Fairfield NebraskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Fairfield, Nebraska.
1. Fairfield Opera House Bar & Grill
HISTORIC DINING EXPERIENCE
Fairfield Opera House Bar & Grill is a renovated historic opera house that now serves as a restaurant and brewery. The establishment features 14-foot ceilings and restored windows that maintain the building's original magnificent state. Visitors can enjoy home-cooked meals and craft beer in this wonderful building that opened to the community in 2006.
2. Birthplace of Kool-Aid
ICONIC CULTURAL LANDMARK
The Birthplace of Kool-Aid is a point of interest celebrating the origin of the famous flavored drink mix. This landmark attracts visitors interested in the cultural impact and history of this American beverage icon. The attraction has earned a 4.5 rating from visitors who appreciate its historical significance.
3. Trapped Downtown
THRILLING ESCAPE GAMES
Trapped Downtown offers exciting escape game experiences for visitors to Fairfield. The venue has earned a perfect 5.0 rating from visitors who have enjoyed the interactive challenges. It provides a fun indoor activity option for families, friends, or groups looking for entertainment in Fairfield.
4. Phoenix Nightclub
VIBRANT NIGHTLIFE DESTINATION
Phoenix Nightclub is a popular bar and club venue in Fairfield that has earned a 5.0 rating from visitors. The establishment provides nightlife entertainment options for locals and tourists alike. It offers a lively atmosphere for those looking to enjoy evening entertainment in this small Nebraska town.
5. Carhenge
QUIRKY AUTOMOTIVE MONUMENT
Carhenge is a unique replica of England's Stonehenge made entirely from vintage American automobiles. Located a few hours from Fairfield in Alliance, this quirky roadside attraction has become one of Nebraska's most photographed landmarks. The unusual monument features 39 vehicles arranged in the same pattern as the stones of Stonehenge.
6. Chimney Rock
ICONIC NATURAL FORMATION
Chimney Rock is a prominent geological landmark that served as a significant navigational aid for pioneers traveling west along the Oregon Trail. Rising approximately 300 feet above the surrounding North Platte River Valley, this natural spire is one of Nebraska's most recognized landmarks. The site includes an interpretive center where visitors can learn about westward expansion and the role Chimney Rock played in American history.
7. Scotts Bluff National Monument
HISTORIC WESTERN LANDMARK
Scotts Bluff National Monument towers 800 feet above the North Platte River and served as a landmark for pioneers traveling west. Visitors can drive or hike to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding Nebraska plains and historic Oregon Trail route. The monument's visitor center features exhibits on natural history, westward migration, and the significance of this landmark to America's expansion.
8. Indian Cave State Park
NATURAL OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Indian Cave State Park encompasses over 3,000 acres of beautiful forested hills along the Missouri River. The park features prehistoric Native American petroglyphs carved into sandstone formations, giving it its name. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife observation throughout the park's extensive trail system.
9. Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
MILITARY AVIATION HISTORY
The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum houses an impressive collection of aircraft, missiles, and aerospace artifacts from the Cold War era and beyond. Visitors can explore two massive hangars containing fully restored aircraft and interactive exhibits detailing America's strategic air defense history. The museum offers educational programs, flight simulators, and special events that bring aviation history to life.
10. Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
WORLD-CLASS ANIMAL EXHIBITS
The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is consistently ranked among the world's best zoos, featuring the largest indoor desert, indoor jungle, and nocturnal exhibits in the world. Visitors can explore diverse ecosystems including the impressive Desert Dome, Lied Jungle, and Kingdom of the Seas Aquarium. The zoo is dedicated to conservation efforts and houses thousands of animals representing species from around the globe.
11. Pioneer Village
EXTENSIVE HISTORICAL COLLECTION
Pioneer Village features an astounding collection of over 50,000 historical items spread across 28 buildings arranged to resemble a pioneer town. The museum complex includes everything from antique automobiles and tractors to historical household items and agricultural implements. Visitors can experience the evolution of American prairie life through meticulously curated exhibits that showcase the ingenuity and perseverance of early settlers.
12. Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer
LIVING HISTORY EXPERIENCE
Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer is a living history museum that recreates 1890s Nebraska life through its Railroad Town and other historical exhibits. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts, farming techniques, and daily activities of the period throughout the year. The museum's beautiful 200-acre campus includes historic buildings, collections of pioneer artifacts, and seasonal events that bring Nebraska's past to vivid life.
13. The Archway
INTERSTATE SPANNING MONUMENT
The Archway is an impressive museum spanning Interstate 80, telling the story of America's westward expansion from the 1840s to the present day. Inside the structure, visitors experience immersive exhibits featuring pioneer journeys, the Pony Express, transcontinental railroad, and modern interstate system. Interactive displays, historical reenactments, and multimedia presentations make this unusual museum a memorable stop for travelers crossing Nebraska.
14. Fort Robinson State Park
HISTORIC MILITARY OUTPOST
Fort Robinson State Park preserves a former U.S. Army fort that played a significant role in the late 19th-century Plains Indian Wars and later served as a POW camp during World War II. The expansive park offers lodging in historic buildings, jeep tours, horseback riding, hiking, and swimming in addition to its museums and historical sites. Visitors can explore the natural beauty of the Pine Ridge region while learning about the complex military and Native American history of this frontier outpost.
15. Ole's Big Game Steakhouse
EXOTIC HUNTING MEMORABILIA
Ole's Big Game Steakhouse is a famous Nebraska restaurant displaying an extraordinary collection of big game trophies from around the world, collected by owner Ole Herstedt during his global hunting expeditions. The walls are adorned with over 200 mounted exotic animals including a polar bear, elephant head, and numerous African species. Visitors come as much for the unique atmosphere and hunting memorabilia as for the hearty steaks and burgers served in this roadside institution since 1933.