Rising City NebraskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Rising City, Nebraska.
1. Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art
RURAL ART SHOWCASE
Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art showcases artwork celebrating America's agricultural heritage and rural landscapes. The museum features rotating exhibits of paintings, sculptures, and photography that highlight the connection between art and farming life. Visitors can experience the cultural significance of agrarian life through the eyes of various artists in this unique, specialized art museum.
2. Pawnee Plunge Water Park
FAMILY WATER ADVENTURE
Pawnee Plunge Water Park offers a refreshing escape with multiple water slides, a lazy river, and swimming pools for all ages. The park features both thrilling attractions for adventure seekers and gentle water activities for younger visitors. Families can enjoy a full day of water recreation with convenient amenities including food concessions and shaded areas.
3. Makovicka Winery
LOCAL WINE TASTING
Makovicka Winery invites visitors to sample locally produced wines in a charming rural setting. The winery produces a variety of wines using regionally grown grapes, offering tastings that showcase Nebraska's developing wine culture. Guests can relax on the patio while enjoying scenic countryside views and learning about the winemaking process.
4. Andrew Jackson Higgins Memorial
WWII HISTORICAL TRIBUTE
The Andrew Jackson Higgins Memorial honors the Columbus native who designed the landing craft crucial for Allied success during World War II amphibious operations. The memorial features a life-sized replica of the famous Higgins boat alongside interpretive displays explaining its historical significance. Visitors can learn how Eisenhower credited Higgins as 'the man who won the war for us' through his revolutionary boat design.
5. Nebraska State Capitol
ARCHITECTURAL STATE LANDMARK
The Nebraska State Capitol stands as an impressive limestone structure with a distinctive tower design, making it a beacon on the Nebraska plains. Constructed between 1922 and 1932, it was the first state capitol to incorporate a working tower structure, an intentional choice by architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue. Guided tours allow visitors to explore this architectural masterpiece while learning about Nebraska's governmental history.
6. The Durham Museum
HISTORIC UNION STATION
The Durham Museum occupies the historic Union Station, preserving and interpreting the cultural heritage of the region through fascinating exhibits and artifacts. The museum offers both permanent collections and rotating exhibits that showcase the area's rich history and development. Visitors can participate in daily events and special programs while admiring the beautifully restored art deco architecture of this former transportation hub.
7. Henry Doorly Zoo
WORLD-CLASS WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
Henry Doorly Zoo ranks among the world's top zoos with its impressive biodiversity and innovative habitats including the Desert Dome and Lied Jungle. The zoo houses thousands of animals across hundreds of species in immersive exhibits designed to mimic natural environments. Visitors can explore unique attractions such as the Kingdoms of the Night nocturnal exhibit and the Scott Aquarium's tunnel system.
8. Nebraska History Museum
STATE'S CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Nebraska History Museum chronicles the state's development from prehistoric times through the present day through engaging exhibits and artifacts. Interactive displays showcase Nebraska's Native American heritage, pioneer settlement, agricultural traditions, and cultural evolution. The museum offers educational programs and rotating special exhibitions that provide deeper insights into specific aspects of Nebraska's rich history.
9. Walnut Creek Recreation Area
OUTDOOR RECREATION HAVEN
Walnut Creek Recreation Area provides a natural escape with camping facilities, hiking trails, and a 100-acre reservoir for water activities. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, boating, picnicking, and wildlife observation throughout the seasons. The park offers well-maintained campsites with modern amenities, making it an ideal base for exploring the greater Omaha area.
10. Camp A Way
FAMILY CAMPING DESTINATION
Camp A Way offers a comfortable camping experience with sites accommodating everything from tents to large RVs just minutes from downtown Lincoln. The campground features amenities including a swimming pool, game room, playground, and organized activities for families. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities and convenient location that allows easy access to Lincoln's attractions while enjoying a natural setting.
11. Platte River
SCENIC WATERWAY ADVENTURE
The Platte River creates a natural playground for outdoor recreation including canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. This iconic Nebraska waterway provides critical habitat for migrating birds, especially sandhill cranes whose spring gathering creates one of North America's greatest wildlife spectacles. Visitors can access the river at multiple points for day trips or extended adventures along its scenic course.
12. Carhenge
UNIQUE AUTOMOTIVE MONUMENT
Carhenge presents a quirky roadside attraction replicating England's Stonehenge using vintage American automobiles painted gray and arranged in the same pattern as the ancient stones. Created by artist Jim Reinders in 1987, this unusual monument has become one of Nebraska's most photographed landmarks. The surrounding Car Art Reserve features additional automotive sculptures that blend humor with artistic vision in the Nebraska plains.
13. Chimney Rock National Historic Site
PIONEER TRAIL LANDMARK
Chimney Rock National Historic Site preserves the iconic 325-foot spire that served as the most recognized landmark along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Pioneer trails. The distinctive geological formation guided thousands of westward-bound settlers during the 19th century migration. Visitors can learn about pioneer experiences through exhibits at the interpretive center while enjoying spectacular views of this natural monument rising from the Nebraska plains.
14. Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
AVIATION HISTORY COLLECTION
The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum houses an impressive collection of aircraft, missiles, and aerospace artifacts chronicling America's aviation and military history. The 300,000-square-foot facility displays restored aircraft ranging from early flight technology to modern military planes and space exploration vehicles. Visitors can experience interactive exhibits, flight simulators, and educational programs that highlight technological innovation and the human stories behind aviation achievements.
15. Indian Cave State Park
NATURAL WILDERNESS RETREAT
Indian Cave State Park encompasses nearly 3,000 acres of rugged, forested terrain along the Missouri River featuring hiking trails, camping areas, and prehistoric petroglyphs. The park's namesake sandstone cave contains ancient Native American rock carvings estimated to be hundreds of years old. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy seasonal activities including horseback riding, fishing, wildlife viewing, and spectacular fall foliage displays across the park's diverse landscape.