Nebraska Vacations Travel Guide

General Information

Baby Equipment Rentals - companies in Nebraska that rent baby gear and equipment including car seats, strollers, cribs and more

Nebraska Travel & Tourism - visitors information with maps, places to eat, accommodations, activities, what to see, calendar of events and more.

Zoos

Folsom Children's Zoo & Botanical Gardens
1222 S 27th St
Lincoln, Nebraska 68502
Phone: (402) 475-6741
The Folsom Children's Zoo & Botanical Gardens is now Lincoln's premier recreational and educational experience. We are home to over 300 animals, representing 95 species from six different continents. Our exhibits have continued to be modernized and have been created to best represent natural habitat and provide the animals with comfort and enrichment, as well as being easily accessible to people of all ages and physical abilities. All of this is surrounded by 400 species of plants, beautifully exhibited throughout the grounds.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
3701 S 10th St
Omaha, Nebraska 68107
Phone: (402) 733-8401
The Henry Doorly Zoo, Lied Jungle and Scott Aquarium attract millions of visitors a year. The Lied Jungle is the world's largest indoor tropical rainforest, encompassing three separate geographic zones. Visitors experience the sights, sounds and smells of the jungle as they meander through re-creations of Asian, African and South American rain forests.  A path along the jungle floor winds along streams and past waterfalls. An elevated walkway takes visitors through treetops and offers a glimpse of jungle wildlife including free ranging birds and primates, as well as reptiles and other mammals characteristic of jungle habitat. The 72,000 square-foot Scott Aquarium is one of the country's largest. Visitors can walk through a glass tunnel in a 850,000 gallon coral reef tank and view marine life, including sharks and rays.

Riverside Zoo
1600 S Beltline Hwy W
Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361
Phone: (308) 632-2971
Riverside's 22-acre zoo features a diverse collection of both native and exotic wildlife exhibits. Riverside Zoo has a collection of over 300 animals, representing more than 97 species, and provides an up-close encounter with wildlife in a lush park setting in Scottsbluff Nebraska.

National Parks

Chimney Rock National Historic Site
Bayard, Nebraska
Phone: (308) 586-2581
Chimney Rock has become one of the most famous landmarks in the American West. This unique formation--the most noted on the Oregon Trail--has come to symbolize the greatest voluntary migration in the history of mankind.  The Ethel and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, a hands-on opportunity to "pack your wagon," and a video presentation that tells the story of the great migration West.

Homestead National Monument of America
Beatrice, Nebraska
Phone: (402) 223-3514
The Homestead Act of 1862 was one of the most significant and enduring events in the westward expansion of the United States. By granting 160 acres of free land to claimants, it allowed nearly any man or woman a chance to live the American dream.  Historical exhibits, films, picnicking, school programs, special events, and observing of tallgrass, wildflowers, and wildlife on the restored prairie.

Scotts Bluff National Monument
Gering, Nebraska
Phone: (308) 436-4340
The Oregon Trail Museum contains three rooms of historic, geological and William Henry Jackson exhibits. Trails, Roads: The Summit Road allows visitors to drive to the top of Scotts Bluff for a spectacular view of the valley. The 1.6 mile Saddle Rock Trail leads hikers from the visitor center to the summit, and the .5 mile Oregon Trail Pathway leads from the visitor center to the remnants of the Oregon Trail.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
Harrison, Nebraska
Phone: (308)668-2211
The visitor center has fossil and history exhibits. Hike the trails to observe the prairie flowers and wildlife.

Museums

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer
3133 W Hwy 34
Grand Island, Nebraska 68801
Phone: (308) 385-5316
Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer offers a hands-on living history experience that tells the story of early town building in Nebraska. Stuhr Museum is a world-class, nationally recognized educational and cultural institution, and an outdoor living history museum.

Children's Museum of Central Nebraska
2nd & Kansas
Hastings, Nebraska 68901
Phone: (402) 463-3300
The museum features “hands on” educational exhibits which explore themes of growing, living, working and creating.

Hastings Museum
14th St & Burlington Ave
Hastings, Nebraska 68902
Phone: (800) 508-4629
The Hastings Museum offers many family activities include the J.M. McDonald Planetarium, the hands-on Groundwater Discovery Adventure, and the Lied Super Screen Theatre. The museum has many species of animals set in their natural habitats including the world's largest display of Whooping cranes. The museum also chronicles the history of the early inhabitants of the Nebraska plains and how Edwin Perkins created the famous soft drink Kool-Aid.

Great Platte River Road Archway Monument
3060 East First Street
Kearney, Nebraska, 68847 (Take exit 272 off Interstate 80)
Phone: (877) 511-2724
The Archway is an unusual museum of the trials and trails of the pioneers and Native Americans. Fully handicapped accessible and is enjoyed by all ages. Listed as one of the top ten best museums for kids, although is not a children's museum. Reenactments at various times, and have accredited programs for school and scout visits. Visit the website for hour and rates.

Lincoln Children's Museum
1420 P Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
Phone: (402) 477-4000
Looking for a child-friendly place, full of imaginative exhibits and programs that encourage a "high touch" atmosphere? In Lincoln, Nebraska, there's a place where children can touch anything and everything they want! The Lincoln Children's Museum is a 40,000 square foot world of color, light, sound and texture dedicated to allowing children and adults to discover the adventure of learning together.

Mueller Planetarium
Located in the University of Nebraska State Museum at 14th and U streets in Lincoln, Nebraska
Phone: (402) 472-2641
For over 40 years, Mueller Planetarium has educated audiences with exciting multi-media presentations exploring the latest discoveries in astronomy, bringing to life this fascinating science.  In addition Mueller Planetarium presents spectacular Laser Light Shows. Whether you enjoy rock, country, oldies or pop music, Mueller Planetarium has a laser show for you!

National Museum of Roller Skating
4730 South Street, Suite 2
Lincoln, Nebraska 68506
Phone: (402) 483-7551
The museum exists as an autonomous entity to acquire, preserve, research, and interpret the history of roller skating through its collection of artifacts, photographs, archival materials, and other skating memorabilia. Its purpose is to sponsor and carry on activities and exhibits in order to educate both the general public and those associated with roller skating as a sport, business, and recreation.

University of Nebraska State Museum
14th and U streets in Lincoln, Nebraska
Phone: (402) 472-2642
Nebraska's largest natural history museum includes the world's premier collection of fossil elephants, interactive paleontology exhibits, American Indian exhibits, walk-in wildlife dioramas, hands-on discovery room, planetarium, laser shows and much more.

Pioneer Village
P.O. Box 68
138 East Highway 6
Minden, Nebraska 68959
Phone: (800) 445-4447
The Pioneer Village complex comprises 28 buildings on 20 acres housing over 50,000 irreplaceable items of historical value, restored to operating order, arranged in groups and also in the chronological order of their development. There are 12 historic buildings, a Frontier Fort, a Pony Express Station, an Iron Horse, and a home made of sod. There's a general store and a toy store, an original art collection including 25 Currier and Ives prints, 23 Jackson paintings, and the largest single collection of Rogers statues. You can ride a steam carousel, see historic flying machines, 100 antique tractors and cars and more.

Omaha Children's Museum
500 South 20th Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68102
Phone (402) 342-6164
The Omaha Children's Museum has grown into a special place where children can challenge themselves, discover how the world works, and learn through play. It is Omaha's only participatory museum, a place where children and adults can learn and play together. The Museum provides an ever-changing series of interactive exhibits, workshops, and special events.

USS Marlin
Omaha, Nebraska
Marlin is on display as a memorial submarine in Freedom Park at the Greater Omaha Marina at 2000 North 25th Street, in Omaha, Nebraska. She now serves as a reminder of the sacrifice and devotion rendered by the men of the 52 American submarines lost in the Pacific War.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Family Aquatic Center
28500 West Park Hwy
Ashland, Nebraska 68003
Phone: (402) 944-2523
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park's Family Aquatic Center is fun for everyone. The complex has 2 Water Slides, 0-depth swimming & wave pool, kid's water playground, change house, and concession. The Aquatic Center is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Hastings Aqua Court Waterpark
Chautauqua Park
2200 W. 3rd St
Hastings, Nebraska 68901
Phone: (402) 463-1016
Wave pool, lazy river, leisure pool, waterslides, interactive water play area for young children and concessions. Open summer months daily. www.visithastingsnebraska.com

Island Oasis Water Park
Exit 312 off I-80, Located just northwest of Fonner Park
Grand Island, Nebraska
Phone: (308) 385-5381
Giant slides, wave machines, splash pools, wading pools with bubbles and more, makes up six acres of swimming and outdoor recreation. Kids love the slides at Island Oasis because their is a slide for all ages. Whether you want to have the little ones splash down into the zero depth pool or join the kids at heart atop the launching pad for a more adventurous ride, you are guaranteed a good time!

Star City Shores
27th and Nebr 2
Lincoln, Nebraska 68503
Phone: (402) 441-6670
One of the state's largest pools, with water slides, climbing structures, and sand play area.

Fun Plex
7003 Q St.
Omaha, Nebraska 68117
Phone: (402) 331-8436 / 1-800-353-4180
Fun Plex offers fun for families, company parties and birthday parties.  They have two water slides, a wave pool, a lazzy river, 4 kiddie rides, batting cages, a go-kart and slick track, bumper cars and boats, Tilt-A-Whirl, Ferris Wheel, and Carousel.

If you know of an amusement park, theme park or water park in Nebraska, let us know and we will add it here.

Family Activities

The Little Red Barn
3521 So. 252nd St.
Waterloo, Nebraska 68069
Phone: (402) 664-2460
The Little Red Barn  is a complete indoor pony ride party facility. Families will find the facility is open to the public on the first full weekend of each month (if Sunday falls on the 1st, open the following weekend), Saturday & Sunday, 10am-4pm. Parents and children alike will enjoy the FREE petting zoo, NO admission charge, stall full of straw to jump in and just $4 per pony ride for all kids under 90 lbs. Private parties available by appointment only. Facility also offers pony rides on location for parties, promotions, public, community, church, school, pre-school and daycare events.
 (Just 7 miles west of 180th & W. Center OR 1 mile east of Venice, NE, then 1/2 mi. south on 252nd St.)

If you know of family activities in Nebraska, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
28500 W. Park Hwy.
Ashland, Nebraska 68003
Phone: 402 944-2523
This premier 700-acre park is open year-round and includes recreation activities such as a swimming pool and two 200-foot curling water slides, miniature golf, driving range, tennis courts soccer and softball fields, horseback trail rides, crafts, fishing, picnicking, hiking, 70-foot observation tower, Platte River canoe trips, nature conservatory, mini theater, playhouse, sand volleyball and waterway. At Owen Marina, visitors will find the camp store, snacks and sandwiches, paddleboat and recreational equipment rentals. Winter activities, depending on conditions, include cross-country skiing, sledding and toboggan runs, ice skating and ice fishing.

Lake C.W. McConaughy - Fishing, picnicking, swimming and many other recreational activities including camping.  Located just north of Ogallala, Nebraska. Located off Nebraska State Route 61.

Calamus Reservoir - Calamus Reservoir has 36 miles of shoreline with camping and other recreational activities in the Homestead Knolls Recreational Area.  Located in north central Nebraska on the Calamus River.

Sherman Reservoir - Sherman reservoir has 65 miles of shoreline, fishing and camping with a recreational area located on the backside of the dam. Located 6 miles east of Loup City, Nebraska.

Medicine Creek Reservoir -Fishing, beaches and camping.  Two recreational areas are near the dam at the southeast side of the lake.  Located seven miles north Cambridge, Nebraska.

Merritt Reservoir - Fishing, boating, water sports and camping.  Merritt Reservoir recreational area is on the southeastern shoreline. Located 30 miles southwest of Valentine, Nebraska.

Platte River - Fishing, recreational activities and camping.  This river runs from Wyoming to just south of Omaha. There are numerous recreational areas all along the river including many historical sites.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
28500 W. Park Hwy.
Ashland, Nebraska 68003
Phone: 402 944-2523
This premier 700-acre park is open year-round and includes recreation activities such as a swimming pool and two 200-foot curling water slides, miniature golf, driving range, tennis courts soccer and softball fields, horseback trail rides, crafts, fishing, picnicking, hiking, 70-foot observation tower, Platte River canoe trips, nature conservatory, mini theater, playhouse, sand volleyball and waterway. At Owen Marina, visitors will find the camp store, snacks and sandwiches, paddleboat and recreational equipment rentals. Winter activities, depending on conditions, include cross-country skiing, sledding and toboggan runs, ice skating and ice fishing.

Zoos, Museums, and National Parks listed above.

If you know of a fun winter family vacation spot in Nebraska, let us know and we will add it here.

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to Nebraska, let us know and we will add it here.

Travel Specials & Vacation Packages