From fascinating geological formations to important cultural sites, there are tons of awesome Nebraska landmarks to explore. Whether you want to see beautiful views at Scotts Bluff or learn something new at The Durham Museum, there is something for you.
Top Landmarks in Nebraska
Nebraska Landmarks
Carhenge
Just as its name implies, Carhenge is kind of like Stonehenge… but made of cars. Think of it like Stonehenge and the Cadillac Ranch had a baby. A weird, sculptural, roadside baby.
Open year-round from dawn to dusk and free to the thousands of visitors who flock to this unique Nebraska landmark, Carhenge has been named a Top 10 Attraction not just nationally, but worldwide by TripAdvisor users. And yes, it makes for a great Instagram pic!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
With a population hovering just below 10,000, nearby Alliance is definitely a small town — but one that boasts several other must-see attractions. Stop by the Alliance Knight Museum and Dobby’s Frontier Town to get a sense of what life was like in these Great Plains years ago.
Camping can be found at J & C RV Park.
Scotts Bluff National Monument
Scotts Bluff National Monument features an expansive and beautiful landscape, characterized as it is by towering rock formations. These towers have provided a waypoint and inspired awe since the time when only Native Americans lived on these grounds. Then, as pioneers and Mormon travelers made their ways west, the bluff continued to serve as a navigational aid and also a sign that the journey was paying off.
Today, visitors can get a better view of the bluff by either hiking or driving, and can also participate in educational and entertaining ranger-led events.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Just west of the tri-city area of Scottsbluff, Terrytown and Gering, this national monument is within easy reach of all the resources you need, from dining to shopping and more. It’s also close to other attractions like Oregon Trail Park and the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.
Riverside Campground is a wonderful place to stay while explore this landmark.
Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock is a specific geological formation that can be found inside Scotts Bluff National Monument. Despite being part of another landmark, this unique rock spire is well worth its own place on our list, and certainly serves as a landmark in its own right.
With a summit rising 4,225 feet above sea level (and 470 feet above the flowing Platte River below), Chimney Rock cuts a striking profile along the Nebraska skyline. Like other parts of the national monument, this rock has also been used as a waypoint since time immemorial.
Fun fact: because of Chimney Rock’s unique composition of clay, volcanic ash, and sandstone, it’s susceptible to erosion. It has lost 30 feet of height just in the last 150 years!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The area surrounding Scotts Bluff offers several world-class golf courses as well as city parks and other local attractions. Whether you’re wandering along the river or hitting the city streets, you can’t go wrong.
The campground mentioned above is great, but if you’re looking for another option, you can try Robidoux RV Park.
Ash Hollow Cave
Ash Hollow State Historical Park is a Nebraska landmark that’s historical, cultural and geographical all at the same time. It served as a waypoint for covered wagon travelers during the days of the Oregon-California Trail. Native Americans also used this space as a campsite for ages before white settlers ever stepped foot on the place.
Speaking of stepping foot: be sure to look down as you explore these lands; in many places, you can still see the ruts from the covered wagons that made their way west here all those years ago.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Just five miles south of the town of Lewellin, Ash Hollow Cave is within easy driving distance of other outdoor destinations like the Clear Creek State Waterfowl Management Area and the Lake Mcconaughy State Recreation Area And Wildlife Management Area.
Oregon Trail RV Park is nearby and provides a good homebase.
Willa Cather House
The Willa Cather House stands testament to the childhood and life of a well-known author. Although she was born in Gore, Virginia in the year 1873, Cather lived with her siblings and parents in this house from 1885 until she turned 17 and went off to college. Cather continued to return to Red Cloud to visit throughout her life.
The structure was purchased by the Willa Cather Memorial and Educational Foundation in 1960, and then restored to its original condition. The house has been considered a National Historic Landmark since 1971 and is only one part of the larger Willa Cather State Historic Site.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
A town of only a thousand or so residents, Red Cloud is undeniably small but sweet, with plenty of cute houses and a few dining options. It’s also immediately adjacent to the Indian Creek State Wildlife Management Area and the Webster County Historical Museum is closeby.
Lincoln Park in the nearby town of Superior is one of the best places to stay as you explore the area.
William Jennings Bryan House
Tucked onto a lovely street in Lincoln is the William Jennings Bryan House, known also as Fairview. This 1-1/2 story brick building with its combination of Classical Revival and Queen Anne Victorian styling was originally constructed back in 1902. It was to be used as a home for — you guessed it — William Jennings Bryan, a Democratic politician who ran for President three times unsuccessfully.
Bryan donated the house, along with 10 acres of land, to the Nebraska Methodist Conference to be used as a hospital back in 1921, and today, the hospital has grown up around the house, which is still under its ownership.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Lincoln is so much more than Nebraska’s capital city: it’s a shimmering metropolis set into the idyllic scenery of the Great Plains. Enjoy iconic destinations like the International Quilt Museum or the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, or head out to a nearby wilderness like Platte River State Park or Branched Oak State Recreation Area.
The West Omaha/NE Lincoln KOA Holiday is one of the best places to stay while visiting Lincoln.
Nebraska State Capitol
Perhaps the handsomest building in downtown Lincoln, the Nebraska State Capitol is a landmark both for its architectural impressiveness and its important cultural role.
Constructed of Indiana limestone between 1922 and 1932, the building Nebraskans know and love today is actually the third state capitol building that’s been constructed. This one is known for its striking silhouette, and is actually the first state capitol building to incorporate a working tower structure. This was an intentional design choice by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, meant to set the landscape in contrast: “Nebraska is a level country and its Capitol building should have some altitude or beacon effect,” he said.
Take a guided tour to learn more information about this special building.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Smack in the heart of downtown Lincoln, the Nebraska State Capitol is surrounded by must-sees, like the Nebraska History Museum and the Nebraska Statehood Memorial Historical Marker.
The KOA mentioned above is a great place to stay, but Camp A Way is another good pick nearby.
The Durham Museum
Tucked into the historical Union Station, once one of the most important transit sites in all of Omaha, The Durham Museum is lovely. It offers a stunning collection of artifacts and exhibits that both preserve and interpret the unique cultural history of this, the heart of our country.
Along with its permanent and rotating exhibits, the museum also offers daily events and specially organized programs including a summer camp for the kiddos. It’s truly fun for the whole family!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The Durham Museum is enough of a destination that you probably won’t be hurting for other things to do. That said, if you are, all of Omaha beckons. You’re just steps from some of the hippest spots in town, replete with art galleries, restaurants, and the amazing Henry Doorly Zoo.
Walnut Creek Recreation Area offers campsites nearby and is a nice place to call home for a few days.
Fort Atkinson
Dating all the way back to 1820, when it was established upon recommendation from the Lewis & Clark expedition, Fort Atkinson was the first United States army outpost established on the west side of the Missouri River. It was built here because of its location atop a high bluff overlooking the river below. The view it offered gave those who gathered and patrolled here warning about approaching visitors.
Fort Atkinson didn’t operate for tolong, and was abandoned in 1827. Today, the entire area is a National Historic Landmark known as Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, and includes replica buildings constructed in the 1980s and 90s.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Less than half an hour outside of Omaha, Fort Atkinson is within easy reach of plenty of fun to-dos both urban and rural. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of town, head to Summit Lake State Recreation Area.
The Hitchcock County Nature Center offers affordable campsites and isn’t too far away.
Picotte Memorial Hospital
There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of Walthill, Nebraska, but you probably still owe it a debt of gratitude. It was here that Dr. Susan LaFlesche Picotte developed the Picotte Memorial Hospital, making a name for herself as the first female Native American medical doctor.
The hospital continued to serve the community until the 1940s, and since then has served a variety of other purposes, including as a museum. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1993, this hospital is a great stop for anybody who’s fascinated by — or grateful for — the evolution of medical history.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Walthill may not be big, but it’s got a cute main street area and is located only a short distance from Sioux City where you find lots of fun things to do, including the Sioux City Public Museum.
Wondering where to stay? We recommend Jones Creek RV Campground.
Planning an RV Trip to Nebraska
An RV trip is the perfect way to see all the landmarks (and other goodness) Nebraska has to offer. While you’re there, check out the best state parks and campgrounds in the state, as well as the cities of Omaha and Lincoln!
