6 Amazing Nebraska Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive In 2025

If you thought Nebraska was just cornfields and dusty badlands, think again. This historic state is packed with exciting attractions and excursions that make for a memorable day out. Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, chat with archaeologists at an active dig site, wander through a rainforest, and tour the birthplace of Arbor Day. These family-friendly trips showcase the best of Nebraska, offering adventures that take you into the past, into nature, and off the beaten track.

All the trips listed below are within driving distance from Omaha, home of Eppley Airfield, Nebraska’s busiest airport, which currently handles domestic and connecting international travel and is undergoing a nearly $1 billion modernization (including a new international arrivals/customs facility) to support future direct international flights; the project is targeted for completion around 2028. Omaha also boasts numerous domestic and regional travel connections, making it an ideal starting point for your Nebraska adventure.

Arbor Lodge State Historical Park

Less than an hour’s drive south of Omaha, on the outskirts of Nebraska City, lies the birthplace of Arbor Day. The annual holiday was the idea of politician J. Sterling Morton, who served as Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland for part of his second administration (1893-1895). Morton’s sprawling mansion and estate are now a state park where you can take a guided tour of the 52-room house, built in 1855, and wander its extensive grounds.

The mansion and park are situated within the larger 260-acre Arbor Day Farm; the immediate historic mansion grounds comprise a smaller portion of that total estate, which also includes an arboretum, Italian terraced garden, log cabin, walking trails, and a tree-themed playground. The grounds are open year-round, and you don’t need a permit for entry. You do need a ticket to enter the house, however, and tours should be booked in advance. Please check the schedule before your visit, as the park regularly hosts living history reenactments and seasonal events.

Durham Museum

Enjoy a unique day out right in the heart of Omaha at the top-rated Durham Museum. Housed in a beautifully restored Art Deco train depot downtown, the museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute. It features a wide range of exhibits that will fascinate everyone in the family.

Climb aboard a vintage streetcar from the 1940s, go shopping at a 1915 grocery store, work the signals for the interactive model train display, and it’s easy to lose a few hours at the museum exploring its permanent and rotating collections. The Durham Museum is open year-round, but its hours vary by season, so it’s best to check before your visit. Advanced tickets are recommended but not required, especially during the busy summer season.

Fort Calhoun/Fort Atkinson

Legendary explorers Lewis and Clark stopped in the area of Fort Calhoun in the early 1800s. Recognising its strategic location, Clark noted in his journal that the area would be a suitable site for a fort, and in 1820, that fort was established. Fort Atkinson operated from 1820 to 1827 before the outpost was abandoned and converted to farmland. Much of the fort has now been rebuilt and is open to the public at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park.

The ideal day trip for history-lovers and families, the park includes the restored barracks, gates, an armorer’s shop, the council house, and the Sutler Store. The Visitor Center features displays and exhibits on its history, as well as artifacts recovered from the site. See the past come alive at one of the fort’s Living History Weekends, which take place on the first weekend of each month from May to October. Trained reenactors play the part of fur traders, coopers, blacksmiths, carpenters, weavers, and other 19th-century tradespeople. The park grounds are open year-round from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center, however, is open from May to October and by appointment only from October to April.

Indian Cave State Park

Explore Nebraska’s stunning scenery and unique natural attractions with a day out at Indian Cave State Park. Spanning over 3,000 acres along the Missouri River, the park is a lovely natural playground featuring 22 miles of hiking and biking trails. It’s best known for the large sandstone cave, which features Native American petroglyphs. The cave is easily accessible, featuring a boardwalk, seating area, and informative displays.

The park is also a popular destination for picnickers, offering amenities such as disc golf, an archery range, and a playground. You can also explore a historic restored schoolhouse and general store, the remnants of an old river town within the grounds. Although beautiful in every season, the park is particularly drawn in the fall when visitors come to see the incredible foliage along the riverbanks. The park is open for day use year-round, from sunrise to sunset.

Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Trade Omaha’s urban jungle for an actual jungle with a day trip to one of the city’s most unique attractions. The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium houses one of America’s largest indoor rainforests, the Lied Jungle. Wandering through the lush tropical jungle, you’ll see monkeys, pygmy hippos, and other exotic animals while enjoying the sights and sounds of the rainforest. The jungle is just one of many dazzling exhibits at the zoo that kids, and big kids, will love. Highlights include the Hubbard Orangutan Forest, Sea Lion Shores, Butterfly and Insect Pavilion, and the aquarium’s 70-foot shark tunnel.

The zoo also offers a variety of visitor experiences, which must be booked in advance. They include golf cart tours and backstage experiences with some of the animals, including giraffes, cheetahs, and sea lions. The zoo is open year-round except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day but opening hours are seasonal.

Ashfall Fossil Beds

It’s a three-hour road trip from Omaha to the Ashfall Fossil Beds, but this historic treasure is well worth the time. An active dig site and museum managed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Ashfall Fossil Beds site preserves remains of more than seventeen species of vertebrates (including extinct rhinos, horses, camels, birds, reptiles) in a volcanic ash bed; it is managed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and other agencies.

What makes Ashfall Fossil Beds really unique is the accessibility of its experts. Visit the fossil preparation laboratory to observe paleontologists at work and learn about their research, then browse the displays and exhibits at the Visitor Center. You can see the recovered prehistoric skeletons unearthed at the dig in the Hubbard Rhino Barn, where the ancient animals have been painstakingly reconstructed.

Once you’ve explored its history, take a moment to appreciate the beautiful surroundings. Ashfall is situated on 360 acres in the picturesque Veridgre Creek Valley, offering nature trails and picnic facilities. Ashfall Fossil Beds are open to the public from May to October, with seasonal operating hours. Park permits are required and can be purchased online ahead of your visit.

It’s impossible to see all of Nebraska in a day, but you can get a taste of what this dynamic state has to offer with the above day trips. Tap into the intrepid spirit of the early explorers and hit the road to see the best sights in and around Omaha. Whether you’re fascinated by all things historical, need a break in nature, want to amuse the kids for a few hours, or are looking for an adventure you can’t get at home, these itineraries offer plenty of choice. Set aside a day in your next Nebraska vacation to venture into the unknown and go home with a new appreciation for the Cornhusker State.