The 6 Most Colorful Places You Can Find in Nebraska

When it comes to the most colorful places in Nebraska, it’s a matter of reading between the lines, looking for swathes of rainbows cast in the most unlikely places. It’s the hues tucked into pockets of urban neighborhoods, rich strokes smoothed over barns, and new life painted across cultured small cities and sleepy small towns alike. Nebraska, as it turns out, is a mural mecca, begging us to invite a little more color into our lives. 

1. Alleyway Art - Norfolk

Starting in the northeastern corner of the state, Norfolk speaks color with no fewer than eight full-size murals etched across otherwise ordinary Nebraska buildings. With no clear theme beyond “create,” the murals decorate the streets in soft blues and purples, vibrant greens and yellows, plus touches of pink and red. The funky, diverse palettes inspire a walking tour of the town, encouraging us to think, smile, and interpret the splashes of happiness at one of the most colorful places to visit in Nebraska.

2. South Omaha Mural Project - Omaha

In an iconic celebration of heritage, cultural diversity, and art, South Omaha has become one of the most expressive neighborhoods in the USA. The South Omaha Mural Project has been inviting local artists to represent their identities through public art for over a decade. The result is a collection of deeply evocative stories etched into bricks and pillars that continue to sprawl with each passing year. The intimate portraits of Nebraska life, love, and diversity serve as vibrant reminders of how America’s communities are built, evolve, and flourish over many generations.

3. Arbor Day Farm - Nebraska City

Celebrating Nebraska’s most colorful places wouldn’t be complete without an ode to the endless acres of croplands and the farms that stitch them together. After all, it’s the big red barns, rows of green crops, and yellow prairies pressed beneath blue skies that exemplify the state. At Arbor Day Farm, they farm trees and teach the next generation to do the same. One of the most iconic Nebraska murals is there, too, a barn-side swathe of a rural landscape.

4. Southeast Nebraska’s Creative District - Beatrice

Several small towns in the heart of South East Nebraska’s Creative District create one of the greatest rural road trips in Nebraska. And it’s all based on public art, outdoor sculptures, and street murals, effectively making it one of the most colorful places in Nebraska. The four towns include Ashland, Auburn, Brownville, and Beatrice, where you can see nearly a dozen nostalgic and Americana-themed murals. Many of the artworks were inspired and created by University of Nebraska students through a federal grant program.

5. The Heartbeat District - Hastings

From the town that invented Kool-Aid and its colorful, jolly, red pitcher mascot, maybe it’s not too surprising that Hastings does everything with an extra dash of pigment. This small city in Nebraska whispers “artsy” from every nook and cranny. They even call themselves the Heartbeat District, short for the Hastings Art and Beat Downtown Area. Here, you’ll find 30 traditional bronze statues paying homage to the area’s heritage and affinity for the arts, three unique art galleries, and dozens of murals. The most notable mural, a 210-foot mural along the Pioneer Spirit Hike & Bike Trail, encourages community collaboration and outdoor adventure.

6. Oshkosh Creative District 77 - Oshkosh

For a sleepy Nebraska town with a population of under 1,000, you might not expect a full-blown mural identity. But once you hear there’s a rumored 200 murals, tiny to full-scale, splashed across barns, country stores, gas stations, and even a manufacturing facility, you might think twice. The arts are so prolific in this rural corner of Nebraska that it’s been coined the Oshkosh Creative District 77. It seems like the kind of place that might have more paintbrushes than people, and their abundant creativity is worth a Nebraska road trip.

Interested in finding more mural destinations? Let Only In Your State's AI-powered itinerary planner lead the way.