Sholes NebraskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Sholes, Nebraska.
1. Nebraska State Capitol
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Nebraska State Capitol is an impressive architectural landmark featuring a 400-foot tower visible throughout Lincoln. The building showcases beautiful mosaics, murals, and a distinctive Art Deco design that makes it stand out from other state capitols. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about Nebraska's government history and admire the intricate details of this National Historic Landmark.
2. Carhenge
UNIQUE AUTOMOTIVE MONUMENT
Carhenge is a quirky roadside attraction that replicates England's Stonehenge using vintage American automobiles. The monument consists of 39 vehicles arranged in the same pattern as the ancient stones, painted gray to resemble the original megaliths. This unusual art installation has become one of Nebraska's most photographed landmarks since its creation in 1987.
3. Lincoln Children's Zoo
FAMILY-FRIENDLY WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
Lincoln Children's Zoo offers visitors an interactive experience with over 400 animals, including endangered species like the Humboldt penguin. The zoo features hands-on exhibits designed specifically for children, including opportunities to feed giraffes and interact with various animals. Special seasonal events like the Zoo Lights during winter holidays make this a year-round destination for families.
4. Great Platte River Road Archway Monument
HISTORICAL INTERSTATE LANDMARK
The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument spans Interstate 80 as a tribute to the pioneers who traveled the historic trails westward. The museum inside features immersive exhibits chronicling 170 years of America's westward expansion through interactive displays and audio presentations. Visitors walk through realistic scenes depicting the Oregon Trail, Pony Express, transcontinental railroad, and highway development.
5. Memorial Stadium
HUSKERS FOOTBALL SHRINE
Memorial Stadium is home to the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team and has sold out every game since 1962. On game days, the stadium becomes Nebraska's third-largest city with over 85,000 passionate fans dressed in red. Even when games aren't being played, visitors can tour the facility and visit the adjoining Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame.
6. Golden Spike Tower
RAILROAD OBSERVATION POINT
Golden Spike Tower provides a panoramic view of Union Pacific's Bailey Yard, the world's largest railroad classification yard. Visitors can observe the daily sorting of thousands of rail cars from the 8-story observation deck while guides explain the complex operations below. The facility includes educational exhibits about the railroad's history and impact on the development of the American West.
7. Joslyn Castle
HISTORIC MANSION TOUR
Joslyn Castle is a beautiful Scottish baronial mansion built in 1903 that retains much of its original architecture and interior design. The 35-room castle features intricate woodwork, stained glass windows, and period furnishings that showcase the opulence of early 20th century life. Tours of the property allow visitors to step back in time while learning about the Joslyn family who contributed significantly to Omaha's cultural development.
8. Scotts Bluff National Monument
NATURAL LANDMARK TRAIL
Scotts Bluff National Monument rises 800 feet above the North Platte River and served as an important landmark for travelers on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. Visitors can drive to the summit or hike various trails that offer unique views from both the north and south overlooks of the butte. The monument's visitor center features exhibits on the natural history of the area and its significance to westward migration.
9. Scout's Rest Ranch
BUFFALO BILL'S HOME
Scout's Rest Ranch was the 1886 home of legendary Wild West showman Buffalo Bill Cody and is now a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can tour the second empire mansion and barn to see countless artifacts from Cody's extraordinary life as a scout, hunter, and entertainer. The grounds include walking trails, picnic areas, and exhibits detailing how Cody's Wild West shows shaped America's perception of the frontier.
10. MoPac East Trail
SCENIC RURAL PATHWAY
MoPac East Trail follows the former corridor of the Missouri Pacific Railroad for 25 miles of scenic recreational pathways. The limestone trail is popular for biking, hiking, and horseback riding through beautiful rural landscapes and small communities east of Lincoln. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound along the trail, which connects to Lincoln's extensive urban trail system.
11. Holy Family Shrine
SPIRITUAL GLASS CHAPEL
The Holy Family Shrine is a stunning glass chapel set atop a hill along Interstate 80 that welcomes visitors of all faiths. The architectural marvel features flowing water running through the center of the building, symbolizing the living water of Christ. Visitors appreciate both the spiritual significance and the quiet beauty of this contemplative space with its panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
12. St. Cecilia Cathedral
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
St. Cecilia Cathedral is a magnificent Spanish Renaissance-style cathedral completed in 1959 after 54 years of construction. The cathedral's stunning architecture includes twin 205-foot towers, beautiful stained glass windows, and intricate stonework that attracts architecture enthusiasts as well as religious visitors. The cathedral hosts the annual flower show and various cultural events throughout the year, making it both a spiritual and community center.
13. Ash Hollow State Historical Park
PIONEER TRAIL LANDMARK
Ash Hollow State Historical Park preserves a significant landmark used by Native Americans and pioneers traveling the Oregon-California Trail. The park features a visitor center, historic buildings, and Ash Hollow Cave, which contained artifacts dating back 6,000 years. Windlass Hill offers stunning views and visible wagon ruts, tangible reminders of the thousands of emigrants who passed through this natural gateway to the west.
14. Willa Cather House
LITERARY HERITAGE SITE
The Willa Cather House preserves the childhood home of one of America's most significant novelists who captured prairie life in her acclaimed works. Visitors can tour the restored 1878 home with original family furnishings that provided settings for many scenes in Cather's fiction. The Willa Cather Foundation offers guided tours of multiple buildings in Red Cloud that influenced the author's writing, providing insight into how the landscape and community shaped her literary vision.
15. Fort Atkinson State Historical Park
RECONSTRUCTED FRONTIER FORT
Fort Atkinson State Historical Park features a reconstructed version of the first U.S. military post west of the Missouri River, established in 1820. The site includes barracks, officers' quarters, and other buildings that demonstrate frontier military life through living history demonstrations. Visitors can explore the museum with artifacts from archaeological excavations and learn about the fort's role in shaping western expansion and Native American relations.