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/683373
10 NEBRASKAland • JUNE 2016 ou'll Never Forget Kearney" they say. Kearney is Nebraska's best big small town. The city offers the exciting atmosphere of a college town, with lots of things to do, entertainment and outdoor recreational opportunities with friendly people who welcome visitors. For outdoor lovers, the Kearney hike bike trail was expanded in 2015 and gives cyclists and runners a 17-mile long stretch to see sites along the way including Yanney Park, Kearney Country Club Golf Course and ultimately ending at Cottonmill Lake. Cottonmill Lake, just northwest of Kearney, is a beautiful and serene place to enjoy the outdoors, visit the nature barn, fish, float or rent a paddle boat. The rolling hills within the wooded oaks make for a serene walk. Kearney is home to a plethora of historical and cultural attractions such as the Archway, the Museum of Nebraska Art, G.W. Frank Museum of History and Culture, and Kearney Area Children's Museum, the best hands-on, educational kids' museum between Lincoln and Denver. The Classic Car Collection features more than 200 historic automobiles from the early 1900s to present day. Buzz's Marine in Kearney is Nebraska's oldest boat dealer, selling fishing, runabout, and pontoon boats with an amazing indoor showroom. Cabela's in Kearney serves outdoorsmen and women with sporting goods and also hosts educational events. Visit one of Kearney's best locally-owned restaurants, the Alley Rose, located "on the bricks" in downtown Kearney. The Alley Rose is a traditional dark-wood eatery offering surf n' turf, potato casseroles, local beers and cocktails. Fort Kearny State Historical Park features living history demonstrations throughout the summer on major holidays with a special event Memorial Day weekend May 28-30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the cannon firing at 2 p.m. Fort Kearny State Recreation Area offers camping amenities, picnic tables, shelters, quality fishing, handicap accessible fishing piers and walking trails. A park entry permit is required. Kearney has two public 18-hole championship golf courses, Meadowlark Hills Golf Course and Awarri Dunes located 5 miles south of town. Thunderhead Brewery and Platte Valley Brewery are two local breweries in downtown Kearney. Both feature unique pizza menus and guest beers. Another great local favorite is Cunningham's Journal and the Courtyard, their outside bar. A definite favorite about downtown Kearney's nightlife is all the live music you can find on the weekends. The Buffalo County Fair will be July 27-Aug. 1 and will feature rock star Brett Michaels, Lita Ford and Firehouse on July 29 and Jake Owen with Chase Rice on July 30. In addition to the Fair, Kearney is home to many annual events such as the Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic, Nebraska Outdoor Expo, Nebraska Shrine Bowl Parade and Football game, Cruise Nite and Gateway Farm Expo. For more information go to Visitkearney.org. By Christy Rasmussen Kearney o K th things GW Frank Museum Kearney Archway Museum near Kearney Reenactment at Fort Kearny State Historical Park PHOTO COURTESY OF KEARNEY VISITORS BUREAU