9 Unforgettable Small Towns To Visit In Nebraska
Like many of its Midwest counterparts, Nebraska is a treasure trove of eccentric attractions and unforgettable experiences. Light up the holiday season, literally, in the Christmas City of Minden as thousands of twinkling lights draw in crowds every year. For more seasonal fun, Nebraska City’s annual festival and apple heritage make it an archetypal fall destination. Head over to Hastings for more unbeatable fun, including many Kool-Aid-centered events, or visit the tiny town of Monowi, home to its single resident. From corner to corner, Nebraska provides an unforgettable experience for all.
Red Cloud
With a name as adorable and quirky as Red Cloud, the town naturally exudes a special atmosphere. The town was put on the map because it played a significant role in the life of iconic American author Willa Cather, who was raised in Red Cloud. One of the best ways to dive into her fascinating life is by visiting the Willa Cather Childhood Home. Book a 30-minute tour and discover family heirlooms and vintage items, including furniture, books, and artwork. Continue honouring Willa Cather’s legacy at the Annual Willa Cather Spring Conference. With guest speakers, literary analysis, musical storytelling, and live performances, the event is much anticipated by book lovers and locals alike.
Far from an ordinary barn, the Starke Round Barn is a must-see architectural marvel in Red Cloud, constructed entirely without nails or pegs. Built around 1902-1903 by the Starke Brothers, the barn is a one-of-a-kind feat. Although guided tours are no longer offered, visitors can make arrangements to take a peek inside this remarkable Red Cloud landmark.
Minden
Commonly referred to as the Christmas City, Minden lights up Nebraska during the holiday season. Watch the town literally light up each year at the Light of the World Pageant. Join the locals at the Courthouse Square on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and the first two Sundays in December, where approximately 12,000 twinkling lights glimmer in Minden. With firepits and s'mores on-site, this event is an ideal way to capture the magic of the Christmas season. Throughout December, Minden hosts numerous events to get into the spirit, including Breakfast & Books with Santa, Hayrack Rides, Soup Suppers, Bake Sales, and a Christmas Choir Concert.
With Minden’s convenient location right by the legendary Highway 6, many tourists flock to the town for the Pioneer Village. Spanning across 20 acres, the massive area contains 28 buildings and thousands of artifacts. Be in awe at a real Pony Express Station, hundreds of antique tractors, vintage cars, historic aircraft, and old toys. Explore historic buildings from the past, including a Blacksmith Shop, General Store, Sod House, and a one-room Schoolhouse.
Alliance
Alliance is an eccentric and underrated town in western Nebraska. The town's claim to fame is the offbeat roadside attraction known as Carhenge. True to its name, this strange and kitschy Alliance feature is a replica of Stonehenge, but constructed from old cars painted gray. Carhenge is truly a sight to see in Nebraska and an unparalleled photo opportunity.
Open from May until the end of September, step back in time, literally, at Dobby’s Frontier Town. Experience life through the eyes of early settlers as you wander around a German Evangelical Immanuel Lutheran Church, a cobbler’s shop, a funeral parlor, a hamburger shop, and a livery stable. Each landmark is filled with authentic antiques from the era.
Honor those who served in the war at the Sallows Military Museum. Browse the extensive collection of military memorabilia, spanning from World War I and II to the Iraq War, the Civil War, and the Vietnam War. Many of the artifacts have been donated by local families, and the museum is a fantastic stop for history buffs.
Hastings
Recognized as the birthplace of the beloved beverage Kool-Aid, Hastings embraces its reputation. Drawing in quite the crowd every year, celebrate with Hastings residents at the annual Kool-Aid Days. Refresh with flavors galore at the World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand, a Kool-Aid drinking contest, Kardboard boat races, and a parade. Thrilling for all ages, Kool-Aid Days is an unforgettable event. At other times of the year, pay tribute to this timeless drink at the Hastings Museum. Enchanting for adults and kids alike, check out the museum’s permanent exhibit about Kool-Aid. Discover the chronology of creator Edwin Perkins and how it became what it is today.
Animal lovers flock to Hastings in the spring for the Sandhill Crane Migration. Each year, more than three-quarters of the world’s Sandhill Crane population migrates through the Platte River Valley. Witness this one-of-a-kind natural spectacle, and bring along a camera to capture memories that will last a lifetime. For the best viewing experience, visit the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center, located just outside of town.
Ogallala
Ogallala offers a rare and intriguing blend of cowboy culture and whimsical roadside curiosities. Located conveniently off the highway, the UFO Water Tower lights up the night sky. With its spaceship-like design and an adorable little alien painted on the side, the tower adds an offbeat element to Ogallala’s already delightfully strange atmosphere. Another Ogallala oddity is the Boot Hill Cemetery. Abandoned in 1885, Boot Hill Cemetery is the final resting place of pioneers, cowboys, and those who met untimely deaths during the Texas Trail era.
Nothing compares to the specialized collection at the Petrified Wood Gallery. The compilation began in the 1950s, and two brothers showcase an astounding global collection of ancient woods and fossils. Every corner of the museum mesmerizes visitors, including a dedicated section featuring Native American artifacts.
Nebraska City
Nebraska City is deeply rooted in its heritage, taking pride in a love of trees and apples. Spanning over two weekends in September, the Applejack Festival is the ultimate way to celebrate fall in Nebraska. Taking place at Arbor Day Farm, load up on all the autumn activities. Fill up on quintessential flavors like caramel apple cinnamon rolls, warm apple cider, and apple pie funnel cake. Head to the orchard to pick apples for an at-home fall baking extravaganza and browse intricate creations from the craft vendors. At other times of the year, head to Arbor Day Farm for the Treetop Village. This exclusive experience allows visitors to travel to 11 treehouses, all connected by bridges and sky-high walkways.
Home to over a million artifacts, the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum is a mind-blowing local attraction. Relive a bygone era and view the original machinery for the ELI windmills. The building is frozen in time, with vintage ledger books and telephones from the period. Offering a fine look at early industrial craftsmanship, highlights of the museum’s collection include a riveting machine from 1875 and an array of tools from 1900, such as drill presses, grinders, hacksaws, hammers, and sheet metal rolls.
Monowi
With a prime location along the Outlaw Trail, Monowi stands out from other towns in the United States by having a population consisting of a single resident. This adorable, tiny town is run by dedicated resident Elsie Eiler, who is also the town mayor, librarian, and tavern owner.
Meet the icon herself while savoring a meal at the Monowi Tavern. Open 7 days a week, dig into classic American fare like hamburgers, hot dogs, rib-eye steak, and grilled cheese while chatting with the renowned woman herself. Named after her late husband, who passed away in 2004, Rudy’s Library serves as both a dedication and a way to attract visitors from around the world. Filled with thousands of genres ranging from Mysteries to Nonfiction and Western Novels, borrow a title or just browse the incredible selection in this legendary town. Before heading out, snap a photo with the Monowi town sign reading 1, marking its sole resident.
Wilber
Wilber is best known for embracing its Czech heritage. Receive a warm welcome and get to know some of the locals at the annual Wilber Czech Festival. From authentic Czech cuisine and a beer garden to polka music, traditional dancing, folk costumes, and a parade, the event is a beloved, long-running Wilber legacy. Continue diving into Wilber’s Czech roots at the Wilber Czech Museum. Uncover a handful of alluring artifacts from the first Czech settlers in Nebraska.
Support the locals and take home an exclusive keepsake from The Wilber Czech Craft Shop. Selling traditional clothing, Czech books, embroidered tea towels, jewelry, glassware, hats, and other collectibles, pick up a unique souvenir. Although the shop is closed from January to March, it reopens on Saturday mornings for the rest of the year.
Commonly referred to as the Czech Capital of Nebraska, take a photo with the Czech Capital Historical Marker. The plaque honors Charles Culek, the first Czech settler back in 1856, and commemorates those who followed and whose contributions helped shape Nebraska into what it is today.
Valentine
Valentine boasts some of the most incredible natural beauty in Nebraska, with unforgettable scenery in every direction. Home to the breathtaking vistas of Smith Falls State Park, take an afternoon admiring Smith Falls, the tallest waterfall in the state. Relish in the peace and quiet while taking some photos with the cascading waters in the backdrop. For another magnificent adventure in Valentine, grab a canoe or kayak and cruise along 76 miles of sublime scenery on the Niobrara River. Along the way, be wonderstruck by this section of Nebraska’s diverse landscapes. Stumble upon geological formations, ancient fossils, cliffs, waterfalls, boreal forests, and Sandhill prairies.
Summertime in Valentine means the annual Nebraska Star Party. Held at the Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, bring along a telescope and observe the night sky. Catch the shadow of the Milky Way galaxy, planets, and thousands of twinkling lights. Even without a telescope, the starry sky remains an absolute marvel to behold with the naked eye.
Embark On An Unforgettable Adventure In Nebraska
From Valentine’s celestial nightscapes and varied terrain to Ogallala’s peculiar cowboy heritage and Minden’s Christmas spirit, Nebraska is a treasure trove of eccentric towns. A camera is essential for some of the state’s unconventional and memorable attractions. Check out the replica Stonehenge made from cars in Alliance or the extraordinary barn in Red Cloud. To really immerse in Nebraska’s endearingly unusual side, join the crowd for the annual Kool-Aid festival in Hastings or the Czech Festival in Wilber. Across Nebraska’s offbeat towns, every traveler can discover unforgettable experiences that linger long after the journey ends.
