Cushing NebraskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Cushing, Nebraska.
1. Carhenge
UNIQUE AUTOMOTIVE MONUMENT
Carhenge is a unique monument that imitates Stonehenge but uses vintage American cars painted gray instead of massive stones. The cars are stacked and arranged in unusual ways amid the grasslands of the Great Plains, creating an artistic display that appeals to car enthusiasts and artists alike. This one-of-a-kind landmark in the Sandhills region offers several additional automobile artworks at the site.
2. Cowboy Trail
HISTORIC RECREATIONAL PATH
The Cowboy Trail is a 192-mile recreational route following an old railway line in northeast and north-central Nebraska. Visitors can hike along the gravel and crushed limestone path, cycle, or ride horseback in true cowboy style while traversing hundreds of bridges, including the particularly scenic Valentine Bridge. The trail offers a glimpse into how cowboys traversed the Great Plains during earlier times.
3. Nebraska State Capitol
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Nebraska State Capitol is an architectural masterpiece and one of the state's most significant landmarks. The building features a distinctive tower design rather than a traditional dome, making it unique among state capitol buildings. Visitors can explore the impressive interior with its detailed mosaics, murals, and ornate chambers.
4. Great Platte River Road Archway Monument
HISTORICAL INTERACTIVE MUSEUM
The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument spans Interstate 80 and commemorates the historic trails that helped shape America. Inside the impressive structure, visitors experience interactive exhibits chronicling the history of the Oregon, Mormon, and California trails. The monument brings to life the stories of pioneers, settlers, and travelers who journeyed through the area during westward expansion.
5. Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
WORLD-CLASS ANIMAL EXHIBITS
The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium features 160 acres of exhibits ranging from Stingray Beach to the Desert Dome indoor exhibit. Educational programs include Sleeping Bag Safaris, penguin and shark feedings, and sea lion training sessions. Visitors can enhance their experience with Backstage Experiences to learn about animal care or reserve golf cart tours to navigate the expansive complex.
6. Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
MILITARY AVIATION HISTORY
The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum showcases displays of space vehicles, historic aircraft, missiles, and rockets since its establishment in 1959. The permanent collection includes aircraft used during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, along with exhibits on the Tuskegee Airmen and women in aerospace. Visitors can explore artifacts telling the story of Francis Gary Powers, whose U-2 spy plane was shot down by the Soviet Union in 1960.
7. Scotts Bluff National Monument
NATURAL LANDMARK FORMATION
Scotts Bluff National Monument is an 800-foot bluff that served as an important landmark for emigrants traveling on several historical trails. The monument offers hiking trails, a visitor center with historical exhibits, and a scenic drive to the summit. From the top, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the North Platte River Valley and the historic Oregon Trail route.
8. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park
HISTORIC ESTATE GARDENS
Arbor Lodge State Historical Park preserves the estate of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day. The 52-room mansion has been transformed into a museum showcasing period furnishings and Morton family artifacts. The surrounding 65-acre park features beautiful gardens, hiking trails, and over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs, honoring Morton's legacy of tree planting.
9. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park
PREHISTORIC FOSSIL SITE
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park preserves remarkably well-preserved fossils of ancient animals that died during a volcanic eruption approximately 12 million years ago. Visitors can observe paleontologists working on excavations in the Rhino Barn, where numerous complete skeletons remain in their original positions. The park's interpretive center provides educational exhibits about the prehistoric savanna ecosystem and the volcanic catastrophe that created this unique fossil site.
10. Thomas P. Kennard Historic Site
PRESERVED VICTORIAN HOME
The Thomas P. Kennard Historic Site is the oldest remaining building in Lincoln's original plat, built by Nebraska's first Secretary of State. Restored during Lincoln's centennial anniversary in 1967, it features beautiful Victorian furnishings and exhibits that transport visitors to the past. Tours of the gorgeous estate are available year-round by appointment.
11. Union Station - The Durham Museum
HISTORIC RAILWAY STATION
Union Station now houses The Durham Museum while preserving its stunning historical architecture that harkens back to days gone by. The museum maintains partnerships with prestigious institutions including the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Field Museum in Chicago. Visitors can explore both the building's architectural grandeur and the extensive historical collections housed within.
12. Bowring Ranch State Historical Park
WORKING RANCH MUSEUM
Bowring Ranch State Historical Park preserves the legacy of Senator Arthur and Eva Bowring through a living history ranch. Visitors can tour the Bowring family home filled with original furnishings, artwork, and personal items that tell the story of these influential Nebraskans. The working ranch continues to maintain a small herd of Hereford cattle, demonstrating ranching practices that have been part of Nebraska's heritage for generations.
13. Ash Hollow State Historical Park
OREGON TRAIL LANDMARK
Ash Hollow State Historical Park preserves a natural oasis that provided water, wood, and shelter to travelers along the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails. The park features Windlass Hill, where visitors can see the deep ruts carved by countless wagon wheels during the westward migration. The visitor center and archaeological sites provide insights into both Native American history and the challenges faced by pioneers traveling west.
14. Chimney Rock National Historic Site
ICONIC WESTERN LANDMARK
Chimney Rock National Historic Site features the famous 325-foot spire that served as the most recognized landmark on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. The distinctive geological formation was mentioned in more pioneer diaries and journals than any other landmark on the western emigrant trails. The visitor center offers exhibits about the natural history of the formation and its significance to westward expansion.
15. Sandhill Crane Migration
NATURAL WILDLIFE SPECTACLE
The Sandhill Crane Migration brings over 600,000 sandhill cranes to the Platte River Valley each spring, creating one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in North America. Visitors can observe these magnificent birds from viewing platforms and blinds at several wildlife management areas and nature centers along the Platte River. The annual migration typically occurs from late February through early April, with the birds stopping to rest and refuel before continuing their northern journey.