South Central

Follow 100-plus brightly painted blocks along the Barn Quilts Trail for a scenic drive through Cozad. In Minden, pause at Pioneer Village to see what life was like on the open trail. In Kearney, April through October, try paddling (or paddle-boarding) the 2.3-mile Kearney Water Trail. In Gothenburg, journeys are inspired by the Pony Express. Visit the Hastings Museum to see a former station of the pioneering delivery route

Families love Holiday Inn Kearney, where kids eat free and the Captain’s Lagoon features water slides for all ages and a kids’ pool. For a natural retreat, try Whisker Creek Ranch and Lodge in Gibbon, surrounded by 25 acres of land with access to the Platte River. Or, take a step back in time at the Kaley House Bed and Breakfast in Red Cloud, a modernized Queen Anne-style home that dates to 1886 and sits near sites related to author Willa Cather.

For an authentic taste of the region, eat at Sozo American Cuisine in Kearney, where the menu features local produce and beef. Go for a variety of coffee-based drinks—beer and cocktails included—at Kearney's TRU Café. For an authentic vibe—good food, friendly service and downto-earth digs—hit Kirk’s Nebraskaland Restaurant in Lexington or Shirley K’s in Cambridge, a favorite for coffee and delectable sandwiches. For something different, munch on bruschetta boards and noodle bowls at Odyssey in Hastings.

Sample Nebraska wines, brews and spirits at the George Spencer Tasting Room in Gibbon. You can even rent out the tasting room’s suite for a unique overnight stay. At Steeple Brewing Co. in Hastings, settle into one of the old church pews for fellowship with friends and craft beer—maybe the Bats in the Belfry nut brown ale. Don’t miss seasonal creations, such as the Prairie Peach pale wheat ale, at Thunderhead Brewing in Kearney.