Nebraska and Interstate 80 - Places to Visit While You Are Passing Through

Driving through Nebraska along interstate 80 can be quite boring. After all, as the saying goes, if you have seen one part of the state, you have seen it all. The drive is frigid in the winter and hot in the summer, but regardless of the time of year, it can be quite interesting, if you have time for a few stops along the way.

If you are heading West, most of the fun on interstate 80 starts right when you come over the bridge into Omaha. If you are heading East, there isn't much to see until you get to Kearney, but when you will see your first destination hovering over the interstate - The Great Platte River Road Archway.

The Great Platte River Road Archway is a monument dedicated to the pioneers who crossed Nebraska in the mid 1800s. Whether you are just looking for a place to eat at the restaurant, or you would like to waltz around the inside of the Archway and check out the exhibits, the arch offers a nice historic break from the interstate.

Just South East of Kearney, another historic site to see is Pioneer Village, located in Minden Nebraska. Pioneer Village has a huge collection of historical items, and like the archway, provides a glimpse pioneer life. Pioneer Village also has a great collection of vintage cars from the early 1900's, and even a collection of vintage airplanes! It is a great place to see for adults and kids alike.

About 2 hours East of Minden is the capital city, Lincoln, Nebraska. The State Capitol is a very nice place to visit, with its beautiful interior and views of the city. You may also want to take a stroll on the University Of Nebraska campus, and might be able to catch an NCAA sporting event while you are there - although you can probably rule out football, since tickets are hard to get and Memorial Stadium has been sold out for the last four decades.

Lincoln also has a lot of great places to eat, as well as several malls to shop in.

About 35 miles East of Lincoln, just West of Omaha, you can visit the Strategic Air Command And Place Museum, where you will find an awesome collection of military aircraft, including the formerly classified supersonic SR-71 and high flying U2. The museum has a large collection of aircraft, including the massive B-25 "Peacemaker", which may be the largest aircraft you may ever see.

Omaha is located at Nebraska's most Eastward point. There, you will find the Henry Doorly Zoo, fine dining, sporting events, shopping, and a whole lot more. Just make sure to stop and check out the city - you will never view Nebraska the same way again!