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/902203
By Brenna McFadden, Nebraska Tourism Commission PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER O nce referred to as the Great American Desert, Chase County is a broad expanse of land home to beautiful golf courses, state parks and prairie lakes just waiting to be explored. Chase County offers 17,000 acres of public land where hunters in search of pheasant, quail, dove, turkey and deer have access. If your interest is in spending some tranquil time on the water, stop by Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area just southeast of Imperial. Enders Reservoir is a 1,700- acre lake used for boating, fishing and camping and is teeming with wildlife in the fall and winter months. While you are in the area be sure to visit the Champion Mill State Historical Park and Recreation Area. This old mill pond provides the perfect place for families to spend time playing with their little ones and teaching them how to fish or camp. You can also stop by the restored 1892 flour mill – the only remaining operating water- powered mill in Nebraska today. Its hours are from 1-5 p.m. daily. For an indoor history experience head to the Chase County Historical Museum in Champion. It houses more than 1,800 artifacts from the 1700s and on. Exhibits include antique clothing, housewares and World War I memorabilia such as uniforms and farm machinery. Once you fall in love with the scenery and hometown atmosphere, you will probably want to stay a night or two. Check into the Balcony House Bed and Breakfast in Imperial and enjoy a cozy night tucked into a historic and unique building that offers old-fashioned hospitality. If you are interested in golf then stop by the Imperial Country Club. It stretches across level terrain where most of the holes are straightaways and the fairways are all elegantly lined with trees. If golf is not for you, Imperial has plenty of other places to visit! 509 Broadway is an upscale clothing boutique and coffee shop that lets you order a gourmet latte to keep you going while browsing their selection of clothes. Before you retire to your comfortable bed and breakfast, explore the downtown area of Imperial, rich with a number of shopping and dining attractions. After grabbing a bite to eat you can relax while viewing a movie at the historic Imperial Theatre on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. or Sundays at 7 p.m. Whether you want to venture outdoors to take in the true beauty of the Nebraska plains, or spend time in a welcoming and historic town, Imperial and Chase County have all that and more to offer. ■ Two kayakers fish at Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area in Chase County. Travelogue PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER While in the Area Other places to visit while in Chase County include: Imperial Lanes Good Times Bar Enders Lake Golf Course Old Rock Corral Champion Mill Historical Park provides the perfect place for families to visit. Visit Imperial and Chase County Imperial ● 10 NEBRASKAland • NOVEMBER 2017