Take A Weekend To Wine, Dine, And Explore The Bohemian Alps Of Nebraska

Tucked into the rolling hills of eastern Nebraska is an area affectionately known as the Bohemian Alps. The region got its nickname from early settlers who came from the Czech lands and thought that these hills resembled the ones back home. Today, Nebraska is the state with the highest percentage of residents of Czech ancestry in the country: 5.5 percent. Several towns in the Bohemian Alps are in the top 10 communities with the highest percentage of people claiming Czech ancestry: Oak Creek (38.2 percent), Wilber (27.3 percent), and David City (28 percent). To say that the Bohemian Alps Nebraska area is still influenced by those previous generations would be a big understatement.

The unofficial area of the Bohemian Alps, shown below in green, is 25 miles north of Lincoln and 25 miles west of Omaha.

Fourteen little towns, villages, and unincorporated communities make up the region: Abie, Bruno, Brainard, Dwight, Garland, Linwood, Loma, Malmo, Morse Bluff, Oak Creek, Prague, Touhy, Valparaiso, and Weston.

The region just happens to be absolutely beautiful. It's the perfect place to spend a weekend exploring those rolling hills and all of the treasures they're hiding.

One such treasure is the Czechland Lake Recreation Area, just a mile north of Prague. The park is a popular place for families to escape for a day of fun in nature. You can enjoy birdwatching, hiking, boating, fishing, and picnicking - and when you're all tuckered out, you can climb into your RV or set up your tent and spend the night.

Take a beautiful fly-over view of Czechland Lake Recreation Area to discover hidden coves, wild forests, and wildlife galore. It is also a pretty fun kayaking lake:

The "wine" part of this wining and dining weekend comes in the form of a trip to Junto Winery.

Located just outside of Seward, this small but mighty operation produces some of Nebraska's tastiest wines. It sits on nine acres, and 90 percent of the wines produced at Junto come from grapes grown right there on site. Stop in for a tasting and a meat and cheese platter - and don't forget to check out the beautiful views.

Read all about this unforgettable experience on Junto Winery & Vineyard's website or Facebook page.

Another of the region's treasures is the Oak Creek Trail, a 12.8-mile crushed-rock trail that runs between Brainard and Valparaiso.

Oak Creek Trail passes through rolling hills and through the near-ghost town of Loma. You can traverse its length on foot, horseback, or on bike. If you're not up for the entire length of the trail, you can stop and turn around at any point.

When you get hungry after that epic hike, you'll have a tough decision to make - where to eat. There's a surprisingly large selection of fantastic restaurants in the area.

Pictured above is Abie's Place, which is located in - as you may expect - Abie, Nebraska. It serves a selection of traditional Czech dishes and American food, and you'll often get to listen to a live polka band while you enjoy a hearty meal.

Keep up with the goings-on at Abie's Place on its Facebook page.

In Prague, the Kolac (or Kolache) Korner serves some of the area's most delicious Czech pastries.

Kolaches, the flaky round pastries with a glob of delicious fruit filling in the middle, are especially popular here. But you can also get savory lunches and dinners, and if you stop in on a Sunday, you'll get to enjoy a traditional Czech dinner.

Kolac Korner doesn't have much of an online presence, but you can call the restaurant at (402) 663-4869.

Not only can you enjoy a delicious Kolache at Kolac Korner, but you can also be serenaded with traditional Czechoslovakian music as well:

RK's Bar and Grill in Malmo is one of those charming hometown places where most of the town's population can be found having a meal at least once a week.

Start your visit with an ice-cold beer (or pivo, if you want to keep your Czech experience authentic), then enjoy delicious bar food like fried cauliflower, onion rings, and patty melts. Don't skip the loaded baked potato - it's one of the best selections on the menu! Read more about the restaurant and keep up with its specials on RK's Bar & Grill's Facebook page.

If you're in the mood for a big, hearty steak, make your way to Nowhere Special in Linwood.

The steakhouse is known for its choice cuts of meat, generous servings, and friendly staff. While it's not particularly Czech in influence, it's a popular place for locals and visitors to refuel after a busy day of exploring and playing. Check out Nowhere Special on its Facebook page.

For a unique view of Nebraska and other agrarian states, head to the Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art in David City.

With hundreds of pieces of agrarian-themed art in its permanent collection and the rotating special exhibits, this award-winning museum is a remarkable way to get to know Nebraska on a whole new level. Find out about Bone Creek Museum and its current exhibits on the museum's website.

Whether you're a church-goer or not, St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church and its spectacular grottoes make for an awe-inspiring place to wander for a while.

The grounds in Dwight, Nebraska contain several historic buildings and other places of historic value. The shrines, grottoes, and fountains outdoors are stunning works of art that everyone can enjoy. You can find out all about the church and its grounds on the Assumption Church website.

If you're looking for a place to stay while you're spending time in the Bohemian Alps, you won't have a hard time finding the perfect fit.

Pictured above is the Gunsmoke Lodge in Brainard. This comfy cabin sleeps up to eight guests and has a kennel out back for your dogs; no pets are allowed in the cabin. Learn more about the cabin and book your own stay on Gunsmoke Lodge's website.

Or you could head to Valparaiso to stay in the scenic and peaceful Pine Crest Farms B&B.

There are six guest rooms to choose from, and a large in-ground pool to use if you visit in the summer. Guests rave about the hosts' friendliness and the beauty of the surroundings. You can find out all about the property and how to book a stay at Pine Crest Farms B&B on its Facebook page.

Take a quick fly-over look at the Pine Crest Farms B&B in this video from Chad Carlson:

It is such a wonderful surprise when we discover an area that celebrates its cultural heritage. It is from these pockets of different cultures that we remember our own lineage from generations past. Whether it is the sweet taste of a delicious Czech kolache or the lilting notes of an Irish song that our grandmother used to sing.

We encourage you to take a weekend to explore the Bohemian Alps. When you do, tell us all about your favorite place in the Bohemian Alps Nebraska area. If you have a spot you’d love for us to feature here, fill out our nomination form!