| Bright Lights & Big City |
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From sprawling metropolises, historic and modern urban architecture, and quiet little villages to rolling farmland, wooded bluffs, historic waterways, and the lush Platte River Valley, you’ll see just how diverse Nebraska is. Among the finest of this area’s historical attractions is Fort Atkinson State Historical Park in Fort Calhoun north of Omaha. Here visitors are treated to living history presentations that breathe life into Nebraska’s rich past. The Durham Museum in Omaha highlights this fair city’s dramatic transformation from cow town to boomtown. If viewing wildlife is more to your liking, this trip has more than enough stops to keep you busy! Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo is one of the country’s best and boasts an indoor jungle, a state-of-the-art aquarium, the world’s largest desert dome, and much more. Directly south of Omaha in Bellevue, the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center offers you the chance to explore winding trails along the Missouri River. Along the way, look for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and more. Near Ashland at Exit 426, the Strategic Air & Space Museum offers high-flying insights into the history and future of aeronautics and the military. It’s a truly fascinating stop! Also at this exit, the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari lets you drive right into the natural habitat of some of Nebraska’s most fascinating wildlife, including bison, elk, and cranes. Lincoln boasts a number of world-class attractions within its city limits. Plan a few leisurely hours shopping and dining in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket District before heading to the Sheldon Museum of Art, which houses impressive displays of 20th century American art. The State Capitol building is a must-see. You can take a guided tour of the building or simply wander and explore at your own pace. Laugh out loud and be thoroughly entertained at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Route Directions Start in Fort Calhoun at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park 22 miles south on US-75 to Omaha 13 miles south on US-75 to Bellevue 29 miles west on NE-370, west on I-80 to Ashland (Exit 426) 27 miles west on US-6 to Lincoln |
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