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Bright Lights & Big City Tour PDF Print E-mail

From the capital city, there are plenty of worthwhile sights lying just to the north and east. On the Bright Lights and Big Cities Tour, you'll see how diverse Nebraska is. . . from sprawling metropolises to quiet little villages to lush, rolling farmland.

Scenery
Wooded bluffs, historic waterways, rolling farmland, old world-inspired villages, the lush Platte River Valley, historic and modern urban architecture.

History
History fans will love the diverse attractions along this route. Among the finest is the Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, where visitors are treated to history presentations that breathe life into Nebraska’s rich history. Omaha’s The Durham Museum shows the city’s dramatic transformation from cow town to boom town. Near Ashland, 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!

Family Fun
If your family is into wildlife, this route has more than enough stops to keep you busy! Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo is one of the country’s best . . . including an indoor jungle, state-of-the-art aquarium, the world’s largest desert dome, and much, much more. In Bellevue, Fontenelle Forest Nature Center offers your family a chance to explore winding trails along the Missouri River. Along the way, look for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and more. The Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Conservation Park and Safari near Ashland lets you drive right into the natural habitat of some of Nebraska’s most fascinating wildlife, including bison, elk, cranes, and more.

Route directions:

Start in Lincoln
30 miles (:45) north on US-77 to Wahoo
21 miles (:30) north on US-77 to Fremont
24 miles (:40) east on US-30 to Blair
9 miles (:15) south on US-75 to Fort Calhoun
16 miles (:30) south on US-75 to Omaha
22 miles (:30) west on Interstate 80 to Gretna
10 miles (:15) east on NE-370, south on NE-50 to Springfield
7 miles (:10) south on NE-50 to Louisville
12 miles (:30) south on NE-50 to Weeping Water
30 miles (:45) north on NE-50, west on NE-66 to Ashland
18 miles (:30) west on US-6 to Greenwood
18 miles (:30) west on US-6 to Lincoln

 

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Nebraska Department of Economic Development • 301 Centennial Mall South • PO Box 94666 • Lincoln, NE 68509-4666 • Tourism Contacts