NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1040966
By Erin Lenz, Nebraska Tourism Commission Travelogue Travel to Cass County S oak up the last bits of fall and transition into the holiday season in Cass County. Enjoy all that nature has to offer, try Nebraska cuisine and learn about the rich history of this county. Explore Take in the colors, sights and sounds of fall in one of the many nature- filled spaces of Cass County. Bike, hike or view wildlife on the 25-mile, crushed limestone MoPac Trail. Head to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park and stay in one of their many cabins or the Peter Kiewit Lodge that boasts stunning views of the Platte River Valley. Ice skating is a must starting in mid-November and make sure to spend the first snow of the season at Mahoney State Park at the large sledding hill. Mountain bike or bird watch on the miles of beautiful trails offered at Platte River State Park and enjoy the great outdoors. Do Learn about one of Nebraska's finest writers, Bess Streeter Aldrich, by touring her home in Elmwood. Hear more about her writings, get a history of her home and a taste of what life was like when she lived there from 1922-1946. Make sure and stop by Nov. 24 through December for the Journey into Christmas exhibit at the home. History takes flight at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum, where you can explore 300,000 square feet of exhibits such as the temporary Game On: The History and Science of Gaming exhibit. See a variety of aircrafts and space crafts and take a ride on their flight simulators. RSVP to the museum's Veteran's Day program on Nov. 11 and help honor America's military veterans. Make a trip to Elmwood on Nov. 24 for the Elmwood Holiday Extravaganza and enjoy a light parade, craft show and more. Eat & Drink Relax and enjoy the vineyard ambience at Slattery Vintage Estates. Sip on a glass of Nebraska wine like James Arthur's 2 Brothers white wine or Whiskey Run Creek's Apple Raspberry fruit wine and take home a bottle of your favorite. Not too far away from Slattery is Union Orchard's Country Store and Farm Market. Sample additional Nebraska wines or choose from a wide selection of cheeses, baked goods, popcorn, jams and jellies. Drink local craft beer surrounded by fields of hops at The Hop Yard in Plattsmouth. Sit down with a coffee and warm cinnamon roll and enjoy breakfast or lunch at Tribal Kitchen and Marketplace in Weeping Water. Stay Surround yourself with nature and have a relaxing and luxurious stay in the new glamping cabins at Platte River State Park. Not interested in glamping? Book a room at Bankers House Bed and Breakfast and stay in an old Queen Anne Victorian home built in 1883. Shop With Christmas right around the corner, pick out a special gift at one of these stops. Head to Bakers Candies and find a gift for your friend with a big sweet tooth. Buy their signature chocolate meltaways, chocolate fudge, chocolate-covered potato chip clusters and more. Sticking to the theme of food gifts, The Jerky Factory in Plattsmouth sells hand-sliced and seasoned-to-perfection, high-quality jerky, perfect for a tasty gift. Located on I-80, pick out a one- of-a-kind authentic antique or older collectible at Platte Valley Antique Mall. While most of Grandpa Snazzy's in Weeping Water is a theatrical rental shop, the front 30 feet of the historically restored Victorian building is dedicated to a coffee house and gift shop with unique gifts and antiques. ■ PHOTOS BY JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY PHOTO COURTESY OF NEBRASKA TOURISM Cass County 8 NEBRASKAland • NOVEMBER 2018 Above, glamping cabin at Platte River State Park. Below left, the Tribal Kitchen and Marketplace in Weeping Water.