Remember field trips? The excitement of seeing something new, the utter joy of being away from school during the normal school day…field trips days were always magical. If you haven’t been to these field trip destinations since you were in school, it’s high time you revisit them – they’re even better when you’re a grownup.
It would be impossible to compile a list of field trips that everyone in Nebraska took as a kid. The state is so large that the school experience is vastly different depending on which part of the state you’re from. So we’re giving you a small sample of some of the more popular field trip places…and if you lived too far away to visit these spots as a kid, there’s no time like the present to get acquainted with them!
- Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, Grand Island
TripAdvisor/Jim B When you were a kid, you no doubt had a group tour and were confined to certain areas and activities. Now that you’re a grownup, you can visit ALL of the stuff!
- Ponca State Park, Ponca
Visit Dixon County Ponca has one of the best nature education programs in the state, so if you lived nearby you probably visited often when you were in school. Today, you can choose to take advantage of everything else this gorgeous park has to offer.
- Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha
Joslyn Art Museum This wasn’t exactly every kid’s favorite destination, but now that you’re an adult you can enjoy all of the impressive art. And you won’t be rushed through without time to admire every piece you love.
- Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge, Valentine
By National Park Service [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons The many educational programs at the wildlife refuge made for some great learning opportunities for kids. Now that you’re an adult, you’ll probably have an even greater appreciation for the untamed beauty of this place, not to mention the majestic wildlife.
- Rock Creek Station, Fairbury
TripAdvisor/Charli M This site teaches kids about the Pony Express, the Oregon Trail, and life in Nebraska in the mid-1800s. Today, you’re free to wander around at your leisure, and to visit for Rock Creek Trail Days on the first weekend of each June.
- Fort Robinson, Crawford
TripAdvisor/Mike R This former U.S. Army fort has so much to teach kids about Nebraska history. Today, feel free to take a stagecoach ride, explore ALL of the buildings, and go fishing or boating.
- Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha
By OmahaZoo - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8934504 If you lived anywhere near the zoo, you visited it at least a few times with a school group. Today, visit on your own or with your family and stroll through at your own leisure without having to stay with the group.
- Riverside Discovery Center, Scottsbluff
Facebook/Riverside Discovery Center Riverside Discovery Center is western Nebraska’s zoo and so much more. The splash pad, pictured above, probably wasn’t around when you were in school…which is just one of many reasons you should visit again now.
- Harold Warp Pioneer Village, Minden
TripAdvisor/ibbarb There’s no upper or lower age limit for enjoying Pioneer Village. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. As an adult, you may have a newfound appreciation for just how historic the exhibits here are.
- Wessels Living History Farm, York
Facebook/Wessels Living History Farm Part of the core mission of Wessels Farm is to educate children on agricultural technology. It may or may not have seemed boring when you were a kid. Today you’ll probably appreciate all the work that has gone into collecting all of the fascinating exhibits.
- State Capitol Building, Lincoln
By Ammodramus (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons Everyone should visit this stunning building at least once. When you were a kid, you probably had to learn about government as you walked around. Today, you can feel free to focus on the gorgeous architecture.
These are just a few of the great field trips Nebraska students get to take. There are SO many more, so let us know – what was your favorite when you were a kid?
TripAdvisor/Jim B
When you were a kid, you no doubt had a group tour and were confined to certain areas and activities. Now that you’re a grownup, you can visit ALL of the stuff!
Visit Dixon County
Ponca has one of the best nature education programs in the state, so if you lived nearby you probably visited often when you were in school. Today, you can choose to take advantage of everything else this gorgeous park has to offer.
Joslyn Art Museum
This wasn’t exactly every kid’s favorite destination, but now that you’re an adult you can enjoy all of the impressive art. And you won’t be rushed through without time to admire every piece you love.
By National Park Service [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The many educational programs at the wildlife refuge made for some great learning opportunities for kids. Now that you’re an adult, you’ll probably have an even greater appreciation for the untamed beauty of this place, not to mention the majestic wildlife.
TripAdvisor/Charli M
This site teaches kids about the Pony Express, the Oregon Trail, and life in Nebraska in the mid-1800s. Today, you’re free to wander around at your leisure, and to visit for Rock Creek Trail Days on the first weekend of each June.
TripAdvisor/Mike R
This former U.S. Army fort has so much to teach kids about Nebraska history. Today, feel free to take a stagecoach ride, explore ALL of the buildings, and go fishing or boating.
By OmahaZoo - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8934504
If you lived anywhere near the zoo, you visited it at least a few times with a school group. Today, visit on your own or with your family and stroll through at your own leisure without having to stay with the group.
Facebook/Riverside Discovery Center
Riverside Discovery Center is western Nebraska’s zoo and so much more. The splash pad, pictured above, probably wasn’t around when you were in school…which is just one of many reasons you should visit again now.
TripAdvisor/ibbarb
There’s no upper or lower age limit for enjoying Pioneer Village. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. As an adult, you may have a newfound appreciation for just how historic the exhibits here are.
Facebook/Wessels Living History Farm
Part of the core mission of Wessels Farm is to educate children on agricultural technology. It may or may not have seemed boring when you were a kid. Today you’ll probably appreciate all the work that has gone into collecting all of the fascinating exhibits.
By Ammodramus (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
Everyone should visit this stunning building at least once. When you were a kid, you probably had to learn about government as you walked around. Today, you can feel free to focus on the gorgeous architecture.
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