I think I'll try...Nebraska?
August 20, 2019 9:37 AM Subscribe
I don't know of anything in Nebraska so I'm looking for any fun roadside attractions or cool places to stay the night on a road trip from MN to CO.
We are taking our 8 year old Phishhead on a roadtrip to the Dick's shows over labor day. We're starting in Twin Cities, MN and ending in Denver. We're trying to figure out a route and a good halfway point to stop. Or if your vote is to get through Iowa and Nebraska as quickly as possible let me know!
We are taking our 8 year old Phishhead on a roadtrip to the Dick's shows over labor day. We're starting in Twin Cities, MN and ending in Denver. We're trying to figure out a route and a good halfway point to stop. Or if your vote is to get through Iowa and Nebraska as quickly as possible let me know!
The world's largest ball of postage stamps is in Boys Town. Not much of a detour.
Carhenge is more of a detour but it was fun to see.
posted by jessamyn at 9:44 AM on August 20, 2019
Carhenge is more of a detour but it was fun to see.
posted by jessamyn at 9:44 AM on August 20, 2019
Just before my 12th birthday, my family took the greatest road trip I've ever done, from our home in Ohio to a family reunion in Rocky Mountain National Park (most of my family lives on the west coast). On the way back, we drove I-80 the length of the state. We stopped for a bathroom break in the town of Kearney, at the single best-smelling place I ever recall stepping into, a pizza place called Sax's. Alas, since this was just a bathroom break, we didn't order any food. The smell of that pizza has always stuck with me, though, and I've always wanted to return. I learned a few years ago that the Kearney location closed, but there seems to be a related place in the town of Columbus. It's a little out of your way if you're going I-80, but you could eat there vicariously for me.
posted by kevinbelt at 10:11 AM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by kevinbelt at 10:11 AM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
On a less personal note, if you're taking I-35 south from Minneapolis, you'll pass between Clear Lake and Mason City, Iowa. The former is the site of the Buddy Holly plane crash ("the day the music died"), and the latter is the inspiration for "The Music Man".
posted by kevinbelt at 10:13 AM on August 20, 2019
posted by kevinbelt at 10:13 AM on August 20, 2019
The Hastings Museum in Hastings, NE has a Kool-Aid exhibit (it's where Kool-Aid was invented) that's pretty entertaining.
Alternatively, driving west on I-90 through South Dakota will take you past th the amazing Porter Sculpture Park near Montrose and the Corn Palace in Mitchell. Drive a bit more west before heading south on SD-49/US-183/US-83 through the Nebraska Sandhills to North Platte. Google Maps says that only adds a half-hour to your trip and it's much more scenic than I-80 along the Platte Valley. I'm not sure where a convenient place to stop for the night would be though.
posted by plastic_animals at 10:33 AM on August 20, 2019
Alternatively, driving west on I-90 through South Dakota will take you past th the amazing Porter Sculpture Park near Montrose and the Corn Palace in Mitchell. Drive a bit more west before heading south on SD-49/US-183/US-83 through the Nebraska Sandhills to North Platte. Google Maps says that only adds a half-hour to your trip and it's much more scenic than I-80 along the Platte Valley. I'm not sure where a convenient place to stop for the night would be though.
posted by plastic_animals at 10:33 AM on August 20, 2019
Omaha’s a lot of fun. The Henry Doorly Zoo is huge and delightful, especially for kids. There's a surprising amount of good food options all over the city; happy to provide more specific recs if you're interested. The Old Market downtown area is a cute little slice of cobblestoned history.
Other than that, seconding Carhenge (so weird) and Hastings. One of my best friends married a woman from Hastings; we've been out there a few times for Kool-Aid Days, and it's a nice way to spend a few hours.
Oh, and watch out for cops out in western NE; ever since Colorado legalized it, the boarder has been pretty heavily policed.
posted by protocoach at 10:55 AM on August 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
Other than that, seconding Carhenge (so weird) and Hastings. One of my best friends married a woman from Hastings; we've been out there a few times for Kool-Aid Days, and it's a nice way to spend a few hours.
Oh, and watch out for cops out in western NE; ever since Colorado legalized it, the boarder has been pretty heavily policed.
posted by protocoach at 10:55 AM on August 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
I am from Minneapolis and lived on the Front Range for about five years; I have made this drive more times than I can count. If you don't want to go too far out of your way for stuff to do, it's mind-numbingly dull. Like, "hold a $20 bill in your left hand out the drivers side window to keep from falling asleep" kind of dull.
My vote is to get through it as quickly as possible. Find a really good audiobook (or some good tunes) to listen to and just get there.
posted by Gray Duck at 11:28 AM on August 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
My vote is to get through it as quickly as possible. Find a really good audiobook (or some good tunes) to listen to and just get there.
posted by Gray Duck at 11:28 AM on August 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
Came here to say what Gray Duck said. To put it harshly, west of Lincoln the parts of NE you'll drive through along the 80/76 route are devoid of both interesting culture and physical beauty. There are interesting things to do in Nebraska, and parts of the state that are physically more interesting, but you aren't going anywhere near most of them.
posted by aspersioncast at 11:38 AM on August 20, 2019
posted by aspersioncast at 11:38 AM on August 20, 2019
When I last drove across the country I took Interstate 80 the whole way, which leads you to Kearney and The Archway, a fantastic museum that actually straddles I-80. Its all about the history of westward migration in America, starting with the Oregon Trail, along the path that eventually became I-80 itself! It’s charmingly cheesy but at the same time a great perspective on the development of the United States through an unusual prism.
posted by ejs at 11:39 AM on August 20, 2019
posted by ejs at 11:39 AM on August 20, 2019
I love the Sandhills of central NE. Weirdly beautiful landscape, empty two-lane highways and the occasional herd of cattle. You could drop down from I90 in SD somewhere and find your way to North Platte on I80 (perhaps as P_A suggests above, or some other route), but I'd overnight before you head south as finding a place between the two interstates would probably be iffy. The scenery is unlike any other place I've been, but that's pretty much all that's there and it may not be worth any extra travel time depending on what you like.
As far as an overnight rec if you choose the fast I35/I80 route, on a return trip last fall from NW CO to eastern Iowa I stayed at a Best Western Plus just off I80 on the north side of Lincoln which would be about halfway for you. It was new then, nice, had a pool, and I got a king suite for less than the crummy double at a Super 8 in Cheyenne on the way out.
posted by ClingClang at 1:18 PM on August 20, 2019
As far as an overnight rec if you choose the fast I35/I80 route, on a return trip last fall from NW CO to eastern Iowa I stayed at a Best Western Plus just off I80 on the north side of Lincoln which would be about halfway for you. It was new then, nice, had a pool, and I got a king suite for less than the crummy double at a Super 8 in Cheyenne on the way out.
posted by ClingClang at 1:18 PM on August 20, 2019
Worst kept secret of Nebraska: the big WEED SEARCH CHECKPOINT AHEAD WITH WEED SNIFFING DOGS YOU DAMN HIPPIES signs on I-80 eastbound, conspicuously right before a little-used exit, are just as fake as they seem. I bet what happens if you detour and take that exit with out-of-state plates isn't fake, though.
If you stop in Lincoln, it's actually pretty cool to take the elevator up to the top of the state capitol (please do not call it the "phallus palace" while you're there). It's a really beautiful building, and you can go in and look around, totally unbothered and for free.
posted by fritley at 2:12 PM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
If you stop in Lincoln, it's actually pretty cool to take the elevator up to the top of the state capitol (please do not call it the "phallus palace" while you're there). It's a really beautiful building, and you can go in and look around, totally unbothered and for free.
posted by fritley at 2:12 PM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
If you're taking I-80, then Lincoln is about half-way. The Capitol Building is a good one, as fritley suggests. Get the tour if you can.
We also have a State Historical Society Museum and a natural history museum called Morrill Hall. I like both of them. I don't know how long you want to stay at your half way point stop, but I usually spend multiple hours at either of those places.
Kearney is about two hours west of Lincoln, and the Archway museum mentioned by ejs is definitely a shorter stay, touristy kind of stop. Stopping the night in Lincoln, leaving at 7am, and hitting Kearney around 9 is not a terrible plan and is one I have recommended to people I like.
As far as what Gray Duck and aspersioncast have said: honestly, it's not for everyone. :)
posted by Horkus at 3:19 PM on August 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
We also have a State Historical Society Museum and a natural history museum called Morrill Hall. I like both of them. I don't know how long you want to stay at your half way point stop, but I usually spend multiple hours at either of those places.
Kearney is about two hours west of Lincoln, and the Archway museum mentioned by ejs is definitely a shorter stay, touristy kind of stop. Stopping the night in Lincoln, leaving at 7am, and hitting Kearney around 9 is not a terrible plan and is one I have recommended to people I like.
As far as what Gray Duck and aspersioncast have said: honestly, it's not for everyone. :)
posted by Horkus at 3:19 PM on August 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
Seconding the Henry Doorly Zoo. It's really a special place and once of the best zoos in the country. Check out the desert dome and the Kingdoms of the night exhibit.
I've spent a lot of time in Omaha and the surrounding area and I also have an 8 year old. The Blackstone district is right off the highway, has a bunch of great restaurants and probably the best ice cream I've ever had at the Coneflower creamery.
The Children's Museum in Omaha is also great and is something you can get in and out of in under two hours. There is an awesome room with an infernal contraption that consumes and moves plastic balls in a way that will enthrall any kid.
Strategic Air Command & Museum is also just off the highway between Omaha and Lincoln. It's pretty fun and the cafeteria is surprisingly good.
Bonus tip: the highway patrol in Iowa is not playing around when it comes to giving out speeding tickets. Try cruise control to avoid going over the speed limit too much.
posted by Alison at 4:19 PM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
I've spent a lot of time in Omaha and the surrounding area and I also have an 8 year old. The Blackstone district is right off the highway, has a bunch of great restaurants and probably the best ice cream I've ever had at the Coneflower creamery.
The Children's Museum in Omaha is also great and is something you can get in and out of in under two hours. There is an awesome room with an infernal contraption that consumes and moves plastic balls in a way that will enthrall any kid.
Strategic Air Command & Museum is also just off the highway between Omaha and Lincoln. It's pretty fun and the cafeteria is surprisingly good.
Bonus tip: the highway patrol in Iowa is not playing around when it comes to giving out speeding tickets. Try cruise control to avoid going over the speed limit too much.
posted by Alison at 4:19 PM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
On the drive across, our family always stopped at https://www.olesbiggame.com/
It’s in the flyspeck town of Paxton and decorated with hundreds of stuffed animal trophies killed by Ole starting in the 30s. As a kid I found it fascinating, your own thoughts on taxidermy may vary.
posted by Eddie Mars at 5:13 PM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
It’s in the flyspeck town of Paxton and decorated with hundreds of stuffed animal trophies killed by Ole starting in the 30s. As a kid I found it fascinating, your own thoughts on taxidermy may vary.
posted by Eddie Mars at 5:13 PM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
Off I80 in North Platte you can learn about the North Platte Canteen at the Lincoln County Historical Museum.
Last year we traveled from Fort Collins, CO to Fort Robinson State Park NE in the northwest part of the state. It is a gem! You can stay in old officer’s cabins.
posted by ChristineSings at 5:28 PM on August 20, 2019
Last year we traveled from Fort Collins, CO to Fort Robinson State Park NE in the northwest part of the state. It is a gem! You can stay in old officer’s cabins.
posted by ChristineSings at 5:28 PM on August 20, 2019
Pssht, it’s not the Phallus Palace, it’s the Penis of the Prairie. It’s also an interesting building with murals and mosaics.
Lots of museums here - fine art (Sheldon Museum of Art, Great Plains Art Museum), history (Nebraska Historical), science and mammoth bones (Morril Hall) and a children’s museum and zoo (much smaller than Henry Doorly, which might be better for a quick visit). There’s good ice cream and coffee to be found in the Haymarket. The UNL campus has a sculpture garden and more sculptures scattered around campus, and East Campus has a small garden walking trail right next to the campus dairy store (more ice cream).
posted by PussKillian at 8:33 PM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
Lots of museums here - fine art (Sheldon Museum of Art, Great Plains Art Museum), history (Nebraska Historical), science and mammoth bones (Morril Hall) and a children’s museum and zoo (much smaller than Henry Doorly, which might be better for a quick visit). There’s good ice cream and coffee to be found in the Haymarket. The UNL campus has a sculpture garden and more sculptures scattered around campus, and East Campus has a small garden walking trail right next to the campus dairy store (more ice cream).
posted by PussKillian at 8:33 PM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
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It's no significant detour from your probable route on I-80 and makes a good stop to get a meal and break up the trip a little.
posted by asperity at 9:43 AM on August 20, 2019