There's nothing quite like a waterpark to keep the family entertained on those long summer days and provide some much-needed exercise when it's just too darned hot to do anything else. Most people don't realize that Nebraska has a handful of water parks that make summer a delight. This one is located in northeastern Nebraska, and it's perfect for all ages.
AquaVenture opened in Norfolk in 2012. With all of its fun zones and activities, this awesome water adventure is a few big steps beyond the typical municipal pool.
The park has something for the whole family to enjoy. Swimmers who want to improve or maintain their skills can swim laps in the recreation pool and practice diving from the low or high boards. The wave pool is great fun for the whole family; grab an inner tube for one or two and ride the waves.
The slides are a big draw for visitors, too. The raft slide is an impressive 310 feet long, or about the length of a football field. The body slide is just as awesome at 235 feet long.
The lily pad water walk lets kids scoot across a colorful little trail through the water while hanging on to an overhead net. The water cannon is perfect for drenching friends and family.
There are so many things to do, in fact, that you might find your kids bouncing around from one activity to the next all day. It's hard to choose a favorite!
The park also features a concession stand and plenty of chaise lounges perfect for reading or catching some sun.
The park opens for the year on Memorial Day; admission prices are super reasonable at $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for kids 4-15, and free for kids 3 and under. Get more information about admission and season passes here.
There's a phrase about lofty dreams being like pie in the sky, something pleasant to contemplate but not at all realistic.
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A small business might be deemed by some as "pie in the sky" plans. Or perhaps a small business in Nebraska. Certainly a woman-owned small business in Nebraska, a state ranking near the bottom of the country in terms of female entrepreneurship.
Carter & Rye, a woman-owned pie shop in Omaha, Nebraska, might seem as "pie in the sky" as the sweet and savory pastries on its menu. But this female-run business, well, means business. With Carter & Rye, owners (and BFFs) Kate “Carter” Anderson and Sarah “Rye” Ryan partnered their greatest loves, pastries and specialty coffee, to bake up something far greater than the sum of its parts, or, in this case, ingredients. A testament to the power of friendship and the appeal of an All-American classic, Carter & Rye is most certainly a small business worthy of representing Nebraska in Only In Your State's 2024 Small Business Spotlight series.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
Carter & Rye was founded in 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska, by two besties with a vision: a bakery-meets-neighborhood cafe reminiscent of the kinds of pie shops of yore -- the places folks would come to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and slice of pie without pretense or a sense of urgency.
"Pie is an American pastime that people of all walks of life enjoy and it’s an honor to offer something like that to our community," says Anderson. "I started this business to bring handcrafted, high quality, delicious and comforting pastries to people on the go. Many quick options out there are not made from scratch and we knew we had something really special to offer," she explains.
Anderson and Ryan dreamt of a pie shop that served both sweet and savory hand pies: portable, adorable delights made from scratch and using fresh, local ingredients. This was their dream for Carter & Rye, and this pair of female proprietors have made it a (very successful) reality, with 2024 marking the three-year anniversary of Carter & Rye's brick-and-mortar shop on Center Street in downtown Omaha.
The duo are quick to downplay their success, describing their tenure as "three years of rolling, filling, baking and occasionally fumbling our way through - but hey, we’re still standing."
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Carter & Rye is more than "still standing" -- this Nebraska business has become a beloved part of its Omaha community. The relationship between business and community is a mutual give and take, say the owners, who include the following on their website: "A good reminder: It is not the employer who pays the wages, it is the product that pays the wages! Buying our product means supporting people, families, and the community."
So, the pie. What's on the menu? There's a hand pie here for every occasion and every taste. The bakery's tagline - "You're the hot one" - is reflective of the owners' commitment to empowering and improving their community
Those with a sweet tooth have much to love at Carter & Rye; the "jammy" fruit pies are a customer favorite, as are the brown sugar cinnamon pies that give "Pop Tart" vibes in all the right ways. Those keen on enjoying a savory brunch will delight in options like the asparagus parm scramble, which uses farm-fresh eggs and produce and tastes like a breakfast quiche. Locals who frequent the pie shop know to get their early, as menu specials tend to go quickly -- but luckily, there's always "excellent backup flavors" being cooked up in the kitchen, ensuring no one goes hungry when at Carter & Rye.
Of course, the commitment to community goes beyond simply feeding the community. "My favorite part of being the owner of this business is making people’s day. We get to experience this extra special part of everyone’s day and pretty much every customer walks away with a smile on their face," says Anderson.
With their business, Anderson hopes to create meaningful and sustainable careers within the food industry, empowering others to do the same while working toward transparency in prices and sourcing. This "be the change" mantra is inspiring, for sure.
It might seem overwhelming to start a pie shop in Nebraska from scratch, especially one that challenges the industry norms in so many ways. But Carter & Rye has been warmly embraced by its community and once you visit, you'll immediately understand (and taste) why.
Many thanks to Kate Anderson for sharing the story of Carter & Rye. Of course, Carter & Rye is one of the many amazing small businesses in Nebraska; please nominate your favorite attractions and businesses for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Only In Nebraska article. And be sure to follow Only In Nebraska on Facebook and Instagram to learn about the Cornhusker State’s most incredible places, attractions, and events.
In case our numerous lakes and rivers don't offer you enough watery fun in the summer, Nebraska also has a nice selection of water parks that you can enjoy with the family. So put on some sunscreen, grab the towels, and head out for some fun in the sun! We're about to explore the best waterparks in Nebraska.
Nebraska's largest outdoor water park features a five-story water slide, several smaller water slides, a motion ocean and lazy river, and an attraction called Makana Splash. There is also a kiddie pool for younger visitors. You've got to add Fun-Plex to your bucket list. It's one of the best waterpark resorts in Nebraska!
This large pool boasts a lazy river, several water slides, and water cannons for summer fun. Everyone loves spending a day at Westmoor Pool! Come and check out one of the best outdoor pools in Nebraska.
At more than 260,000 square feet, Island Oasis Water Park is a seriously awesome destination. One of the park's many attractions is a slide with a 150-foot drop - one of the steepest water slides in North America!
AquaVenture, chances are you just don't like fun! This awesome water park features (among other activities) a variety of water slides, a wave pool, a recreational swimming pool, and our personal favorite, the Boogie Woogie water keyboard.
This seven-acre fun park has a lot to offer the whole family. The crazy fun attractions include a climbing wall with a splashy ending, plenty of water slides, and the FlowRider -- a wave pool that makes you feel like you're surfing! Catch a wave at Pawnee Plunge, one of the best waterparks in Nebraska.
A fun, relaxed place to spend an afternoon, the Fremont Splash Station offers a lap pool/wave pool, a splash pad, body slide, speed slide, and several other sweet and sunny things to enjoy. Like many other places on this list, Splash Station is open seasonally, so make sure to visit their website before heading over!
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7. Eugene T Mahoney State Park Family Aquatic Center, Ashland
Inside the already-amazing Mahoney State Park you'll find a big, fun water park. It contains three water slides, a wave pool, a lap pool, and a huge water dump bucket. You've got to check out the Eugene T Mahoney State Park Family Aquatic Center this summer.
Besides its huge 9,000 square foot pool, Big Blue Water Park features an eight-foot wide river slide, a kiddie pool with awesome toys, and a 124-foot loopy slide.
Although the water park is just one part of Cody Go Karts, it offers up enough fun to deserve a mention. With three water slides, bumper boats, and a kiddie pool with a tree stump-shaped slide, this is a great way to while away an afternoon.
This awesome five-acre park offers a variety of water slides, a wave pool, and a children's playground - and more! Hastings Aquacourt offers fun for the whole family! You'll definitely want to visit this summer.
One of Twin Rivers' best features is its different depth zones for visitors with different skill levels. A spiral water slide and speed slide offer hours of entertainment. You'll be splish splashing all afternoon at Twin Rivers Water Park!
Open since 2006, Falls City Aquatic Center is a great place to spend an afternoon. Here you'll find two water slides, a water cannon, flower showers, and a lap pool.
This water park in Lexington may be on the smallish side, but it's non-stop fun for the family. An Olympic-size swimming pool, water slide, splash pad and other fun water features entertain water lovers of all ages. The Family Aquatic Center in Lexington has something for everyone!
Have you been to any of the best waterparks in Nebraska? Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And if you know another must-visit summer destination in Nebraska, nominate it for a chance to be featured.
Several hotels in Nebraska also feature water parks that require you to be a registered guest to use them. If your city or town doesn't have a water park, never fear. Just about every town in the state has its own municipal pool - and plenty of them have a slide or two and a diving board. Happy splashing and swimming!
