Richland NebraskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Richland, Nebraska.
1. Chimney Rock National Historic Site
ICONIC NATURAL LANDMARK
Chimney Rock is one of Nebraska's most famous landmarks, a geological formation that looks like a rising smokestack and towers more than 400 feet over the prairie. In the early 19th century, people traveling west through the Great Plains used this awe-inspiring natural sandstone formation as a navigational beacon. Today, the site houses a museum and visitor center that offer insights into the historical significance of this landmark.
2. Scotts Bluff National Monument
HISTORIC PLAINS LANDMARK
Scotts Bluff National Monument is an imposing natural structure that can be seen from far across the Nebraska prairies. The 3,000-acre monument features a winding road with three tunnels that leads to higher elevations with spectacular viewpoints. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails or take the summit shuttle to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
3. Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
AVIATION HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is a premier attraction featuring an impressive collection of aircraft and aerospace artifacts. Visitors can explore historical military planes, space exhibits, and interactive displays that chronicle America's aviation and military history. The museum offers educational programs and special events throughout the year for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.
4. Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari
DRIVE-THROUGH WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari offers visitors a chance to observe North American wildlife in natural settings from the comfort of their own vehicles. The drive-through safari features bison, elk, wolves, and other native species roaming in expansive habitats. After the driving portion, guests can explore walking trails, a petting zoo, and educational exhibits about conservation efforts.
5. Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
WORLD-CLASS ANIMAL EXHIBITS
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is consistently ranked among the world's best zoos, featuring diverse habitats from deserts to rainforests. The zoo houses the largest indoor desert and nocturnal exhibits in the world, along with an impressive aquarium showcasing marine life from various ecosystems. Visitors can experience close encounters with animals through immersive exhibits, interactive displays, and educational presentations throughout the facility.
6. Old Market
HISTORIC SHOPPING DISTRICT
The Old Market in Omaha is a charming historic district featuring cobblestone streets lined with unique shops, galleries, and restaurants housed in 19th-century warehouses. Visitors can browse artisan boutiques, sample local culinary delights, and enjoy street performances in this vibrant cultural hub. The area comes alive especially during evenings and weekends when locals and tourists gather to experience its distinctive atmosphere.
7. Golden Spike Tower
WORLD'S LARGEST RAILYARD
The Golden Spike Tower offers visitors a bird's-eye view of Bailey Yard, officially certified as the world's largest railroad yard. The eight-story glass-enclosed tower provides panoramic views of more than 150 trains and 10,000 rail cars that pass through daily. At the base of the tower, the visitor center showcases Union Pacific memorabilia and railroad history exhibits.
8. 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, this quirky monument consists of 39 vehicles arranged in the same proportions as the famous ancient stone circle. The site has expanded to include additional car art sculptures in the surrounding area known as the Car Art Reserve.
9. Indian Cave State Park
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
Indian Cave State Park offers visitors over 3,000 acres of natural beauty along the Missouri River with rugged bluffs and forested hills. The park features a large sandstone cave with prehistoric Native American petroglyphs that give the park its name. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy extensive hiking trails, camping facilities, horseback riding paths, and spectacular views particularly during fall foliage season.
10. The Cowboy Trail
HISTORIC RAIL-TO-TRAIL PATH
The Cowboy Trail is Nebraska's premier rail-to-trail conversion spanning 321 miles across the northern part of the state. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike, bike, or ride horses along this scenic path that crosses nearly 200 bridges, including the impressive quarter-mile-long bridge over the Niobrara River. The trail offers glimpses into Nebraska's natural landscapes, from rolling Sandhills to picturesque farmlands and river valleys.
11. Sandhill Crane Migration Viewing
SPECTACULAR NATURAL PHENOMENON
The annual Sandhill Crane Migration through central Nebraska is one of the world's greatest natural wildlife spectacles, drawing visitors from around the globe. Each spring, over 600,000 Sandhill cranes gather along the Platte River to rest and feed during their northward journey. Visitors can observe this breathtaking phenomenon from viewing blinds at the Rowe Sanctuary or the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center.
12. Joslyn Art Museum
PREMIER FINE ARTS COLLECTION
Joslyn Art Museum houses Nebraska's premier fine art collection in a stunning Art Deco building made of Georgia pink marble. The museum's permanent collection includes works from antiquity to the present, with particular strengths in 19th and 20th-century European and American art. Visitors can enjoy the sculpture garden, interactive exhibits, and special exhibitions that rotate throughout the year.
13. Lauritzen Gardens
URBAN BOTANICAL OASIS
Lauritzen Gardens is Omaha's premier botanical center featuring 100 acres of themed gardens, including rose, herb, Victorian, and woodland collections. The four-acre arboretum and bird sanctuary offer a tranquil escape from urban surroundings with seasonal displays that change throughout the year. Visitors can also explore the conservatory with tropical and temperate plant exhibits and enjoy educational programs about horticulture and environmental conservation.
14. Nebraska State Capitol
ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE
The Nebraska State Capitol is an architectural masterpiece designed by Bertram Goodhue, rising 400 feet above the Lincoln skyline with its distinctive tower topped by a 19-foot bronze statue. Inside, visitors can admire intricate mosaics, murals, and ornate chambers that showcase Nebraska's history and natural heritage. Free guided tours offer insights into the building's symbolism and the state's governmental processes.
15. Haymarket District
HISTORIC ENTERTAINMENT HUB
Lincoln's Haymarket District is a vibrant historic area featuring renovated brick warehouses now home to restaurants, galleries, and boutique shops. Visitors can explore the bustling farmers market on summer Saturdays, enjoy dining at local eateries, or catch live entertainment at various venues. The district's centerpiece, the iconic water tower, stands as a reminder of the area's industrial past while celebrating its cultural renaissance.