Kennard NebraskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Kennard, Nebraska.
1. Fort Atkinson State Historical Park
HISTORIC MILITARY OUTPOST
Fort Atkinson State Historical Park is a speciality museum showcasing Nebraska's first U.S. military post established in 1820. Visitors can explore reconstructed buildings and exhibits that depict military and civilian life on the frontier. The park regularly hosts living history demonstrations with volunteers in period costumes portraying soldiers, craftspeople, and other early 19th century figures.
2. Wilson Island State Park
RIVERSIDE RECREATION AREA
Wilson Island State Park offers outdoor enthusiasts a beautiful natural setting along the Missouri River. The park features camping facilities, hiking trails, and excellent opportunities for bird watching and wildlife photography. Visitors can enjoy fishing, picnicking, and seasonal recreational activities throughout the year.
3. Too Far North
LOCAL WINE EXPERIENCE
Too Far North is a charming wine bar located in Kennard that offers visitors a taste of local Nebraska wines. The establishment provides a cozy atmosphere for relaxation and socializing while sampling regional vintages. Visitors appreciate the knowledgeable staff who can recommend wine pairings and share information about local winemaking traditions.
4. Thomas P. Kennard State Historic Site
FIRST SECRETARY'S RESIDENCE
The Thomas P. Kennard Historic Site preserves the residence of Nebraska's first Secretary of State, offering visitors insight into 19th century political life. The home features meticulously maintained interiors with period furnishings and artifacts that tell the story of Nebraska's early development. Guided tours provide detailed narratives about the Kennard family and their significant contributions to the state's history.
5. Nebraska History Museum
STATE HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Nebraska History Museum houses extensive collections documenting the state's rich cultural heritage from prehistoric times to the present. Visitors can explore engaging exhibits featuring artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that bring Nebraska's past to life. The museum offers educational programs and special events that connect guests with the diverse stories of the people who shaped the state.
6. Chimney Rock Museum
LANDMARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER
Chimney Rock Museum provides educational context for one of the most famous landmarks along the Oregon Trail. The museum features exhibits on pioneer life, Native American history, and the geological significance of the iconic spire. Visitors can learn about the westward migration through interactive displays before viewing the actual Chimney Rock formation nearby.
7. Fort Robinson History Center
MILITARY POST MUSEUM
Fort Robinson History Center chronicles the complex history of this significant western Nebraska military outpost. The center's exhibits cover the fort's role in the Indian Wars, its time as a quartermaster remount depot, and its service as a K-9 training center and German POW camp during World War II. Visitors can explore numerous historic buildings while learning about the fort's connection to the tragic death of Crazy Horse and other pivotal events in Great Plains history.
8. Neligh Mill State Historic Site
HISTORIC FLOUR MILL
Neligh Mill State Historic Site preserves one of Nebraska's oldest flour mills, offering a glimpse into the state's agricultural and industrial past. Visitors can tour the four-story brick structure and see much of the original milling equipment still in place. The site demonstrates the crucial role that mills played in pioneer communities and the technological innovations that transformed Great Plains agriculture.
9. Senator George Norris State Historic Site
PROGRESSIVE LEADER'S HOME
The Senator George Norris State Historic Site celebrates the life and legacy of one of Nebraska's most influential political figures. Visitors can tour the modest home where this progressive Republican senator lived while championing the Rural Electrification Act and other New Deal legislation. The museum contains original furnishings and personal items that provide insight into the character of this independent-minded statesman who helped transform rural America.
10. John G. Neihardt State Historic Site
POET'S HOME & MUSEUM
The John G. Neihardt State Historic Site honors Nebraska's poet laureate and author of the acclaimed work "Black Elk Speaks." The site includes Neihardt's study, a museum with exhibits on his life and literary contributions, and the Sacred Hoop Prayer Garden inspired by his deep interest in Native American spirituality. Visitors can explore the writer's connection to Plains literature and his role in preserving important cultural perspectives of the Lakota people.
11. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park
MORTON FAMILY ESTATE
Arbor Lodge State Historical Park preserves the impressive 52-room mansion of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day. The estate features beautiful gardens, over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs, and a wealth of historic furnishings and artifacts related to the Morton family. Visitors can tour the mansion, explore the grounds, and learn about Morton's environmental legacy and his service as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
12. Boys Town
FATHER FLANAGAN'S LEGACY
Boys Town stands as a living monument to Father Edward Flanagan's revolutionary approach to caring for at-risk youth. Visitors can tour the Hall of History museum, Father Flanagan's house, and the historic campus that became famous through the 1938 Spencer Tracy film. The site continues to operate as a treatment center while preserving the legacy of its founder's philosophy that 'there are no bad boys.'
13. Captain Meriwether Lewis
HISTORIC RIVER DREDGE
The Captain Meriwether Lewis is a preserved steam paddle dredge displayed at the Museum of Missouri River History. This historic vessel was once used to control flooding and improve navigation along the Missouri River and other waterways. Visitors can explore this unique piece of engineering history while learning about river management and transportation in the Midwest.
14. USS Hazard
WORLD WAR II MINESWEEPER
The USS Hazard is a preserved World War II naval minesweeper on display at Freedom Park along the Missouri River. This vessel served in the Pacific Theater, patrolling Hawaiian waters and conducting operations around Japan. Visitors can board the ship to experience the cramped quarters and specialized equipment used by sailors during wartime naval operations.
15. Willa Cather State Historic Site
PULITZER AUTHOR'S HOMETOWN
The Willa Cather State Historic Site preserves the childhood home and hometown settings that influenced one of America's most respected authors. Visitors can tour the restored Cather family home and other buildings that appear in her novels about prairie life. The site offers guided tours that connect Cather's fiction to the real people and places of Red Cloud that shaped her literary vision of the Great Plains experience.