9 Small Towns in Nebraska to Visit for a Weekend Getaway
Nebraska is a beautiful state famous for its farming and agricultural industry. If you love eating beef, you are sure to have a fun time here.
It is also known as the Cornhusker State, a name that shows the connection this Mid-Western state shares with its University’s athletic team.
In Nebraska, you will enjoy delicious meals, exciting sports activities, shopping at traditional stores, and Nebraska-style parties. If you plan to tour Nebraska, uncover nine small towns you should visit for a weekend getaway.
Chadron
Visit Chadron, the vibrant college town named by the Lakota People as "the Beaver River City." It has a population of less than 6,000. It was named for Louis Chartran, a french-Indian who operated a trading post on Chadron Creek in 1841.
This town was the starting point of the Chadron-Chicago Cowboy Horse Race, a 1,000-mile race held during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
There is a lot to see and do in Chadron. Enjoy your weekend here by visiting the following places: Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center (a place that once served as the Chadron State College Carnegie-styled library), Museum of the Fur Trade ( a museum with over 6,000 artifacts that represent the daily routine of the early American fur traders), and Chadron State Park (the first state park in Nebraska) to visit spots that earned the area a position on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore all these areas and more from Chadron Inn and Suites, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Chadron, or Best Western West Hills Inn.
Ogallala
Close to Lake McConaughy is a small cowboy town called Ogallala. This town came into the limelight when it served as a terminus for the cattle drives of the 19th and early 20th centuries that traveled from Texas. These cattle trails have been renamed the “Great Western Cattle Trail.” Be sure to add these to your list of places to visit when in town.
Planning to go on a weekend getaway in Ogallala? Here is a list of places to make your weekend a productive one. Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area is eight miles Northeast of Ogallala, known for its pristine white beaches and clear water. This is a perfect stop for surfers, scuba divers, swimmers, and anglers.
Tired of playing at the beachside, drive into town and visit the Front Street and Cowboy Museum. The museum tells the story of the old West when cattle were loaded in ships and trains and moved to Chicago. Other attractions include Boot Hill Cemetery, Petrified Wood Gallery (showcasing ancient woods and fossils, Native American Arrowheads and artifacts), and the Historic Walk of Fame (highlighting ten markers that tell the history of the Keith County).
Book a cabin at South Platte Cabins & Kennels to enjoy the beautiful view with your pup, with walking trails around this lodging option.
Beatrice
Positioned as the 15th-most populous town in Nebraska is the town of Beatrice. This Nebraska town is in the Big Blue River Valley. Beatrice got its name from Julia Beatrice Kinney, the daughter of one of the town's founders.
A major attraction in this area is the Homestead National Historical Park. This park includes the first acres of land claimed during the Homestead Act. Spend the whole day exploring the nooks and crannies of this significant park, from the Homestead Heritage Center to Palmer-Epard’s Cabin.
Walk the path of the former Union Pacific Railroad Line on the Chief Standing Bear Trail. This 37-mile trail path extends from Beatrice, Nebraska, to Marysville, Kansas. If you’re a fan of long walks, then this is an excellent way to spend your weekend in Beatrice. You can visit the Beatrice Farmers Market or the Rockford Lake State Recreation Area for less stressful activities. Get a room at the Victorian Inn to relax after a fun-filled day.
Ashland
Spend the weekend in Ashland, a town voted one of Nebraska's most beautiful cities by the Culture Trip. The town was named after Ashland, the estate of Henry Clay. Considered the "Tourism Capital of Nebraska," there is a lot to see and do on a weekend getaway in this town.
Prepare yourself for an exhilarating adventure; book a cabin in Eugene T. Mahoney State Park or pitch your tent in the campgrounds around the area. Visit the Cellar 426 Winery to have a quick taste of their many wine options before heading out. Make your next stop at Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari, a 440-acre park. Spend the day exploring the breathtaking Prairies and wetlands and interacting with some North American Animals like bisons and elks.
Other attractions in Ashland include the Ashland Historical Museum, Willow Point Gallery and Museum (an indoor wonderland), and the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum.
Holdrege
Holdrege was established in 1883 in Phelps County. In the 1880s, the town’s settlers were mainly Swedish immigrants. The town was named after George W. Holdrege, a railroad manager. With less than 6,000 people, you will surely enjoy a quiet and relaxing weekend.
Spend time at the Nebraska Prairie Museum, an interpretive museum showcasing replicas of the World War II German POW Camp. Other collections in this museum include dish, quilt, and arrowhead collections. After learning about history at the museum, head out to the Chicken Dance Trail to learn about where you can find different bird species, like the Prairie Chickens.
Before heading out for the day, grab a cup of coffee from 4th Avenue Coffee, one of the best coffee makers in town. After a long and fun-filled day, retire to your room in Rodeway Inn or Cobblestone Inn & Suites in Holdrege.
Papillion
Visit the suburb town of Papillion, named after the creek that runs through its center. The creek was named by the early French explorers, who named the creek “Papillon,” meaning Butterflies. With a population of less than 30,000, this town stands as the seventh most populous in Nebraska.
Sitting 25 minutes away from the busy city of Omaha, it is a perfect getaway location for visitors looking for time away from the noisy big city. Start your expedition from the Walnut Creek Lake and Recreation Area, a 450-acre park with a 105-acre reservoir. This location is nice for biking, hiking, picnicking, and fishing.
For family fun, visit the Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Ranch. This ranch provides visitors with an out-of-this-world farm experience. Go on hayrides or play the games kids played some 40 to 100 years ago. If you are going during the fall and spring periods, you are in luck; the ranch hosts Fall and Spring festivals during these periods. Book a room at Fairfield Inn & Suites Omaha Papillion to experience good Mid-Western hospitality.
La Vista
La Vista is another suburb town in Nebraska. The town has a population of less than 17,000, giving it the position of 12th most populous city in the state. It was created in 1959 by a developer who wanted to erect 335 homes on the area of land now known as La Vista. The buildings were priced at $9,999, giving the town the nickname "House of Nines."
The name La Vista, meaning "the View," was given to the town by the early settlers because of the breathtaking view of the Big Papillion Creek Basin southeast of the town. While in La Vista, make sure to get a first-hand experience of this scenic view.
Spend time exploring eats like Summer Kitchen Cafe and malls like Brentwood Square. After a day of fun, venture into the busy city of Omaha when you book a room at Hampton Inn & Suites - Omaha Southwest.
Dakota City
Visit Dakota City, a town named for the Dakota People in 1856. Beef lovers will love it here; the world’s second-largest beef production plant is settled in Dakota City. In addition to the picture-perfect scenery, there are plenty of things to do on a weekend in Dakota City. Visit the Lewis and Clark Wayside, take in the breathtaking view of the Missouri River Bank, and see the longest encampment spot of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
After a long day at the wayside, grab a bite at Jac’s restaurant before retiring to your room at Cottonwood Inn, South Sioux City, two miles from Dakota City.
Weeping Water
The legends behind the naming of Weeping Water have not been proven, but it is believed that it was named after the stream that runs through it called Nigahoe, meaning "Rustling water." This name was later misinterpreted by the French as Nihoage, meaning "Water Weeping," and the error was recorded as L'Eau Qui Pleure, meaning "the water that weeps."
The town comprised of more than 1,000 people provides visitors and locals with a relaxed and quiet environment alongside small-town scenery. Weeping Water is known for its limestone quarry, and once every year in June, the locals come together to celebrate Limestone Day; you should plan your getaway around this time to be part of the festivities.
Located on the Main Street of Weeping Water is the Heritage House Museum Complex, an 1866 complex that houses Indian artifacts, the Fate House (the oldest congregational parsonage in the State), and the office of Dr. Fate ( a homeopathic doctor) that is still the same way it was when the Doctor left it. Head toward Lincoln for accommodations with Prarie Creek Inn on the way, or Residence Inn by Marriott Lincoln South.
Nebraska is usually overlooked by tourists, but this Mid-Western state is an American gem worth visiting. These best towns in the state should be on every tourist's travel list. So what are you waiting for? Head on out to these small Nebraskan towns on your next weekend getaway.
