Kearney is one of many Nebraska towns developed during the westward railroad expansion after the Civil War. Visit today and find the town more modernized, but no less bustling, than it was in the 1800s.
Kearney is known as the Sandhill Crane Capital of the World. Between late February and early April over 500,000 sandhill cranes stop on the Platte River along their migration path. Wear dark clothes and bring binoculars and high-powered cameras to see these elegant birds. Enjoy some of the best viewing at Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary.
Travel through 170 years of transportation history as you walk over Interstate 80 at The Archway. Learn about Nebraska’s settlers at this iconic monument and museum, which spans the highway and offers a giant maze.
Stroll the sprawling green campus of the University of Nebraska-Kearney (UNK), with over 7,000 students. Stop at the Frank House, an architecturally unique brick mansion built in 1889. Walk through the museum inside, to see original furniture and stunning Tiffany stained-glass windows.
View the state through its artists’ eyes at UNK’s Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA). Explore 175 years of Nebraskan artists, from classic painters such as Robert Henri and Alice Cleaver to modern artists including Jun Kaneko and Jane Golding Marie. Also see art portraying early Native Americans and the Midwest’s wildlife.
Attend a concert or performance in the large Viaero Event Center or cheer on the Tri-City Storm at a home game of hockey. See a play at the Merryman Performing Arts Center or the Kearney Community Theatre.
Explore downtown Kearney on a historic walking tour. Go shopping at The Bricks or Hilltop Mall. Enjoy a variety of dining options, from famous Nebraska beef at small restaurants to national chains. Sample Kearney’s burgeoning craft microbrewery scene.
Walk, bike or skate your way along Kearney’s trails. Relax in Fort Kearny State Recreation Area and over a dozen parks, which offer everything from golf courses to sports complexes.
