Step into yesteryear with a stay at the High Plains Homestead near Crawford, Nebraska. Mike Kesselring and his family have rescued
homestead-era buildings creating a typical homestead village with a general store, tavern, accommodations, blacksmith shop, a jail, a one-room homestead house, and more are in the works. Visitors can tie up their
horse for the night and/or just stop by for one of their “cowboy” cooked meals. Mike cooks up an awesome meal. You have to look for it but there is also a swimming pool surrounded by a high wooded fence so it doesn’t intrude on the ambiance of the place. There is even internet.
Some of the quaint but rustic rooms are aptly named (and decorated) “Cowboy” and “Saloon Girl.” They were all occupied so we stayed in the cabin with two bedrooms, kitchen, washer and dryer, and more. I would have liked to stay longer. We enjoyed the evening sunset, saying goodnight to the horses and buffalos,
and gazing at a zillion stars. For more information log on to highplainshomestead.com. The local ranchers like the Kesselrings have formed nebraskahighcountry.com to promote the area, their accommodations, and provide a variety of experiences such as a trail ride, fossil hunting, and hiking.
With easy on/off from Interstate 80 and Highway 26, the Stagecoach Inn is the place to stay when visiting Ogallala, the Cowboy Capital. The Colonial-style, brick motor inn is just
minutes from the Petrified Wood Gallery and the Cowboy Museum. There is an old-time stagecoach outside.
The attractive lobby is welcoming with a chandelier,a cowboy mural and stairs leading to the second floor. The accommodations are comfy with air-conditioning, mini fridges,
flat-screen TV and complimentary wireless. There is a tea/coffee maker in each room, along with a small table and chair. A full breakfast is included.
Guests can enjoy the outdoor/indoor pool, a fitness center, and a picnic area. For a great nearby place check out Mansion on the Hill.
Visiting Scotts Bluff and other places along the Oregon Trail in Western Nebraska? You don’t have to rough it like the pioneers did, enjoy your stay at Monument Inn & Suites where you will receive a warm welcome, enjoy some fresh cookies, an extensive breakfast, and comfy accommodations.
The accommodations are quiet plus they offer 24-hour airport shuttle, and exercise room, a business center, guest laundry, and other great amenities. The rooms have a desk, comfy chair, Keurig coffee/tea service, flat screen TV with USB ports, mini fridge,
micro wave, complimentary water, and a local newspaper along with complimentary internet. The complimentary breakfast is excellent with everything from fresh fruit to cereal to eggs and much more. Something
for everyone. There is always fresh coffee in the lobby. There is plenty of parking, check out their gazebo where there are often fun evening activities, and the cost is reasonable.
When visiting Lincoln, the capital of Nebraska, head to the city’s iconic hotel, The Cornhusker, a Marriott Hotel, that has entertained guest from near and far for nearly 90 years. From the minute you enter the elegant lobby with a sweeping grand staircase to time you use their Express Checkout you stay with be memorable.
The central location allows for easy access to the historic Haymarket District, the University of Nebraska and other popular Lincoln destinations. After a day of work or sightseeing enjoy a relaxing dip in their indoor heated pool and possibly a libation in their Miller Time Pub & Grill.
Guests will find their accommodation with all the upscale amenities one comes to expect from a Marriott property. The freshly-appointed bedding features plush down comforters with soft pillow. There is plenty of work
space and free access to the internet. Consider upgrading yourself to the Concierge Lounge, located on the upper levels and feature complimentary Continental breakfast, hors d’oeuvers, and snack. Regardless of your choice the staff is always at you beck and call to provide whatever you need. Make sure you are a member of the Marriott Rewards program so you accumulate points for a free stay some other time. For more information check marriott.com.
In Nebraska City, Nebraska the Lied Lodge & Conference Center is the place for lovers of trees. It is where Arbor Day was started by J. Sterling Morton and his dream of planting trees continues. Tree planting is just one way Lied Lodge encourages environmental stewardship.
Everything about Lied Lodge from the tall Douglas fir timbers of the lobby to the their unique bio-mass system that uses wood chips made from pallets to heat and cool the hotel to serving Fair Trade coffee is about preserving the environment.
Guests can choose a room with a view to the arboretum or hazelnut orchard with all the amenities one expects from a high-end hotel. During the day visit Arbor Lodge State Park, the home of J. Sterling Morton. Make time to take the trail to past the hazelnut trees through the wooded area to the historic barn, orchards and nursery. Enjoy lunch and their awesome apple pie made from the apple fresh from their orchard. And visit the Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure to learn how “trees make a world of difference."
End the day with a dip in Lied Lodge pool and a massage at their spa then enjoy a relaxing delectable dinner in their Timber Dining Room where sustainable food is served under soaring butternut timbers. Be inspired – join the Arbor Day foundation and be part of the solution. For more information check Liedlodge.org.
For the most sublime place to stay in Nebraska head to the tiny town of Brownville between Omaha and Kansas City and check in the River Inn Resort. The town of Brownville, population 130, is an International Book Town with four bookstores and seven museums. After a day of exploring this wonderful town which is a step back into yesteryear spend a night or two on a stationary riverboat turned luxury B&B.
The rooms with ensuite bathrooms are sleek with pillow top mattresses, wireless internet, HD TV, phones, coffee makers, refrigerators, microwaves, individually controlled a/c and heating, and radios. The best part is the wraparound deck. In the evening relax on the
deck as darkness descends and listen to the sounds of nature. Come morning watch the sun rise above the trees and the fog lift from the river. Breakfast is a culinary delight and the perfect way to start the day. The resort, a luxuriously restored river boat, is stationary but you can explore the Missouri River on the Spirit of Brownville which is docked next to the River Inn. It is an unforgettable river experience where you can catch sight of bald eagles and heron. For more information check River-inn-resort.com.
Some of the quaint but rustic rooms are aptly named (and decorated) “Cowboy” and “Saloon Girl.” They were all occupied so we stayed in the cabin with two bedrooms, kitchen, washer and dryer, and more. I would have liked to stay longer. We enjoyed the evening sunset, saying goodnight to the horses and buffalos,
In Nebraska City, Nebraska the Lied Lodge & Conference Center is the place for lovers of trees. It is where Arbor Day was started by J. Sterling Morton and his dream of planting trees continues. Tree planting is just one way Lied Lodge encourages environmental stewardship.
Guests can choose a room with a view to the arboretum or hazelnut orchard with all the amenities one expects from a high-end hotel. During the day visit Arbor Lodge State Park, the home of J. Sterling Morton. Make time to take the trail to past the hazelnut trees through the wooded area to the historic barn, orchards and nursery. Enjoy lunch and their awesome apple pie made from the apple fresh from their orchard. And visit the Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure to learn how “trees make a world of difference." 
