Fun Day Friday

Good Morning we have made it through another week and now it's time to go on our weekly Friday adventure. 

Can you guess where we are going this week? We are going to go visit the beautiful state of Nebraska and like so many others I asked myself what could possibly be fun to do in a state that most people assume is farmland? Well buckle up and let's take a trip and I will show you there's more to the state than what meets the I.

1.) Henry Doorly Zoo located in Omaha hours of operation are 10am-4pm This world-class zoo is famous for its involvement with breeding endangered species from around the world.

2.) Museum of Speed located in Lincoln hours of operation are 12-4:30pm- The name of this place speaks for itself and I have never been to someplace where there are so many different styles of race cars. From the very first race car to the Nascar cars we have today this was a great little history lesson for those of us who love to race.

3.) The Durham Museum located in Omaha hours of operation are 10am-4pm Beautiful architecture blends with memories of a time gone by at the historic Durham Museum. Opened in 1931, Union Station was built by Union Pacific Railroad as the showpiece to the city of its headquarters. Considered one of Omaha’s most unique treasures, and now an official National Historic Landmark, the station is one of the best examples of art deco architecture in the country. The Durham Museum offers unique, hands-on learning for people of all ages. Enjoy an extraordinary array of permanent exhibits including restored train cars, 1940’s storefronts, HO Model trains, numerous artifacts showing the history of the region and the Byron Reed collection, which includes some of the world’s rarest coins and documents. During your stay be sure to stop by the authentic soda fountain and enjoy a phosphate or malt.

4.) Lauritzen Gardens Omaha's Botanical Center located in Omaha hours of operation are 9am-5pm Costs about $10 but with so many different trails thru all of the different kinds of flowers and plants you can easily spend hours here but what caught my attention was the model train/track. I will visit this place every time I am in this state.

5.) Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Omaha- Have you ever wanted to be in two places at the same time? Well look no further on this bridge they have it marked where Iowa and Nebraska meet. At the base of the bridge is a beautiful little park for your enjoyment with some fun sculptures and a small history lesson the lewis and clark expedition.

6.) Scotts Bluff National Monument located in Gering hours of operation are 8am-5pm. This location is a huge chunk of the history of the Oregon Trail. There are a few different paths where you can see different aerial views of the badlands, Mitchell Pass, the Platte River. It is a great place to enjoy. You can easily spend a day here. 

7.) Great Platte River Road Archway Monument hours of operation are 9-5 Admission price is $15  Spanning I-80 at Exit 275 in Kearney, NE, the Archway's unique, family-friendly experience tells the story of the adventurers who followed the Great Platte River Road across Nebraska and helped to build America. Spend about an hour or more in our historical exhibit. Our personal audio guide lets you set the pace. Walk with the pioneers on the Oregon Trail. Watch a rider make a stop at a Pony Express Station. Hear Mark Twain's account of a cross-country stagecoach trip. Relive the creation of the nation's first Transcontinental Railroad. Hear stories of early auto travel on the Lincoln Highway. Watch traffic pass below you on I-80. Then, see the replica sod house. Stretch your legs on our hike/bike trail. Picnic on the Archway grounds. Discover unique souvenirs at the Archway Mining Company. Make the Archway part of your family's travel adventure.

8.) Golden Spike Tower and Visitors Center located in North Platte hours of operation are 9-5 Price of Admission if you wish to go above the 1st floor to the tower lookout is roughly $8 for adults and $6 for seniors for about an hour guided tour. you might want to purchase tickets ahead as space is limited Most of the historic viewing is down from inside the tower itself where you can see a Union Pacific passenger car that was retired from service in 1971 as well as a birds eye view of Bailey YArd  You may have also heard about the Orphan Trains that found homes for the street children of New York. This rail yard also played an important part in the relocation of these children.

9.) Classic Car Collection located in Kearney This collection of over 200 cars represents one man's 41-year love affair with the automobile. It also represents America's love affair and fascination with automobiles and the evolution of our society around the world of wheels. You'll see a variety of body types and styles. You'll enjoy the incredible detail crafted into many of these vehicles - artistic hood ornaments, instrument gauge panels, wheel styles and headlights. Coordinated together to tell their own stories and help us track the evolution of the model and of the age of automobiles. IPads are provided free of charge to give you additional photographs of the vehicle's details - some not able to be seen by the public as well as more information about the vehicles. This attraction is more than just automobiles. It features artistic displays, interactive multimedia shows and models.

10.) The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum located in Ashland hours of operation are 9-5pm The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is home to one of the largest collections of Cold War aircraft and artifacts in the U.S. The Museum preserves and displays historic aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles and provides STEM education. The Museum is a 300,000-square-foot facility that features a glass atrium, two aircraft display hangers, a traveling exhibit area, a children's interactive gallery, a 200-seat theater, a museum store, an aircraft restoration gallery, and a cafe. The glass atrium is constructed of 525 glass panels that encase a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The Museum hosts regular exhibitions and several special events throughout the year. The Museum's Education Department is committed to fueling the curiosity of children across the Midwest and to educating them in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Regular STEM sessions, workshops and camp programs are available at the Museum.

11.) University of Nebraska State Museum hours of operation are 9-5- One of the Midwest's premier natural history museums, we are home to the world's largest complete mounted mammoth skeleton. Archie, our mascot in bronze out front, is based on this mammoth fossil. Touch his foot for good luck! Poop & Paws is our newest exhibit and explores the clues animals leave behind in nature. Our Cherish Nebraska exhibit encompasses the entire 4th floor and examines Nebraska's past and present with digital interactives, collections displays, hands-on activities and a visible lab to watch our scientists at work. Other exhibits include Bizarre Beasts, Weapons Throughout Time, First Peoples of the Plains, Paleontology, Geology, and the Hall of Nebraska wildlife. Our Marx Discovery Center has tons of activities for kids, including a fossil dig pit, reading nook, discovery tables, dinosaurs, coloring sheets and more.

12.) Lincoln Children's Zoo located in Lincoln- Lincoln Children's Zoo is rated among the best zoos for children by Parent Magazine and is home to over 400 animals, including the world's smallest monkeys (pygmy marmosets), ring-tailed lemurs, dromedary camels, red pandas, meerkats, and more!. Over 40 of our animals are endangered, including the Humboldt Penguin, Amur leopard and Matschie's tree kangaroo. Featuring interactive Zoofari stations with Larry the Cable Guy, up-close animal encounters and the historic ZO&O Railroad, the Zoo is the perfect destination for the entire family. Lincoln Children's Zoo's mission is "to enrich lives through first hand interaction with living things."

13.) Homestead National Historical Park located in Beatrice With the promise of Free Land, the Homestead Act of 1862 enticed millions to cultivate the frontier. Families, immigrants, women, and freed slaves flooded 10 percent of the nation’s land to chase their American Dream. American Indian cultures and natural environments gave way to diverse settlement, agricultural success, and industrial advancement—building our nation and changing the land forever.

14.) Carhenge is located in Alliance Replica of Stonehenge that is created from old automobiles. Pit Stop Gift Shop is open during the summer, merchandise available in town at the Knight Museum in the winter.

15.) Museum of Fur Trade located in Chadron hours of operation are 8-5 with an admission price of $5. I feel like this is one of the most underrated and least talked about places. Everything you always wanted to know about the fur trade in early American history is here. It's a five-wing museum that covers just about all aspects of the fur trade, Native-American life, and other aspects of the frontier in early American history. They have quite a collection of ancient guns and other artifacts. I will visit everytime I go this way. 

16.) Lincoln Children's Museum located in Lincoln The Lincoln Children's Museum invites families to create, discover and learn through the power of play. Offering three floors and 23,300 square feet of hands-on exhibits and imaginative programs that allow children and adults to discover the adventure of learning through play together.

17.) Stuhr Museum of The Prairie Pioneer- located in Grand Island hours of operation are 9am-5pm When you visit Stuhr Museum, the word “experience” is one of the cornerstones of what we do. You don’t just see historic homes, you hear your footsteps on the floorboards. You don’t see a blacksmith’s impressive work, you feel the heat of the sparks. You don’t just see the Mercantile, you taste the candy stick, just as it was in the time of our pioneer ancestors. It’s what we call a “Living History Experience”. We feature over 200 acres, over 100 structures and are one of the most immersive and iconic museums in the Midwest.

18.) Pioneer Village located in Minden hours of operation are 9am-4:30pm One of Nebraska's leading attractions, the Harold Warp Pioneer Village is a short 10-minute drive south of I-80 exit 279. The Pioneer Village is often described as the "Smithsonian of the Plains". Visitors from around the world use "Fantastic" "A Wonderful American Treasure" "Amazing" and "Remarkable" to describe the 50,000 items in 26 buildings within the 20 acre museum. Exhibits are arranged in chronological order of development to vividly portray how America grew from the open hearth and grease lamps to supersonic speed and cell phones. You will find wagons, buggies, guns, trains, 350 antique automobiles, 100 tractors, 20 historic aircraft, Rogers' Statuary, clothing, glass and china, Historic Buildings and more. It is a great family destination and includes a motel and campground. If you stay with us in our motel or campground, we will give you one complementary adult admission to the museum with each room or campsite rented. The museum is open year round.

19.) Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wild Safari located in Ashland hours of operation 9am-5pm Drive-through adventure zoo's road leads visitors through several different 'lands' featuring Sandhill Cranes, antelope, deer and a large buffalo herd. Most of the animals freely roam this corner of the county. All can be seen from visitors' cars, but the Wolf Woods section requires a short walk. The interactive nature exhibits can be explored while out of the car.

20.) Smith Falls State Park located in Valentine- This park is known to host the largest waterfall in the state which is easily accessible for children and seniors. They have a water float and paid tent camping. There is a parking fee but it is worth it because you could easily spend all day.

21.) Agate Fossil Beds National Monument located in Harrison- Agate, a national park, is an internationally recognized fossil site. There is so much history in this small space totally worth the visit.

22.) Fort Robinson State Park located in Crawford- this fort played a huge part in the Indian War this historic site was where Crazy Horse surrendered. in 1877 and killed due to resisting arrest. The fort was the scene of a major battle led by Chief Dull Knife and during the cold wars the fort became the world's largest military remount depot and a German pow camp

23.) Cody Park located in North Platte, this little hidden gem is amazing. There are box cars for you to climb aboard and explore and there is even a little history in all the cars. The train depot takes you back in time to see how the train really operated and how they could load the mail without stopping.The park has some live animals but you can't touch them. This park is free but donations are a great way to keep this place going.

24.) Yanney Heritage Park located in Kearney- 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 concession 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.

25.) Chimney Rock National Historic Site located in Bayard hours of operation are 9-4 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.

26.)Boys Town located in Boys Town Established in 1917 by Father Edward J. Flanagan, Boys Town is a national organization saving children and healing families across America. The village was made famous by the 1938 award-winning movie "Boys Town," starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney. The Hall of History features Tracy's Academy Award and presents an exciting review of Boys Town's founding and impact on the lives of children. The Father Flanagan House Museum is the renovated home of Boys Town's founder and features a glimpse at early life at Boys Town. Other attractions on the 900-acre site include Father Flanagan's Tomb, Dowd Memorial Chapel, Chambers Chapel, Garden of the Bible, the "Two Brothers" statue and the Leon Myers Stamp Center that houses the "World's Largest Ball of Postage Stamps." Located inside the Visitors Center is the gift shop and Boys Town Café. The café is open M - F 6:45a - 9:45a and 11a - 1:15p.

27.) Hastings Museum hours of operation are 9-5 Founded in 1927, Hastings Museum is the largest municipal museum between Chicago and Denver. Featuring a Theatre with a 65-foot wide screen and large domed Planetarium, we house dozens of animal species set in their natural habitats, allowing you to get an up close look at many amazing creatures! We also chronicle the history of the early inhabitants of the Nebraska plains, from paleo-Indians to euro-Americans, while providing a look back at the creatures that used to roam this area and swim in the Cretaceous Sea. Of course you'll also discover how Kool-Aid, the famous soft drink invented in Hastings, came to be such a success.

28.) Pony Express Station located in Gothenburg hours of operation are 9-6 Gothenburg is home to 2 original Pony Express Station. In 1931, this station was donated to the City of Gothenburg and moved to Ehemen Park Arboretum. It is open FREE to the public April-October. During off season, you may tour the station by appointment.

29.) Legacy of the Plains Museum located in Gering hours of operation are 9-5 Legacy of the Plains Museum is a destination for people interested in stories of human and agricultural history in the North Platte Valley and High Plains. Our new state-of-the-art, interactive exhibits focus on the archeology of Native Americans and Westward Expansion, the lives of pioneering settlers, this establishment of irrigation, the development of rural communities, the diversity of cultures on the High Plains, and the innovative technologies and cultural practices of raising animals and crops in a semi-arid environment.

30.) Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Visitor Center located in Nebraska City hours of operation are 9-6 Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark and Seaman the dog on our 79-acre property. Step aboard an authentic full sized 55-foot replica of the Keelboat used by the explorers over 200 years ago. Relive the adventure by exploring our interactive exhibits: burrow with the Prairie Dogs, run with the American Bison, be surprised by our ferocious Grizzly Bear. Listen to the calls of every bird that was documented along the expedition. Pull the oars on the pirogue. Avoid the snags as you race down the Missouri River with our newest exhibit. Go into the 48 foot in diameter Plains Indian Earth Lodge. Follow our trails to the Missouri River Overlook and the Birding Amphitheater. Bring a snack lunch to enjoy at our outdoor picnic area!

31.)Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles located in Lexington hours 10-5 The museum has about 100 vehicles including helicopters, tanks, halftracks, ambulances, and a jeep from every branch of the service plus displays of weapons, uniforms, engines, equipment, and more. The everyday necessities of a soldier's life, such as MREs, blend with unique vehicles like those used by the German army in World War II.

32.) Nebraska Prairie Museum located in Holdrege Holdrege  hours of operation are 9-4 The Nebraska Prairie Museum, located in Holdrege, Nebraska, contains an exceptionally fine collection of over one acre of indoor exhibits. Once inside, you get a feeling of spaciousness as you view collections of period clothing, antique toys, farm equipment, tools and household items, a unique W.W.II German POW exhibit room, and much more!

33.) The Plainsman Museum located in Aurora hours of operation are 9-4 "Journey through yesterday" at the Plainsman Museum! Our five buildings on our six-acre campus house over 50,000 artifacts, and focus on the time period from 1860-1950. Some of our featured exhibits include a sod house, log cabin, historical main street boardwalk, military exhibit, antique farm equipment, a one room schoolhouse, Gen. Delevan & Lana Bates' Victorian-era home, and much, much more! Learn and remember the history of Hamilton County, NE, and the people who made their home on the Great Plains!

34.) Kearney Area Children's Museum hours of operation are 10-8 We are proud to offer more than twenty interactive exhibits that cover a wide variety of interests that include an art studio, science center, train depot, grocery store, fire station, and agriculture area. Guests have the opportunity to explore at their own pace, and are invited to touch, push, pull, build, and play with every exhibit.

35.) Freedom Park Navy Museum located in Omaha- Freedom Park, a USN Museum, rests on the Missouri River just north of downtown Omaha. Major exhibits are the USS Marlin SST-2 and the USS Hazard AM-240. Through the City of Omaha, taxable donations can be received for the park. See our updated pictures and info on Facebook under Freedom Park, Omaha, NE.

There are so many hidden gems and things to do while visiting the state so don't forget to check google before you go and see what you can do on the way.  

I hope that you have enjoyed this week's tour and come back next week for another amazing adventure. Remember to always be kind as it costs nothing and if you see someone without a smile stop and give them yours a smile is contagious.

Written by: BeatifulChaos318