10 Perfect Things To Add To Your Nebraska Winter Bucket List

There are, more or less, two types of people when it comes to winter in Nebraska: there are those who love it and those who try to hole up and hibernate until spring. But the cold weather is no reason to put your fun on hold. In fact, there are plenty of things you can (and should!) do in winter that are just best at this time of the year. Add these things to your to-do list for this winter and you'll come out on the other side of the season feeling all kinds of accomplished, entertained...and maybe even a little in love with winter.

1. Cuddle up around a fire in a secluded cabin.

Whether it's with a loved one or just a good book and a glass of wine, cuddling in a cabin in the snow is the coziest of winter indulgences. May we suggest one of these?

2. Attend a holiday festival...or five.

Christmas is such a big part of winter. The holiday deserves some serious celebration. Here are some to start with.

3. Go birdwatching.

Nebraska is a birdwatcher's paradise in the winter. These colorful eastern meadowlarks look absolutely magical against the white snow, don't they?

4. Go ice skating.

While we obviously recommend outdoor ice skating in the winter - that frozen neighborhood pond, perhaps? - indoor skating is almost as fun.

5. Embark on a sledding adventure.

Get out there and find the perfect sledding hill. Sometimes it's literally in your own backyard - if not, check the local schools. For some reason they always have excellent sledding hills.

7. Go ice fishing.

Dedicated outdoorsmen and women will love the thrill of getting out on the ice, drilling a hole, and walking away with that night's dinner.

8. Have an epic snowball fight.

Gather up a friend, loved one, coworker, or - if you're really adventurous - a stranger, and throw perfectly-formed snowballs at one another until you're exhausted.

9. Take on the elements in the Polar Bear Tank Race in Mullen.

This annual tank ride on the Middle Loup River raises awareness of the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, bringing more tourists to the Sandhills. And you get to ride down a river in a stock tank in the freezing weather - what's not to love?

10. Explore our state parks at one of the many Winterfest events.

The annual Winterfest brings a wide variety of winter activities to Nebraska state parks from December through March. No matter where you are in the state, Winterfest has something to entertain you.

What do you think? How many are on your yearly winter to-do list? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments!