Nebraska's Ultimate Scenic Byway Road Trip: 12 Days of Travels

Route Directions

Omaha to Fort Calhoun: 17 miles; Fort Calhoun to Blair: 9 miles; Blair to Tekamah: 18 miles; Tekamah to Winnebago: 37 miles; Winnebago to South Sioux City: 17 miles; South Sioux City to Ponca: 20 miles; Ponca to Hartington: 39 miles; Hartington to Crofton: 19 miles; Crofton to Niobrara: 28 miles; Niobrara to Naper: 62 miles; Naper to Springview: 41 miles; Springview to Valentine: 54 miles; Valentine to Cody: 38 miles; Cody to Merriman: 24 miles; Merriman to Gordon: 30 miles; Gordon to Chadron: 46 miles; Chadron to Fort Robinson State Park: 28 miles; Chadron to Alliance: 55 miles; Alliance to Ashby: 51 miles; Ashby to Mullen: 48 miles; Mullen to Calamus Outfitters LLC: 162 miles; Calamus Outfitters LLC to Burwell: 16 miles; Burwell to Elyria: 10 miles; Elyria to Ord: 8 miles; Ord to Scotia: 17 miles; Scotia to Saint Paul: 27 miles; Saint Paul to Grand Island: 23 miles; Grand Island to Genoa: 55 miles; Genoa to Monroe: 8 miles; Monroe to Columbus: 14 miles; Columbus to Fremont: 49 miles.

Day 1

Omaha

Start your Lewis & Clark itinerary in Omaha with a traditional Lithuanian breakfast at Lithuanian Bakery before heading to west Omaha to learn more about Father Flanagan’s efforts to help wayward boys get off the streets at Boys Town. Satisfy your soul food fix with amazing food at Big Mama’s Kitchen and Catering before making your way back downtown to one of the city’s most iconic museums, The Joslyn, which underwent a massive multi-million expansion project. End the day shopping around the historic Old Market followed by a delicious dinner at Upstream Brewing Company.

Day 2

Fort Calhoun

Make your way north to Fort Calhoun to begin your experience at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park. Under the recommendation of Lewis & Clark’s expedition, the U.S. military established the fort in 1820.

Blair

Next, continue north to Blair to the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge to view more than 200,000 artifacts on display from the 1865-era steamboat Bertrand which sunk in the Missouri River.

Tekamah

Next, stop at Master’s Hand and its wide variety of gifts and some of the best freshly baked goods and chocolates found anywhere in northeast Nebraska. Afterward, enjoy delicious comfort food for lunch in a cozy atmosphere at The Tipsy Pig.

Winnebago

The Winnebago Nation is home to the tribal buffalo herd visible from the highway and Angel De Cora Museum and Research Center where you can view authentic Winnebago Nation artifacts including traditional dolls, paintings, clothing and other items. Stop by the Honoring-the-Clans Sculpture Garden and Cultural Plaza which tells the story of the Winnebago Nation’s 12 clans through life-size sculptures.

South Sioux City

On your way to South Sioux City, make a short stop at Blackbird Scenic Overlook for a truly spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. Once you arrive in town, check into the Marina Inn Hotel & Conference Center and enjoy a delicious steak overlooking the Missouri river at Kahill’s Steak, Fish & Chophouse.

Day 3

Ponca

Begin your adventure with a hearty breakfast at Crystal Café Truck Stop before heading west toward Ponca, the fourth-oldest town in Nebraska, to learn more about the town’s history at the Cook Blacksmith Shop & Historical Adams House Museum. This living history museum shows the vital role blacksmiths had in the development of many American communities.

Hartington

Next, head to Hartington and Nissen Winery & Outlaw Trail Center to taste a variety of delicious Nebraska wines while listening to stories of some of the area’s infamous outlaws like Jesse James, Sam Bass and Kid Wade. Then, stop for lunch at CJ’s at the Lake overlooking Nebraska’s second largest lake, Lewis and Clark Lake.

Crofton

After lunch, stop by the Lewis and Clark Lake Visitor Center to explore Lewis and Clark’s journey to locate a viable western route before heading into Crofton to view the largest public display of farm pulleys in the world at the Lewis and Clark Pulley Museum and Haymarket.

Santee Sioux Nation & Niobrara

Continue west to the Ohiya Casino & Resort where you might as well stop to see if Lady Luck is smiling on you at this casino owned and operated by the Santee Sioux Nation. The dinner bell will ring at Sportsmen’s Bar Niobrara, an old-fashioned saloon style bar full of history and nostalgia.

Day 4

Niobrara & Ponca Nation

Rise and shine for day two with a hearty breakfast at Country Café in Niobrara before heading to the Northern Ponca Tribe of Nebraska to walk along the Ponca Educational Trail, visit the Earth Lodge, and Chief Standing Bear statue. The on-site Ponca Tribal Museum displays artifacts from Ponca history, American Indian artwork, and pictures from the tribal archives for you to learn more about the Ponca Nation.

Monowi

Heading west you pass through Nebraska’s smallest incorporated town, Monowi, home to only one resident. She also makes a mean hamburger at the Monowi Tavern so this might be a good stop for lunch.

Naper

Next is the White Horse Ranch Museum & Heritage Hall in Naper where you can explore displays and artifacts highlighting the history of Naper and the White Horse Ranch.

Springview

Springview is home the Keya Paha County Historical Society and its more than a century of local history.

Valentine

Head to Peppermill E.K. Valentine Lounge, a local favorite serving top-notch Nebraska and South Dakota Beef.

Day 5

Valentine

A hearty breakfast at Bunkhouse Restaurant and Saloon will give you the energy to explore Valentine and the surrounding area. Smith Falls State Park is home to Nebraska’s tallest waterfall where you can enjoy the water rushing down on you as you stand under the falls. On your way to the park, stop by Golden Prairie Bison to learn more about these amazing creatures and how the owners work to be mindful stewards of the land and conserve it for future generations. Head back into Valentine for some stick-to-your-ribs barbeque at Bulldoggers BBQ followed by a drive south of town to Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge where a driving tour will let you view the refuge’s bison herd and other wildlife. If you are looking for amazing outdoor recreational activities like kayaking or tubing down the Niobrara National Scenic River, Valentine is your place! For some prime stargazing, visit Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, Nebraska’s first International Dark Sky Place.

Day 6

Cody

Stop by the Circle C Market, an exclusively student-run market in the village of Cody to pick up a quick breakfast item or snack to tide you over until lunch.

Merriman

Continue west to Bowring Ranch State Historical Park to explore an authentic turn-of-the-century working cattle ranch once owned by Arthur and Eve Bowring surrounded by the beautiful Nebraska Sandhills.

Gordon

Explore life during the time of the Old West cowboy at the Tri State Oldtime Cowboy’s Memorial Museum and the yester-year of Gordon at Scamahorn Museum before sitting down delicious home-style cooking at Antelope Creek Café.

Chadron

Continue west into the heart of the Pine Ridge of northwest Nebraska where your first stop is the Museum of the Fur Trade, the country’s only museum dedicated to the fur trade industry, the first business in the New World. South of town, Chadron State Park is an outdoor paradise nestled within an outcrop of scenic beauty. For dinner, go south of the border at Molcajte’s Mexican Restaurant. If your lodging tastes lean toward the historic, try the rustic Olde Main Street Inn downtown.

Day 7

Chadron

Start your day off with a delicious breakfast and specialty coffee at Bean Broker Coffee House & Pub before heading to the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center to learn more about this notable Nebraska author’s life and works, including “Old Jules” and “Crazy Horse.”

Crawford

Now it is time to explore one of Nebraska’s most historic places, Fort Robinson State Park, where you can go on jeep or stagecoach rides, hike scenic canyons and bluffs, tour the Trailside Museum of Natural History to view the impressive “Clash of the Mammoths” exhibit and learn more about the tragic Cheyenne Breakout in 1879 and the death of Sioux Chief Crazy Horse. Fort Robinson has a great restaurant on site for lunch. As you return to Chadron for the night, make a trip to the remote moonscape of Nebraska’s own Badlands at Toadstool Geologic Park.

Day 8

Chadron

Before heading out, fill up on artisan waffles and delicious coffees or teas at Just Love Coffee Café.

Alliance

Alliance is well known for Carhenge, an exact replica of England’s Stonehenge, but made with cars instead of stones. The Knight Museum and Sandhills Center takes you on a tour of the rich pioneer spirit of western Nebraska, the Sandhills and the Ogallala Aquifer while Carnegie Arts Center highlights local and regional artists in a historic 1911 former Carnegie Library. Before heading out, enjoy a wonderful lunch at Ken & Dale’s Restaurant, an Alliance dining staple for more than 35 years.

Ashby

After breakfast at the hotel head west to visit CaLinda’s Pot Shop & Art Gallery where, with advance reservations, you can have some fun in the mud by creating your very own piece of pottery. A wide variety of other outstanding works of art also are available for purchase.

Mullen

Stop by Highway 2 Depot or Macke’s Grocery & Deli in town to pick up something to take to Double R Guest Ranch, your lodging for the night where you can eat, relax and enjoy the Sandhills.

Day 9

Mullen

Spend the morning soaking in the beautiful Sandhills scenery while lazily floating down the Middle Loup River with Glidden Canoe Rental.

Burwell

Continue your Sandhills adventure at Calamus Outfitters LLC on the Switzer Ranch for your own guided Sandhills Ranch Habitat Ecotour. After checking into the hotel in Burwell, make your way downtown to Pizza Palace for some of the best pizza in the area.

Day 10

Burwell

Get your fill for breakfast at Verda’s Café. 

Elyria

Continue your trek along the banks of the North Loup River to Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, a former infantry outpost from 1874 to 1881 which today is one of the most complete examples of small prairie forts. 

Ord

Continue to Ord for some amazing craft beers at Scratchtown Brewing Company, the first brewery in the Nebraska Sandhills. 

Scotia

Next up is Scotia for really cool trip underground at Happy Jack Peak and Chalk Mine, the only publicly accessible chalk room and pillar mine in North America.

St. Paul

In nearby St. Paul, you’ll find Tubby’s Firehouse Museum, which includes vintage fire trucks, memorabilia and steel from the World Trade Center, while the Museum of Nebraska Major League Baseball includes displays of many Nebraska baseball hall of famers. Before leaving town, enjoy some good grub at The County Cage Bar & Grill. Depart and head toward Alda to learn more about one of the greatest animal migrations in the world, the sandhill crane migration at Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center. If you visit in the spring, plan a sunset viewing to experience it up-close from a blind on the banks of the Platte River. Dinner today is an Italian feast at Napoli’s Italian Restaurant.

Day 11

Grand Island

Brush up on your local history at the Stuhr Museum, which features an 1890s railroad town complete with costumed interpreters during the summer. For lunch, make your way to a Grand Island dining staple Coney Island Lunch Room where you can feast on an authentic Coney Island hot dog. Afterward, head to central Nebraska’s entertainment destination, Fonner Park and Heartland Events Center, home to the Nebraska State Fair and Fonner Park horse racing. Also make sure to check out Raising Nebraska, a 25,000-square-foot destination focusing on Nebraska agriculture. Grand Island also offers a host of wineries where you can taste Nebraska wines and art galleries to explore before heading to Wave Pizza Company for a delicious pizza in a unique beach-themed atmosphere.

Day 12

Grand Island, Genoa & Monroe

After breakfast of a tasty pastry and coffee at The Chocolate Bar, your next two destinations are a short drive off the byway, but well worth it. First is Genoa for an informative visit to the Genoa Indian School Interpretive Center, which was in operation from 1884 to 1934. This is followed by a visit to the Horn T Zoo, a family-run small town zoo that has been connecting visitors to wildlife from around the world since 2010.

Columbus

Return to the byway to discover the efforts that went into winning WWII at the Andrew Jackson Higgins National Memorial, honoring the Nebraska native whose Higgins Boat helped to turn the tide of the conflict. Then grab lunch at Glur’s Tavern, the oldest continuously operated tavern west of the Missouri River.

Fremont

River Life Airboat Tours gives you the experience the wind blowing through your hair while speeding down the Platte River at 50 mph. When you return to Fremont, enjoy amazing Mexican food to round out your Nebraska scenic byway tour at La Hacienda.