Southeastern Nebraska Tourism
Southeastern Nebraska Tourism on NebraskaBeautiful.com Southeastern Nebraska Tourism, the Pioneer Country region - your Nebraska Tourist Guide to Vacations, Attractions and Events
The National Museum of Roller Skating - Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska is the home of the National Museum of Roller Skating. This museum is dedicated to preserving the history and the future of this all-American pastime. Located at 4730 South Street, the museum is filled with photographs, memorabilia, artifacts and historical materials that give visitors a fun and interesting look at the sport of roller skating from its humble beginnings to the current roller skating craze of today. Read more
Lincoln Children’s Zoo - Lincoln, Nebraska
The Lincoln Children’s Zoo is at the center of Lincoln, Nebraska. The address is 1222 South 27th Street. This attraction was opened in 1965 and is a private, non-profit entity. The Lincoln Children’s Zoo is committed to animal conservation, community education and meeting the diverse needs of various community members and groups. Read more
The Cowboy Trail - Lincoln, Nebraska
One of the most unique walks you’ll ever have in Nebraska is along the Cowboy Trail. Because of the great move west in the 19th century, the area became thick with different types of travel routes, whether by foot or train. Many of them don’t exist in our modern world, while there are some that have stood the test of time. Yet, there is one that is not only still around, it has been resurrected to fit in better with our modern life.
The building of The Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad (FE&MV) had already begun in 1871, and with the railroad running out of funding, it was resurrected once gold was discovered in the Black Hills of the Dakota Territory, as it was used to transfer supplies up north. As it expanded, this small railroad was swallowed by the much larger Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW). Once the railway reached Lander, Wyoming, it was decided they were done building and expanding, and the route that now stretched from Norfolk through Chadron became known as the Cowboy Line.
Sportsmen and visitors wanting to see Mt. Rushmore used the Cowboy Line, but the majority of the railway business was transporting freight and livestock. With the boom of highways and the use of automobiles, railway use stalled some, but the Cowboy Line was put to further use during World War II as it moved troops, oil, and supplies. Once the war ended, passenger service died out as well on the Cowboy Line, ending for good in 1958. The C&NW abandoned the Cowboy Line altogether in 1992.
Recreation trail advocates came up with a unique idea as many other railroad lines were being abandoned as well. It was their thought that these once majestic railroads, instead of becoming disassembled and part of a bygone era, could instead be resurrected into unique nature trail systems. Congress approved this idea in 1983, and the United States Supreme Court upheld this idea in court. A non-profit organization, The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, was formed to see this idea through, in the hopes that a nationwide network of trails could be formed.
Rails-to-Trails bought the old Cowboy Line in 1993, then donated it to the state of Nebraska the following year. This made the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission now responsible for what was basically a 3,893 mile linear park that covers 321 miles across the state of Nebraska. The trail is being completed piece by piece. Rails and ties are being removed, bridges are being repaired, and sides and decking are added in to to hold better pedestrian and bicycle traffic, making it the Cowboy Trail.
The Cowboy Trail has become a place where you can take a short walk or a weekend trip. There are no steep hills to walk or bike over, as this area was graded for railroads. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail, and horses are only permitted on the right-of-way, not the actual trail. Riders must dismount before crossing bridges.
Nature is bountiful along the trail with bald eagles and turkey vultures in the air and other animals taking shelter under the bridges. Neligh Mills, a water-powered grist mill, still contains its original equipment, dating back to the 1800s, and is open to the public. The O’Neill depot still stands as well, used as a trailhead after it was restored. The Long Line Depot and the crew quarters next to it are also restored and available for overnight travelers.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
c/o Duane Westerholt
2200 N. 33rd St.
Lincoln, NE 68503
(402) 471-5511
The Cowboy Trail - Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln Children’s Museum - Lincoln, Nebraska
A children’s museum provides great opportunities for children to play, laugh, learn and thoroughly enjoy themselves. Every city that has a children’s museum is a lucky one, and Lincoln, Nebraska is one of those. The Lincoln Children’s Museum is located at 1420 P Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Lincoln Children’s Museum is a non-profit organization, and is also a member of the Association of Children’s Museums. The museum was a vision of area parents and teachers, and that vision became a reality in 1989. Read more
Nebraska State Capitol - Lincoln, Nebraska
The Nebraska State Capitol is one of the oldest and most beautiful historic buildings in the state of Nebraska. It is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, with an address of 1445 K Street. The Capitol building was designed by Bertram Goodhue and was built between 1922 and 1932. The Nebraska State Capitol is 400 feet tall and 440 feet wide at the base. This building is actually the third one to be built on the site, and is completely different from any of the previous buildings. It is more like an office tower than a typical Capitol building. Read more
Nebraska Stats
- Abbreviation: NE
- Capital City: Lincoln
- Date of Statehood: Mar. 1, 1867
- State #: 37
- Population: 1,711,263 Read more
