Oak NebraskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Oak, Nebraska.
1. Homestead National Monument of America
HISTORIC HOMESTEAD LEGACY
The Homestead National Monument of America commemorates the Homestead Act of 1862, one of the most significant events in the westward expansion of the United States. Visitors can explore the Homestead Heritage Center with exhibits about the impact of the Homestead Act, visit the Palmer-Epard Cabin, and experience the oldest restored tallgrass prairie in the National Park Service. The monument offers a comprehensive look at how the Homestead Act granted 160 acres of free land to claimants, ultimately resulting in 10 percent of the United States being claimed and settled under this historic legislation.
2. Nebraska State Capitol
ARCHITECTURAL STATE TREASURE
The Nebraska State Capitol stands as an impressive architectural landmark in downtown Lincoln with its distinctive 400-foot tower and Art Deco design. Inside, visitors can admire the ornate mosaics, murals, and the chamber of the Unicameral, Nebraska's unique single-house legislature. Free tours are offered daily, allowing guests to learn about the building's history and symbolism while enjoying panoramic views of Lincoln from the 14th-floor observation deck.
3. Carhenge
QUIRKY AUTOMOTIVE MONUMENT
Carhenge is a unique roadside attraction that replicates England's Stonehenge using vintage American automobiles painted gray. Created by artist Jim Reinders in 1987 as a memorial to his father, this unusual sculpture consists of 39 vehicles arranged in the same proportions as the original ancient monument. Visitors can freely explore this quirky landmark and the surrounding Car Art Reserve featuring additional automotive sculptures.
4. Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
WORLD-CLASS WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a 160-acre facility renowned for housing the world's largest indoor desert, indoor jungle, and nocturnal exhibit. Visitors can touch stingrays in the aquarium, take camel rides, and explore diverse habitats representing ecosystems from around the globe. The zoo's commitment to conservation and exceptional exhibits makes it consistently ranked among the best zoos in the world.
5. Strategic Air Command and Space Museum
MILITARY AVIATION HISTORY
The Strategic Air Command and Space Museum preserves the history of America's strategic air and space forces with an impressive collection of aircraft and aerospace artifacts. Spanning 300,000 square feet, the museum houses numerous restored aircraft including SR-71 Blackbirds, B-52 bombers, and spacecraft that tell the story of American military aviation. Interactive exhibits, educational programs, and special events offer visitors a comprehensive understanding of aerospace technology and its role in American history.
6. Old Market District
HISTORIC SHOPPING QUARTER
The Old Market District in Omaha features cobblestone streets lined with 19th-century warehouses converted into shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Visitors can browse unique boutiques, enjoy diverse dining options from casual cafes to upscale restaurants, and experience street performers during warm weather months. The district's vibrant atmosphere and historic charm make it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists seeking an authentic urban experience.
7. Chimney Rock National Historic Site
ICONIC PIONEER LANDMARK
Chimney Rock National Historic Site features the famous 325-foot spire that served as a landmark for pioneers traveling the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. The visitor center provides exhibits detailing the natural history of the formation and its significance to westward migration in the 19th century. This distinctive geological formation, rising dramatically from the surrounding North Platte River Valley, remains one of the most recognized symbols of the great western migration.
8. Scotts Bluff National Monument
MAJESTIC PRAIRIE LANDMARK
Scotts Bluff National Monument towers 800 feet above the North Platte River, serving as a landmark for pioneers on the Oregon Trail. Visitors can drive to the summit for panoramic views, explore 4 miles of hiking trails, and visit the Oregon Trail Museum to learn about westward expansion. The monument preserves Robidoux Pass, where more than 400,000 emigrants traveled through this gap to reach the West for homesteading and gold prospecting.
9. The Durham Museum
HISTORIC TRAIN STATION
The Durham Museum is housed in Omaha's stunning Art Deco Union Station, showcasing the region's history through permanent and traveling exhibitions. Visitors can step back in time with restored train cars, explore recreated storefronts from the 1940s, and view impressive artifacts from Omaha's past. The museum's magnificent Great Hall with its original chandeliers and marble floors provides a glimpse into the golden age of rail travel while offering interactive exhibits for all ages.
10. Joslyn Art Museum
PREMIER ART COLLECTION
The Joslyn Art Museum houses Nebraska's premier art collection in a striking Art Deco building constructed of Georgia pink marble. Its permanent collection includes works by El Greco, Titian, Monet, and an exceptional collection of Western American art featuring pieces by Alfred Jacob Miller and Charles M. Russell. The museum offers free admission to its main collections, making world-class art accessible to all visitors while presenting rotating special exhibitions throughout the year.
11. Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer
LIVING HISTORY EXPERIENCE
The Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer recreates life on the Nebraska prairie from the 1860s to the early 1900s with over 100 historic buildings. Visitors can interact with costumed interpreters demonstrating period skills and crafts in the living history Railroad Town, a meticulously recreated 1890s community. The museum's main building, designed by renowned architect Edward Durell Stone, houses rotating exhibits of pioneer and Native American artifacts that provide context for Nebraska's settlement period.
12. Sandhill Crane Migration
SPECTACULAR NATURAL PHENOMENON
The Sandhill Crane Migration brings more than 600,000 sandhill cranes to the Platte River Valley each spring, creating one of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles. Visitors can observe these magnificent birds from viewing blinds at the Rowe Sanctuary or Fort Kearny State Recreation Area as the cranes rest and feed during their journey north. This natural phenomenon typically occurs from late February through early April, drawing wildlife enthusiasts and photographers from around the world to witness the dramatic congregation of these ancient birds.
13. The Haymarket District
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN DESTINATION
The Haymarket District in Lincoln features beautifully restored 19th-century warehouses now housing restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Visitors can explore the vibrant farmers market on summer Saturdays, dine at diverse restaurants ranging from casual cafes to upscale eateries, and enjoy the district's lively atmosphere during game days at nearby Memorial Stadium. The district's brick streets, historic water tower, and public art installations create a charming urban environment that blends Nebraska's past with contemporary culture.
14. Runza Restaurant
ICONIC NEBRASKA CUISINE
Runza Restaurant serves Nebraska's signature sandwich, a bread pocket filled with ground beef, cabbage, onions, and spices that reflects the state's German-Russian heritage. Founded in Lincoln in 1949, this beloved regional chain has grown to over 80 locations while maintaining its commitment to freshly prepared comfort food. Visitors seeking an authentic taste of Nebraska should try the original Runza sandwich along with the restaurant's famous frings—a combination of french fries and onion rings that has become a local favorite.
15. Robidoux Trading Post
PIONEER TRADING HISTORY
The reconstructed Robidoux Trading Post offers visitors a glimpse into early frontier commerce along the Oregon Trail. Located within Scotts Bluff National Monument, this historic site marks where Joseph Robidoux IV established a trading post serving westward travelers in the 1840s. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the route used by early settlers and learn about the more than 400,000 emigrants who passed through Robidoux Pass on their journey west to homestead or seek fortune in the gold fields.