Ideas of what to do in Omaha or Lincoln

We will be bringing our daughter to grad school at the University of Colorado, Boulder driving from Minnesota.

I know nothing about Nebraska other than Lincoln is the capitol. Is there anything worth stopping for on our drive through Nebraska. It looks like we will be driving along West 80 through Omaha %26amp; Lincoln.

Thank you.

Ideas of what to do in Omaha or Lincoln

There are lots of interesting stops in Omaha. Some of the most popular tourist stops include the Old Market in downtown omaha (lots of shopping, restaurants, and bars), Henry Doorley Zoo (one of the best zoos in the country), Laurentzen Botanical Gardens, Joslyn Art Museum, Durham Western Heritage Musuem. About midpoint between Omaha and Lincoln (Ashland Exit) is the Strategic Air and Space museum.

In Lincoln the opportunities are fewer IMO but the State Capital is quite impressive and the Haymarket Area of downtown has some nice restaurants.

Ideas of what to do in Omaha or Lincoln

When are you coming and what are your interests? The capitol is impressive and they give free tours. We have other museums like National Roller Skating Museum, International Quilt Study Museum (they just moved into a new building), Germans from Russia Museum, a telephone museum, some great trails for hiking and biking, and parks like the Sunken Gardens and Rose Garden. About 45 minutes south of Lincoln, you will find the National Homestead Monument which also just moved into a new building shaped like a sod-buster plow. It is located 4 miles west of Beatrice. Feel free to ask more questions.

You will be following part of the Oregon and Mormon Trails through Nebraska along I-80, so there is plenty of history along the way! I%26#39;d recommend a rest stop in Kearney where you can learn more about the history quickly by visiting the ';Arch'; that spans the interstate just east of the Kearney exit. You%26#39;ll go under it before you get to the Kearney exit. The geography starts to change as you continue west. The 100th Meridian passes through Cozad Nebraska (about 45 miles west of Kearney) and marks the place where the humid east meets the arid west. As the topography changes you may want to stop again in North Platte to visit Buffalo Bill%26#39;s home or in Ogallala at Front Street to see the cowboy revue in the Crystal Palace Saloon. Although Lincoln and Omaha are fabulous, you really should take time to see the rest of Nebraska too - otherwise the drive along the Platte River Valley will seem far too long! Good Luck and have fun!