Roadside trips can be a lot of fun and if you are planning one through Nebraska, you are in for a hell of a ride. There are a variety of roadside attractions for your eyes to feast on. With some museums on the way and a couple of ‘world’s largest’, this trip promises rich life experiences.
Apart from being the birthplace of Kool-Aid, Nebraska is also home to the biggest indoor rainforest and the land of rivers. It is also the birthplace of the Ruben Sandwich and Spam (canned meat). Nebraska has a lot to offer to visitors as well. Here are some places you could stop by and have a good time while riding through Nebraska.
Carhenge
Carhenge is Nebraska’s one of the most celebrated roadside destinations. It is a replica of the Stonehenge located in England. But, as the name suggested, instead of stones, it is built entirely with grey paint sprayed vintage American cars.
Built by Jim Reinders in 1987, the Carhenge consists of around 39 cars arranged in a circular pattern. The structure’s diameter is about 29 meters and some cars stand as tall as 1.5 meters.
If you visit Nebraska, it is almost a ritual to visit the Carhenge, so make sure it is a part of your itinerary.
If you stroll down a couple of miles towards the north of Carhenge, you would come across the Nebraska rest area, which is a collection of a couple of haystacks, an open-air toilet, and a recliner. Considered as a resting area for travelers, it also offers free wi-fi.
World’s Largest Ball of Stamps
Once in Nebraska, make sure you visit the Leon Mayers Stamp Center in Boys Town which is home to the world’s largest ball made of stamps. The Boys Town Stamp Collecting Club commenced the assembly of canceled stamps in 1953 around a golf ball.
Its diameter measured at 32 inches by the end of 1955 when it was declared the largest ball of stamps and it has remained so even after 60 years. It weighs around 600 pounds and encompasses an unbelievable 4,655,000 stamps. It was also featured on a column of “Ripley’s Believe It or Not”
The Museum of Fur Trade
Located towards the east of Chardon is the historical Museum of Fur Trade. Built on James Bordeaux’s trading post, it is now a part of the National Register of Historic Places. The museum preserves the rich history and culture of the ancient fur trade. It exhibits over 6000 primary pieces which are claimed to have been collected one piece at a time.
It is home to the world’s oldest point blanket from 1775, Kit Carson and Tecumseh’s firearms, and American Indian crop seeds obtained more than 125 years ago. There is a gift shop that offers high-end replicas of selected items on display such as Native American jewelry and ancient fabrics. You can also capture the relics behind a lens, as photography is allowed at this museum.
The World Largest Porch Swing
As strange as it may sound, but the world’s largest porch swing is located in Hebron, Nebraska. One may imagine a really tall swing hearing the word “largest”, but it is not the case. This porch swing is more long than high. It can accommodate around 18 adults or 24 children and is a whopping 32 feet long.
Suspended from a mammoth irrigator pole, the swing is painted red and orange and is made of both metal and wooden parts. This Nebraska roadside attraction stands at the Roosevelt Park and one can surely swing by this one his way to the Carhenge.
Kool-Aid: Discover The Dream
On exhibition at the HAsting Museum in Hastings, Nebraska is the Kool-Aid. This electric-colored sweet drink was manufactured in Hasting by Edwin Perkins, a chemist. The entire life of Perkins is on display at the museums and one can find exhibits of long-forgotten Kool-Aid products such as bubble gums, milkshakes, puddings, ice-cream, and pies.
You can also find the first Kool-Aid man suit, the company’s first mascot sitting in a glass sheltered box. Your guide for the museum tour would be the “Kool-Aid Kid” himself. There is also a Kool-Aid river running below your feet under the floor and also on the walls behind translucent pipes.
The museum displays the Kool-Aid Adventure Club as well as the Kool-Aid Scouts of the Stars And Stripes. One could also see bright pennants hanging from the ceiling.
The Archway
Running across the I-80 highway, the Archway was built in 2000 as a tribute to the Great Platte River Road running along the Platte River in Nebraska, which has inspired many travelers to embark upon an adventurous pursuit over the years.
Conceptualized by a Walt Disney team from Orlando, the idea of the Archway was conceived by Frank Morrison, the three-time governor of Nebraska. The visitors are treated with a multimedia experience depicting stories from Nebraska’s exploration by white men and that of Lincoln High.
The Archway shall be an inevitable part of your Nebraska road trip itinerary. One could shop at the Archway souvenir shop, or take a stroll on the bike/hike trail. You could also spend some time picnicking on the Archway grounds and at the end also visit the Nebraska Visitor’s Centre.
Harold Warp’s Pioneer Village
Built by Harold Wrap, the pioneer village is a 28 building monument spread across over 20 acres stuffed with more than 50,000 irreplaceable historical items. The collection resembles the gradual evolution of generations over the period of time.
It houses everything from home appliances, bathtubs, cash registers, and lawnmowers to Lincoln’s sugar bowl. You can see antiques such as Grover Cleveland’s presidential desk, a tinfoil piece from Edison’s original photograph, the world’s first cordless phone, and fighter jet, and Chicago’s last gas street lamp. Each item is described in detail by Harold himself. The Harold House houses knick-knacks such as salt shakers, fountain pens, buttons, pencils, ashtrays, and the like,
The Pioneer village located at Minden, Nebraska, is a feast for all history lovers. People often visit for 3-4 days to absorb all that the Pioneer Village has to offer.
World Largest Time Capsule
Located on the south-eastern part of Nebraska, is the World’s largest Time capsule. Built by Harold Davisson with the aim of showing his grandchildren what life in the 1970s was like, this time capsule weighs a whopping 45 tons and measures 20 x 8 x 6 feet.
It can be a little difficult to believe, but it said to contain over 5000 items including a Kawasaki bike, bikini bottoms, soda bottles, tapes, records, fireworks, bowling pins, and a scholarship fund. It also contains a 1975 Chevrolet Vega!
Sealed on 4th July 1975, it is all set to open on 4th July 2025, exactly 50 years later during the independence fest. Till then, you can visit Seward to draw inspiration from the largest time capsule.
Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum
The Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum, located in Ashland, Nebraska, is home to numerous aircraft and war-related relics from the past. Opened in 1959, the SAC museum is committed to educating and inspiring people through its exhibits.
One can walk under beasts like SR-71A Blackbird, B-52, B-!A Bomber, North Vietnamese MiG-21, and many others. You could also stroll in the upper balcony and drool upon the magnificence of these aircraft from every possible angle. You can also see spacecraft such as the Apollo Boilerplate, Apollo Command Space Module, Atlantis Shutter Trainer, and Project Vela Satellite.
Make sure to add this to your itinerary next time you visit Nebraska. It provides the much-needed insight and glimpses into the rich past of Wars.
Stile Di Famiglia
The last one on the list but definitely not the least! The Stile Di Famiglia (meaning Family Style) is a giant 13 feet tall fork with spaghetti located in Omaha, Nebraska. This fork represented the rich local Italian culture, where foods in restaurants are served on a big platter for the family to eat together, rather than separate plated meals.
Made of stainless steel, this figure was designed by artist Jake Balcom. The Homeowners Association of Town of Little Italy in Omaha wanted to build something that would strongly represent their community when Jake came up with this design.
O, the next time you are around this small town, make sure to stop by and visit this strange and rather exciting sculpture.
We are pretty sure that these attractions have made a prominent place in your Nebraska itinerary, or even inspired you to take a road trip through Nebraska. So now you are well equipped with all the information you need to make your next Nebraska trip memorable and enjoyable.
