Nebraska’s small towns are the lifeblood of the state; they are some of the most charming, delightful, unique places you’ll ever see. We’ve been telling you about the greatest little towns in the state for a few years now. These 13 are some of the best we featured in 2017. If you haven’t visited them all yet, the new year is the perfect time to get out and explore.
- Taylor, Loup County
flickr/Ali Eminov This sweet little town is populated with lots of friendly people…and some who are a little more wooden. The Villagers are life-size wooden people who occupy the town, providing a fun attraction for visitors.Read the whole article about Taylor here.
- Aurora, Hamilton County
By Ammodramus (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons Aurora is one of those charming towns that you can immediately feel at home in. The tight-knit community is all about togetherness and families; in fact, it’s been named one of the best places in the country to raise a family. Read our article about Aurora here.
- Lyons, Burt County
Facebook/Lyons, Nebraska This delightful town is a true hidden gem that you’ve just got to visit. Besides being a great place to raise a family and lead a peaceful life, Lyons is hiding an unforgettable secret: an open-air movie theater that pops out of a faux storefront. Read the whole article about Lyons here.
- Burwell, Garfield County
flickr/Ali Eminov Burwell may be small, but it’s got a big personality. Residents value locally-owned businesses, and the outdoor recreation opportunities are endless. Plus, it’s the long-time home of Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, a classic Cornhusker State event.Read the full article about Burwell here.
- Crawford, Dawes County
Google/Keri Kotowicz When we wrote about Crawford, we focused on the surprisingly high number of fantastic restaurants in and around the town. There are a whole lot of other reasons to visit this western Nebraska gem, though, including boundless natural beauty nearby.Read our whole article about Crawford here.
- Whitney, Dawes County
By Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) (Whitney, Nebraska Uploaded by AlbertHerring) [CC BY-SA 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons Speaking of natural beauty, the tiny town of Whitney - not too far from Crawford - is immersed in it. With Chadron State Park, Fort Robinson State Park, Toadstool Geologic Park, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and many more nature attractions nearby, you’ll easily become enchanted with Whitney.Read our whole article about Whitney here.
- Wayne, Wayne County
flickr/Ali Eminov Wayne is one of the happiest little towns in the state, and once you visit you’ll see why. The county seat of Wayne County is rich with historical attractions, and it’s also home to Wayne College and the famous Wayne Chicken Show. Read our full article about Wayne here.
- Fairbury, Jefferson County
By Ammodramus (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons You’ve got to love this town that looks like it could have come straight out of a fairytale. With historic buildings, beautiful outdoor spaces, and friendly residents, you might not want to leave when your visit is over.Read our full article about Fairbury here.
- Gross, Boyd County
By Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) (Gross, Nebraska Uploaded by AlbertHerring) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons This town’s population is the second smallest in the town, right behind Monowi, the town with just one person. Two people inhabit Gross and run the well-loved Nebrask Inn restaurant. People come from miles around for the delicious food.Read the whole article about Gross here.
- Long Pine, Brown County
By Ammodramus (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Long Pine has a rather unusual claim to fame: with a population of just 305, it’s the smallest officially-designated city in the state. We’re more interested in the natural splendor surrounding the city, though. Long Pine has long been known as one of the most scenic towns in the state, and the reputation is well deserved.Read our entire article about Long Pine here.
- Ogallala, Keith County
TripAdvisor/Felixstowe2016 Ogallala was known as the toughest, most dangerous town in the state back in Nebraska’s frontier days. Today, it’s got several unique attractions that you just won’t find anywhere else. We love the Petrified Wood and Art Gallery, the cowboy-themed Front Street, and lots more.Read the full article about Ogallala here.
- Stromsburg, Polk County
flickr/Ali Eminov Stromsburg is a tiny bit of Sweden in the middle of Nebraska. Lovely architecture, great food, and a strong sense of community are just a few of the awesome features you’ll find in this little town.Read the full article on Stromsburg here.
- Dannebrog, Howard County
Roman Eugeniusz Dannebrog is another little European town hiding in Nebraska. It’s the Danish Capital of the state, and you’ll find plenty of reminders of that heritage all over the town. One of Dannebrog’s main draws for visitors is the unbelievable pizza served once a week at the town’s bakery.Read our full article on Dannebrog here.
How many of these little towns have you already visited? How many will you get to in the new year? Tell us which one is your favorite in the comments!
flickr/Ali Eminov
This sweet little town is populated with lots of friendly people…and some who are a little more wooden. The Villagers are life-size wooden people who occupy the town, providing a fun attraction for visitors.Read the whole article about Taylor here.
By Ammodramus (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
Aurora is one of those charming towns that you can immediately feel at home in. The tight-knit community is all about togetherness and families; in fact, it’s been named one of the best places in the country to raise a family. Read our article about Aurora here.
Facebook/Lyons, Nebraska
This delightful town is a true hidden gem that you’ve just got to visit. Besides being a great place to raise a family and lead a peaceful life, Lyons is hiding an unforgettable secret: an open-air movie theater that pops out of a faux storefront. Read the whole article about Lyons here.
Burwell may be small, but it’s got a big personality. Residents value locally-owned businesses, and the outdoor recreation opportunities are endless. Plus, it’s the long-time home of Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, a classic Cornhusker State event.Read the full article about Burwell here.
Google/Keri Kotowicz
When we wrote about Crawford, we focused on the surprisingly high number of fantastic restaurants in and around the town. There are a whole lot of other reasons to visit this western Nebraska gem, though, including boundless natural beauty nearby.Read our whole article about Crawford here.
By Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) (Whitney, Nebraska Uploaded by AlbertHerring) [CC BY-SA 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons
Speaking of natural beauty, the tiny town of Whitney - not too far from Crawford - is immersed in it. With Chadron State Park, Fort Robinson State Park, Toadstool Geologic Park, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and many more nature attractions nearby, you’ll easily become enchanted with Whitney.Read our whole article about Whitney here.
Wayne is one of the happiest little towns in the state, and once you visit you’ll see why. The county seat of Wayne County is rich with historical attractions, and it’s also home to Wayne College and the famous Wayne Chicken Show. Read our full article about Wayne here.
By Ammodramus (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
You’ve got to love this town that looks like it could have come straight out of a fairytale. With historic buildings, beautiful outdoor spaces, and friendly residents, you might not want to leave when your visit is over.Read our full article about Fairbury here.
By Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) (Gross, Nebraska Uploaded by AlbertHerring) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
This town’s population is the second smallest in the town, right behind Monowi, the town with just one person. Two people inhabit Gross and run the well-loved Nebrask Inn restaurant. People come from miles around for the delicious food.Read the whole article about Gross here.
Long Pine has a rather unusual claim to fame: with a population of just 305, it’s the smallest officially-designated city in the state. We’re more interested in the natural splendor surrounding the city, though. Long Pine has long been known as one of the most scenic towns in the state, and the reputation is well deserved.Read our entire article about Long Pine here.
TripAdvisor/Felixstowe2016
Ogallala was known as the toughest, most dangerous town in the state back in Nebraska’s frontier days. Today, it’s got several unique attractions that you just won’t find anywhere else. We love the Petrified Wood and Art Gallery, the cowboy-themed Front Street, and lots more.Read the full article about Ogallala here.
Stromsburg is a tiny bit of Sweden in the middle of Nebraska. Lovely architecture, great food, and a strong sense of community are just a few of the awesome features you’ll find in this little town.Read the full article on Stromsburg here.
Roman Eugeniusz
Dannebrog is another little European town hiding in Nebraska. It’s the Danish Capital of the state, and you’ll find plenty of reminders of that heritage all over the town. One of Dannebrog’s main draws for visitors is the unbelievable pizza served once a week at the town’s bakery.Read our full article on Dannebrog here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
