2023 North Platte Travel Guide

The Canteen District

Scouts Rest Ranch Rd

Charlie Evans Dr

Library

Union Pacic Bailey Yard

Court House

City Hall

Rodeo Rd

W Front St

Library

Westeld Shopping Center

North Platte High School

City Hall

Court House

W A St

E B St

Chamber of Commerce

North Platte Regional Airport » Regional Airport Lee Bird Field

W E St

Look for Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval for other great attractions throughout the community.

St Pat’s High School

Police/ Fire

W Philip Ave

E Philip Ave

Platte River Mall

Great Plains Health

Aractions

W Francis St

E Francis St

Post Ofce

Walmart Supercenter

12 Lincoln County Historical Museum 2403 N. Buffalo Bill Ave.

20th Century Veterans Memorial and Law Enforcement Memorial 2811 S. Jeffers St. Buffalo Bill State Historical Park 2921 Scouts Rest Ranch Rd. Cody Go-Karts 805 Halligan Dr. Cody Park, Train Museum, Kiddie Rides 1601 N. Jeffers St. Dusty Trails Horseback Riding/Tanking 2617 N. Buffalo Bill Ave. Feather River Vineyard 5700 SE State Farm Rd. Fort Cody Trading Post 221 Halligan Dr. Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center 1249 N. Homestead Rd. Grain Bin Antique Town 10641 S. Old Highway 83 Rd. Homestead Pumpkin Patch 6459 S. Homestead Rd. Lincoln County Fairgrounds & Raceway 5015 Rodeo Rd.

Visitor Center

NEBRASKAland Days 2801 Charlie Evans Dr. North Platte Area Children's Museum 314 N. Jeffers St. North Platte Community Playhouse 301 E. 5th St. North Platte Recreation Complex 1300 McDonald Rd.

56G

Mid-Plains Community College North Campus

EXIT 177

Iron Horse Lake

10 2 Miles South on S. Homestead Rd.

EXIT 179

E Walker Rd

W Walker Rd

D&N Event Center

Pals Brewing Company 4520 S. Buffalo Bill Ave.

Peg Leg Brewing 2519 Halligan Dr. Prairie Arts Center 416 N. Jeffers St. The Vault 418 N. Dewey St. WB’s Fun Center 1100 S. Jeffers St.

Mid-Plains Community College South Campus

Nebraska Game & Parks Commission

101 Halligan Dr. VisitNorthPlatte.com 800-955-4528

W State Farm Rd

E State Farm Rd

University of Nebraska West Central Research Center

Hike/Bike Paths

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 5

Canoes, kayaks, tubes… AND CATTLE TANKS.

DISCOVER MORE AT BuffaloBillsAdventures.com

Sure, there are a million ways to get down a river. It just so happens that out here we use cattle tanks. It may not be the most conventional choice, but that’s what makes it genius. That, and the fact that they have room for everyone and a giant cooler. A leisurely mosey down the river; paddling optional. That’s why float trips down the Platte River with Dusty Trails get Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval.

800-955-4528 | BuffaloBillsAdventures.com

6 | North Platte Travel Guide 2023

NATURE & WILDLIFE Outdoors DUSTY TRAILS Explore the Outdoors with

BY GEORGE HAWS george.haws@nptelegraph.com

option that takes floaters from Hershey Bridge to the campground. If there is not enough water in the river at North Platte, a ride from Paxton to Sarben is a good back- up, said Dusty Barner, owner-operator of Dusty Trails. Another way to see nature is by horse- back, and rides are available throughout the year. Dusty Trails also conducts riding academies each season for all skill levels, ages 6 through adult. In October, come to the ranch to enjoy games and other activities at Dusty’s Pumpkin Fest. Dusty Trails is big on birding, too. The Sandhill crane tours are very popular, said Barner, and “the prairie chicken tour is amazing!” Sandhill cranes stop and feed in the val- ley for several weeks in early spring on their

migratory path that extends from as far south as Mexico to as far north as Alaska. They forage in harvested corn fields during the day and roost along the river at night. Dusty Trails offers morning and evening blind tours, and a bus tour is also available. Prairie chickens are year-round residents of the Nebraska Sandhills, but the best time to see them is also in the spring. That’s when Dusty Trails takes adventurous folks by bus to see the males perform their mat- ing dances in their staging sites, called leks. The birds puff up their yellow “eyebrows” and inflate red pouches on the sides of their throats to create low humming sounds to attract females. They erect plumes on their necks that resemble long, pointed ears. They stomp their feet rapidly while bobbing their heads. The hums are broken up by clucks, whines and cackles. Boundary dis-

Dusty Trails is helping people connect with the great outdoors. Situated on the site of Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, they conduct birding tours, horseback rid- ing and instruction, and river floats. People love floating down the river, but the logistics can be difficult. That is where Dusty Trails comes in. People meet at the endpoint dock and leave their cars there. Dusty Trails shuttles them to the launch pad and picks up the watercraft when the leisurely journey ends. You can choose from a variety of water- craft — canoes, kayaks, livestock tanks, inner tubes — and last year paddleboards were added to the lineup. There’s a choice of a short excursion from Buffalo Bill Campground to Cody Park, and a longer

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 7

Outdoors NATURE & WILDLIFE CONT.

putes break out between males, who flap and jump at each other. It’s a fascinating, amazing scene to watch! It takes dedication to be at the loading site by 5 a.m. on a weekend morning to arrive at the viewing blinds before the birds assemble. En route to a lek southwest of North Platte, Barner fascinates his guests with tales of the early days of the settlement

of Nebraska. The show begins about 45 minutes before sunrise; in the middle of April that’s about 6:20 a.m. It continues until about noon. Prairie chickens are “very punctual and reliable, regardless of the weather,” Barner said. Providing fascinating, fun experiences is what Dusty Trails is all about, Barner said.

He enjoys helping people enjoy “all that Nebraska has to offer.” Address:

2617 N. Buffalo Bill Ave. Phone: (308) 530-0048 dustytrails.biz Admission: Admission charged.

Nebraska state park permit required at Buffalo Bill Ranch and Campground.

8 | North Platte Travel Guide 2023

& CULTURE Arts JAPANESE EXHIBIT New at Lincoln County Historical Museum

Griffin said the immigrants were looking for a way to send money back for their fam- ilies. “They liked it so well here that as soon as their family obligations of sending money were done, a lot of them just stayed,” Griffin said. “That’s the roots of the very first Japa- nese population.” In Lincoln County, “roughly there were about 200 people to begin with in the North Platte area and that fluctuated,” Griffin said. “They were able to get brides over here, even though there was a gentleman’s agree- ment that didn’t allow additional immigra- tion from Japan.” Griffin said the Steve Kay of North Platte had brought in Lincoln County native Roy Yanagida, now of Lincoln, to discuss the museum project. “Roy grew up on a farm — his family ac- tually farmed the land that Keith Neville owned,” Griffin said. “The Japanese parents were all Issei, first-generation immigrants, who couldn’t own land because they weren’t United States citizens and Nebras- ka has an alien land law that is still on the books today. If you’re not a U.S. citizen, you can’t own land outside of the city.” The Yanagidas worked the land, and the local John Deere dealer invited Roy to start working for him at the dealership. Yanagi- da later opened his own John Deere dealer- ship in Broken Bow. When Griffin and Yanagida finished talking about the proposed exhibit, Yan- agida offered to donate $50,000 toward the project. “Roy will tell you that his dealership is why he can afford to give us the money to do this,” Griffin said. “What he did was he challenged us. He gave us $25,000 and if we could raise another $25,000, he’d give us the other $25,000.” Griffin said the museum ended up rais-

JOB VIGIL PHOTO Lincoln County Historical Museum curator Jim Griffin points out the wallpaper placed in prepa- ration for the completion of the new Japanese exhibit that will open May 1.

BY JOB VIGIL job.vigil@nptelegraph.com

a history of many of the Japanese families who settled in Lincoln County. The museum is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon- day through Saturday and 1 - 5 p.m. Sunday from May through September. “Most of them came because of the rail- road,” Griffin said of the Japanese immi- grants. “Some came during or before the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05. Most came after that, because even though Japan won the war, economic conditions were horrible because of it.”

A conversation with a volunteer at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte prompted curator Jim Griffin to explore further. The idea was to develop an exhibit to rec- ognize the impact the Japanese community had in Lincoln County during the early 20 th century. The grand opening of the new exhibit is May 1. It will include artifacts, photos and

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 9

Arts & CULTURE CONT.

ing $50,000 and with Yanagida’s donation, a total of $102,000 will be directed toward the exhibit, as well as other renovations at the museum. “We were able to renovate a whole section of the muse- um, which almost half of it is the Japanese exhibit,” Griffin said. “We were able to make things look really nice in there, put in new HVAC and all the lighting.” After raising the funds for the exhibit, Griffin said, the museum needed to collect artifacts. The fundraising efforts garnered the interest of area Japanese families and they began contributing the artifacts, pictures and stories. “The pictures were really important because we didn’t have a lot of pictures,” Griffin said. “There were some key artifacts that were really good such as the Kuroki potato sacks.” The Kurokis farmed in the Hershey area, and the sacks have George Kuroki’s name on them. Also donated to the exhibit was a scale used to weigh the potatoes on the Kuroki farm. Another find came when Carpenters Countryside Construction of North Platte was renovating a building. “They were tearing it back to the studs and they found a Nisei Cubs uniform in the wall,” Griffin said. “We looked it up and the baseball team was playing in the late 1930s. They were playing right up to the season before Pearl Harbor happened, then they kind of disappeared.” For more information on the museum, check out the lincoln- countymuseum.org/ website.

JOB VIGIL PHOTO This potato sack was preserved from the George Kuroki potato farm op- eration near Hershey, Nebraska.

locally owned western store for 30 years

WWW.TOWNANDCOUNTRYWESTERNWEAR.COM open 7 days a week

10 | North Platte Travel Guide 2023

EVENTS Historic NORTH PLATTE’S WWII CANTEEN: A Wartime Miracle on the High Plains BY TODD VON KAMPEN todd.vonkampen@nptelegraph.com

During the tumultuous years of World War II, the name of North Platte was spo- ken gratefully and wistfully among U.S. and Allied service members from the Philippines to the heart of Germany. It was all because of the North Platte Canteen, the “finest hour” on the war’s home front for western and central Nebraska and northeast Colorado. The story of this 1941-46 all-volunteer effort is told at the Lincoln County Historical Museum, 2403 N. Buffalo Bill Ave., which preserves Canteen memorabil- ia and the operation’s surviving records and photos. The Canteen, successor to a Red Cross- operated canteen for World War I soldiers in 1918-19, served some 6 million service members or their loved ones from Christmas Day 1941 to April 1, 1946. It formally began eight days after some 500 North Platte residents gathered at the former 1918 Union Pacific Depot on Dec. 17, 1941, expecting to give Christmas gifts and treats to National Guardsmen of the 134th Infantry Regiment’s North Platte- based Company D. They encountered Kansas Guardsmen of the 137th Infantry’s Company D instead. But the crowd gave their gifts to the Kansas soldiers, inspiring 25-year-old Rae Wilson to rally her community to once again serve soldiers whose Union Pacific troop trains paused at North Platte. Wilson led the Canteen in its first months, giving way to her next-door neigh- bor Helen Christ when her health broke. Christ led a core group of mostly female North Platte volunteers for the rest of the effort’s 51 months of life. They soon were joined by an ever-in- creasing flow of volunteers from other towns, beginning with women from nearby Stapleton and Logan County on Jan. 15, 1942.

LINCOLN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM PHOTO U.S. service members from another Union Pacific Railroad troop train get coffee from North Platte Canteen volunteers in 1943 in the dining room of North Platte’s former 1918 U.P. Depot. The Canteen served women and minorities without discrimination, as can be seen by the presence of a woman service member (behind shoulder of sailor in black in middle) and African- American soldiers (behind or to the right of the sailor).

By the time the Canteen closed, some 55,000 people from 125 “Canteen Honor Roll” communities had donated money, goods or personal time to help serve every troop train making 10- to 20-minute water stops. In the 1918 depot’s dining room — redubbed the “Canteen Room” until the depot’s 1973 demolition — male and female service members of all colors and many nationalities received home-cooked food, treats, cigarettes, reading matter, birthday cakes, smiles and encouragement. “Platform girls” took food and other items to the trains to those not allowed to get off. North Platte has received an estimated 16,000 thank-you letters since 1941 from World War II service members in all 50

states and several nations. The best 300 are preserved in “Canteen: The Letters,” the North Platte Telegraph’s 2022 sequel to its 2019 book “Canteen: As It Happened” that re-presents its ancestor papers’ wartime coverage. Other key Canteen resources include newspaper columnist Bob Greene’s 2002 book “Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen”; a January 1977 “On the Road” television story by the late CBS newsman Charles Kuralt; and U.S. Signal Corps footage of the Canteen taken in July and August 1945. The Kuralt and Signal Corps images can be found on YouTube. The Canteen’s wartime volunteers received a Meritorious Service Award from

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 11

Historic EVENTS CONT. the U.S. War Department on Dec. 19, 1943, in a depot ceremony nationally broadcast by NBC radio. Bills are pending in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to award a joint Congressional Gold Medal — Congress’ highest civilian honor — to the Canteen’s

wartime volunteers and all 125 Honor Roll communities. Besides the museum, North Platte visitors can stop at Canteen memorials at the 1918 depot’s site on East Front Street and the 20th Century Veterans Memorial at the Interstate 80-U.S. Highway 83 interchange.

The latter includes the “Canteen Lady” sculpture modeled on Rae Wilson, who died in 1986. She is buried in the North Platte Cemetery on Rodeo Road, as are such other major Canteen leaders as Helen Christ, Jessie Hutchens, Rose Loncar and Edna Neid.

LINCOLN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM PHOTOS AT LEFT: Five of the core volunteers of North Platte’s World War II Canteen offer some of their signature food items in this photo from about 1944. From left are Helen Christ, the Canteen’s commander from 1942 to 1946; Mayme Wyman; Canteen Secretary Jessie Hutchens; Edna Neid; and Opal Smith. MIDDLE: Rae Wilson, originator of North Platte’s World War II Canteen, in 1942. AT RIGHT: The World War II Canteen operated from the dining room in the west wing of North Platte’s 1918 Union Pacific Depot, which was demolished on Nov. 1, 1973. Its entrance is shown here in 1943.

Galleries Art Classes TedLong Legacy Room - Western Art Open Studio Ceramics

308-534-5121 Prairieartscenter.org

12 | North Platte Travel Guide 2023

The Heritage of Buffalo Bill Cody LIVES ON Tradition SEE THE OLD WEST IN A NEW WAY

Once considered the world’s greatest showman, the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody called North Platte home for more than 40 years. He loved his hometown and generous- ly supported many local worthwhile causes. Today, the North Platte / Lincoln County Visitors Bureau uses his persona, in the guise of a fun-loving, somewhat slapstick “new”

Buffalo Bill, to introduce all of the fun to be had in Lincoln County to a new generation by awarding attractions and events his cov- eted “Buffalo of Approval”. Buffalo Bill State Historical Park It’s Buffalo Bill’s ranch, of course it gets his Buffalo of Approval. You don’t have to take

his word for it, there’s tons of reasons this State Historic Park is a must-see for visitors. Originally the 4,000-acre Scout’s Rest Ranch, the historic park now consists of 16 acres that contain Buffalo Bill’s home as well as a barn, outbuildings, and a variety of other features. The house is Cody’s 2nd Empire mansion,

Brothers Tavern 215E6 th St. Wild Bill’s 1100 S Jeffers The House Bar 1601 E4 th St. Good Life On The Bricks 402NDewey 5 North Platte Locations

502 N. Dewey St. North Platte, NE 69101

308-532-2094 308-221-6047

June - September 5-8pm

Visit Our Facebook Page of Upcoming Events! @FeatherRiverVineyards

northplatte@brownsshoefitco.com

PlatteBar 119W6 th St

5700 SE State Farm Road Follow the signs east of Newberry Access 308-696-0078 www.feather-river.com Winter Hours: 1-5pm Sat. & Sun. Starting May 1st: 1-6pm Daily; Open Until 8pm every Friday

@bsfcnorthplatte

brownsshoefitco.com

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 13

Tradition LIVES ON CONT. built in 1886 at a cost of $3,900, that has been restored and filled with period appropriate furnishings as well as a ton of Buffalo Bill memorabilia. The barn, once used to house horses, now contains a collection of antique carriages that belonged to Bill as well as a variety of memorabilia from the days of his world-fa- mous Wild West Show. Come to North Platte and see why a man of taste and distinction gives Scout’s Rest Ranch the Buffalo Bill Buffalo of Approval. Address: 2921 Scouts Rest Ranch Road Phone: (308) 535-8035 VisitNorthPlatte.com/things-to-do/attrac- tions/buffalo-bill-ranch/ Season/Hours of Operation: April 19-May 1, Wednesday-Sunday, 9am-5pm May 1-May 29, Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-6pm Memorial Day (May 30)-Labor Day (September 5), open daily, 9am-5pm September 6-October 31, Wednesday- Sunday, 9am-5pm

Dusty Trails Trail Rides: Memorial Day- Labor Day: Fri-Sat 12pm-6pm Admission: Admission charged, and park permit required.

have been given a bad name. Well, this is one shop that’s worth the trip. It’s not just any souvenir shop, inside you’ll find a muse- um, a two-headed calf, and a plethora of off the wall goodies to commemorate your trip. When it comes to Western souvenirs,

Other times by appointment. Grounds are open year-round.

Fort Cody Trading Post Over the years roadside souvenir stands

wiDe selection Camping this summer? See us first?

of new & useD RV’s! Large parts & accessories department Expert service department

Your RV Dealer for over 35 years!

LARRY’S RV sales & service Hours: M-F 8 to 5:30; Sat. 8 to 4 1802 East 4th • North Platte, NE 69101 308-532-5474 • http://www.larrysrvsales.com

14 | North Platte Travel Guide 2023 Tradition LIVES ON CONT.

Admission: Free

Fort Cody Trading Post has everything from cowboy gear to plush buffaloes, jackelope statues, toy animals, and tons of clothing for all sizes and ages. The back portion of the Fort Cody build- ing contains a small but impressive muse- um devoted to Buffalo Bill Cody. Its center- piece is the spectacular Buffalo Bill’s Miniature Wild West Show, featuring over 20,000 figures, painstakingly hand carved in wood, by Ernie and Virginia Palmquist. Many of the figures are animated — there’s a train that runs around the circus tents, and animated bucking broncos, sharp- shooters, and more. Recorded audio narra- tion tells the story of Buffalo Bill, his travel- ing Wild West show, and the creation of the miniatures. The show runs for about five minutes every 30 minutes. If you’re in town on a Thursday in the summer don’t miss out on the live music in the stockade during the Fort Cody Summer Music Series. With all of that, is there any wonder that Fort Cody gets Buffalo Bill’s coveted Buffalo of Approval? Address: 221 Halligan Drive Phone: (308) 532-8081 FortCody.com Season/Hours of Operation: Memorial Day - 2nd week in August: Daily 9am-9pm Winter: Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm, Sun 12pm-5:30pm Spring & Fall: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 12pm-6pm

play. Hands-on-history spanning the last 200 years; that’s why Buffalo Bill loves the Lincoln County Historical Museum. Stop by and see why it gets his coveted Buffalo of Approval. Address: 2403 N. Buffalo Bill Avenue Phone: (308) 534-5640

Lincoln County Historical Museum One trip to the Lincoln County Historical Museum and you’ll see why it gets Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval. The museum con- tains a mix of old west, early pioneer, agri- cultural, and WWII history that makes it an intriguing mix for any history buff. Early pioneer history is preserved in the Western Heritage Village which is home to restored buildings dating from the 1860’s Pony Express log cabin to the 1917 Country Church. Also included are the 1963 Fort McPherson headquarters, 1899 Fredericksen home, 1869 two story log home of the first homesteader in Lincoln County, 1900 barber shop, and the 1876 birthplace of William Jeffers, President of Union Pacific Railroad from 1937 through 1946. The Museum is also the home of the World War II North Platte Canteen exhibit, which served more than 6.5 million service men and women from Christmas Day 1941 through April 1st, 1946. Every day, as many as 5,000 service members visited the North Platte Canteen in the Union Pacific Depot. Many never forgot the ten-minute stop, as sixty years of thank-you letters can attest. In addition to the exhibits inside the main museum and the collection of historic buildings, there’s also a large collection of antique farm machinery, including tractors in working condition, as well as restored antique autos that are periodically on dis-

LincolnCountyMuseum.org Season/Hours of Operation: May 1–September 30: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm – 5pm All other times, by appointment. Admission: Admission charged

NEBRASKAland DAYS NEBRASKAland Days is the longest-run- ning event to receive Buffalo Bill’s coveted Buffalo of Approval. Which only makes sense because he’s the inspiration for NEBRASKAland Days. Way back on July 4th, 1882, the world’s greatest showman, Buffalo Bill Cody, produced the “Old Glory Blowout” in North Platte. That show would eventually become Cody’s Wild West Show. 2023 will mark the 141st anniversary of the first spectator rodeo. From country con- certs to the Buffalo Bill Rodeo, art competi- tions, and everything in between, there is something for everyone at NEBRASKAland DAYS. NEBRASKAland DAYS 2023 is scheduled for June 14-24. There’s 10 great days of rodeo, concerts, and festivities, don’t miss NEBRASKAland Days in 2023. Come be part of the fun and find out why NEBRASKAland Days gets Buffalo Bill’s

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 15

Tradition LIVES ON CONT.

Buffalo of Approval.

Office Address: 2801 Charlie Evans Drive Phone (308) 532-7939 OR (888) 313-5606 NebraskaLandDays.com Season/Hours of Operation:

Held annually the third week of June. Visit website for a full list of events. Admission: Many events free; admission charged for rodeo, concerts, and other events at the Wild West Arena Stones & Bones Gallery & Emporium Stones and Bones is a unique gallery tucked into the small town of Hershey, Nebraska. The gallery features Native American arti- facts, western art, and wildlife pieces. Visitors and history lovers won’t want to miss their exceptionally private collection of Native American Stone Age artifacts that have been collected from across western Nebraska. Stones and Bones offers special tours for groups of 10 or less. The tour offers unique insights including question and answer session that cover the collection, Stone Age artifacts, flint knapping with demonstrations and personal instruction. For groups looking to add a special touch they will also demon- strate the process of setting up a teepee or flint-knapping. Address: 105 E. 2nd Street, Hershey Phone: (308) 368-7400 Season/Hours of Operation: Call ahead

JUNE 23-24 CONCERT SERIES SUMMER JAM

JUNE 14-17

JUNE 23

JUNE 24

16 | North Platte Travel Guide 2023

NEBRASKA Exploring

NEBRASKA PASSPORT North Platte stops for the

The second stop in our area is The Flower Market & Gift Shop. Don’t let the name deceive you- The Flower Market is so much more than just flowers. They are a unique boutique and the perfect place to go when you want that special and interesting gift for that special and interesting person. They have home décor, toys, baby stuff, kitchen items, plant care items, unique snacks, and much more. The Flower Market is included in the “The Self-Expressway” category of the Passport. They are conveniently located at 510 North Dewey Street which is in the beautiful downtown Canteen District of North Platte. They are open 9:30am-5:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday as well as 9am-7pm on Thursday and 10am-4pm on Saturday. The 2022 Nebraska Passport ended with 980 participants man- aging to visit all 70 stops and 128,377 Passport stamps recorded in total. The 2023 Nebraska Passport program will run from May 1 to September 30, 2023. At each Passport stop participants visit they will receive a stamp, either in a Nebraska Passport booklet or a digital stamp on the Nebraska Passport app. Participants then turn in their stamps to receive prizes. 2023 Nebraska Passport booklets are available for request at NebraskaPassport.com and can be picked up at any Passport stop or at the Visit North Platte office, or you can download the app starting May 1, 2023, by searching for “Nebraska Passport 2023” in your app store for both iPhones and Androids!

Now in its 14th year, the Nebraska Passport Program continues to be a popular way to invite visitors to explore Nebraska’s unique tourist destinations. 70 places have been chosen as Passport stops throughout the state after going through an application process, and this year two of them are in North Platte! The first local stop is Grain Bin Antique Town. Located in the scenic canyons south of North Platte, Grain Bin Antique Town is one of the most unique antique shopping experiences that you’ll find anywhere because it consists of over twenty historic grain bins and a massive barn that are connected by a boardwalk. Together they form a huge and eclectic collection of antiques. With con- stantly changing inventories there are new treasures both large and small to be discovered on each visit. They have been included in the “Antique Chic” category of the Passport. Grain Bin Antique Town is open Wednesday-Saturday 10:30am-5pm and is located at 10641 South Old Highway 83 Road, North Platte.

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 17

18 | North Platte Travel Guide 2023

ON THE RIGHT TRACK RIDE THE RAILS Railroad Bailey Yard is the world’s largest railroad classification yard.

Cody Park Railroad Museum North Platte is a fantastic destination for people who love trains and the railroad. The Cody Park Railroad Museum is just one reason why. This hands-on museum gets Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval for having the only Challenger 3900 series steam loco- motive on public display in the world. Unit 3977 is not just on display, you can climb up and get the engineers view before you walk through a series of old rail cars, including a mail car and a caboose, that are filled with old railroad memorabilia from the time when trains were America’s main mode of transportation. In addition to the 3900 series is unit 6922. The 6900 series diesel locomotives were the largest ever made. These two locomotives made a combined horsepower of over 12,000. It’s not just the locomotives and rail cars, you’ll also find the old Hershey, Nebraska rail depot. It also has historic railroad arti- facts inside. All of this combined with the other rail attractions in town to make North Platte a

must-visit for railroad fans. It’s no wonder these attractions get Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval. Address: 1601 N. Jeffers Street VisitNorthPlatte.com/things-to-do/attrac- tions/trains-railroads/cody-park-rail- road-museum/ Season/Hours of Operation: May 1-fourth full weekend of September: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 12pm-6pm Other times by appointment. Admission: Free Golden Spike Tower Anyone who’s ever loved the railroad or been interested in trains will instantly understand why the Golden Spike Tower gets Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval. The tower offers the best view of the world’s largest railyard, Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, where every day approximately 10,000 rail- cars are sorted and sent on to their next destination. The tower also includes multi- media exhibits on the history of the railroad as well as the Orphan Trains and the North

Platte WWII Canteen, but the real treasure here are the volunteers. Every day you’ll find friendly volunteers, in almost every case a retired Union Pacific employee, manning the tower ready to enlighten visitors about the logistics and choreography that happens every day at Bailey Yard. Visitors will find that these knowledgeable volunteers can explain just about everything that’s happening down on the railyard and how it affects the big pic- ture of getting raw materials and consumer goods where they need to go. This is no small task either; it’s been said that you can get a pretty good picture of how the entire U.S. economy is doing by paying attention to Bailey Yard because of the sheer quantity of freight that is shipped through this yard. With everything going on, from the exhibits to the knowledgeable volunteers, and even the unique gift shop, it’s no won- der that the Golden Spike Tower gets Buffalo Bill’s coveted Buffalo of approval. So, if you’re planning on coming through North Platte, make sure you stop at the Golden Spike Tower.

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 19

Railroad RIDE THE RAILS CONT.

Address: 1249 N. Homestead Road Phone: (308) 532-9920 OR (866) 338-7596 GoldenSpikeTower.com Season/Hours of Operation: Memorial Day-Labor Day: Daily 9am-7pm Labor Day-Memorial Day: Daily 9am-5pm

cesses more than 9,000 locomotives each month, using technology like overhead cranes and elevated work bays to maintain fluid operations. Address: 4000 W. Front Street VisitNorthPlatte.com/things-to-do/attractions/ trains-railroads/bailey-yard/ Can be experienced by a visit to the Golden Spike Tower.

Other times by appointment Admission: Admission charged

Pacific Railroad Bailey Yard Union Pacific Railroad’s Bailey Yard in North Platte, Nebraska, is the largest railroad classification yard in the world. It was named in honor of former Union Pacific President Edd H. Bailey. This massive yard covers 2,850 acres, reaching a total length of eight miles, well beyond the borders of North Platte, a community of 25,000 citizens. Put end-to-end, Bailey Yard’s 315 miles of track would reach from North Platte, in western Nebraska, all the way past Omaha on the Iowa border along the Missouri River. Every 24 hours, Bailey Yard handles 10,000 railroad cars. Using a mound cresting 34 feet for eastbound trains and 20.1 feet for those heading west, these two hump yards allow four cars a minute to roll gently into any of 114 “bowl” tracks where they become part of trains headed for dozens of destinations. Together, these two yards have 18 receiving and 16 departure tracks. Train operations and repair shops at Bailey Yard are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The fueling and service center pro-

20 | North Platte Travel Guide 2023

Hotels

Scouts Rest Ranch Rd

83 Motel 920 N. Jeffers St. 308-532-2313 Americas Best Value Inn

La Quinta Inn & Suites 2600 Eagles Wings Pl. 308-534-0700 / 866-534-0700 Motel 6 / Studio 6 2701 Halligan Dr. North Platte Inn & Suites 1209 S. Dewey St. 308-532-0130 / 800-678- 4025 Park Motel 1302 N. Jeffers St. 308-532-6834 / 800- 456-5450 Quality Inn 2901 S. Jeffers St. 308-532-6144 Ramada 2102 S. Jeffers St. 308-532-9090 / 800-760-3333 Super 8 Motel 220 Eugene Ave. 308-532-4224 / 800-800-8000 Travelodge 451 Halligan Dr. 308-535-9900 TRU by Hilton 2400 Halligan Dr. 308-532-8700

Charlie Evans Dr

602 E. 4th St. 308-534-4020

Best Western Plus 3201 S. Jeffers St. 308-534-3120 Blue Spruce Motel 821 S. Dewey St. 308-534-2600 Comfort Inn & Suites 2809 Halligan Drive 308-562-2736 Days Inn 3102 S. Jeffers St. 308-532-9321 / 800-329-7466 Fairfield Inn and Suites 319 W. South River Rd. 308-532-9900 Hampton Inn 200 Platte Oasis Pkwy. 308-534-6000 / 800- 426-7866 Holiday Inn Express 300 Holiday Frontage Rd. 308-532-9500 / 800-562-9500 Hospitality Inn 501 Halligan Dr. 308-532-6650 / 888-532-0151 Husker Inn

W Front St

W A St

W Philip Ave

721 E. 4th St. 308-534-6960

Golf Courses

North to North Platte

Indian Meadows 2746 W. Walker Rd.

3 Rivers Edge

1008 W. 18th St.

Lake Maloney 606 Birdie Ln.

N Lake Rd

RV & Camp Grounds

Lake Maloney

Holiday RV Park 601 Halligan Dr. I-80 Lakeside Camping 3800 Hadley Rd. Lake Maloney SRA N. Lake Rd. Lincoln Highway RV Park 4684 W. Hwy 30

A-1 Sunset Mobile Park 3120 Rodeo Rd. Buffalo Bill SRA 2921 Scouts Rest Ranch Rd. CB’s Hideaway 206 N. Lake Rd. Cody Park Campground 1400 N. Jeffers St.

Hike/Bike Paths

5 miles South on HWY 83

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 21

ns Dr

101 Halligan Dr. VisitNorthPlatte.com 800-955-4528

Bill Wood Field

Dowhower Softball Complex

Cody Park & Pool

Rodeo Rd

W A St

Memorial Park

E B St

North Platte Regional Airport Lee Bird Field

W E St

Ave

E Philip Ave

W Francis St

E Francis St

Centennial Park

Visitor Center

56G

EXIT 177

Iron Horse Lake

Veterans Memorial Park

F P R

EXIT 179

E Walker Rd

W Walker Rd

W State Farm Rd

E State Farm Rd

2 3 5 Miles South on HWY 83 7

22 | North Platte Travel Guide 2023

12 FAMILY FRIENDLY AWAITS YOU Adventure Adventures and Attractions in North Platte

1 Cody Go-Karts

little guys, there’s plenty for them too with a variety of kiddie rides, arcade games, and even kiddie go-karts and bumper boats. All of that, plus snacks and a nearby campground and hotels combine to make Cody Go-Karts a no-brainer for the coveted Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval The fastest man in the west, Buffalo Bill Cody, invites you to test your skills at Cody Go-Karts! Plus, you can challenge a chicken to tic- tac-toe! Address: 805 Halligan Drive Phone: (308) 534-8277 CodyGoKarts.com

Daily 10:30am-10pm, Open weekends pre-season and post-season Admission: Admission charged 2 Cody Park Carousel and Concessions You know why Cody Park, includ- ing the Carousel and children’s rides get Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval? Because they’re a great time not just for just the kids, but the whole family! The historic carousel is a ton of fun for kids of all ages as they ride around on beau- tifully carved horse. In addition to the car- ousel, the miniature kiddie rides are great for the little ones. Combine that with the fact that the world’s best soft serve ice

Cody Go-Karts gets Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval. You know why? Because they offer tons of great

activities for the whole family. As you’d expect, there’s go-karts, but just having go-karts isn’t good enough. There are two different tracks. The standard track features a multi-level figure eight with the option of single or tandem karts. The slick track course offers a challenge for anyone looking for slippery fun also with single and tandem racecar karts. In addition to the go-karts, there’s great summer fun with bumper boats, over 560 feet of wet and wild waterslides, and a kid- die slide in the pool area. Speaking of the

Season/Hours of Operation: Memorial Day-Labor Day:

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 23

Adventure AWAITS YOU CONT.

Admission: Admission charged 4 Dusty Trails Outdoor Specialists: Horseback Riding and Tanking Dusty Trails, LLC is Nebraska’s premier outfitter located in North Platte at the Nebraska Game & Parks Buffalo Bill’s Scouts Rest Ranch. Dusty Trails provides several fulfilling outdoor experiences, ranging from horseback riding through Buffalo Bill’s original ranch to tanking, kayaking, or canoeing down the iconic North Platte River, or just hanging out with the adorable animals in the petting zoo. Dusty Trails operates on the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park. Dusty and his team strive to provide the opportunity for anyone to be able to enjoy and participate in the great outdoor life that Nebraska has to offer. They offer a vast variety to accom- modate all age groups and backgrounds. They have been providing services for

cream is available right next door during the summer, and you’ve got a recipe for a great afternoon. Cody Park has tons of options to ensure that people of all ages have a great time. Facilities include wildlife sanctuary, picnic tables, restrooms, bandstand, playground equipment, horseshoe pits, baseball and softball fields, outdoor swimming pool, ten- nis courts, campgrounds, snack shop, and barbecue pits. Whether you want to relax by the pool, enjoy some of the best ice cream, ride the kiddie carnival rides, or challenge your fam- ily to a game of horseshoes or disc golf, Cody Park is the place for you. This North Platte gem is nestled along the North Platte River which is a fun place to cool off in the shallow stream during the hot summer days. The drive by zoo is home to animals of all sorts, including deer and elk, burros and llamas, geese, and peacocks. You can pur- chase animal food from nearby vending

machines. Many shaded picnic areas are found throughout the park, with play- grounds and recreational activities nearby. Fun for the whole family, that’s why Cody Park in North Platte gets Buffalo Bill’s covet- ed Buffalo of Approval. Address: 1400 N. Jeffers Street Season/Hours of Operation: Cody Park: Daily Sunrise-Sunset Kiddie Rides and Concessions: April-September: Mon-Fri 5pm-10pm, Sat 12pm-10pm, Sun 12pm-9pm Admission: Admission charged for rides and concession. Many activities are free 3 Cody Park Pool The Cody Park swimming pool features depths from three feet to twelve feet. There are three diving boards and a kiddie pool. Inner tubes are available for rent. Address: 1400 N. Jeffers Street Season/Hours of operation: Varies

24 | North Platte Travel Guide 2023

Adventure AWAITS YOU CONT.

almost 20 years and are continually grow- ing and looking for new adventures. Address: 2617 N. Buffalo Bill Avenue Phone: (308) 530-0048 DustyTrails.biz Season/Hours of Operation: Call to book your Water/Outdoor Adventure Trail Rides at Buffalo Bill State Historical Park: Memorial Day-Labor Day: Fri-Sun 12pm-6pm Admission: Admission charged 5 Memorial Park Splash Pad The perfect place for small children to cool off on a hot summer day, the Betty Keenan Memorial splash pad is located right in Memorial Park at E. 4th Street in North Platte. The park and splash pad are free and open to everyone during

the summer. If you’re looking for a great way to cool down with the kiddos just head on down.

heartland there’s an interactive farming exhibit complete with a tractor to play in and a market for when they bring in the harvest. For the more adventurous child, they can sail the seas on our giant pirate ship, as they find their way to plunder and buried trea- sure. Be the engineer and take the trains through the tracks at our Union Pacific rail- road exhibit. Combine all that with a dress-up area, a pizza parlor, a puppet theatre and much more and it’s simple to see why kids have a great time at the North Platte Area Children’s Museum. Kids having a great time, it’s why the North Platte Area Children’s Museum gets Buffalo Bill’s covet- ed Buffalo of Approval.

Address: 1200 E. 4th Street Season/Hours of Operation: Weather permitting, May-Aug: Daily 11am-8pm

6 North Platte Area Children’s Museum of Approval. It’s simple to see why, there’s a bunch of great activities that will fire any kid’s imagination. For the medically inclined, there’s a doc- tor’s office, complete with masks, gowns, gloves, and a super-sized operation game. If they’re interested in the heritage of the The North Platte Area Children’s Museum gets Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 25

Adventure AWAITS YOU CONT. Address: 314 N. Jeffers Street Phone: (308) 532-3512

races throughout the year. There are also campgrounds on site and dogs are wel- come. For more information about events and trails at Potter’s Pasture go to WhiteTailCycleSport.com. Find out why Potter’s Pasture has received the coveted Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval and see first-hand reviews for the trails from users at SingleTracks.com/bike-trails/ potters-pastures. To Get There: Take I-80 to Brady (exit 199). Go south on 56D at 2.7 miles turn right on Brady-Moorefield Rd. At 9.2 miles the pavement ends. At 9.7 miles on the left is the entrance to Old Camp. At 11.0 miles turn left on Jeffrey Rd. At 12.7 miles turn right into the campground. The sign will say Potters Pasture New Camp. Admission: Free 8 North Platte Rec Center The North Platte Rec Center is a large recreational venue that offers many opportunities for fitness, rec- reation, weightlifting, cardio exercise, rac- quet sports, yoga, and aerobics.

The center incorporates a large swim- ming pool with a water slide, hot tub, and sauna. The double gymnasium accommo- dates two full-size basketball courts with seating for 150, locker rooms and a conces- sion stand. Free childcare is provided for parents who are taking a rec center class, and there is a game room for children of all ages. Address: 1300 McDonald Road Phone: (308) 535-6772 Season/Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 6am-8pm, Sat 12pm-7pm, Sun 1pm-7pm Admission: Admission charged 9 Splatterbox Paintball and Laser Tag Paintball and Laser Tag business in Hershey Nebraska area offers low- cost, high-quality paintball and laser Tag. Also, they have affordable add-ons to make your experience better. Address: 2024 N Spur 56c Hershey NE Phone: (308) 530-0553 Season/Hours of Operation: Sun: 10am-5pm,

NPChildrensMuseum.com Season/Hours of Operation:

Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm October 1-May 31 Sun 1pm-5pm Admission: Admission charged

7 Potter’s Pasture

Some of the best mountain bike trails in Nebraska can be found 3 miles south of I-80 exit 199 on

Brady-Moorefield Road. Potter’s Pasture consists of close to 100 miles of trails through 1,200 acres of hills and canyons, thick groves of trees, and native grasses that populate the hill country south of North Platte. There are a wide variety of trails from easy open ones that are suitable for riders of any ability, including children, to extremely technical trails best suited for advanced riders. Potter’s Pasture is privately owned but free and open to the public. A network of volunteers and riders create and main- tain the trails, as well as host events and

26 | North Platte Travel Guide 2023 Adventure AWAITS YOU CONT.

12 WB’s Fun Center bowling. No siree, WB’s is a great stop for so much more than that. In addition to great family bowling fun, the arcade is second to none. Get the family together for an exciting game of Laser Tag or experience incredible virtual reality in one of the only VR arcade experi- ences in America! In addition to the best bowling for several counties WB’s is now also home to Brigham’s Taproom. Brigham’s Taproom offers dining, a full bar, and Nebraska brews. Entertainment for everyone, paired with great food makes WB’s Fun Center an obvi- ous choice for Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval. Address: 1100 S. Jeffers Street Phone: (308) 532-5720 WBsFun.com Hours of Operation: Laser tag hours vary. Daily 11am-10pm Sunday-Thursday WB’s has earned Buffalo Bill’s coveted Buffalo of Approval for more than just

Private parties: Monday-Sunday Admission: $10 for entry, + equipment rental 10 The Vault – Escape Games of Nebraska The Vault offers escape games for people of all ages and skill sets. There’s no need for special- ized knowledge to solve puzzles and have a good time. Just be creative, curious, and alert! Each game is designed for intense participation and cooperation, making The Vault Escape Games the perfect family fun or team-building experience. The Vault is also a unique way to make that birthday, graduation, anniversary, engagement, or any other occasion extra special. Each Escape Game is maintained for five weeks, when it is changed out for another chal- lenge, insuring that repeat visitors always have a new experience. Address: 418 N. Dewey Street Phone: (308) 221-6059 TheVaultNE.com Season/Hours of Operation: Open by appointment. Book online

Admission: Admission charged

11 Water Fun The Sutherland Reservoir, Lake Maloney and Jeffrey Lake all offer great opportu- nities for water sports, fishing, and camp- ing. If you want a unique taste of Nebraska fun, then you need to give tanking a shot. It’s the genius of rural America at its finest as you lazily float down the North Platte River in a stock tank with friends and fami- ly. Bring your own snacks and drinks. If you’re looking to be a little more active, try canoeing or kayaking on the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Supply Canal that stretches from North Platte to Brady. Combine all of that with the great fishing at all the stocked Interstate lakes and you’ll see why North Platte is a fantastic destina- tion for fun on the water. For information go to VisitNorthPlatte. com/things-to-do/outdoors/water-ac- tivties.

11am-midnight Friday-Saturday Admission: Admission charged

North Platte Travel Guide 2023 | 27

EXPERIENCE Wildlife SANDHILL CRANES The migration of the

SEASON SCHEDULE 2023 HOME ROAD OFF

Sun

Mon

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Sandhill Cranes Each spring an estimated 400,000 Sandhill Cranes spend about six weeks on the 25-mile stretch of the North Platte River Valley between North Platte and Sutherland. At night they roost on the North Platte River, rising each morning to spend the day dancing and foraging in the meadows and crop fields. Early scouts will begin arriving in early February. Numbers will continue to grow until peaking in mid-March, remaining high through the end of March. By the middle of April, they will all be gone. The North Platte area offers a variety of Sandhill Crane experiences, including public blinds, private guided blinds, and guided bus tours. Visitors can even combine the experiences with Prairie Chicken dances later in March and early April. VisitNorthPlatte.com/things-to-do/attractions/sandhill-cranes. Season/Hours of Operation: Early March through mid-April. Admission: Some free public blinds available. Admission charged for tours.

MAR MAR

GRG 7:00P

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OPPONENTS:

Game Day Angels Greeley Grays Hays Larks Liberal Bee-Jays Marucci (Denver) US Military War Dogs WN Pioneers

GDA GRG HLK LBJ MAR USM WNP

Australian Select Colts Broomfield Barn Owls Cage Rats Baseball (CO) Dodge City A's Denver Roughriders Ft. Collins Force

ASC BBO CRB DCA DRR FCF

ALL HOME GAMES BROADCAST LIVE ON ALL HOME GAMES LIVESTREAM ON

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