 Things
to do and see in North Platte! |
| There's plenty to see and do in North Platte.
The following is a partial listing. |
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to Featured Columns list |
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North Platte/Lincoln County Visitor's and
Convention Bureau
Planning a trip to North Platte and you
need to know what's going on and where?
The North Platte/Lincoln County Convention and Visitors Bureau is a one-stop
place to find out all the restaurants in the area, where the hotels and
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motels are, or maybe to plan a convention.
Not only do they have a listing of current events, but they also have a
listing of coming events and who to contact.
In fact, whether it's for business or pleasure, the North Platte/Lincoln
County Convention and Visitors Bureau has all the information one needs
to make complete plans. Stop by the office at 219 South Dewey in North Platte,
or send mail to P.O. Box 1207, North Platte, NE 69103-1207. The office phone
numbers are 308-532-4729 or 800-955-4528. The e-mail address is lccvb@nque.com.
Visit the North
Platte/Lincoln County Visitor's and Convention Bureau website for more
information. |
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20th Century Veterans’ Memorial
The 20th CenturyVeterans' Memorial is taking shape, adjacent to the Interstate
80 and U.S. Highway 83 junction.
The memorial honors all 20th-century veterans and will memorialize five
of the main armed forces, the five major conflicts of the 20th century and
the five major ethnic groups who served in the military during the last
century. |
A Walk of Honor will
feature commemorative bricks with the names of veterans who served at any
time during the 20th century. A Place of Meditation will pay special tribute
to all Nebraska veterans who lost their lives during 20th-century conflicts.
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Completion date is expected about mid-2003. Visitors are welcome to stop
by and watch the progress. To learn more visit 20th
Century Memorial website. |
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Cody Park
Perhaps one of North Platte's best-kept secrets is Cody Park north of
North Platte on Highway 83.
A life-size statue of Buffalo Bill stands at the park's main entrance.
The park is home to ducks, geese, deer, llamas, peafowl, elk and a variety
of other animals. All of them will eagerly approach the fence to beg for
tidbits of food.
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The park has picnic grounds, camping,
horseshoe-pitching pits, tennis courts, and during the summer there are
inexpensive rides for children, including an original carousel.
The park is also home to a railroad museum featuring the Union Pacific 3977,
one of two remaining 3900 class Challenger-type locomotives and the only
one on display.
The railroad display is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 1 through September.
The park is always open. |
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Fort McPherson National Cemetary
Fort McPherson National Cemetery is Nebraska's only national cemetery.
The cemetery was established on March 3, 1873. It has become the final resting
place for about 7,000 American men and women who served their country, and
their spouses.
A memorial section near the main entrance commemorates those members of
the Armed Forces who died in service but whose remains could |
not be recovered, identified, or
were buried at sea or had their ashes scattered.
There are four Medal of Honor recipients buried there, two of them were
Buffalo Soldiers. The Medal of Honor is earned by an act of bravery and
self-sacrifice that goes above and beyond the call of duty...
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Location: Two miles south of I-80 Exit 190 at Maxwell
Hours: Gates are open 24 hours
Admission: Free
To learn more about
Fort McPherson, visit their website. |
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Lincoln County Historical Society Museum
The Lincoln County Historical Society at 2403 North Buffalo Bill Avenue
houses memorabilia from the famous World War II Canteen, along with railroad
history and a model railroad.
Back of the main building is a western prairie village, where visitors can
step back in time by |
| touring a train depot, Pony Express station,
church, school, and other buildings.
The museum is open from:
Memorial Day to Labor Day
1 to 8 p.m. Sundays
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Labor Day through September
1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Winter months By appointment for groups.
Admission
A suggested donation of $1 for adults and 50 cents for children.
Learn more about
Lincoln County Historical Society |
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Buffalo Bil State Historical Park
Buffalo Bill State Historical Park, featuring the Victorian home built
by Buffalo Bill in the late 1800s and a huge barn that houses memorabilia
from the Wild West Show, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
April 1 to Memorial Day.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8
p.m.
Then Labor Day through Oct. 31, the park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
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| The park offers viewing sites for watching the
sandhills cranes each spring, camping facilities and horseback riding....
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related story
A state-park permit is required for all vehicles; a daily permit is available
at the house and at the barn. Visit the
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website to learn more about
Buffalo Bill State Historical Park. |
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Union Pacific Railroad's Bailey
Yards
Union Pacific Railroad's Bailey Yard is the world's largest railroad classification
yard.
According to recent statistics, Bailey Yard handles about 10,000 railroad
cars every 24 hours. Of the train traffic through the yards, about 70 percent
is composed of unit trains - those carrying coal, autos, grain, etc.
Approximately 10 percent of North Platte's |
population is employed by Union Pacific Railroad.
Construction is expected to begin soon on a visitor's center at Bailey Yard.
The focal point will be a 15-story golden spike.
Visitors will learn about the machinery and workers who keep trains moving
through Bailey Yard with videos and interactive displays. An elevator trip
up the golden spike will allow them to view the magnitude of the yards for
themselves. Learn more about UPRR
Bailey Yard's. |
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NPTSummer 2004 Issue
North
Platte Traveler 
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