Arts, culture, food, nightlife: The Metro area is the place to experience Nebraska’s vibrant urban scene. Omaha, which is Nebraska’s biggest city, is the place to be, as host of the College World Series each June, the state’s can’t-miss cultural festivals, historically rich museums and the top zoo in the nation: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Don’t forget about Papillion, La Vista and Bellevue, each with their own charm!

Visit the Metro

Explore the delights of Nebraska’s capital city, plus bluffs and caves carved by the Missouri River. Lincoln is home to the impressive State Capitol as well as Nebraska football and a bevvy of cultural and artistic attractions. Nebraska City is the home of Arbor Day and has all sorts of tree-friendly activities the whole family will enjoy. One of the state’s most storied events, Seward’s 4th of July celebration, is a must-see, as is Beatrice, the setting for Homestead National Historical Park, plus Brownville and York, where living history and unique museums will make your visit worthwhile.

Visit the Southeast Region

Quaint towns dot the landscape and history runs deep, as if taking a cue from the Missouri River. Norfolk was the home of late-night legend Johnny Carson and offers a thriving scene where nature meets city. Wayne hosts the Wayne Chicken Show each summer, a festival you’ll have to see to believe. Enjoy scenic river views at South Sioux City, and add Columbus and Fremont to your itinerary as well.

Visit the Northeast Region

Follow the trails—this region is full of them. Just be sure to look up for the iconic Archway in Kearney and in spring, the sandhill crane migration. Don’t miss Grand Island, which is Nebraska’s third-largest city, and the birthplace of Kool-Aid in Hastings as well as the small-town charm of Holdrege.

Visit the South Central Region

Head west: It’s what the pioneers did and you can too, for frontier lore, railroad history and wide-open spaces. Experience a can’t-miss Wild West show Ogallala while you visit for Lake McConaughy, the state’s largest reservoir. North Platte is steeped in history, as the home of the world’s largest railroad classification yard and the famous Buffalo Bill Cody. McCook is an ideal convergence of thriving arts districts, fantastic food and important history.

Visit the Southwest Region

Home to the Niobrara National Scenic River, this region’s visual landscape and ecological diversity create a natural getaway. Float the river, see Smith Falls, Nebraska’s tallest waterfall, as well as all of the natural beauty you can handle near Valentine. Mark your calendar every summer for Nebraska’s Big Rodeo in Burwell. And small communities like Mullen, Halsey and Thedford offer big-time surprises ranging from artistic attractions to a one-of-a-kind hand-planted forest rising out of the rolling hills.

Visit the Sandhills Region

It’s truly wild out here: Rugged bluffs rise from the land, turning wide-open spaces into national treasures.  Scottsbluff and Gering will put you in touch with the towering Scotts Bluff National Monument. Crawford and Chadron showcase a blend of stunning scenery and deep history, like Toadstool Geologic Park, Fort Robinson State Park and the Museum of the Fur Trade. Drop into Nebraska’s weird side and visit Carhenge in Alliance and its wild-west side in Sidney.

Visit the Northwest Region