Fall is a gorgeous time to visit Nebraska. The golden colors and rich leaves and fields make for perfect drives to and from that heritage, autumn or harvest festival. The state's rich agrarian backbone offers a multitude of autumn-themed (and family-friendly) attractions and events, from hayrack rides and Halloween parades to visits and tours of pumpkin patches and other seasonal business operations.
Use the Nebraska Division of Tourism and Travel as a starting point. The site is quite comprehensive, offering a travel planner where you can search for events by date, type (such as nature or historic), region or city.
Consult local tourism bureaus. Most every city has a tourist office. These locals will point you in the direction of more obscure or unusual events and attractions.
Think in terms of fall festivals. Many towns, from small to large, have some sort of autumn-based festival. Beautiful Ashland's Fall Fest includes a scavenger hunt and scarecrow and pumpkin contest, and it's within easy driving distance of Omaha's major attractions. Fall festivals in smaller towns such as Wilcox, Wallace and Doniphan include parades, soap box derbys, rodeos and car shows.
Go on a scenic route. You're bound to stumble upon something to do on the Lincoln Highway. It's a particularly striking route in the fall as you pass through charming downtowns and historic Pony Express landmarks, sod houses and wagon routes from overland trails. Along the way you'll connect with Nebraska's agricultural roots and nature, with vast expanses of farmland, roadside fruit-and-vegetable stands and wineries.
Visit a winery. Over the years, wineries have become increasingly popular in Nebraska. Many host music events and festivals, not just leisurely opportunities to sample homegrown wines.
Think "harvest." Grand Island's Harvest of Harmony features one of the biggest parades in the state and, possibly, the region. After the parade, high school and sometimes college and military bands perform intricate shows at a local high school football field. Grand Island's Husker Harvest Days, a well-established ag expo, is a great way to get in touch with the state's ag past, present and future innovation. A festival in Franklin celebrates the end of the harvest with country music and barbecue.
Opt for cultural fests. The Czech Fest in York celebrates traditional Czech dance, dress and food and offers demonstrations. In Greeley, descendants of Irish settlers host the Half-way to St. Patrick's Day festival, complete with music, dance and storytelling. Eurofest in Stanton touts food and wines from Germany, France and Italy.
Think Halloween. From scary to kid-appropriate, there are a number of Halloween events waiting for travelers in Nebraska this fall. The Wildlife Safari and Conservation Park in Ashland, which is owned and operated by the world-famous Henry Doorly Zoo, offers a haunted tram ride past elk, bison, cranes and other animals in their natural habitats, as well as gorgeous fall colors. Vala's Pumpkin Patch in Gretna is a huge spread of a seasonal attraction, offering haunted houses, several eateries, a corn maze and hayrack rides, among other things. Tour guides walk guests through the spooky and historic Happy Jack Chalk Mine in Scotia, while the Country Barn in Hastings offers two weekends of holiday-themed music, crafts and comfort food.
