Drive 291.1 miles • 4 hours, 53 minutes

Nebraska is home to historic parks, a national forest, magnificent wildlife and, of course, some of the most enthusiastic college sports fans in the country.

1. Lincoln

Starting Point • History, Quirky, Shopping, Sports

Lincoln is home to the University of Nebraska, and on game day, the Cornhuskers football team attracts so many fans that Memorial Stadium temporarily becomes the third largest city in Nebraska. Not a pigskin buff? Eagle Raceway hosts several auto racing events, and Iron Horse Park pays tribute to Nebraska’s railroad history with a restored steam engine and children’s railroad-themed play area. Visit Haymarket, where wagons, pioneer camping equipment and hay were bought and sold in the 1800s. Find skates dating back to 1819 at the National Museum of Roller Skating. Centennial Mall is seven blocks of the most widely known public space in Nebraska, connecting the University of Nebraska to the State Capitol.

2. North Platte

65.7 miles, 1 hour, 16 minutes • Entertainment, History, Nature, Shopping

Covering 2,850 acres and managing 10,000 rail cars, North Platte’s Bailey Yard is the world’s largest train yard. To get a panoramic view of this bustling transportation hub, ascend to the eighth floor of the Golden Spike Tower, the ultimate spot for railroad buffs. Check out the gift shop and courtyard, with flags from the 23 states served by the Pacific Railroad. Find out how iron-horse history was made at the Cody Park Railroad Museum, which features one-of-a-kind steam and diesel locomotives. Get back to nature at Buffalo Bill State Historical Park, which corrals a portion of some 4,000 ranch acres owned by Col. William F. Cody. The showman’s restored mansion, barn and memorabilia are on display.

3. Thedford

65.7 miles, 1 hour, 16 minutes • Nature, Outdoor Recreation

Visitors to Thedford won’t run out of things to see and do at the nearby Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands, which is made up of two national forests and three national grasslands. Encompassing more than one million acres of land in central and northwest Nebraska (and in central and southwest South Dakota), this vast wilderness is a rare window into the region’s prairie habitat. A scenic byway near the town of Thedford meanders past sand hills, farmland, marshes and winding rivers.