6 Playfully Peculiar Towns In Nebraska

When most people think of Nebraska, they probably picture cornfields, tranquil plains, and rural towns. What they may not know is that this gorgeous state is known for much more than flat landscapes and pioneer history. In between the well-known cities lie small towns that are delightfully offbeat. From one-woman ghost towns to the town that goes all out on Valentine’s Day, the Cornhusker State often brings new meaning to the word peculiar.

Plainview

Plainview in Pierce County is a small village/town with a big festival vibe. Families can attend the Back to School Celebration in August every year. Car enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the Highway 20 Hot Rod Association Car Show, which takes place in June. However, the most peculiar, or even strange, festival is Klown Days, which is also held in June.

Klown Days includes a triathlon, fireworks, pedal pull, and even a rodeo. Those who find a golden egg during the festival can take it to the City Office and get Klown Kash in exchange.

Things get even weirder, and for some, downright creepy, at the Klown Doll Museum. Not only do the so-called ‘Klown Dolls’ at the museum outnumber the residents of Plainview 8 to 1, but the eerie allure is undeniable. Some of the dolls are vintage, while others are more modern. But for those with coulrophobia, both types of clown dolls are simply too scary to look at.

On the safer side, there are many things to do in Plainview that have nothing to do with clowns. Chilvers Park offers free camping spots with electricity and water. The Plainview Historical Museum showcases artifacts that highlight the town’s railway heritage. For those interested in architecture, the Plainview Carnegie Library is a prime example of a Prairie School building.

At the Athletic Park Band Shell, visitors can enjoy music while sitting on original benches installed between 1939 and 1942. Even the drinking fountain and light posts are original and a striking callback to the New Deal era.

Alliance

Alliance is where you will find a gorgeous golf course featuring 18 holes and scenic views of the Sandhills. If you are not a golf enthusiast, there is art in abundance to admire at the Carnegie Arts Center.

Alliance lies three hours south of South Dakota’s Black Hills, in western Nebraska. Aside from being a close enough destination for a weekend away from both South Dakota and Denver, the town is also a prime spot for stargazing.

If you are after something quirky, Dobby’s Frontier Town offers a first-hand experience of frontier life. For an even more peculiar experience, you should head to Carhenge. Carhenge is Alliance’s eccentric tribute to England’s Stonehenge. The ‘stones’ are actually vintage cars arranged in a circle, stuck vertically into the ground, and spraypainted gray. There is also a visitor center at the site for those who want to learn more about Carhenge’s origins.

Seward

Seward’s claim to quirky fame is that it is home to the world’s largest time capsule. The capsule was created in 1975 by local historian Harold Keith Davisson and is a gigantic 45-ton concrete vault. The vault, situated below a white pyramid, was packed with more than 5,000 items at the time. These items included a motorcycle, soda bottles, bowling pins, letters, and a brand-new Chevy Vega. The pyramid was built over the vault in 1983, but not before Davisson added some more mementos to it.

In July 2025, the capsule’s treasures went on display, drawing hundreds of visitors. One visiting family was able to retrieve a tape recorded by their loved ones decades ago. The idea behind the unveiling is to create a permanent exhibit of the vault items in the future.

Just because the vault has finally been opened doesn’t mean that there is nothing else to do or see in Seward. The Nebraska National Guard Museum boasts over 11,000 artifacts to admire. The Seward Mural Walk offers a glimpse at several artistic tributes to Nebraska history and pioneer life. There is also the Red Path Gallery, where you can sip wine at leisure while admiring local artwork.

Beatrice

Beatrice started as a small settlement along the Big Blue River. Between its establishment in the 1850s and the end of that century, the settlement expanded into a regional center. When the railroad arrived just before the turn of the century, the town's economy boomed, drawing hordes of new settlers.

Today, locals and visitors love Beatrice for its Heritage Center, which tells the story of the town’s history. The center is part of Homestead National Historical Park, five miles west of the town center.

There is more history to learn at the Gage County Historical Society Museum, where exhibits detail how the railroad transformed the town into a commercial hub.

On the quirky side, a nostalgic replica of a historic popcorn stand is located in the center of town. The original Trauble’s Popcorn Stand stood at 101 N. Fifth St from 1937 to 1987. The replica still serves excellent popcorn, especially the buttered version.

There are also several outdoor recreation areas throughout Beatrice, including the beautiful Chautauqua Park. Here, you can take leisurely walks or bike the trails that connect different parts of the town. You can also fish or kayak on the Big Blue River.

Gering

The pioneer spirit runs deep in Gering. There is a street that runs along the path of the Oregon Trail, leading to the historic downtown section of Gering. It also leads to the Legacy of the Plains Museum and the Scotts Bluff National Monument. The museum is packed with hands-on exhibits detailing pioneer life and early agriculture.

The monument, a massive sandstone bluff towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, has been a landmark for many generations, including Native Americans and immigrants on the Overland Trails.

Ten miles south of Gering lies Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. Here, you will find rugged canyons, bighorn sheepv, and elevated hiking trails. Much closer is Northfield Park Arboretum, which offers a living exhibition of botanical wonders and a nature trail.

As for something peculiar, you can break away from the pioneer spirit at night and catch high-speed races at Hi-Way 92 Raceway Park. This is one of only two asphalt racetracks in the state that offer racing action for a $10 entrance fee.

Taylor

Taylor is even smaller than Gering, with an estimated population of 135. The town is home to the Sandhills at Harrop Park, a roadside stop that provides everything you need for a quiet walk or a fun picnic. The picnic site is covered, and there is a hand-pump water well. There is even a campsite for camping overnight. The 1/3 mile walking trail is easy to navigate and features native plants along the way.

Unfortunately, Taylor’s small population is experiencing further decline. As such, a local artist decided to boost the numbers with plywood cut-out villagers. There are about a hundred and twenty of them, waving at visitors or peering through shop windows. Some of the plywood villagers even have their own plywood vehicles, while plywood children play hide and seek around the buildings.

If you plan on staying a while, keep your eyes peeled for these fun figures on your way to the Taylor Tourist Park. Besides full RV hook-ups from May through October, the park also offers a basketball court, horseshoe pits, and large open green spaces.

Nebraska’s small towns offer a great mix of quirky charm and the truly peculiar. Some of the experiences here border on eerie, while others are downright fun. So, whether you want a creepy tour of a clown doll museum or just attend an out-there festival, Nebraska’s towns offer it all and more.