Buckshot Run Outfitters (Elba)

VisitNebraska.com operates as the comprehensive travel guide for the state of Nebraska, maintained by the Nebraska Tourism Commission located in Lincoln. The site serves as the central resource for discovering attractions, planning trips, and exploring all seven distinct regions of the state.

Nebraska offers surprising water sports opportunities for a landlocked state. Lake McConaughy (Big Mac) near Ogallala is the state's premier 35,700-acre destination with 15 boat ramps, 326 campsites, and consistent walleye fishing recognition from Walleye Insider magazine.

Lewis and Clark Lake, the state's second-largest, features chalk bluffs, blue water, and over 1,000 campsites. Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area (85 miles northwest of Grand Island) draws sailboaters and anglers after muskellunge, wipers, and white bass.

For paddling enthusiasts, the Niobrara River ranks among the nation's top 10 canoeing rivers according to Backpacker magazine. The Dismal River cuts through steep canyons with a popular 55-mile canoe trail. The Calamus River is famous for "tanking"—a uniquely Nebraskan water sport where livestock tanks become floating vessels for groups tubing downriver.

Guest Ranches: - Ponderosa Ranch (near Crawford): Drive cattle, mend fences, make chaps - 17 Ranch (near Lewellen): Choose your involvement level—from horseback riding to spring roundup participation. On-site vineyard with tasting room in Lewellen

Unique Stays: - Slattery Vintage Estates (near Lincoln): Glamping in heated 10x14 tents with full-size beds and antique furniture - Dancing Leaf Earth Lodge (near Wellfleet): Stay in recreations of Pawnee dome-shaped earthen lodges - St. Benedict Center (outside Schuyler): Spiritual retreat on 160 acres of farmland

Historic Hotels: - Olde Main Street Inn (Chadron): Suites with restaurant and saloon - Hotel Wilber (Southeast Nebraska): 11 Czech-themed rooms with Czech Cellar restaurant serving roast duck, potato dumplings, and kraut - Cornerstone Mansion B&B (Omaha): Urban B&B - Plantation House B&B (Elgin, pop. 657): Small-town charm

Nebraska's heritage spans American Indian nations, frontier forts, and military history:

American Indian Legacy: - Standing Bear, a Ponca chief from northeast Nebraska, won landmark U.S. Supreme Court case establishing Native Americans as "persons within the meaning of the law" - Omaha, Otoe-Missouria, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Pawnee, Lakota, and Ponca tribes enriched the region - Bronze bust in Nebraska State Capitol's Hall of Fame

Frontier Forts: - Fort Atkinson State Historical Park (near Fort Calhoun): First fort west of the Missouri River (1820). Restored buildings, live demonstrations—blacksmithing and gunsmithing at the Armorer's Shop - Fort Robinson State Park (near Crawford): Operational 1873–1948. Site where Crazy Horse was killed (1877). Converted officers' quarters, hiking/biking trails - Fort Kearny State Historical Park (near Kearney): Parade grounds, blacksmith shop, stockade

Military History: - Andrew Jackson Higgins National Memorial (Columbus): Replica of the Higgins boat, which played crucial role in WWII with over 20,000 landing craft built - Strategic Air & Space Museum (near Ashland): Legendary aircraft, missiles, spacecraft, exhibits on Nebraska astronaut Clayton Anderson and Cold War Strategic Air Command - Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles (Lexington): 100+ military vehicles—helicopters, tanks, halftracks, ambulances, Jeeps, plus weapons and equipment

• •Carhenge (outside Alliance): Tribute to Stonehenge built with 38 vintage cars
• •Petrified Wood Gallery (Ogallala): Ancient woods, fossils, American Indian arrowheads
• •Ole's Big Game Steakhouse (Paxton): Full-size polar bear and hunting trophies surround chicken fried steak
• •Happy Jack Peak and Chalk Mine (near Scotia): 6,000+ feet of honeycombed diatomite caverns from 1850s discovery
• •Classic Car Collection (Kearney): 130 vehicles (1900s–present) with interactive iPads
• •Burchell's White Hill Farmhouse Inn (Minden): Historic farmhouse with modern amenities and Tin Plate Special restaurant
• •Lee's Legendary Marbles and Collectibles (York): Rare pre-WWI uranium-filled marbles and Lutz gold-filled marbles
• •Grove Lake Trout Rearing Station (1.5 miles west of Royal): 130,000 rainbow trout hatchlings annually, visitor education
• •National Museum of Roller Skating (Lincoln): World's largest roller skating memorabilia collection, including 1956 jetpack skates (40 mph capability)

Spring: - Annual Arbor Day Celebration (Nebraska City, April 27–29): Founded 1872 by J. Sterling Morton; more than 1 million trees planted statewide - Paranormal Experiences (Trails and Rails Museum, Kearney, April 17): Ghost-hunting classes and museum exploration with Midwest Paranormal Investigators

Summer: - Sidney Gold Rush Days (June) - NEBRASKAland Days (June) - Great American Comedy Festival (June) - Hastings Pride (June) - College World Series (June) - Oregon Trail Days (July) - Nebraska's Big Rodeo (July) - Nebraska State Fair (August) - Kool-Aid Days (August) - Midwest Pirate Festival (August) - Huskers Football Saturdays (Fall)

Other Notable Events: - Cinco De Mayo (May) - Junk Jaunt (September) - HallowFest (October) - Towns devoted to St. Patrick's Day, Fourth of July, Christmas

Nearly 1 million sandhill cranes stop in Nebraska during spring migration. Visitors can experience nature's spectacle through sanctuary tours and dedicated viewing programs.

"Sample the bounty of our agriculture, from local wines and craft beer to fresh produce, dairy products and Prime Nebraska beef."

Visitors can book ranch vacations (ranchetations) for hands-on cattle country experiences.

The site provides free travel guides, e-newsletter signup, Nebraska Passport program for collecting stamps at hidden gems, group travel coordination, and industry information. Contact: Nebraska Tourism Commission, 301 Centennial Mall South, PO Box 98907, Lincoln, NE 68509-8907 | (402) 471-3796.