1. Cheer On The Huskers At Memorial Stadium
Husker football is such a big part of life in Nebraska that the crowds game day draws in make the stadium the third largest city in the state.
If the fans’ enthusiasm is at all contagious, you’ll be screaming, “GO BIG RED!” at the top of your lungs in no time.
2. Stop Being So Vanilla At Ted And Wally’s
Ted and Wally’s serves up premium ice cream that’s totally going to expand your horizons. Their rotating flavors including orange coconut pound cake, apple butter, and gin and tonic are sure to please any adventurous ice cream connoisseur.
3. Tap Into Your Wild Side At The Henry Doorly Zoo
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has been consistently rated one of the best in the country, and if you ask Nebraska natives, it’s always been No. 1 in their hearts.
With the world’s largest indoor desert, daily wildlife shows, and tons of awesome animals, it’s one thing you should never miss in Nebraska.
4. Drive By The Automobile Version Of Stonehenge
Carhenge, north of Alliance along Highway 87, may not be as ancient or mysterious as its inspiration, but that certainly doesn’t take away from just how cool it is. This recreation of Stonehenge is made from thirty-eight repurposed junkyard cars.
5. Go Postal For One Enormous Ball Of Stamps
The World’s Largest Ball of Stamps is one of those things you don’t even know you want to see until you see it. Though the globe is only 32 inches in diameter, it weighs in at over 600 pounds, and contains 4,655,000 canceled stamps.
6. It’s Time To Rediscover Your Childhood… Ohhh Yeah!
The Hastings Museum, located in the birthplace of your favorite sugar packed childhood drink, has a Kool-Aid exhibit. They also have a bunch of local natural history stuff… but we all know what the main attraction is.
7. Take A Dip In Lake McConaughy
No Nebraska summer trip is complete without a cool off swim in the state’s biggest and most beautiful lake.
8. Become A Corn Maze Master
You are in the cornhusker state, after all! Spending a fall day at the Camp Fontanelle corn maze may not make you quite as good at maze navigation as native Nebraskans, but it’s worth a try.
9. Try The Weirdest Side For Chili Ever
Okay, so chili and cinnamon rolls sound like a disgusting combination, but there must be a reason Nebraskans are still eating cinnamon rolls as a side dish. When in Nebraska, do as the Nebraskans do.
10. Then Stop In A Local Bar And Order A Red Beer
What makes the beer red? Adding a little tomato juice, of course. Again, this might sound like a disgusting combination and a waste of beer and tomato juice, but it’s worth a try.
11. Czech Out Wilber’s Czech Days
Wilber, Nebraska is about as close to the Czech Republic as you’ll get without leaving the United States, so stopping by for the Czech Days festival and eating a bunch of tasty Czech pastries is a must.
12. Hike To Scotts Bluff Along The Oregon Trail
It may be a bit of a steep hike, but the views from the bluffs are worth all the sweat. Plus, you’ll get to walk in some of the same places as the pioneers on the Oregon Trail.
13. Then See What’s On Tap At Zipline
Nebraska’s brewery scene is blowing up (like just about everywhere else in the country) right now, but if you only have time for the best of the best, raise a glass at Zipline Brewing Co.
14. Buff Up On Your Underground Railroad History
Mayhew Cabin, sometimes called John Brown’s Cave, was an important stop on the Underground Railroad. This 1850s cabin is also the only official Underground Railroad site in Nebraska.
15. Rock Out To A Local Band At The Legendary ZOO Bar
Lincoln’s ZOO Bar has played host to Buddy Guy and Bo Diddley, so stopping in to enjoy drinks and live music might mean you’ll see the next big music legend take the stage.
16. Watch The Great Crane Migration
In late March, 500,000 cranes (or 80 percent of the world’s crane population) land in one 80-mile stretch of the Platte River in Nebraska. It’s not just one of the coolest things you’ll ever see—it’s also one of the loudest things you’ll ever hear.
17. Wolf Down A Delicious Omaha Steak
Passing up the chance to eat steak in Omaha is practically criminal. If you’re looking for a fancy night out and an absolutely mouth-watering whiskey marinated steak, book a table at a local favorite, The Drover Restaurant & Lounge.
18. Then Put Away Your Inner Food Critic For Some Low Brow Deliciousness
It may just be a local fast food chain, and about the furthest thing from fancy, but that doesn’t mean you should pass up Runza. There’s a reason locals swear by their tasty cabbage and beef stuffed pocket sandwiches. (Hint: it’s because they’re super tasty, portable, and cheap.)
19. Explore Omaha’s Trendy Old Market District
Dining, boutique shopping, breweries, and art galleries—the Old Market District has everything a hip, trendy neighborhood should. Added bonus: the Old Market Passageway has tons of extra shops and galleries to explore.
20. Find A Hidden Gem At Park Avenue Antiques
Located in Fremont, this Park Avenue Antiques is the perfect place to get lost for a few hours, only to reemerge with a unique lamp or gorgeous cameo.
21. Grab A Slice And A Pint At Yia Yia’s
This local gem with a totally unique atmosphere is the best place in the state to grab the two best things in the world: pizza and beer.
22. Check Out Nature’s Chimney
Chimney Rock is exactly what it sounds like… a big rock that looks like a chimney. Before its current name, it was named after the the male part of an elk… but that more colorful name didn’t quite stick.
23. Take Flight At The Strategic Air And Space Museum
Aircrafts, missiles, spacecrafts… basically everything you’ve ever seen in films or pictured yourself flying in during your wildest dreams is housed at this museum.
24. Become An Armchair Paleontologist
The Ashfall Fossil Beds are open for public viewing, making it the perfect for fulfilling your childhood dream of being an awesome super-brilliant scientist.
25. Explore A Park That’s Totally Out Of This World
Toadstool Geologic Park in the Oglala National Grassland looks just like a lunar landscape. Not only is it gorgeous, but you can almost picture all the bad B-movies about space girls that must have been filmed there.
26. Eat More Ramen Than You Ever Did In College
Just to be clear, Omaha’s newly founded Ramen Noodle Fest isn’t serving up the prepackaged ramen you made in the microwave in your dorm room. This is fancy ramen for fancy adult taste buds, and it’s served with the best local brews.
27. Become A Real Life Cowboy For A Day…
At Ponderosa Ranch in Crawford you can get pretty close by renting a horse and riding for the day.
28. …Or At Least Dress The Part
Fort Western has three locations in Nebraska where you can stock up on all your cowboy boot, hat, and flannel needs.
29. One Nebraskan’s Junk Is Another’s Treasure
With around six hundred and fifty vendors spread over three hundred miles, Nebraska’s Junk Jaunt just might be the biggest (and the most fun) garage sale in the entire world.
30. Grab Some Chicken Fried Steak At Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse
If you’ve ever wanted to eat in a place that feels like the most intense hunting cabin in the world, you’ll find just the right atmosphere at Ole’s. The food, of course, is what makes the trip really worthwhile.
31. See The Next Bright Eyes Before They’re Super Famous
If you had a hard time in eight grade or are a fan of the indie music scene, you’ve probably listened to a lot of Saddle Creek records. The people behind the label opened a live music venue in Omaha called Slowdown, where you might just see the next angsty big thing live.
32. Lace Up For Holiday Fun At The Railyard
If you’re looking to embrace Nebraska’s seasonably cold weather, grab your ice skates and head to The Railyard rink in Lincoln.
33. Taste Nebraska’s Burgeoning Wine Scene
Nebraska may not be the first place you think of when you think of wine…actually it may be the last. But that’s all about to change. The Rose Colored Glass serves up some of Nebraska’s best, and you’ll be totally surprised in the best way.
34. See Where A Literary Legend Grew Up
Visiting Willa Cather’s childhood home in Red Cloud is a must for any fan of her work. You may even recognize the inspiration for the similar small Nebraska towns in her writing.
35. Watch The Sunset Over The Niobrara River
There’s nothing quite like a summer sunset over the water in Nebraska to end an incredible trip.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Nebraska? Tell us in the comments below! 
