Places to Visit and Things to See Along the Nebraska Sandhills Scenic Byway

Aug 20, 2024

Today we’re sharing our picks for incredible places to visit and things to see along the Nebraska Sandhills Scenic Byway, a must-drive road for the road trip enthusiast, especially during the spring season when the annual Sandhill Crane migration begins! This stunning roadway winds its way through a stunning landscape of mixed-grass prairies and grassy sand dune landscapes, lush and abundant farmlands, wetlands featuring plentiful rivers and lakes and streams, and open landscapes of the Great Plains. The Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway spans 272 miles, East to West, along historic Nebraska Highway 2, and affords you some of the most stunning views and photo ops! Hop in in your new car from Classic Auto Group in Waukegan and let’s hit the road to adventure and make some memories!

The area includes 19,300 square-miles of vegetated sand dunes, which are a critical environment and habitat for migrating waterfowl and wildlife. The local creatures and wildflowers have the Ogallala Aquifer to thank for the verdant fields and grasslands, and it also helps create habitat and water sources for local fish and amphibians. While you’re driving along the Byway, you’ll be able to spot more than 300 species of birds including wild turkeys, pheasant, grouse, prairie chickens, bald eagles, sandpipers, herons, pelicans, and of course, cranes. (Trust us, you do not want to miss the absolutely breathtaking Spring migration where more than 500,000 cranes travel through; it’s quite the spectacle.) The Sandhills are also home to some very interesting mammals including jackrabbits, pronghorn antelope, red foxes, badgers, coyotes, and prairie dogs.

Places to See As You Road Trip Along the Nebraska Sandhills Scenic Byway

Grand Island – Stop by the Crane Trust and Nature Visitor Center to get a glimpse of the migrating cranes, and learn more about their natural habitat; you can hike and walk along the short trail, enjoy beautiful river views, stop by the museum, and shop at the small crafts market. If you’re a history buff you’ll love the Stuhr Museum’s living history experience, featuring more than 200 acres of land, 100 structures, and an incredibly immersive experience! Swing by the Prairie Pride Brewing Company for a craft beverage and a light dinner. Stroll through the UNDRground Contemporary Arts museum and gallery exhibition space.

Ravenna – Take a stroll through the beautiful green space of Annevar Park and check out the local monuments. Visit the Veterans Memorial Wall to learn more about the history of Ravenna! Grab a cup o’ Joe as you pass on through the Wild Blue Coffee Co shop.

Broken Bow – This may be a small town but it’s certainly not short on fun, entertainment, and interesting things to see and do. Visitors recommend checking out the unique and quirky Boneyard Creation Museum to explore its collection of gems, minerals, rocks, and fossils. The Custer County Museum offers an opportunity to explore local history and the wild west including a collection of photographs, artifacts, and knowledgeable volunteer staff. Stop in for a bite to eat at the Kinkaider Brewing Co, and then have a little rest overnight at the historic Arrow Hotel.

Dunning – Get your hiking boots out and your camping gear ready, because the Nebraska National Forest is ready for your next adventure! While you’re in town you will also want to swing by the Sandhills Heritage Museum and learn about the local history of farms and ranches, check out local artifacts and photos and genealogy charts, and history of the Wild West. The Hereford Crossroads Exhibit is another unique opportunity to connect with farming and ranching history as it chronicles the history of the Hereford Cattle and the local beef industry.

Halsey – Continue your camping and hiking at the Victoria Springs State Recreation Center and get a good look at the local forests and landmarks from the Scott Lookout Tower. Stop in for a steak at The Lonely Grill before continuing on to your next stop.

Thedford – Make sure you schedule some time to peruse the Thedford Art Gallery which showcases local artists and artisans paintings, sculptures, castings, carvings and more. Book an excursion experience with the Sandhill River Trips group and enjoy some tubing, kayaking, tanking trips down the Middle Loup River. Enjoy some local grub at Cowpoke before you head on out of town.

Mullen – The Visitor Center at the Bowring Ranch State Historical Park offers travelers a chance to enjoy an inside look at ranch life up close with photographs and artifacts, and the park’s 7,202 acre ranch is preserving history since the turn-of-the-century. Stop in for some fine American cuisine and barbecue specialties at Hyannis Hotel Inc Restaurant or the Bunkhouse Bar and Grill. Have a little R&R in the great outdoors at the Sandhills Motel & Campgrounds.

Alliance Nebraska – Home of the free tourist attraction known as Carhenge, a replica of the famous Stonehenge but this time made of defunct automobiles! This Great Plains town is also home to the Alliance Knight Museum and Dobby’s Frontier Town, both chronicling the history of the west and American settlements.