2025's Most Underrated Towns In Nebraska

When you think of Nebraska, what comes to mind? Corn? Cows? Plains? Those are Nebraska's top associations, which means that the state, as a whole, is underrated. Yet some communities are more underrated than others. You have probably heard of Omaha and its steaks, but what about Crawford and its rocks, Waterloo and its junk, or Stromsburg and its Swedes? Replace old associations with new ones during a 2025 Nebraska vacation.

Crawford

The Nebraska Panhandle is an extended, rustic region of the state full of underseen towns. Chief among them, at least according to certain locals, is Crawford. Many Panhandlers make Chadron their base for exploration, but just a couple of towns down is a quainter option with the same opportunities.

From Crawford, you can check out Fort Robinson State Park, Chadron State Park, the Oglala National Grassland, and the Nebraska National Forest. After penetrating those pretty preserves, seek R&R inside Crawford at Dairy Sweet and the Prairie Agate Rock Shop. Really get your rocks off during Labor Day Weekend at the Crawford Rock Swap, which is considered Nebraska's largest outdoor rock show.

Louisville

No need to visit Kentucky for a Louisville vacation. Instead, head to the lesser-known Louisville in eastern Nebraska. It may not produce Louisville sluggers, but you can lug a slugger to the Louisville Baseball Park, as well as bring hiking shoes, a bike, a fishing rod, and/or a swimsuit to the Louisville State Recreation Area, which covers the beautiful banks of the Platte River. Naturally, canoeing and kayaking are also offered in the area, but motorboats are prohibited.

Following a foray on foot, bike, or watercraft, sit for a beer at the Good Times Saloon or a taco at Casa Del Sol Azteca. Both should be open during Dynamite Pete Days, an annual July extravaganza honoring an explosive folk hero.

Ponca

Tucked away in northeastern Nebraska, Ponca is a riverside oasis and gateway to a namesake preserve: Ponca State Park. Sitting just north of town, the park offers hiking, biking, hunting, camping, picnicking, archery, and access to the stunning Missouri National Recreational River.

The liveliness of Ponca State Park is contrasted by the tranquility of Ponca proper, which boasts fewer than 1,000 residents and quaint retreats like the Cedar Hills Bar & Grill. Yet on some days, even petite Ponca explodes with life, especially during the Days of 56 Rodeo, which has been running for over half a century.

Waterloo

Waterloo is so small it is designated a village, but do not let that turn you off. Rather, get turned on to Waterloo's waterfront attractions, including Elkhorn Shores, which is technically in Elkhorn but is a stone's throw from Waterloo across the Elkhorn River. If aquatic recreation is not your bag, stay dry downtown at a number of beautiful buildings containing bustling businesses, such as the Dog House Saloon in an old-timey edifice. But much of Waterloo's beauty and bustle comes from an unexpected source: junk.

Each year, this village hosts Junkstock, a Woodstock-like festival that celebrates colorful antiques instead of musicians. 2025's Junkstock is set to kick off in April. But if you cannot make those dates, do not worry. Junkstock is so popular that it repeats in May and yet again in October. All excuses for not attending are junk.

Burwell

Another quaint oasis in far-flung Nebraska, Burwell has around 1,000 residents and straddles the North Loup River, which merges with the Calamus River and flows into the Calamus Reservoir. Burwell is thus a gateway to the Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area, an approximate 5,000-acre preserve surrounding the 5,000-acre artificial lake. After hiking, camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and climbing sandhills in the recreation area, go dining at The HUB and the Pizza Palace in downtown Burwell.

If visiting in July and unfazed by animal exploitation, check out Nebraska's Big Rodeo, which, true to its name, is an extremely big rodeo for such a super-small settlement.

Stromsburg

Of all places to find a Scandinavian enclave, eastern Nebraska may seem most unlikely. Yet this region boasts multiple Nordic-founded communities, chief of which is Stromsburg. Dubbed "The Swede Capital of Nebraska," Stromsburg stimulates with Swedish-inspired sights like the Victor Anderson Building, Viking Center, Economy Hometown Market, and a town square marked by a structure that reads "Välkommen."

But the most stimulating Stromsburg attraction is the Swedish Festival, a late-June cultural celebration that began in 1953. Expect 2025's fest to run from June 20 to June 22 and feature everything from traditional Swedish dining to the naming of an "Honorary Swede." Perhaps that will be you.

Superior

You might feel superior in Superior, Nebraska. Despite being sequestered near the Kansas border, this small city is called the "Victorian Capital of Nebraska" for its wealth of Victorian homes. A walking tour evokes an extravagant past via stops at the Kendall House, which was built in circa 1898 for the titular druggist; Beale House, which was built by the titular rancher in circa 1881; and Day House, which dates to the same timeframe and also owes its name to a prosperous early resident, dentist and lumber dealer George L. Day.

You can see those buildings at any time or wait for the Victorian Festival of Superior on Memorial Day Weekend. 2025's edition will double as the city's 150th birthday party.

Dwight

What Stromsburg is for Swedish-Nebraskan culture, Dwight is for Czech-Nebraskan culture. Dwight occupies a region of Nebraska dubbed the Bohemian Alps, a roughly 40-mile stretch of southeastern hills that attracted Bohemian settlers in the 19th century. Many landed in Dwight. Well over a century later, Dwight, despite its tiny population, showcases Czech sites and bites.

You can tour the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church before sampling an authentic Czech meal on Wednesdays at Cy's Cafe. Dwight also hosts an annual Czech celebration. The Dwight Czech Festival is scheduled to run from July 18 to 20, 2025.

Take a 2025 trip through underseen Nebraska to make new associations with the Cornhusker State. After exploring forests near Crawford, paddling the Platte River in Louisville, shooting arrows near Ponca, attending Junkstock in Waterloo, climbing sandhills near Burwell, becoming an honorary Swede in Stromsburg, touring Victorian abodes in Superior, and devouring Czech delicacies in Dwight, you might forget about corn, cows, and plains. The only thing plain about Nebraska are people's assumptions.