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Children's
Museum
From exit 272, drive into town (this is 2nd Ave), across
the tracks, to 21st Ave. Turn right and go 3 blocks to 'A' Avenue. Turn
right - the museum is at 2013 'A' Avenue.
Like the 'big city' hands-on science museums which
have become so popular, this one also has some great hands-on exhibits
and, for the most part, different from the ones you may have seen at the
North Platte Children's Museum.
One of the permanent exhibits is a
'television' studio which most kids really seem to enjoy. Admission
charged. We couldn't find a toll-free phone but their local number
is 1-308-236-5437.
Trails and Rails
Museum
Wagon trails, then railroads, were vital to the
American West. Here, housed in an old Union Pacific depot (relocated to a little
park with a vintage church, schoolhouse and hotel), is an interesting
museum with several displays. Many of them constantly change so, for
most folks, each time you stop in you'll see something new.
One display, which we were told is permanent,
depicts the history of travel: from the wagon trains and prairie
schooners, then the evolution of railroad travel culminating in the
automobile (all of which were important to folks along the Platte and
North Platte Rivers.
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The Archway
Officially, the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument extends over I-80 (you'll see it when you get back on the
Interstate). But the best part is inside.
Chronicled via a dozen inter-active exhibits, the history of the
great westward trek is presented in a way that allows you to almost
experience for yourself how it was to cross this great prairie in the
19th Century. You even get to witness a buffalo stampede. While this is
great for kids, of course, it is also very worth while for adults.
Admission charged. For more info, phone 1-877-511-2724.
Migratory
Waterfall
During
a six week stretch from sometime in February to mid-April or so, about
80% of the sand cranes on this planet, plus several hundreds other
species of migratory fowl, pause in their migration to rest in the area
from Kearney to Grand Island. You may have noticed those ponds along the
Interstate; most of them are in special Wildlife Management Areas to
assure these thousands of birds have a safe place for their mid-journey
rest.
If you would like to learn more, the Crane Meadows Nature Center
at exit 305 is a 250 acre wetland habitat with a visitors center
featuring excellent sand crane and other wildlife exhibits plus a video.
For more information, phone 1-308-382-1820.
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