Sandhills Nebraska is an expansive stretch of the Nebraska Highway 2 that spans a total of two hundred and seventy-two miles. This stretch of highway travels from the railroad town of Alliance all the way to Grand Island through the dramatic and impressive Sandhills. This route is known for being one of the country’s ten most scenic routes thanks to its beautiful and diverse scenery. The stunning scenery of the Sandhills Nebraska stretch of the highway features dramatic sandhills, expansive farmland, remote countryside, winding rivers, wetlands, and marshes. The area also includes the country’s largest hand-planted forest.
Wine lovers, both visitors and Nebraska natives, alike can enjoy a refreshing glass of delicious wine as they enjoy the scenery of the South Loup River Valley near Ravenna at the Cedar Hills Vineyard. Anyone visiting the winery should be sure not to leave before they ask for a sample of the blackberry or strawberry sangria. For those more interested in history or photography, a visit to the Custer County Historical Museum may be a good choice for a side trip off the highway. At this museum located in Broken Bow, visitors can look into the faces of those who are responsible for settling this area. Within the museum, guests can also view several original photographs taken by Solomon Butcher, a famed photographer of the Sandhills region.
A stop at Grand Island along the Sandhills of Nebraska allows visitors to experience what life was like for pioneers of long ago in this area. The pioneer life is showcased at the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer. This history museum is one of the nation’s top ten living history museums. Guests can learn more about the Native Americans of the Great Plains at the museum’s Pawnee Earth Lodge, push a handcart along the Mormon Trail, and explore a railroad town from the 1890’s. Visitors can also take a look at the birth home of Henry Fonda, an Oscar-winning actor.
Located near the town of Halsey, the Nebraska National Forest offers spots to enjoy a picnic and trails with stunning scenery throughout its ninety thousand acres. All sorts of creative pieces of artwork can be seen at Dunning’s Sandhills Pottery. It’s also a great place to learn more about how pottery is made at every step of the process. The pottery studio also offers a selection of pottery pieces that make great souvenirs in its gift shop. Visitors can also find locally created artwork at the Thedford Art Gallery, located in the town of Thedford.
Visitors can head over to the Double R Ranch, located around Mullen, if they’re in the mood for a real experience in ranching. There’s also the Verde Guest Ranch around Hyannis, where guests can be a cowboy for a day at this working cattle ranch. Visitors can relive the days of the Old West in Dobby’s Frontier Town, situated in the town of Alliance. The re-creation of an old Western town features a jail, mercantile, homesteader’s cabin, and much more.
