 30 million years ago. Like the cold reaches of space, there is no water in the park so be sure to pack some before taking one large step for mankind.
The Belmont Tunnel is another point of interest for visitors to the Crawford area. Halfway between Crawford and Marsland is a long railway tunnel near the ghost town of Belmont which fans of the supernatural will want to see. Lastly, The Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center is host to one of the most significant archaeological discoveries on the continent. Hundreds of ancient bison died there and the site is dedicated to the discovery.
Valentine
Move over Paris, this Nebraska town may very well in fact be the most romantic place on Earth. Visitors to the town will be pleased to discover Valentine’s Day hearts painted everywhere from stop signs to the pavement itself. Valentine’s Heart City sign is eminently photogenic and perfect for shutterbugs searching for a great place to take a picture. The heart of town–pardon the pun–.is the local post office which will happily stamp an envelope or postcard with the town’s unique postmark.
There is more to Valentine than the decor, however. The town is home to breathtaking prairie landscapes thanks to its location in the Sandhills, the largest sand dune formations in the Western Hemisphere. These towering dunes which stretch up to 400 feet tall border the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, roughly five miles from town. Visitors will be able to spot herds of bison and elk. They say not to go chasing waterfalls but Smith Falls State Park makes it hard not to. The park is home to the state’s standout waterfalls, including Smith Falls, Nebraska’s largest at over 63 feet high.
Hastings
Both Nebraska and the town of Hastings take Kool-Aid seriously. After all, it is the state’s official soft drink. A man by the name of Edwin Perkins invented the powdered drink mix in Hastings nearly 100 years ago in 1927 and the town celebrates its invention each August. Visit the World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand, play disc golf, and get your picture taken in front of the original Kool-Aid Factory.
Fans of the supernatural and cryptids will want to swing by the Bigfoot Museum and Research Center featuring life-size Bigfoot statues on display. After a long day of Kool-Aid and cryptids, feel free to wind down next to the Fisher Rainbow Fountain for the perfect end to a day in Hastings.
Taylor
The town of Taylor, Nebraska is truly one of a kind. Taylor’s population has been shrinking for a while, so a local artist came up with a solution. Marah Sandoz grabbed her bandsaw and some paint and built life-sized cutouts to buoy the town’s population. Thanks to her work, Taylor is practically booming! Known as the Villagers, these black and white cutouts were designed to capture the town’s former residents of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This unique addition to Taylor gives the town its character and is definitely worth seeing. Sandoz has made 120 cutouts so far, more than half of the town’s three-dimensional living population.
Less than half an hour’s drive from Taylor is the stunning Calamus Reservoir & State Recreation Area. The reservoir offers some of the best boating and fishing lakes the Sandhills has to offer thanks to its white sand beaches and fully modern boat ramps. The Log Cabin Museum in town is also definitely worth seeing for history buffs and aficionados. The museum has three buildings: A pioneer log cabin, a former public library, and the Sunnyside District schoolhouse.
Alliance
You may have heard about Stonehenge, but what about Carhenge? This quirky Nebraska town has plenty of character starting with its most unique landmark. Inspired by England’s Stonehenge, Carhenge is an eccentric art installation made by artist Jim Reinders in 1987. Instead of ancient slabs of rock, the artist used salvaged automobiles as a tribute to the internal combustion engine and its effect in shaping America.
After taking plenty of postable pictures at Alliance’s preeminent tourist destination, Laing Lake and Park is a natural wonder all of its own. The site is a wonderful blend of tranquility and excitement. Visitors can stroll or jog along well-manicured paths. Lastly, the town’s Rolling Prarie Disc Golf Course is a fun way to spend an afternoon across 18 holes. The course was even designed by Erin McCabe, a disc golf world champion.
There is so much character, flavor, charm, and style to Nebraska. From art installations in homage to America’s love affair with the automobile to a town filled with 2-D townsfolk and a train-lover’s paradise, the state has something for everyone. If you are looking for an off-kilter trip or if you are simply looking to experience Nebraska as never before, consider these towns.
