Sumner NebraskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Sumner, Nebraska.
1. Mac's Creek Winery & Brewery
FINE WINES AND BREWS
Mac's Creek Winery & Brewery offers visitors a delightful tasting experience in rural Nebraska. Guests can sample locally produced wines and craft beers while enjoying the picturesque vineyard setting. The highly-rated establishment (4.8/5) provides a perfect opportunity to relax and appreciate Nebraska's growing wine industry.
2. Dawson County Historical Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE PRESERVED
Dawson County Historical Museum showcases the rich cultural heritage and history of the region. The museum features exhibits on pioneer life, agricultural development, and the evolution of local communities throughout the decades. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that bring the past to life.
3. Bargain John's Antiques
VINTAGE TREASURES GALORE
Bargain John's Antiques is a highly-rated (5.0/5) destination for collectors and nostalgia enthusiasts in Sumner. The shop offers a carefully curated selection of vintage items, collectibles, and unique finds from various eras. Visitors can spend hours browsing through memorabilia and discovering one-of-a-kind treasures with historical significance.
4. Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles
HONORING MILITARY HERITAGE
Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles houses an impressive collection of military vehicles and memorabilia from various conflicts throughout American history. The museum pays tribute to veterans while educating visitors about the technological developments in military transportation and equipment. Guests can view well-preserved tanks, jeeps, aircraft, and other vehicles that played crucial roles in America's military operations.
5. Chimney Rock
ICONIC NATURAL LANDMARK
Chimney Rock is one of Nebraska's most famous landmarks, a natural sandstone formation that rises more than 400 feet above the prairie. This geological marvel served as an important navigational beacon for pioneers traveling west along the California, Oregon, and Mormon Trails during the 19th century. Today, visitors can explore the accompanying museum and visitor center to learn about the rock's significance to Native Americans and early settlers.
6. Fort Robinson History Center
HISTORIC MILITARY OUTPOST
Fort Robinson History Center preserves the history of a military post that operated from the Indian Wars through World War II. The site offers visitors a glimpse into military life on the frontier through restored buildings, exhibits, and guided tours. Visitors can learn about the fort's role in the tragic death of Crazy Horse and its later function as a K-9 training center during WWII.
7. Neligh Mill
HISTORIC FLOUR MILL
Neligh Mill stands as one of Nebraska's last remaining 19th-century flour mills with original equipment still intact. The historic structure offers visitors a window into the agricultural and industrial development that shaped the region. Tours of the mill demonstrate the flour-making process and highlight the importance of mills as economic and social centers in early Nebraska communities.
8. Scotts Bluff National Monument
MAJESTIC PRAIRIE LANDMARK
Scotts Bluff National Monument is an imposing 3,000-acre natural structure that served as a landmark for Native Americans and westward travelers. Visitors can drive the winding road featuring three tunnels to reach higher elevations with spectacular views of the surrounding prairies. Hiking trails offer additional perspectives of this historic landmark that played a significant role for pioneers on the California, Oregon, and Mormon Trails.
9. Golden Spike Tower
WORLD'S LARGEST RAILYARD
Golden Spike Tower provides a panoramic view of Bailey Yard, officially certified as the world's largest railroad yard. The eight-story glass-enclosed tower allows visitors to observe the impressive operations of more than 150 trains and 10,000 rail cars that pass through daily. The visitor center at the base showcases an extensive collection of Union Pacific memorabilia that celebrates Nebraska's rich railroad heritage.
10. 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 pattern as the ancient stone circle. Visitors can freely explore this unusual art installation that has become one of Nebraska's most photographed landmarks.
11. Cowboy Trail
SCENIC RECREATIONAL PATH
The Cowboy Trail is Nebraska's premier recreational path, stretching 195 miles along a converted Chicago & Northwestern Railroad corridor. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike, bike, or horseback ride while enjoying spectacular views of the Niobrara River valley and Nebraska's diverse landscapes. The trail passes through numerous small towns, offering glimpses of rural life and opportunities to spot native wildlife.
12. Sandhill Crane Migration Viewing
SPECTACULAR NATURAL PHENOMENON
The Sandhill Crane Migration viewing areas near Kearney offer one of the world's most impressive wildlife spectacles each spring. Approximately 80% of the global Sandhill crane population—over 600,000 birds—converge on Nebraska's Platte River Valley during their annual migration. Visitors can observe these magnificent birds from designated viewing platforms and blinds as they feed in surrounding fields and perform elaborate mating dances.
13. Grain Bin Antique Town
UNIQUE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Grain Bin Antique Town transforms authentic farm grain bins into a collection of charming shops selling antiques, crafts, and unique gifts. This innovative shopping destination celebrates Nebraska's agricultural heritage while providing a one-of-a-kind retail experience. Visitors can browse through multiple themed bins, each offering different treasures and locally-made products.
14. Ole's Big Game Steakhouse
EXOTIC TROPHY DINING
Ole's Big Game Steakhouse combines hearty Nebraska cuisine with an impressive display of exotic wildlife trophies collected by founder Ole Herstedt. The walls are adorned with over 200 mounted animals from around the world, including a polar bear, elephant, and numerous African species. This unique restaurant has been serving travelers along the Lincoln Highway since 1933, offering both a memorable dining experience and an informal natural history museum.
15. Pioneer Village
AMERICANA HISTORICAL COLLECTION
Pioneer Village houses America's largest private collection of Americana, featuring over 50,000 items arranged in 28 buildings on 20 acres. The expansive museum complex includes historic structures, antique automobiles, farm machinery, and countless artifacts documenting the progression of American life and technology. Visitors can spend an entire day exploring this comprehensive tribute to American ingenuity and pioneer spirit that has been attracting tourists since 1953.