In the US state of Nebraska, you'll find vastness, tranquility, and some of the friendliest cities in the USA. Typical for the Midwest, agriculture dominates in the "Cornhusker State" between plains, prairie, and dunes.
| Capital: | Lincoln |
| Area: | 200,520 km² |
| Population: | about 2 million |
| Location: | Midwest USA |
| Nickname: | Cornhusker State |
| State animal: | Meadowlark |
| Time zone: | Central: UTC−6/−5 Mountain: UTC−7/−6 |
The US state of Nebraska is located in the Midwest of the USA between Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Nebraska residents are approximately 96% US citizens, with the largest ancestry groups being German, Irish, English, Mexican, and Czech.
Less than 10% of Nebraskans were born abroad. Most of these immigrants are from Mexico, Guatemala, and Vietnam. The state also has a large Danish-American community as well as a large number of Native Americans.
Nearly 90% of Nebraska's cities have populations of less than 3,000 people, and several hundred of them even consist of fewer than 1,000 people. But there are certainly large cities in Nebraska. The biggest, in terms of population, are:
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| Omaha | 490,000 |
| Lincoln | 291,000 |
| Bellevue | 64,000 |
| Grand Island | 53,000 |
| Kearney | 34,000 |
One-third of Nebraska's residents live in the largest cities of Omaha and Lincoln.
The US state of Nebraska has a humid continental climate with hot summers and very cold winters. In summer, the temperature can exceed 30°C, while winter temperatures below -10°C are not uncommon.
Thanks to the Rocky Mountains in the west, you will notice a difference in temperature and humidity between the mountain regions and the Plains during your stay in Nebraska. Other than that, the temperatures also vary drastically at times. Due to its location in the famous Tornado Alley, you can also expect thunderstorms and tornadoes in Nebraska during spring and summer.
Nebraska was once called "The Great American Desert." If you take a look at the endless Great Plains, sandy rolling hills, and rocky badlands on your trip, you'll get an idea of where that nickname came from. Today, over 90% of Nebraska is farmland.
If you want to avoid the worst of the tornado danger and still fancy pleasant temperatures, you'll have a very good time in Nebraska in September and October.
During a hot and humid summer in Nebraska, it's best to spend a lot of time on one of the riverbanks or on beautiful Lake McConaughy with its clear waters and white sand beaches. Camping, boating, fishing, and golf are among the favorite activities of summer tourists here. At the end of a Nebraska summer, the State Fair on Grand Island traditionally attracts visitors with rides, good food, concerts, and parades.
In the fall, Nebraska has perfect temperatures and beautiful blue skies that bring out the bright colors of the trees. Tumble around fairgrounds and Farmers Markets or attend a football game at Memorial Stadium! You also can't miss a visit to a pumpkin patch and a corn maze!
The two regional airports in Nebraska, Omaha Eppley Airfield and Lincoln Airport can only be reached via other American airports. If you want to fly from Europe to Nebraska, you will make at least one stop and travel between 12 and 18 hours.
Prices for flights to Nebraska start at around €590 and can exceed €1,000, depending on where you fly from. We found an amazing bargain on a flight from Cairo to Omaha: this one only cost about €550. However, the travel time for this, including two stopovers, was almost 30 hours.
As usual, flights from Canada and Mexico are very cheap: for a flight from Toronto to Omaha, you pay only €279, with about 8 hours of travel time. From Santa Fe to Omaha, it is only 149 €.
Remember: If you are not a US citizen or Green Card holder, then you will need a US visa or ESTA to enter the US.
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Once in Nebraska, you'll likely need a transfer to your first accommodation. Here are your options:
In Omaha, cabs are located on the center island of the terminal, across from door No. 3. If there is no cab in line, you can press a "Taxi Call" button there. In Lincoln, there are three cab companies waiting for you at the terminal exit.
Many hotels in Omaha and Lincoln provide airport shuttles for their guests. Just make a quick call to your accommodation to find out if you can use one of these convenient hotel shuttles.
At the airport in Omaha, you'll find the Navigator Airport Express (destinations: Kearney, Grand Island, York, Lincoln, Omaha), the OMALiNK (shuttles between Omaha and Lincoln), and other shuttles that travel throughout the various regions of Nebraska.
In Omaha, there is a first-floor area on the south side (Gate 4) for cab alternatives Uber and Lyft. Also, in both Omaha and Lincoln, there are various rental car companies waiting for you to become a customer./p>
The US state of Nebraska does not have a national park, but the state parks and recreation areas are just as magnificent. Here are the most beautiful places in Nebraska:
Deer, horses, water fun with lots of slides, and beautiful views await you at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in eastern Nebraska. You can spend a whole day here, even though you actually just wanted to pet the horses. Food and accommodation are also provided because the lodge serves a rich meal, and the wooden cabins and hotel rooms are really cozy.
Platte River State Park between Omaha and Lincoln is a perfect place to hike, paddle, fish, and enjoy nature. Stay in a tent among the trees or book one of the park's cozy camping cabins. Sports fans will also find something to do here, as there are sports fields, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and even more opportunities to let off steam.
Near Omaha, you'll find Ponca State Park, which is ideal for camping in nature. Relax around the campfire, let one of the horses take you on a walk, or practice your target shooting skills at the rifle range. You can also kayak and swim here. If you prefer something more comfortable, rent one of the lodges in the park.
About two hours south of Omaha, Indian Cave State Park awaits your discovery. Here, you can camp, ride horses, enjoy beautiful views of the Missouri River and diverse birdlife, and explore the historic Native American decorated rock walls during a trip into history.
While you're looking for the waterfall on a leisurely hike through Smith Falls State Park, you can finally forget the stress of everyday life in the beautiful natural surroundings. However, be prepared for some stairs - the park is not barrier-free. When you have completed the 0.6 km from the parking lot to the waterfall, you can reward yourself with a refreshing jump into the floods.
The following places in Nebraska are must-sees and should be on your travel list:
There's a surprising lot going on in the middle of the Great Plains. Despite their comparatively small populations, Nebraska cities have quite a bit to offer. Here are our Nebraska city highlights:
Omaha is the city of golf courses and museums in Nebraska. The pretty city on the Missouri River earned the name "Gateway to the West" during the 1898 World's Fair because it became a major transportation hub in the 1900s.
These are the places you should see in Omaha:
Named after Abraham Lincoln, this eastern Nebraska city is famous not only for its name but also for its impressive government building with a magnificent view of the city. Lincoln also hosts world-class concerts, comedy shows, and theater performances every summer.
These are the places you should not miss in Lincoln:
A road trip through Nebraska is a historical experience, as you'll see many historic sites and the occasional unusually shaped rock on your drive, especially in the west.
On your journey through American history, be sure to stop at Chimney Rock in the west and hike a bit along the famous Oregon Trail, where the settlers once headed west. Nearby, you can also admire Scotts Bluff National Monument with Eagle Rock, Saddle Rock, Crown Rock, Dome Rock, and Sentinel Rock.
Nebraska's most beautiful photo points are located at the historical sites that early settlers used as landmarks and in the Lincoln and Omaha metropolitan areas. Here are our top 5 Instagram hotspots in Nebraska:
Unlike many other US states, Nebraska is not necessarily famous as a culinary hotspot. Nevertheless, there are typical dishes here, in which you can clearly taste the down-to-earth and rustic nature of Nebraskans.
When you're in Nebraska, try the following treats:
You probably haven't heard these exciting facts about the US state of Nebraska:
You like Nebraska so much that you want to stay? No problem! Here are a few tips for living and working in Nebraska:
Nebraska - especially the economic hub of Omaha - is home to several large companies and attractive employers. These include some companies on the Forbes Fortune 1,000 list, such as Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific Railroad, Kiewit, TD Ameritrade, and Green Plains Renewable Energy. Multi-billionaire Warren Buffett runs his investment empire from Omaha.
Nebraska's major industries include construction, schools, and medical care in the form of hospitals. Most of the money, however, is made in the financial and natural resource extraction industries.
The most common occupations in Nebraska include nurses, drivers, salespeople, and teachers. Compared to other US states, Nebraska also has an unusually high number of people working in agriculture.
Don't let anyone tell you that Nebraska is boring just because it's 90% farms. The vast open spaces of the Great Plains are endlessly beautiful! If you're looking for a quiet and idyllic place with friendly people, Nebraska is the place for you.
You'll have to deal with the unstable and sometimes stormy weather, but towns like Papillion, Lincoln, Omaha, York, and Wayne are great places to live.
Look forward to a low cost of living, low crime, festivals, farmers markets on every corner, and breathtaking views of the prairie!
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