Kearney Things to Do Tips by Rich62

See a great Classic Car Collection

Kearney's newest attraction (as of 2012) is the "Classic Car Collection", a first-rate museum featuring about 130 great automobiles, such as a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, a "Back to the Future" DeLorean, hardtop convertables, a Ferrarri Testarossa, and numerous cars from the 1910's through the 1960's as well. There are many interactive boards where you can select a brief video on a subject of your interest, and a gift shop too.

My wife and I spent about an hour and a half and enjoyed it immensely.

Admission (as of 2012) is $7 for senior citizens and $9 for adults.

Address: 3600 East Highway 30, Suite B

Directions: It is on the north side of the Cabela's building.

Other Contact: cell: 308 627-9591

Phone: 308 234-1964

Website: http://jlschmidt@classiccarcollection.org

SEE THE FRANK HOUSE

THE FRANK HOUSE IS AN 1889 VICTORIAN MANSION MUSEUM featuring furnishings of the period, including a 5-foot by 10-foot Tiffany window.

George W. Frank, who introduced electricity to Kearney and helped start the electric street car service, built the home. From 1911 to 1972 it was used as an apartment unit for people who worked at the State Tuberculosis Hospital nearby. (The T.B. Hospital is now part of the University.) The state gave the Frank House to the University campus in 1972, and it has since been refurbished.

Hours: 2 to 5 Monday through Friday, year round. Closed holidays and whenever UNK in closed. Special and large group tours (8 or more) by appointment. Donations accepted.

Address: 2010 University Drive

Directions: On West Campus of UNK, between ballpark and West Center. (North of highway 30)

Phone: 308-865-8284

Website: http://www.frankhouse.org

The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument

Kearney happens to be located on the main highway of American History. Going through or right by Kearney are: The great Transcontinental Railroad, the Pony Express, the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, and the first Transcontinental Highway in America.

These are all commemorated in one of the most unusual museums in the world. It is actually located in the air space above Interstate 80, two miles east of the Kearney exit! (but note: you must take the Kearney exit to get to it, at least until a new interstate exit is completed, perhaps in 2013.)
This museum is a very modern, interactive museum of the westward movement in America. At the end of your visit, you can look out at the cars zooming underneath you on the interstate and even see what their speed is on radar guns. Figure about an hour or an hour and a half to make this visit. It is not a tourist trap; I think anyone who would enjoy learning about the westward movement would enjoy the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument. whew! It probably also has the longest name of any museum in the country!

3 photos attached.

Address: Exit # 272 in Nebraska, follow signs to museum.

Directions: From exit 272, go north for only a block or two, then following the signs, turn right. It is two miles east of Kearney on the service road which runs along the north side of Interstate 80.

Phone: 308 237-1000

Website: http://www.archway.org

Harmon Park

A beautiful and historic park in the middle of town. Lots of shade trees and grass, picnic areas, tennis courts, baseball field, swimming pool, and a fabulous rock garden created by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the great depression of the 1930's. Thank you President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Directions: located at 29th street and about 4th Avenue.

VISIT THE UNK STUDENT CENTER

ITS A NICE NEW FACILITY with several vendors plus a very nice cafeteria with a huge selection for lunch.

Directions: Its in the middle of the UNK campus so you might have to ask a student to point you in the right direction. Don't worry, they're friendly. This is Nebraska.

The Buffalo County Fair

It's the county fair, with rides and exhibits. lotsa fun.

Address: approximately 3600 Avenue N

Directions: northeast Kearney

Visit the newly renovated city library

In May of 2011, the Kearney city library reopened, sortof. They are opening in stages as various portions of the facility are remodeled and/or expanded. What we have seen so far is wonderful. I hope my photos, blurry as some of them are, gives you an idea.

Click the photo to see them all.

Address: 2020 1st Avenue

Directions: From the interstate come north on 2nd avenue, over the railroad overpass. At the north end of the overpass turn east and you are at the library.

The Merryman Performing Arts Center

This is a beautiful center for plays, concerts and other productions. Included are photos of a Ricky Nelson concert performed there in 2010 by his twin sons.

CLICK THE PHOTO TO SEE MORE.....

Directions: Its either on 23rd or 24th Street, just west of 2nd Avenue and just south of highway 30.

ART IN THE PARK, GOING STRONG FOR OVER 40 YEARS

Each year on the second Sunday in July one of the top 200 outdoor art shows in America is held in Kearney's Harmon Park. In the picture are some of the fiberglass cranes that were placed around town as part of a community-wide display. Each one was painted by a local artist. The reason for the cranes is that thousands of (live) Sandhill Cranes migrate through this area each spring. The second photos shows an artist at work.

In 2006 the show was scheduled for July 9th, 9 am to 5 pm.

Other types of art on display are bronze sculptures, paintings, jewelry, photography, and so on. This is a juried show, so the quality is very good. Exhibitors come not only from Nebraska but several other states as well. In 2010 there were 60 artists displaying their work.

A concession stand by Faith United Methodist Church provides homemade pies, drinks,
sandwiches, etc.*

5 photos attached: CLICK THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT AND TO SEE THEM ALL!

Address: Harmon Park, Kearney, Nebraska

Directions: Harmon Park is at 5th Avenue and 29th Street.

THE NEBRASKA FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTR

A brand new (in 2010) museum dedicated to firefighters everywhere, has opened in Kearney, Nebraska. We toured it today with a couple of grandchildren, and everyone enjoyed it and learned from it. A lot of thought and planning has gone into this facility.

Please click the photo to see inside the museum!

Address: 2434 East 1st St.

Directions: It is on the north service road right next to Interstate 80, two miles east of the Kearney exit. Take exit 272 and go east to the museum.