There’s so much to love about Nebraska. We have stunning sunsets, incredible hiking trails, and fascinating history. If you’re new to this state, or just want to learn more about your home, you’ve come to the right place. We whipped up some Nebraska facts A to Z! Okay, we can’t really tell you everything about Nebraska in just 26 items, but we can give you a pretty good feel for the state.
Agriculture
flickr/photoreb Things to know about Nebraska: Agriculture is our #1 industry, and it helps support our state and feed the entire country.
Boys Town
flickr/Karen This village started out as Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home and grew into a huge operation that serves at-risk youth. In fact, some say Boys Town is one of the most interesting places in Nebraska! Boys Town, NE, USA
Cornhuskers
flickr/Greg Stock Although the name “Cornhuskers” is shared by all of the sports teams at UNL, the football team is a very big deal in Nebraska. If there’s one thing you need to know about life in Nebraska, it’s this!
Desert, Great American
flickr/Walt Hubis Early explorers saw the expansive Sandhills region of the state and decided it was completely unusable. The called the entire state “the great American desert.”
Education
Wikimedia/Ammodramus Nebraska has a high rate of high school graduation, and with more than 30 post-secondary educational institutions, we also know the value of higher education.
Fossils
flickr/Quinn Dombrowski Nebraska is surprisingly rich in ancient fossils, located in several locations throughout the state. A portion of the state is even known as the “Fossil Freeway.” Morrill Hall on the UNL campus features the world’s largest articulated mammoth fossil. Visit this fossil park in Nebraska for more fascinating finds!
Goldenrod
flickr/USFWS Mountains-Prairie The pretty goldenrod, which blooms in the late summer, is our state flower.
Honeybee
flickr/Toshihiro Gamo Buzz! The honeybee is Nebraska’s official state insect.
Irrigation, Center Pivot
flickr/John Lillis Nebraska is both the largest producer and largest user of central pivot irrigation systems.
J. Sterling Morton
flickr/Cris Newspaperman, Secretary of Agriculture, short-term acting governor, and founder of Arbor Day, Morton’s influence can still be felt around the country. Make sure to visit his beautiful mansion, Arbor Day Farm in the fall! Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410, USA
Kool-Aid
flickr/Michael Lehet Kool-Aid was invented right here in Nebraska, and it also happens to be the official state soft drink.
Lincoln
flickr/Doug Kerr The state’s capitol and second-largest city is also home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the impressive Memorial Stadium. It’s also one of the happiest cities in America!
Museums
flickr/S C Hargis Nebraska has an abundance of art and history museums for the entertainment and education of residents and visitors. From a spooky paranormal museum to the Kearney Archway Museum, there’s something for everyone! Take a look at our list of these historic railroad museums for more fun!
Native Americans
flickr/NikonLass Many Native American tribes once lived and hunted in what is now Nebraska. Today, the state has eight reservations.
Omaha
flickr/Asten The state’s largest city is located along the Missouri River in eastern Nebraska and is home to many large businesses, including Berkshire-Hathaway and Union Pacific. It’s also home to the world’s largest indoor desert!
Parks
flickr/Overduebook Nebraska has an amazing array of state parks, state recreation areas, state historical parks. There’s always a beautiful place to spend a day outdoors! No doubt about it – our state parks are the best things about living in Nebraska. Check out our full guide to Nebraska’s State Parks for more info.
Quilt Study Center and Museum
Wikimedia/Maureenose This facility at UNL houses the world’s largest public collection of quilts. The Quilt Study Center and Museum is a must-visit! International Quilt Museum, 1523 N 33rd St, entrance off 33rd, not, Holdrege St, Lincoln, NE 68503, USA
Rodeos
flickr/storyseeds Buffalo Bill Cody popularized rodeos in Nebraska with his Wild West Show. Today, there are still plenty of rodeos held all through the state.
Sandhills
Wikimedia/Ammodramus This expansive region covers one-quarter of the state. It’s a unique ecosystem perfect for ranches, and it has been named a National Natural Landmark. Come see the most gorgeous sand dunes in America! Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, Broken Bow, NE 68822, USA
Tin Roof Sundae
flickr/K Hardy This tasty concoction, consisting of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, marshmallow cream, and peanuts, was invented in Potter, NE at Potter Sundry. If you’ve never eaten at this historic soda fountain in Nebraska, add it to your bucket list!
Unicameral
flickr/edward stojakovic Nebraska is the only state in the country with a single-house legislation.
Valentine, Nebraska
flickr/Diana Robinson Valentine and its exceptional natural beauty were named one of the nation’s top 10 wilderness towns and cities by National Geographic Adventure magazine.
Warren Buffett
flickr/Fortune Live Media The Oracle of Omaha is the world’s sixth wealthiest person, one of the most influential people in the world (according to Time magazine), and chooses to continue residing in the city in which he was born.
X, Malcolm
Wikimedia/public domain The famed human rights activist was born in Omaha in 1925. Today, an historical marker stands where his family’s home was once located.
Yahoo!
Wikimedia/Xingenious The technology giant has two offices in Omaha employing a few hundred people.
Zoo
flickr/Paul Huber Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo has repeatedly been voted the best in the country - and even the best in the world. It has the world’s largest indoor desert and America’s largest indoor rainforest. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107, USA
There’s so much more to Nebraska – we could fill at least five or six alphabets with interesting state facts! What would you put into your own Nebraska facts A to Z primer?
flickr/photoreb
Things to know about Nebraska: Agriculture is our #1 industry, and it helps support our state and feed the entire country.
flickr/Karen
This village started out as Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home and grew into a huge operation that serves at-risk youth. In fact, some say Boys Town is one of the most interesting places in Nebraska!
Boys Town, NE, USA
flickr/Greg Stock
Although the name “Cornhuskers” is shared by all of the sports teams at UNL, the football team is a very big deal in Nebraska. If there’s one thing you need to know about life in Nebraska, it’s this!
flickr/Walt Hubis
Early explorers saw the expansive Sandhills region of the state and decided it was completely unusable. The called the entire state “the great American desert.”
Wikimedia/Ammodramus
Nebraska has a high rate of high school graduation, and with more than 30 post-secondary educational institutions, we also know the value of higher education.
flickr/Quinn Dombrowski
Nebraska is surprisingly rich in ancient fossils, located in several locations throughout the state. A portion of the state is even known as the “Fossil Freeway.” Morrill Hall on the UNL campus features the world’s largest articulated mammoth fossil. Visit this fossil park in Nebraska for more fascinating finds!
flickr/USFWS Mountains-Prairie
The pretty goldenrod, which blooms in the late summer, is our state flower.
flickr/Toshihiro Gamo
Buzz! The honeybee is Nebraska’s official state insect.
flickr/John Lillis
Nebraska is both the largest producer and largest user of central pivot irrigation systems.
flickr/Cris
Newspaperman, Secretary of Agriculture, short-term acting governor, and founder of Arbor Day, Morton’s influence can still be felt around the country. Make sure to visit his beautiful mansion, Arbor Day Farm in the fall!
Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410, USA
flickr/Michael Lehet
Kool-Aid was invented right here in Nebraska, and it also happens to be the official state soft drink.
flickr/Doug Kerr
The state’s capitol and second-largest city is also home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the impressive Memorial Stadium. It’s also one of the happiest cities in America!
flickr/S C Hargis
Nebraska has an abundance of art and history museums for the entertainment and education of residents and visitors. From a spooky paranormal museum to the Kearney Archway Museum, there’s something for everyone! Take a look at our list of these historic railroad museums for more fun!
flickr/NikonLass
Many Native American tribes once lived and hunted in what is now Nebraska. Today, the state has eight reservations.
flickr/Asten
The state’s largest city is located along the Missouri River in eastern Nebraska and is home to many large businesses, including Berkshire-Hathaway and Union Pacific. It’s also home to the world’s largest indoor desert!
flickr/Overduebook
Nebraska has an amazing array of state parks, state recreation areas, state historical parks. There’s always a beautiful place to spend a day outdoors! No doubt about it – our state parks are the best things about living in Nebraska. Check out our full guide to Nebraska’s State Parks for more info.
Wikimedia/Maureenose
This facility at UNL houses the world’s largest public collection of quilts. The Quilt Study Center and Museum is a must-visit!
International Quilt Museum, 1523 N 33rd St, entrance off 33rd, not, Holdrege St, Lincoln, NE 68503, USA
flickr/storyseeds
Buffalo Bill Cody popularized rodeos in Nebraska with his Wild West Show. Today, there are still plenty of rodeos held all through the state.
This expansive region covers one-quarter of the state. It’s a unique ecosystem perfect for ranches, and it has been named a National Natural Landmark. Come see the most gorgeous sand dunes in America!
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, Broken Bow, NE 68822, USA
flickr/K Hardy
This tasty concoction, consisting of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, marshmallow cream, and peanuts, was invented in Potter, NE at Potter Sundry. If you’ve never eaten at this historic soda fountain in Nebraska, add it to your bucket list!
flickr/edward stojakovic
Nebraska is the only state in the country with a single-house legislation.
flickr/Diana Robinson
Valentine and its exceptional natural beauty were named one of the nation’s top 10 wilderness towns and cities by National Geographic Adventure magazine.
flickr/Fortune Live Media
The Oracle of Omaha is the world’s sixth wealthiest person, one of the most influential people in the world (according to Time magazine), and chooses to continue residing in the city in which he was born.
Wikimedia/public domain
The famed human rights activist was born in Omaha in 1925. Today, an historical marker stands where his family’s home was once located.
Wikimedia/Xingenious
The technology giant has two offices in Omaha employing a few hundred people.
flickr/Paul Huber
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo has repeatedly been voted the best in the country - and even the best in the world. It has the world’s largest indoor desert and America’s largest indoor rainforest.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Nebraska Facts December 30, 2022 Elisa Regulski What are the best things about living in Nebraska? The best things about living in Nebraska are:
Our state parks It’s one of the happiest cities in America We have gorgeous sunsets and hiking trails It’s an affordable place to live We have a great education system Fascinating museums Delicious restaurants Rodeos Festivals
Where should I go to take photos in Nebraska? The best places to take pictures in Nebraska are:
Scotts Bluff Monument Cass County Pine Ridge Lewis and Clark Lake Toadstool Park Pioneers Park Sandhills Arbor Lodge State Park Chadron State Park Indian Cave State Park Niobrara State Park Platte River State Park
The OIYS Visitor Center
Nebraska Facts
December 30, 2022
Elisa Regulski
What are the best things about living in Nebraska? The best things about living in Nebraska are:
Our state parks It’s one of the happiest cities in America We have gorgeous sunsets and hiking trails It’s an affordable place to live We have a great education system Fascinating museums Delicious restaurants Rodeos Festivals
Where should I go to take photos in Nebraska? The best places to take pictures in Nebraska are:
Scotts Bluff Monument Cass County Pine Ridge Lewis and Clark Lake Toadstool Park Pioneers Park Sandhills Arbor Lodge State Park Chadron State Park Indian Cave State Park Niobrara State Park Platte River State Park
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The best things about living in Nebraska are:
- Our state parks
- It’s one of the happiest cities in America
- We have gorgeous sunsets and hiking trails
- It’s an affordable place to live
- We have a great education system
- Fascinating museums
- Delicious restaurants
- Rodeos
- Festivals
Where should I go to take photos in Nebraska?
The best places to take pictures in Nebraska are:
- Scotts Bluff Monument
- Cass County
- Pine Ridge
- Lewis and Clark Lake
- Toadstool Park
- Pioneers Park
- Sandhills
- Arbor Lodge State Park
- Chadron State Park
- Indian Cave State Park
- Niobrara State Park
- Platte River State Park
