Brunswick NebraskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Brunswick, Nebraska.
1. Klown Doll Museum
QUIRKY LOCAL COLLECTION
The Klown Doll Museum is a unique attraction in Brunswick featuring an extensive collection of clown dolls and memorabilia. Visitors can explore the quirky displays that showcase various clown figurines, costumes, and artifacts from different eras. The museum has become a beloved local landmark that draws curiosity seekers and collectors alike.
2. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park
ANCIENT PRESERVED WILDLIFE
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park preserves remarkably well-preserved fossils of ancient animals buried by volcanic ash 12 million years ago. Visitors can observe the excavation of complete skeletons through a climate-controlled building known as the Rhino Barn. The park includes interpretive displays, walking trails, and educational programs that bring prehistoric Nebraska to life.
3. Nebraska Elk Velvet
LOCAL WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
Nebraska Elk Velvet provides visitors with a chance to observe and learn about elk in a farm setting near Brunswick. The attraction offers tours where guests can see these majestic animals up close and learn about elk farming practices. Visitors particularly enjoy the opportunity to photograph the elk in their natural habitat.
4. Willow Creek Recreation Area
OUTDOOR RECREATION HAVEN
Willow Creek Recreation Area offers a beautiful natural setting for outdoor activities including fishing, boating, and camping. The recreation area features a large reservoir surrounded by picnic areas, trails, and camping facilities. Visitors can enjoy bird watching, water sports, and peaceful natural surroundings throughout the year.
5. Antelope County Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Antelope County Museum preserves the rich history of the region through exhibits and archives dating back to 1886. The museum showcases artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of pioneer life and development in Antelope County. Visitors can explore displays about Brunswick and other local communities to gain insight into Nebraska's rural heritage.
6. Great Platte River Road Archway Monument
HISTORIC OVERLAND TRAIL
The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument spans Interstate 80 and commemorates the historic trails that helped shape America's westward expansion. Inside the impressive structure, visitors experience interactive exhibits chronicling the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, and the development of transportation through Nebraska. The monument provides an educational journey through time with multimedia presentations and historical displays.
7. Nebraska State Capitol
ARCHITECTURAL STATE TREASURE
The Nebraska State Capitol is an architectural masterpiece featuring a 400-foot tower topped with a bronze statue known as the 'Sower.' The interior is adorned with beautiful mosaics, murals, and marble work that tell the story of Nebraska's history and culture. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the building's unique design and political significance.
8. Carhenge
AUTOMOTIVE STONE CIRCLE
Carhenge is a unique roadside attraction that replicates England's Stonehenge using 38 vintage automobiles painted gray. Created by Jim Reinders as a memorial to his father, the installation features cars half-buried, stacked, and welded together to mimic the ancient stone circle. This quirky landmark has become one of Nebraska's most photographed attractions and includes additional car art sculptures on the surrounding property.
9. Chimney Rock National Historic Site
ICONIC PIONEER LANDMARK
Chimney Rock National Historic Site features the iconic 325-foot spire that served as a landmark for pioneers traveling the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. The distinctive natural formation was mentioned in more pioneer journals than any other landmark along the westward migration routes. Visitors can explore the interpretive center to learn about the monument's geological significance and its role in American westward expansion.
10. Scotts Bluff National Monument
TOWERING OREGON TRAIL LANDMARK
Scotts Bluff National Monument rises 800 feet above the North Platte River Valley and served as a crucial landmark for pioneers on the Oregon Trail. Visitors can drive or hike to the summit for panoramic views of the surrounding plains and historic trail routes. The monument's visitor center features exhibits on natural history, pioneer life, and the significance of this imposing geological feature.
11. Grove Trout Rearing Station
FISH HATCHERY EXPERIENCE
Grove Trout Rearing Station is a state-operated fish hatchery where visitors can observe the process of raising trout for Nebraska's waterways. The facility features outdoor raceways and ponds where different stages of trout development can be viewed up close. Families especially enjoy the feeding opportunities and educational displays about aquatic conservation.
12. Plainview Klown Daze
COLORFUL ANNUAL FESTIVAL
Plainview Klown Daze is an annual summer festival celebrating the area's unique clown heritage with parades, performances, and family activities. The event transforms the town with colorful decorations and features clown-themed contests, carnival rides, and local food vendors. Visitors from throughout the region gather to enjoy the festive atmosphere and small-town hospitality.
13. Neligh Mill State Historic Site
HISTORIC FLOUR MILL
Neligh Mill State Historic Site preserves one of Nebraska's oldest flour mills, which operated from 1873 to 1969. The restored four-story brick building houses original milling equipment that demonstrates how wheat was processed into flour using water power. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the mill's economic importance to early Nebraska settlers and agricultural development.
14. Verdigre Bakery
AUTHENTIC CZECH PASTRIES
Verdigre Bakery is a beloved local establishment famous for its authentic Czech pastries and kolaches that reflect the area's Eastern European heritage. The family-owned bakery produces fresh breads, rolls, and sweet treats using traditional recipes passed down through generations. Visitors often make special trips to purchase the kolaches, which feature various fruit, cheese, and poppy seed fillings.
15. Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area
PRISTINE OUTDOOR RECREATION
Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area offers excellent fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing opportunities in a scenic natural setting. The area features a 50-acre lake stocked with trout, bass, and panfish along with surrounding woodlands and meadows. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, photography, and observing diverse bird species in this tranquil conservation area.