Howard City NebraskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Howard City, Nebraska.
1. Bowring Ranch State Historical Park
HISTORIC WORKING RANCH
Bowring Ranch State Historical Park preserves the legacy of one of Nebraska's most significant ranch families. Visitors can explore the historic ranch house, outbuildings, and learn about the cattle ranching heritage of the Sandhills region. The park offers guided tours that provide insights into the life and times of former U.S. Senator Eve Bowring.
2. Howard County Historical Society Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
Howard County Historical Society Museum houses a comprehensive collection of artifacts documenting the county's rich history. The museum features exhibits on pioneer life, agricultural development, and notable historical events in Howard County. Visitors can explore multiple rooms filled with photographs, tools, clothing, and other items that tell the story of the region's past.
3. Fort Robinson State Park
MILITARY HISTORY SITE
Fort Robinson State Park is Nebraska's largest state park with a fascinating military history dating back to the 19th century. The park encompasses over 22,000 acres and offers activities including hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and historical tours of former military buildings. Visitors can also stay overnight in renovated officers' quarters and explore museum exhibits detailing the fort's role in the Indian Wars and both World Wars.
4. Pawnee Arts Center
LOCAL ARTS VENUE
Pawnee Arts Center serves as a cultural hub for Howard County, showcasing works by local and regional artists. The center hosts rotating exhibitions, workshops, and community events throughout the year to promote appreciation for the arts. Visitors can view diverse artistic mediums including paintings, sculptures, photography, and handcrafted items representative of Nebraska culture.
5. Danish Baker
AUTHENTIC EUROPEAN PASTRIES
The Danish Baker offers authentic European-style pastries and baked goods that draw visitors from across the region. Their specialties include traditional Danish kringle, aebleskiver, and other Scandinavian treats that reflect the area's immigrant heritage. The bakery's warm, inviting atmosphere makes it a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike.
6. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park
ANCIENT FOSSIL DISCOVERY
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park features remarkably preserved fossils of ancient animals buried by volcanic ash 12 million years ago. Visitors can observe paleontologists at work in the Hubbard Rhino Barn, where fossils remain exactly as they were discovered. The park's interpretive center provides educational exhibits about the ancient savanna ecosystem that once thrived in Nebraska.
7. Bootleg Brewers
CRAFT BEER DESTINATION
Bootleg Brewers creates handcrafted beers in small batches using traditional brewing methods and locally-sourced ingredients. The taproom offers a relaxed atmosphere where visitors can sample a rotating selection of unique beer styles while enjoying views of the surrounding countryside. Their seasonal specialties often incorporate regional agricultural products like honey, corn, and berries.
8. Happy Jack Chalk Mine
UNDERGROUND MINING ADVENTURE
Happy Jack Chalk Mine offers visitors the rare opportunity to explore an underground chalk mine that operated from the 1870s through the 1940s. Guided tours take visitors through cool, damp tunnels where they learn about the mining techniques used to extract the chalky diatomaceous earth once used in paint, cleansers, and other products. The site also includes a museum with mining artifacts and exhibits explaining the geological formation of the unusual chalk deposits.
9. The Veteran's Memorial Wall
MILITARY SERVICE TRIBUTE
The Veteran's Memorial Wall honors local military personnel who served in conflicts from the Civil War to present day. The impressive stone monument features engraved names of Howard County veterans arranged by the war or conflict in which they served. Visitors often leave flowers, flags, and other tributes at this solemn site that serves as a reminder of the community's dedication to military service.
10. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
PREHISTORIC MAMMAL FOSSILS
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument preserves an important paleontological site containing fossils from the Miocene Epoch approximately 20 million years ago. The monument also houses an impressive collection of Native American artifacts from the Lakota people, gifted to James Cook, the former owner of the Agate Springs Ranch. Visitors can explore hiking trails that lead to fossil excavation sites and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding prairie landscape.
11. The Cozy Cup Cafe
HOMESTYLE COMFORT FOOD
The Cozy Cup Cafe serves generous portions of homestyle comfort food in a friendly, small-town atmosphere. Their menu features locally-sourced ingredients in dishes that reflect the agricultural heritage of Howard County, with specialties including hearty breakfasts and hand-breaded pork tenderloins. The cafe's walls are adorned with historical photographs of the area, making it both a dining destination and an informal museum of local culture.
12. Prairie Loft Center
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER
Prairie Loft Center connects people with agriculture and the natural environment through hands-on educational programs. The center occupies a historic farm property where visitors can participate in workshops on sustainable farming practices, traditional crafts, and food preparation. Their seasonal events celebrate agricultural traditions and offer opportunities to experience farm life firsthand.
13. Toadstool Geologic Park
OTHERWORLDLY BADLANDS FORMATIONS
Toadstool Geologic Park features unusual rock formations that create an otherworldly landscape often described as a moonscape on earth. The park's namesake formations resemble mushrooms or toadstools, with clay pedestals supporting sandstone caps created through millennia of erosion. Visitors can follow a one-mile interpretive trail through the badlands to view ancient fossil trackways and the striking geological features.
14. Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Visitor Center
REGIONAL TOURISM HUB
The Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Visitor Center provides comprehensive information about attractions along Nebraska's Highway 2, which traverses the unique Sandhills region. Exhibits highlight the natural features, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities found throughout this distinctive ecosystem that covers nearly one-quarter of the state. Knowledgeable staff offer personalized recommendations for exploring lesser-known sites in the surrounding area.
15. Museum of the Fur Trade
FRONTIER TRADING HISTORY
Museum of the Fur Trade houses the most extensive collection of American fur trade artifacts in North America. The museum is built on the site of an original trading post operated by the American Fur Company in the 1830s, with a reconstructed post building that visitors can explore. Exhibits display everything from trade goods and firearms to clothing and Native American artifacts that tell the story of this pivotal period in American frontier history.