The heart of Lincoln County, North Platte, is made for people with an adventurer’s soul. Whether you’re looking to check out the view from Golden Spike Tower or careen through Potter’s Pasture on a mountain bike, this place has something for everyone.

Book your accommodations at one of the many hotels available in North Platte including the new bright and modern Tru by Hilton hotel, the nice and homey Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, as well as the recently renovated Holiday Inn Express & Suites. If you’re feeling more outdoorsy, the surrounding state recreation areas feature both modern and primitive campsites. Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll be welcomed into the community with open arms.

Get a good start to the day with a classic American breakfast at Penny’s Diner, where you can enjoy fantastic dishes like the Sunrise Skillet in a unique setting of a 1950’s diner. If you need an extra boost to get you going in the mornings, the Espresso Shop by Caravan can help. You can also stop by in the afternoon and snag one of their delicious, made-to-order paninis or salads. You won’t want to miss out on one of their evening Open Mic nights either. When it comes to dinner time check out one of the local favorites, the Switchyard Grill & Pub.  Located in a 91-year-old building in downtown, the Switchyard excels when it comes to American Cuisine, such as Nebraska grown beef, but their large menu easily accommodates other dietary choices.

Let Dusty Trails Outdoor Specialists help you cross off an item on your bucket list: tanking!  A Nebraskan tradition, floating down the North Platte River in a 700-gallon stock tank brings joy to locals and visitors alike. It’s just as simple and fun as it sounds: grab some friends and a cooler full of drinks, hop into the tank, and choose whether to paddle or just relax while floating down the river. With two-hour to all-day options, it can easily fit into any schedule!  

Exploring the area via horseback is also a popular option; Dusty Trails Outdoor Specialists also offers rides through Buffalo Bill’s Scout Rest Ranch to give you an authentic western experience. If you enjoy a different type of riding at a faster pace, Potter’s Pasture Mountain Bike Trail is sure to get your adrenaline pumping!

Take in the one-of-a-kind view from the top of the Golden Spike Tower and Visitors Center. From both the seventh-floor open-air observation deck and the eighth-floor enclosed viewing area, you can see nearly every bit of Bailey Yard’s 315 miles of track. As the largest classification yard in the world, Baily Yard is a must-see! 

If history is what gets you going, there’s plenty of that in North Platte too!  The Lincoln County Historical Museum is full of interesting stories and artifacts from important times in west central Nebraska and the Platte River Valley. Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park is rich in history as well, featuring Buffalo Bill Cody’s extravagant mansion that he built during the heyday of his Wild West Show. Fort Cody Trading Post is another iconic piece of Nebraskan culture, where you can see a 20,000-piece, hand-carved Wild West Show replica in Nebraska’s largest souvenir shop.

From tanking to trains, to the unique wild west history, North Platte has something for you.