What Is Nebraska Known For? Landmarks, Foods, And Facts
Home to names such as Marlon Brando, Hilary Swank, and Swoosie Kurtz, Nebraska is famous for its iconic Carhenge, great food, and the place of the first transcontinental railroad.
Furthermore, we are just past the Labor Day Weekend, 2025, and Nebraska has been instrumental in driving a tourism boom in the USA.
Lincoln and Omaha, the two biggest cities of the state, have especially witnessed a remarkable surge in hotel income and tax revenues due to an increased tourist footfall.
However, tourism in Nebraska has been growing stronger since 2023. Visit Nebraska shared data of 12.6 million footfall of overnight visitors in 2023.
And between January and June 2025, according to Travel and Tour World, the lodging tax revenue of the state was $4.37 million. It was a sharp 5.5% rise from 2024.
So, despite seasonality or the dependency on the summer season, tourism remains a challenge in Nebraska; it is slowly pulling its weight in the tourism landscape of the USA.
One more thing. Nebraska has successfully diversified its tourism portfolio. It now stands out with its promising agrotourism, rural tourism, sports and event tourism, and cultural heritage tourism.
Do you want to learn about what is Nebraska known for? In this Dream and Travel Guide, I will discuss what I love most about Nebraska: its cultural heritage and food. There are also some fun facts for you.
What Is Nebraska Known For? Explore The Cultural Heritage And Enjoy Great Food
In its report, “Understanding Tourism: Nebraska’s Sleeping Giant,” Visit Nebraska says that tourism is the third-largest industry in the economy of Nebraska.
Moreover, in the 2024 annual report of the Nebraska Tourism Corporation, John Ricks, the executive director of “Visit Nebraska,” said,
“Marketing ROI showed that for every $1 invested, $20.28 in visitor spending was generated.”
Also, in the same report, he mentioned that around 70% of the people who relocated to Nebraska primarily fell in love with the state as tourists.
These data show the potential and growth of tourism in Nebraska. However, the following cultural landmarks and a happening food scene have been the main reasons behind the tourism boom in the state.
So, it’s time to know more about the heritage landmarks and food of Nebraska.
Landmarks Of Nebraska
Cultural and heritage tourism remains one of the most important drivers of tourism in Nebraska. Here are the iconic landmarks Nebraska is known for.
1. Carhenge
Hours Open: 24X7
Entry: Free
Sitting near the tiny town of Alliance, Carhenge is perhaps one of the most unique landmarks in the entire country. This art piece is Stonehenge, inspired by the mysterious Stonehenge in England, made with vintage American cars.
The sculpture was built in 1987 by Jim Reinders and has become a popular attraction for travelers. There are parked vintage cars forming a circle and making the, well, Stonehenge shape.
I found some remarkable photo ops here.
2. Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock State Park Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (10th March to 31st December), 10 AM to 4:30 PM (January to Early March)
Entry Fee: $17.00 for Adults, $8.00 for Children from 5-15 Years, Free for Children below 4 Years
Chimney Rock, a promontory that juts 300 feet above the North Platte River, has been a beacon for westbound travelers for centuries.
For pioneers on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails west in the mid-1800s, it was a huge landmark with a dual sense of hope and challenge.
Today, Chimney Rock is a National Historic Site, and the fact that it sticks out rising from nowhere, with its ominous rock formations.
3. The Scotts Bluff National Monument
Hours Open: From Memorial Day to Labor Day: 8 AM to 6 PM, Fall/Winter: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Entry: Free
Another well-known and historical monument situated in western Nebraska is the Scotts Bluff National Monument.
EIGHT HUNDRED FEET above the North Platte River, the bluffs were an essential landmark for pioneer westward travelers.
The monument now has a visitor center, hiking trails, and overlooks. It’s a beautiful valley and filled with history that is so interesting to see a little about how the folks who made that trek on the Oregon and Mormon Trails lived and fared.
4. The Sandhills
The Nebraska Sandhills is one of the most intriguing natural areas in the United States. This enormous area, covering over 20,000 square miles, has rolling sand dunes, and its flexible cover supports a wide range of wildlife and grasses.
Various forms of wildlife inhabit them, such as deer, antelope, and migrating birds, so the Sandhills are a well-known destination for birdwatchers and naturalist visitors. The Sandhills are also important for the cattle ranching industry in the state.
5. Nebraska State Capitol Building
Visit Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM (Monday to Friday), 10 AM to 5 PM (Saturday), 1 PM to 5 PM (Sunday)
Entry: Free
The Nebraska State Capitol Building is in Lincoln. This 1932 building has an Art Deco design. However, the 400-foot dome kissing the sky is the most prominent architectural feature of the building. It also stands for Nebraska’s prominence in the landscape of the USA.
On a guided tour of the building, I was amazed by the mosaic work and the murals. The interior space is done beautifully.
Foods That Define Nebraska
Agrotourism and rural tourism are two important aspects of Nebraska. It has beautiful wineries, ranches, and farms.
So, with rich agricultural traditions, Nebraska has become the hub of Midwestern cuisine.
It’s pure love from Nebraska.
1. Runza
Runza is a comfort food, and the German-Russian immigrants brought it here in the 1800s. The sandwich has the most amazing stuffing of onions, cabbage, and beef.
Today, this signature Nebraskan food has become associated with Runza, a fast food chain. It serves many variations of the sandwich.
2. Corn
You cannot not have corn in a state that has the reputation of being the “Cornhusker State.” So, corn is a staple in the state’s food culture, and I love corn.
The creamed corn is amazing, and I also quite liked the cornbread.
3. Steak And Beef
They say that Nebraska has more cows than people. So, if you want to have beef in the USA, you have to visit Nebraska.
Omaha has some brilliant steakhouses, and the hamburgers and briskets here are to die for.
4. Kolaches
Kolaches became a part of the Nebraskan cuisine thanks to Czech and Slovak traditions. These are pastries, and you will find the filling of meat, fruits, or cream cheese in these pastries.
These pastries come in both sweet and savory versions. I prefer the savory version, though, as these pastries are breakfast staples, and I have my coffee for the much-needed sugar punch in the morning.
What Is Nebraska Known For? Fun And Interesting Facts About Nebraska You Didn’t Know
From being home to the first transcontinental railroad to having a unicameral legislature, Nebraska has many unique stories associated with it.
1. The Home Of The First Transcontinental Railroad
Nebraska had an important role to play in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad. The railroad system connected the eastern United States and the Western Coast. Nebraska was a crucial link in the system.
The railroad started in Promontory, Utah, in 1869, changing the commerce and travel landscape of the region.
2. Nebraska Is The Only State With A Unicameral Legislature
Nebraska’s legislature is unicameral, and Nebraska is the only state in the United States with a single legislative chamber.
This 1937 system streamlined the legislative process and enhanced the system’s transparency. Because of its single-chamber structure, Nebraska’s legislature is often regarded as a best practice in governance at the state level.
3. Nebraska Is Home To The College World Series
Omaha has been hosting the College World Series since 1950. The College World Series in a major event in collegiate baseball, and it celebrates Nebraska’s love for baseball, which has now become an important part of the state’s culture.
What Is Nebraska Known For: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about what is Nebraska known for.
The state motto of Nebraska is “Equality before the law.” So, the state is particular about preserving civil rights and maintaining justice and fairness.
Nebraska has a continental climate. So, the summers are hot and humid, and the winters are cold beyond the freezing point. During the summer season, the temperature hovers around 32 degrees Celsius.
Furthermore, during the summer and spring seasons, Nebraska experiences thunderstorms, hailstorms, and tornadoes.
The name Nebraska comes from the Missouria Native American and Otoe tribes. The Otoe word, Nebrathka, means flat water, and it refers to the Platte River.
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