Nebraska Sample Group Itineraries
There is so much to discover in Nebraska. If your group travels here, you've got a pretty special trip ahead of you.
Our state has some amazing group tour destinations, and in this guide, you'll find a sampling of some of our favorite attractions and highlights. We've put together nine itineraries spanning the state, from the cosmopolitan buzz of Omaha and Lincoln and the rolling hills of eastern Nebraska to the great sandhill crane migration in central Nebraska and the Old West and early pioneer history of the state's western corners. Each itinerary is designed to show you a different part of the state and give your clients memories they'll cherish for years to come.
Western Nebraska is steeped in rugged, scenic beauty that will take your breath away where Old West history and way-of-life come alive transporting you back to the days of the early pioneers, fur traders, Native Americans, and hearty homesteaders and ranchers who decided this rugged land was where they wanted to carve out a living. So come and explore this amazing part of the Cornhusker State and be amazed with what you see. Nebraska definitely is not flat and boring. Don’t forget to bring your cowboy hat and boots. But if you do forget, no worries. We have plenty of places for you to buy ‘em.
Take the Fossil Freeway for a scenic drive from Colorado’s Front Range to South Dakota’s Black Hills through western Nebraska. While exploring this highway corridor, douse for old frontier graves, bowl like your grandparents did in the old days, and take in stunning views of the Oregon Trail and North Platte River Valley. This route also takes visitors to the remote, windswept High Plains region and Oglala National Grasslands of northwest Nebraska. Become immersed in one of the world’s most significant Miocene Epoch mammal fossil sites and gain a greater understanding of the area’s Native American roots. You’ll hear the many stories and tales of early pioneer and settler life in this tough landscape.
Start the tour in Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city and home of business magnate, investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett, the “Oracle of Omaha.” Stop by Buffett’s favorite stomping grounds and hangouts. After sightseeing, get ready for some bird watching in Lincoln and the Nebraska Central Flyway. During the annual spring migration, you will meet face-to-face with roughly one million sandhill cranes that roost in this part of the Platte River. Guided sunset, sunrise and afternoon tours give visitors different perspectives of these majestic birds, also known as living dinosaurs. For a taste of agritourism, venture to North Platte to learn where Nebraska’s beef come from and how it’s processed, followed by a feast of five delicious cuts to sample yourself. The best time of year for this itinerary is mid-February to mid-April.
This itinerary follows the path of the great American West along one of the nation’s busiest migration and transportation routes, the Great Platte River Road. Interstate 80 follows this route, taking travelers through diverse landscapes and terrains. The cosmopolitan urban centers of Omaha and Lincoln in eastern Nebraska, the fertile farmlands and migratory birding paths of central Nebraska and the Central Flyway and the wide-open and sprawling vistas of western Nebraska make up this exciting land of contrasts. This itinerary is ideal for tour operators who come through Nebraska on their way to other destinations and are looking for new and exciting places to visit while on the road.
Even though Nebraska boasts two major urban metropolitan areas, it remains a true agricultural and rural state. Center-pivot irrigation was invented in Nebraska, and this unique type of irrigation system provides the much-needed moisture to hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland that make Nebraska the “Breadbasket to the World.” Nebraska’s agricultural roots run deep, and on this itinerary, we’ll cross the state from Omaha to Kimball, visiting many of its agricultural businesses, attractions and farm-to-table restaurants.
Just west of the mighty Missouri River, eastern Nebraska is chock-full of exciting group-friendly destinations to delight any adventurer. From the cosmopolitan buzz of Omaha and Lincoln to the wide-open spaces of northeast and southeast Nebraska, this journey will show visitors why this region of Nebraska is truly an untapped destination for any size or type of group.
Nebraska has a long history of religious and spiritual devotion among its residents, always welcoming different belief systems and rituals. This itinerary takes groups on an educational journey meant to inspire and encourage reflection and peace. Explore the tenets and guiding principles found in many of today’s religions. Visitors can view impressive stained-glass collections, follow along the Stations of the Cross, go behind the scenes to view centuries-old quilts, try Greek dancing or place prayers in a replica of Jerusalem’s Western Wall. To round out the escape, a relaxing airboat ride down the Platte River will remind visitors that we are all one with nature.
Forming Nebraska’s eastern border, the Missouri River is one of the nation’s great rivers and has helped shape and grow the Great Plains over its history. This itinerary follows alongside the mighty Missouri River through Brownville to Nebraska City, Omaha and the Winnebago Nation before finishing near the Siouxland region of South Sioux City. Enjoy delicious homemade fare, unique cultural immersions, top-notch entertainment, an insightful look into our nation’s national security, a fun journey into the unique world of miniatures, and examples of responsible environmental stewardship.
They say we are separated from each other by only six handshakes. See how connected you may be to some of our state’s most famous locals, both past and present. On this trail, discover how the actions of great Nebraska business leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, politicians, filmmakers, entertainers, and visionaries have helped to guide and shape the state. Explore Warren Buffett’s stomping grounds, learn how celebrity Johnny Carson was shaped by his Nebraskan upbringing, walk in the footsteps of Husker Football legend Tom Osborne at UNL Memorial Stadium and tour the home of Arbor Day founder and Nebraska visionary J. Sterling Morton.
Showcasing the state’s scenic landscape while examining a rich history in aviation, space flight and rail. Nebraska Sky + Land leads groups from Omaha to south central Nebraska, exploring destinations like Omaha’s Old Market downtown, Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, Valhalla Bee Farm, Golden Spike Tower, and Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park. Groups can wander through an impressive collection of air and spacecraft, enjoy a bird’s eye view of the world’s largest railroad classification yard from atop an eight-story tower, take a guided tour on horseback through Buffalo Bill Cody’s ranch, and explore living history exhibits, Native American artifacts, art galleries, agricultural history and more at the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer. The ideal time of year for this itinerary is during the annual sandhill crane migration from mid-February to mid-April.
