| Journeys Across Western Nebraska |
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The Panhandle Region of western Nebraska is a place of great diversity. From the wide-open, windswept high plains in the south to the green, rolling sandhills in the center to the rugged buttes and bluffs of the north, this region will truly delight and inspire you. Three state scenic byways criss-cross the region: Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, Western Trails Scenic & Historic Byway, and 385 – Gold Rush Byway. Day 1 Ogallala embraces its colorful Western past at Front Street, where you can catch the Crystal Palace Revue and Shoot-Out—Nebraska’s longest-running summer theatre. Visit the Petrified Wood Gallery, a natural history gallery that specializes in ancient woods, fossils, and American Indian artifacts. Ogallala is home to Lake McConaughy, the state’s largest lake and a water lover’s paradise that offers white-sand beaches, excellent fishing, and relaxing lounges on a boat in the middle of the lake. The Lake McConaughy Visitor/Water Interpretive Center is the state’s first water museum and interprets water’s significance to the state’s past, present, and future. From late December to early March, the Bald Eagle Viewing Center below the dam is one of the best locations to view bald eagles. Explore the land of grapes and honey at South Fork Vineyard near Ogallala. Stroll through the vineyards while sipping a delicious glass (or two) of Nebraska wine, and take home a variety of honeybee products, such as pure Nebraska honey, flavored honey cream, honey sticks, natural soaps and lotions, beeswax candles, and savory honey spread. Sidney is home to Cabela’s, the world’s largest outdoor outfitter. Shop for bargains at this giant retail store and admire its centerpiece, a manmade mountain featuring dozens of animals climbing to its peak. Spend some quality shopping time at Cabin Country Designs for wooden carvings, beautiful pieces of art, high-quality wooden furniture, crafts, and antique painted windows. Big-city quality and value, small-town prices! Get better acquainted with your green thumb at Ricky & Lucy’s Country Greenhouse. Perennials, annual plants, herbs, and vegetables are organically grown on-site. Learn the art of processing fresh herbs and spices before heading to the orchards to pick your own fruit and vegetables. Visible for weeks along the westward trails, Courthouse and Jail Rocks near Bridgeport were so named because of their similarity to courthouses and jail buildings back east. Near Bayard stand beneath the most recognized landmark along the Oregon Trail, Chimney Rock. The Chimney Rock National Historic Site Visitors Center showcases fascinating stories from pioneers as they trekked westward. Experience pioneer life at the Oregon Trail Wagon Train, and enjoy campfire songs, stories, and a delicious mouthwatering meal prepared over an open fire. Scotts Bluff National Monument near Gering is a prominent landmark used by American Indians and pioneers along the Oregon and Mormon Trails. A drive to the summit allows a tremendous view of the entire North Platte River Valley. Wagon ruts are visible at the base of the monument. A gift shop and museum in the visitor center show the importance of the trails and the area’s colorful history. Enjoy a panoramic view of Scotts Bluff National Monument as you sip a refreshing glass of wine at the Prairie Vine Vineyard and Winery. Visit the reconstructed Robidoux Trading Post in Carter Canyon, south of Gering. Explore the history of farm and ranch equipment with vintage horse-drawn and steam-powered engines at the Farm And Ranch Museum. Enjoy pine-covered canyons and rugged rock buttes at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center a short drive south of Gering. Nestled within the Wildcat Hills, the nature center is located in one of the most beautiful regions of Nebraska. An abundance of native wildlife can be enjoyed from the information center’s deck or along the more than three miles of hiking trails throughout the park. Across the North Platte River, Scottsbluff’s West Nebraska Arts Center features a variety of artistic activities, including a gallery and gift shop that sells locally made gifts. The Riverside Zoo is an impressive facility that features more than 200 animals representing 75 animal species from around the world. For the knitters and crochet enthusiasts, enjoy a tour of the Brown Sheep Company and then browse its wide selection of yarns. Day 2 Agate Fossil Beds National Monument south of Harrison is a fossil lover’s paradise. View fossilized mammals from 19 million years ago in the 3,000-acre national monument. Attractions include easy-to-navigate hiking trails, a visitors’ center, and the impressive Cook Collection of American Indian art. Nebraska’s largest state park, Fort Robinson State Park, is near Crawford. Many activities are available at Fort Rob, including buffalo stew cookouts, theatrical presentations at the Post Playhouse, historical tours and museums, and Jeep rides through the majestic, pine-covered buttes. The Trailside Museum of Natural History houses a mammoth skeleton that stands 10 feet tall and an art gallery of American Indian and Western art. Enjoy an exclusive three-day guided trail ride through the Land of Crazy Horse and northwest Nebraska’s ruggedly beautiful high country with High Country Ranch Ride. Try your hand at being a cowboy or cowgirl at the Ponderosa Ranch, where you work alongside actual cowboys. Toadstool Geologic Park northwest of Crawford resembles the famous South Dakota Badlands and is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Nebraska. A one-mile loop trail highlights many fine examples of eroded clay/sandstone formations. A reconstructed sod house gives a glimpse into the past when sod was the only abundant building material available on the High Plains. Hudson-Meng Research and Education Center is located a short drive northwest of Crawford. More than 10,000 years ago a great catastrophe killed hundreds of bison at this site, and today more than 600 bison skeletons have been excavated. Along the way to the Hudson-Meng bison bone bed, stop at High Plains Homestead to enjoy some of the best food you’ve ever eaten. Spend time at the re-created Old West village, which features a working blacksmith shop, antique store, and the Dirty Creek Saloon. Stop by the old-fashioned general store to pick up that special gift or rustic souvenir. All but three miles to Hudson-Meng, Toadstool Geologic Park, and High Plains Homestead are on a well-maintained gravel road (Highway 2/71). No travel on the gravel roads should be attempted during or after rain. Established in 1926, Chadron State Park south of Chadron is Nebraska’s first state park, and it is full of outstanding activities such as paddleboating, black powder demonstrations, hiking, and sightseeing. The park is nestled within towering pine trees and rugged buttes that offer great photo opportunities. The Museum of the Fur Trade is a one-of-a-kind facility of artifacts from the region’s lucrative fur-trading industry. The Bordeaux Trading Post, built in 1837, stands on the museum grounds and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center is located on the Chadron State College campus and is dedicated to the study of Nebraska and High Plains culture, literature, and history. Visit a unique Nebraska attraction. Alliance’s Carhenge is an exact replica of England’s world-famous Stonehenge, but the arrangement is of old cars instead of stones. The Carnegie Arts Center features local and regional artists, gifts, and a sculpture garden. Route Directions Day 1 Start in Ogallala 72 miles west on I-80 to Sidney 42 miles north on US-385 to Bridgeport 16 miles west on US-26 to Bayard 25 miles west on US-26 to Scottsbluff Day 2 From Scottsbluff, 42 miles west on US-26, north on NE-29 to Agate Fossil Beds 24 miles north on NE-29 to Harrison 27 miles east on US-20 to Crawford 24 miles east on US-20 to Chadron 55 miles south on US-385 to Alliance |
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