We rounded up the 10 best roadside attractions in Nebraska to make your next road trip a little more fun, including zany museums and a Stonehenge lookalike.
To outsiders—and even some locals—Nebraska is seen as endless miles of corn and bean fields. And it’s true to an extent: Corn is grown more than any other crop statewide, and Nebraska grows more Great Northern beans than any other state in the country (via Farm Flavor). Naturally, that can make road trips feel monotonous and boring. But what if we told you Nebraska has plenty of fun, quirky roadside attractions?
These roadside attractions range from a Stonehenge-inspired monument to zany museums and even historical sites where you can learn a little bit more about our beautiful state while having a blast. Here, we’ve gathered 10 of the most unique options for your next trip, and they’re all places that we think every local should visit at least once.
1. Carhenge
Address: 2151 Co Rd 59, Alliance, NE 69301
Located in Salisbury in the United Kingdom, the original Stonehenge is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. That iconic circle of stone slabs has always carried a mysterious aura, and it’s enraptured people for centuries. The good news? You can see something similar right here in Nebraska.
Carhenge can be found outside of Alliance on the side of Highway 59, and as its name suggests, anyone who travels to it will be greeted with a circle of old cars that have been stacked and positioned to resemble Stonehenge—and all coated with gray spray paint. It’s something so specifically Middle America, which makes it one of the quirkiest and most interesting roadside attractions in Nebraska.
2. Bailey Yard
Address: 1249 North Homestead Rd, North Platte, NE 69101
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Off U.S. Route 30 outside of North Platte, you’ll find Bailey Yard, “the largest railroad classification yard in the world,” per its website. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see a large white control tower looking over many rows of train tracks with train cars lined up on them.
Eight miles long and 2,850 acres in total size, Bailey Yard is a unique sight for not only train enthusiasts but also anyone who wants to see history in motion. The yard has been a hub for trains since the mid-1800s, and it still operates today, with 14,000 cars moving through daily. Visitors can watch the action from afar, or they can book a tour of the tower on the property’s website. There’s even a live cam of the trains for enthusiasts!
3. Plautz Crane Viewing Deck
Address: 47751 Elm Island Rd, Shelton, NE 68876
When you think about the best roadside attractions in Nebraska, your mind might not immediately go to viewing cranes—but it should. It’s estimated that a million cranes visit the Cornhusker State in the early spring each year as part of their migration pattern, and seeing them take off en masse is one of the most beautiful moments you can witness across the state.
According to Visit Nebraska, one of the best spots to see them is the Plautz Crane Viewing Deck, where visitors can watch them soar over the Platte River Valley. Early March is the best time to see them, and Visit Nebraska specifically recommends heading to the deck at sunrise for the best view.
While you’re there, you may also see pelicans, egrets, herons, and more. The viewing deck is just off of Interstate 80, so if you plan ahead, you can make this a quick stop on a road trip.
4. Dobby’s Frontier Town
Address: 320 E 25th St, Alliance, NE 69301
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
With easy access from both Highway 59 and U.S. Route 385, Dobby’s Frontier Town is one of the most interesting roadside attractions in Nebraska for history buffs. As explained by its website, Dobby’s Frontier Town is trapped in time. It shows what the area looked like between 1900 and the 1930s, giving visitors a chance to see what the late pioneer years looked like before the rise of advancing technology.
On the property, you will find a stagecoach, various shops (like a fabric shop and a fine fashions shop), log cabins, a post office, and so much more. Dobby’s has a full map of the premises on its website to help visitors along. This attraction is also special because it doesn’t come with high ticket prices; instead, it accepts donations of whatever folks can afford.
5. The Archway Museum
Address: 3060 E 1st St, Kearney, NE 68847
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Now we’re back to Interstate 80, where you can find The Archway Museum outside of Kearney—or, rather, it will find you because you can’t miss it. This elongated museum sits in an archway over the highway, and it immerses visitors in “the journey to build America,” per its website. The museum covers 180 years of U.S. history, including the 1800s’ westward expansion and even the 1950s vibes of “Riverdale.” Before tax, tickets cost $15 for adults and $7 for children aged 6 to 12.
6. Dairy Sweet
Address: 620 J St, Auburn, NE 68305
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Auburn’s Dairy Sweet, nestled just off of U.S. Route 75, is a classic all-American diner. It slings juicy burgers and crispy fries, while also dishing out some of the best ice cream treats, from scoops to milkshakes. That alone is enough to make it one of the tastiest roadside attractions in Nebraska, but the real kicker is the giant statue out front.
You see, Dairy Sweet was once an A&W restaurant, and its mascot, Papa Burger, still stands outside the sweet-treat spot decades after being erected. Go for the ice cream, and stay for selfies with a relic of a bygone era.
7. Cody Go Karts
Address: 805 Halligan Dr, North Platte, NE 69101
Hours: Saturday: 1 p.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Cody Go Karts sits right off of both U.S. Route 83 and Interstate 80, and this weekend-only attraction is one you’ll want to plan around if you want to experience peak, childlike glee for a few hours along your journey. Here, you can partake in mini golf, go-karts, bumper cars, water slides, arcade games, and more. There are also plenty of restaurants in the area, so you can refuel before hitting the road again.
8. Petrified Wood Gallery
Address: 418 E 1st St, Ogallala, NE 69153
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
If you’ve ever been rock hunting in Nebraska, then you know that petrified wood is a common find in many parts of the state. That’s precisely why the Petrified Wood Gallery exists. Located off of U.S. Routes 26 and 30 in Ogallala, this gallery was brought to life by twin brothers Harvey and Howard Kenfield, who spent more than a handful of decades creating statues from petrified wood that they’d collected.
You see, they had a passion for rock hunting and put their finds to good use, creating one-of-a-kind art pieces that can now be viewed by the public in their own museum. Admission to the Petrified Wood Gallery is free, but donations are accepted.
9. Fort Cody Trading Post
Address: 221 Halligan Dr, North Platte, NE 69101
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
The Fort Cody Trading Post is nearly right next to Cody Go Karts, nestled off of Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 83. This is one of a few historical-leaning roadside attractions in Nebraska alongside Dobby’s Frontier Town. At Fort Cody, which was established in 1963, visitors are surrounded by frontier scenery, textures, and iconography from the second they enter the premises, transporting them back to the 1800s.
In addition to the old-school vibes and history at Fort Cody, guests love to shop here. The attraction has the “largest souvenir store in Nebraska,” where attendees can buy themed toys, T-shirts, and books, along with other cute and educational souvenirs from their trips.
10. Bigfoot Crossroads of America Museum
Address: 1205 E 42nd St, Hastings, NE 68901
Hours: Thursday-Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
When compiling this list of quirky, fun roadside attractions in Nebraska, it was immediately clear that there was only one that we could end on: the Bigfoot Crossroads of America Museum. Bigfoot sightings have been reported across the country, including here in Nebraska, where a similar being called the Oakland Creature has also allegedly been seen. And at this museum, located on the side of U.S. Route 34, you can learn all about the country’s most famous cryptid.
The museum houses photos and videos that allegedly depict Bigfoot, and you can even find handprints and footprints that apparently come from it, too. All of this, combined with stories from eyewitnesses, makes this one of the quirkiest destinations in the state—and a place everyone needs to visit, local or not. Reviews on the museum’s website particularly highlight how “well-organized” and “unforgettable” the experience is.
