Shhh... These 15 Hidden Places Are Nebraska's Best Kept Secrets
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Delana Lefevers
Author
Overall, Nebraska is pretty good at keeping secrets. There are still tons of people who have no idea that ours is a state full of impressive natural beauty and enviable attractions. Even for those of us who have lived here forever, there’s always more to explore and discover…like these 15 places.
This fun museum is all about that most ubiquitous of rural Nebraska sights: the windmill. Kregel Windmill Factory Museum is filled with the machinery and tools that were used to manufacture windmills at the beginning of the 20th century.
Just down the street from the Mormon Winter Quarters is the historic Florence Mill, built under the supervision of Brigham Young in 1846. The original mill has been rebuilt and added onto several times over the years, but it contains the only remaining structural components of the original Winter Quarters settlement. Today it's an art gallery and a meeting space - there's even a farmers market on the grounds in the summer.
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This fairly new museum is the nation's only museum displaying exclusively agrarian art. Bone Creek has received much praise from the art community for its thoughtful, complex, and well-organized exhibits. This is a must-visit for anyone who sees the agricultural life as rich with artistic opportunities.
Those of you who know and love Happy Jack will be shocked to learn that there are so many Nebraskans who have no idea it exists. This diatomite mine - and the big hill and gorgeous surroundings outside - should be a required destination for all Nebraskans. Read up on its history and plan your own visit on the attraction's website.
Being located in the middle of nowhere, in a town that doesn't actually exist anymore, doesn't hurt the Speakeasy's business at all. If anything, it seems like people are drawn to this mysterious oasis of gourmet food in south-central Nebraska. The formally trained chef brings a creative element to the food that is hard to find in rural areas. Read more about the Speakeasy here.
There are, perhaps surprisingly, quite a few labyrinths in Nebraska. This one, however, was constructed as an Eagle Scout project in 2007. We think that makes it pretty unique. The Alpha Omega Labyrinth is located just outside of the First United Methodist Church in North Platte, and the public is welcome to come walk the path and seek enlightenment.
We recently published an entire article just about this refuge, but it definitely deserves to be highlighted again. The peace that you'll feel out in the still air on the western edge of the Sandhills is indescribable. This place is truly magical.
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This farm has a long and fascinating history - you can read all about it here. Today it houses animals that would otherwise have nowhere to go. It's open seasonally for historical tours.
It comes as a surprise to many that there's such a relaxing, serene natural place within Omaha city limits. The spring-fed wetland sanctuary offers education on conservation and natural history, and of course it's the perfect place for birders.
Yes, Nebraska, there is a Virginia - it's near Beatrice in Gage County. In the extremely tiny town with fewer than 60 residents is a steakhouse that's definitely worth the drive. Terry's Steakhouse is a true gem with more than its share of devoted fans.
The large lake at this recreation area is surrounded by a relatively small amount of land, leaving the focus firmly on the water. You can camp, swim, fish, and generally just enjoy the outdoors at Johnson Lake, and it's less crowded than some of Nebraska's other recreation areas.
Are you afraid of the things that go bump in the night? This is where they live. This unique museum is the only one of its kind in the Midwest, and it's sure to delight ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts. The Museum of Shadows isn't just for Halloween; its exhibits are open to entertain and enlighten all year round.
This is one of several places in Nebraska where you can actually see and touch the ruts worn into the ground by wagons on their westward journey on the Oregon Trail. Visit Rock Creek Station in the summer and you'll see living history reenactments that will really bring the past to life.
This place definitely lives up to its name; you wouldn't expect to find healthy food, an organic farm, and a thriving art community out here in western Nebraska, but The Most Unlikely Place delivers them all.
Driving past this property may not alert you to the wonder that exists below the surface. An abandoned Cold War-era missile silo has been converted into a large subterranean home with all - ok, most - of the amenities you'd find above ground. Find more information about this unique home here.
Show of hands: is there anyone who already knew about every one of this hidden treasures? How many of them are you planning to visit now?
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