The Ten Best Things To Do In Nebraska

Our journey from Nebraska took us on a northward adventure, delving deeper into the heartland of our country. This was more than just a drive; it was a voyage of discovery. The backdrop of our travels was painted with crystal blue skies, vast open spaces, and breathtaking farmland, each offering a unique experience we will never forget.

 I began seeing Nebraska in a new light when I stumbled upon an article entitled “The Ten Best Things to Do in Nebraska.” At first, I chuckled, questioning the choices-The Corn Palace? Walls Drug? But as we delved deeper into our journey, I realized that these seemingly ordinary attractions were the heart and soul of this area, each holding a unique charm that I was eager to experience.

The Corn Palace, a distinctive architectural wonder, was built in Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1892. It has been rebuilt several times and currently uses twelve different shades of corn, native grasses, and other grains to decorate the palace. Each year, a different theme is used, and murals made with corn reflect those themes. It is a free attraction, and when it is not used as a tourist attraction, it is used for high school graduations, proms, and basketball tournaments. The palace stands as a testament to the region’s agricultural heritage and the creativity of its people. Tom first visited The Corn Palace with his grandparents nearly seventy years ago, and he recalls that nothing much has changed since his last visit.

The billboards along the vast prairies began to appear hundreds of miles before we reached Wall, South Dakota. These nostalgic advertisements boasted five-cent cups of coffee and freshly baked pies with homemade ice cream. I knew we had to stop when Tom caught sight of the ice cream ads. We enjoyed meeting a group of women shopping for fabric for their quilting projects during our visit. We engaged in a delightful conversation, and they generously shared their recommendations on the best pie of the day and a few hidden gems to explore near Mount Rushmore. Their advice proved to be spot-on.

Of course, Mount Rushmore made the list. I have always wanted to visit this monument, which is one of the reasons we chose to visit these states. It was breathtaking and fascinating to learn how it was built. Gutzon Borglum designed the sculpture, officially called the Shrine of Democracy, and oversaw the project’s execution from 1927 through 1941 with the help of his son Lincoln. This sculpture features the 60-foot-tall heads of four United States presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. They were chosen to represent the nation’s birth, growth, development, and preservation, respectively. We toured the monument and then went back at night to see it again. As I stood there, gazing up at the massive faces, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe of this monument and what it represented.

We are venturing off the beaten path and encountering some wonderful people. Our travels are akin to our walkabouts, except we are using a car instead of walking. We are meeting many people and experiencing life differently. The journey has been filled with surprises and moments of pure joy. It has reminded me of our country’s beauty, diversity, and people’s kindness and hospitality.

Our interest was piqued when we heard something big was happening in Buffalo, South Dakota. The big talk that night was the father-daughter dance. We were informed that we had better get to the No 3 Saloon, the only cafe and bar in town, to see the event and have dinner. As we entered the saloon, we were greeted with warm smiles and friendly hellos, and most likely, every young girl in town dressed up for a memorable evening. The atmosphere was lively, with families and friends gathered to celebrate. We found a table and enjoyed a delicious meal while soaking in the local culture and community spirit.

We’re hooked!