North Platte is home to the World's Largest Classification Railyard, Bailey Yard, and the Golden Spike Tower offers the best view around! Start your day by spending an hour or two taking in the sights of the daily operations at Bailey Yard, and learn about how the train cars are sorted and repaired. While you're here, strike up a conversation with the volunteers who are primarily retired Union Pacific employees. They are always happy to explain all the moving parts of the railroad and they have great stories to share!
If you find yourself excited to see more railroad memorabilia, make your next stop the Cody Park Railroad Museum! This attraction is free and has the only Challenger 3900 series steam locomotive on public display in the world! You can even walk through the locomotive and see the 6900 series diesel locomotive while you are there.
If you are ready to explore somewhere else, you really can't beat Buffalo Bill State Historic Park! Walk through the 1886 mansion that Buffalo Bill Cody lived in, visit the barn, and get some fresh air while you stroll through the beautiful grounds. There is also a variety of memorabilia from the days of Buffalo Bill's world-famous Wild West Show and the park has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
When you're ready to grab some lunch, we have you covered! If you're looking for a quick and easy lunch, pay the Pop Corner a visit and grab a sandwich, soup, salad, some homemade sweets, or some popcorn! If you're looking to sit down and grab a drink while you dine, you'll love visiting Pals Brewing Company for a cold one, some specialty pizza, and other appetizers like loaded nachos or squeaky cheese curds straight from Wisconsin! If you need a boost of energy before starting your afternoon of exploring, head to The Fix for an energy tea or a healthy shake.
If the weather is nice during your visit, then you'll want to book a tanking trip down the North Platte River with our local outfitter, Dusty Trails. There is nothing more Nebraskan, and relaxing, than taking a mosey down the river in a cattle tank! Dusty Trails makes the trip really easy on you by providing the equipment and transportation, just bring your friends, your sunscreen, and a cooler with your favorite beverages and you're ready to go!
Maybe shopping is more your style? You won't want to miss Grain Bin Antique Town while you're here! This one-of-a-kind attraction is clustered on a hill top in the scenic canyons south of North Platte and it consists of twenty historic grain bins and a massive barn. They are all connected by a boardwalk to form a huge and eclectic collection of antiques and primitives. Even if you don't collect antiques yourself, you will have a great time exploring each grain bin and discovering the treasures that they hold!
Whether you're a history buff or you just love a heartwarming story, visiting the Lincoln County Historical Museum to learn about the North Platte WWII Canteen is a must! Hear about how North Platte and the surrounding communities came together to serve more than 6.5 million service men and women! You will also want to see the other awesome exhibits and walk around the historic village behind the museum while you're there.
Commemorate your trip with a North Platte souvenir when you visit Fort Cody Trading Post! This gift shop not only offers a huge selection of items to choose from, but it also has a free museum, stockade, and there is a miniature version of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show that is hand carved out of wood and made up of more than 20,000 pieces.
Anther can't miss place in North Platte is our downtown Canteen District! Shop our local boutiques or grab some dinner while you're there! The Cedar Room offers Certified Angus Nebraska Beef as well as seafood, handhelds, and unique cocktails. If you're craving BBQ, then Good Life on the Bricks is the perfect place to grab some grub with house smoked meats, burgers, and more! Or if you are in the mood for sushi or Japanese dishes, Tempura is the perfect place for you to pay a visit! If you still have time, be sure to stop by Double Dips Ice Creamery before you leave for hand dipped ice cream, homemade fudge, and more!
