Oakdale NebraskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Oakdale, Nebraska.
1. Klown Doll Museum
UNIQUE QUIRKY COLLECTION
The Klown Doll Museum showcases an extensive collection of clown dolls and memorabilia in Oakdale. Visitors can explore the whimsical displays that have made this museum a quirky roadside attraction in rural Nebraska. The museum represents local culture and offers a one-of-a-kind experience for travelers passing through the area.
2. Willow Creek Recreation Area
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SPOT
Willow Creek Recreation Area provides outdoor enthusiasts with opportunities for fishing, boating, and camping near Oakdale. The area features scenic trails and picnic spots perfect for family outings and nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful Nebraska landscape while engaging in various recreational activities throughout the seasons.
3. Chimney Rock Museum
HISTORIC WESTERN LANDMARK
Chimney Rock Museum commemorates one of the most famous landmarks along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. The museum offers exhibits detailing the experiences of pioneers who traveled westward during the 19th century. Visitors can learn about the geological formation's significance to both Native Americans and settlers through interactive displays and historical artifacts.
4. Fort Robinson History Center
MILITARY HISTORY SITE
Fort Robinson History Center preserves the story of a military outpost that played crucial roles in the Indian Wars, the Cavalry era, and both World Wars. The center features restored buildings, exhibits on military life, and information about the fort's involvement in the tragic death of Crazy Horse. Visitors can explore the grounds where history unfolded across multiple periods of American development.
5. Neligh Mill
HISTORIC FLOUR MILL
Neligh Mill stands as one of Nebraska's last 19th-century flour mills with its original equipment still intact. The historic structure offers visitors a glimpse into the agricultural and industrial development of the Great Plains. Tours showcase the milling process and the importance of such facilities to early Nebraska communities.
6. Carhenge
AUTOMOTIVE STONEHENGE REPLICA
Carhenge features a remarkable replica of England's Stonehenge constructed entirely from vintage American automobiles painted gray. Created by artist Jim Reinders as a memorial to his father, this quirky roadside attraction has become one of Nebraska's most photographed landmarks. Visitors can walk among the carefully arranged vehicles that form this unique blend of ancient inspiration and American car culture.
7. Scotts Bluff National Monument
HISTORIC WESTERN LANDMARK
Scotts Bluff National Monument towers 800 feet above the North Platte River and served as an important landmark for travelers on the Oregon Trail. Visitors can drive or hike to the summit for panoramic views of the surrounding Nebraska landscape and the historic trail route. The monument's visitor center provides exhibits about the geological formation and its significance to westward expansion.
8. Indian Cave State Park
NATURAL SCENIC PRESERVE
Indian Cave State Park encompasses over 3,000 acres of forested hills and river bluffs along the Missouri River. The park's namesake cave features prehistoric petroglyphs created by Native Americans centuries ago. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, camping facilities, and seasonal activities while exploring the natural beauty and cultural history of eastern Nebraska.
9. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park
HISTORIC ESTATE GARDENS
Arbor Lodge State Historical Park preserves the expanded mansion and grounds of J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day. The 52-room mansion showcases period furnishings and artifacts from the Morton family, who greatly influenced Nebraska's development. Visitors can tour the arboretum and gardens that reflect Morton's passion for tree planting and environmental conservation.
10. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park
PREHISTORIC ANIMAL REMAINS
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park offers visitors the chance to view fossilized remains of ancient animals preserved exactly where they died 12 million years ago. The site contains skeletons of rhinos, camels, horses, and other animals killed and preserved by volcanic ash from a distant eruption. Visitors can watch paleontologists at work in the Rhino Barn excavation area during summer months and learn about Nebraska's prehistoric ecosystem.
11. Bowring Ranch State Historical Park
WORKING CATTLE RANCH
Bowring Ranch State Historical Park preserves the former ranch home of U.S. Senator Eve Bowring, one of Nebraska's pioneering female political figures. The site continues to operate as a working Sandhills ranch, showcasing traditional cattle ranching methods that shaped the region. Visitors can tour the historic ranch house filled with original furnishings and learn about the challenges and rewards of Nebraska ranching life.
12. Robidoux Trading Post
OREGON TRAIL LANDMARK
The reconstructed Robidoux Trading Post stands at Robidoux Pass, a crucial point along the Oregon Trail where more than 400,000 emigrants passed through. Located within Scotts Bluff National Monument, this historic site commemorates the early trading activities that supported westward expansion. Visitors can take a self-guided tour to learn about the experiences of pioneers traversing this important route to the West.
13. Boys Town
HISTORIC YOUTH VILLAGE
Boys Town preserves the legacy of Father Flanagan's revolutionary approach to caring for at-risk youth since its founding in 1917. The historic village includes the Hall of History museum, Father Flanagan's house, and the famous Garden of the Bible. Visitors can explore the grounds where countless children have found hope and support through this innovative social welfare program that continues to help families today.
14. Museum of Missouri River History
MARITIME HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Museum of Missouri River History houses the Captain Meriwether Lewis, a historic steam paddle dredge that once controlled flooding and improved navigation along America's rivers. The preserved vessel offers visitors a rare look at the engineering and daily operations of these important riverboats. Exhibits tell the story of how the Missouri River shaped settlement patterns and commerce throughout Nebraska's development.
15. USS Hazard
WWII NAVAL VESSEL
The USS Hazard, a WWII naval minesweeper, is permanently displayed at Freedom Park along the Missouri River. This well-preserved vessel once patrolled the waters around Hawaii and Japan during the Second World War. Visitors can explore the ship's quarters, equipment, and learn about its role in maintaining safe maritime passage during wartime operations.