While Nebraska is often overlooked by visitors to the States, there is something strangely alluring and romantic about its endless plains and wide-open skies. Despite being known as the Cornhusker State, there is much more than just cattle and corn to see with everything from happening cities and dramatic sand dunes to forests, wetlands and the world’s largest zoo on offer.
Part of the Great Plains region, Nebraska lies in the Midwest and is the only triply landlocked state in the US. Bordered clockwise by South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming, it mostly consists of fertile farms, fields and ranches with rolling hills and river valleys covering the eastern portion of its landmass.
Although it is only sparsely populated, pockets of life do exist here and there with Lincoln, the state capital, and Omaha its two largest cities. While the former boasts a beautiful art deco capitol building and has thrilling football games for you to enjoy, the latter is packed with fine art galleries, museums and historic landmarks. In addition, it contains the renowned Henry Doorly Zoo; home to more than 17,000 animals and the world’s largest indoor swamp, desert and rainforest.
Besides seeing these two cities, most people spend the rest of their time in the state exploring lovely nature spots such as Chimney Rock’s striking stone spire and the enormous dunes at Sand Hills. On top of this, visitors can always hike along the scenic Oregon Trail, paddle about the Niobrara River or horseback ride and camp amidst the pretty Pine Ridge’s forests, canyons and buttes.
Map of Nebraska
