Golf on the Plains

From beginners to golf heads, Nebraska has a vast list of ranked golf courses that are sure to excite any cargo shorts-wearing dad! The Indian Meadows Public Golf Course and Lake Maloney Golf Course make North Platte a perfect location for golfers who want a little challenge during their game.  For those who want to golf with the family, Bayside Golf Club in Brule includes 5 different tee boxes and an indoor putt-putt field making the game accessible for all ages and skill levels.

GET OUTDOORS!

Nebraska isn’t all just flat land and corn; there are some amazing outdoor wonderlands that you have to hit if your dad loves the outdoors. Toadstool Geologic Park in Crawford features a badlands-esque landscape riddled with surreal mushroom rock formations that make you feel like you are walking on the moon. Platte River State Park in Louisville is your next camping destination. With gentle streams gliding over woodland trails and seclusion among the trees, this park is great for getting away from the hustle and bustle. At the Niobrara National Scenic River in Valentine, you can stand under the beautiful Smith Falls and then grab all the equipment you and your dad need to paddle peacefully along the sandstone cliffs of the Niobrara. 

THE TESTICLE FESTIVAL

This unique celebration of bovine jewels is held annually on the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend in Ashland and provides a host of activities for the whole family. With live music, hilarious merchandise, delicious food and a fireworks display, this festival will leave your dad going nuts for nuts. And if you want a “well-rounded” weekend in Ashland, consider taking a short hike at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park or stopping in for an interactive theater experience at Melodramas by Popcorn Productions, LLC.

MEAT!

Nothing ties together a great Father’s Day like a great meal, and nothing ties together a great meal like Nebraska meat! In Nebraska, 6.8 million cattle are raised annually, making the state a great place to conquer a delicious steak. The Peppermill in Valentine is a great steakhouse that works with a local grocer to prepare and age the beef making it taste even better. Another great steakhouse is Misty’s Steakhouse & Brewery in Lincoln where the meat seasoning is so popular you can now find it in stores. If your hungry dad isn’t feeling steak, there are several more mouthwatering restaurants to satisfy your hunger. Did you know that the famous Rueben Sandwich was created in Omaha? To get a taste of the original recipe, head to the Orleans Room in the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel. And if you just want to stop for a great lunch, look no further than Coney Island Lunch Room in Grand Island where their special coney island hotdogs are served with fresh ingredients and food quality in mind. 

HISTORY

Is your dad an amateur archeologist? Or is he more of a history buff? No matter what era he’s obsessed with you can find some amazing museums here in Nebraska. Journey to the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Harrison and then the University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History and Mueller Planetarium in Lincoln if you want to see masterfully reconstructed fossils of prehistoric creatures. The museum features a famous giant mammoth fossil that towers over you as you explore the museum. If your dad wants to celebrate his Father’s Day like a pioneer, take your family to the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island where you can visit Railroad Town, a living history community staffed with costumed reenactors over the summer months that will teach you about life in a pioneer town. 

BEER, WINE AND LIQUOR

Take a break from the hard parts of fatherhood and hire a babysitter because you are heading out of town. Nebraska is littered with fun bars, relaxing wineries and unique distilleries that will leave you wanting more. If you want a classic bar experience, Boiler Brewing Company in Lincoln provides beer, mead and cider at both of its locations in the capital city. If you want a bit of food with your drinks, make the trip to Flyover Brewing Company in Scottsbluff for hand-crafted beer and build-your-own-woodfired pizza. Suppose your dad is privy to sticking his nose into a skinny glass of Nebraska wine. In that case, you need to go to Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard in Nebraska City or Niobrara Valley Vineyards in Nenzel for a relaxing wine-tasting experience. 

DAD GIFTS

If you can’t find a gift before Father’s Day, here are some Nebraska stores that can help you find the perfect gift. If your dad likes snacks, you can run over to GoodyPop in York or any of the many other popcorn shops across the state for various yummy flavors. For the grill masters out there, a gift of grade-A meat is just about as good as it gets. Ellsworth Crossing in Waterloo and 385 Meat Market in Bridgeport feature fresh-cut meat that emphasizes Nebraska products. Dads who want to get out and have an adventure would love a gift from Ponderosa Cyclery + Tour in Omaha which sells all things bikes and cycling gear. 

THE LINCOLN ARTS FESTIVAL

During Father’s Day weekend, make your way to downtown Lincoln to join a community of art-loving Nebraskans at the Lincoln Arts Festival. The festival includes diverse works of art, innovative demonstrations, hands-on activities, and an eclectic mix of live performances.  If the dad in your life loves to experience art in all its forms and you want to spend a weekend in the capital city, then this stop is for you. For more art in the star city, visit the Sheldon Museum of Art and the Great Plains Art Museum.