Enjoy a Fun Day Exploring Nebraska's Attractions

Lauritzen Gardens
The Lauritzen Gardens in Nebraska transform 100 acres in Omaha into beautiful gardens featuring flowers, trees, shrubs, and more. Stroll the paths of an English garden, inhale the scent of the Herb Garden, follow a Woodland Trail to an overlook of the Missouri River Valley, and take time to listen to the Woodland Waterfall. Children can get a hands-on experience in the Children's Garden. Spend time in the Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary listening for birds; in the marshy area, listen for frogs, too! Other garden experiences include the Model Railroad Garden and the serene Garden of Memories. You'll find sculptures and art exhibits on the grounds, and the café offers a lovely experience dining surrounded by flowers. A narrated tram tour makes it easy to make your way around the site. Extended hours during the summer season give you more time to appreciate the beauty of the setting.

Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch
Fruit is always sweetest when you pick it yourself. Head to the Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch in season to harvest bushels of berries—sweet strawberries and tart raspberries. You can also pick asparagus and sweet corn. The farmers' Nebraska heritage dates back to olden days, and they want visitors to have a true farm experience, not just pick berries, so there are also farm antiques and farm animals to visit. Take a hay ride along the creek bed and explore the unique tree houses. In autumn, the farm is the site of the Great Pumpkin Roundup, with an Old West ghost town, mines, caves, and the Ranch of Terror haunted house and other great fun activities. The perfect pumpkin is somewhere out their in the 20 acres of fall crops! The berry farm hosts other festivals during the year, so check their calendar to see what's happening when you're in Bellevue—you might be able to enjoy the Renaissance Festival of Nebraska or the Midwest Pirate Fest.

Great Platte River Road Archway Monument
Walk above a busy interstate and step back into the days of frontier settlements. The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, above Interstate 80 near Kearney, tells the story of 170 years of western expansion. Statues of Lewis & Clark guide you up to the exhibit area with dioramas showing the lives of pioneers on the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express, railroads, and more modern days, ending with a 1961 Cadillac. The 1500-ton arch is an impressive site on its own—the same length as a football field, it took eight days to position it curving over the highway! Designed by a team from Walt Disney World, it's a creative way to look back in time. Take some time to check out the grounds to find the log fort maze and the Indian Village.