The railroad community of North Platte, home to 23,800 Nebraskans, vibrates with activity ? and it's not just from the trains passing by. There's all sorts of comings and goings in the area.
Numerous shops and restaurants keep the downtown area alive with patrons. Nearby malls add more choices for a shopping safari. Dining establishments are plentiful and varied, ensuring a satisfying culinary experience in and about town. And, there are enough attractions to keep the tourist busy for a while.
Some areas of interest include Bailey Railroad Yards, Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center, Lincoln County Historical Museum, North Platte Area Children's Museum, and Buffalo Bill State Historical Park. Six miles to the south of town, Lake Mahoney State Recreation Area is an excellent resource for boating, fishing and camping. Additional campsites are available at Holiday Inn Camping Resort.
Kids will enjoy the 10,000-square-foot, indoor Adventureland with its slides, ball pits, and punching bags. They'll also get a kick out of Cody Go-Karts.
The beautiful indoor North Platte Recreation Complex features an inviting pool, weight and exercise rooms, racquetball court, gymnasium, game room and hot tub. It's a great place to play in any kind of weather.
Stock car races are held at Lincoln County Fairgrounds each Saturday in summer. And numerous golf greens offer a great way to soak up the sun and get some exercise in.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge was decreed in 1916 by then President Wilson as a breeding ground for the wild birds who used this as a stop station on their yearly migratory ritual. The multitude of avian and other species in the area makes this an excellent resource for birding enthusiasts as well as naturalists of all kinds. More than 200 species of birds alone have been identified here.
At the Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area, the 3,017-acre lake provides exceptional swimming, fishing, power boating, and camping. There's even a 9-hole golf course onsite.
The small, but active town of North Platte is located in the central region of Nebraska on I-80.
