Nebraska
Nebraska is a landlocked Midwestern state known for Omaha on the Missouri River, Lincoln, the capital, and Oregon Trail landmarks such as Chimney Rock.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Nebraska is a landlocked state in the Midwest. Lincoln is the capital, and Omaha, on the Missouri River, is the largest city. Both sit in the east, where the land rolls gently. West of them the land turns to treeless Great Plains, with the Sandhills and Pine Ridge. Chimney Rock, near Bayard, is a landmark on the historic trails that crossed the state, and Scotts Bluff National Monument, at Gering, is a National Park Service site in the west.
A trip usually splits between the two cities and the western sites. In Omaha, the College World Series has been held since 1950, and the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln was built from 1922 to 1932. Winters are cold, and spring and summer bring thunderstorms and tornado risk. Most of the state uses Central Time, but the Panhandle uses Mountain Time, so check times on your route. Allow a few days for Omaha and Lincoln, and more if you drive west.
Nebraska in five
- Plan the crane migration for MarchHundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes gather on the Platte River near Kearney from about mid-February to early April, peaking in March. Book a guided blind visit ahead.
- Fly into Omaha or LincolnOmaha (OMA) is the main airport for the state. A rental car is the practical way to move between cities and small towns.
- Add the Henry Doorly Zoo in OmahaThe zoo and aquarium are Omaha's biggest family draw. Plan most of a day and check the official site for tickets and hours.
- Drive Interstate 80 with stopsThe state is 430 miles wide, and Interstate 80 runs across it. Allow 6 hours to cross and break up long days with Oregon Trail sites.
- Combine it with Denver or Rocky MountainWestern Nebraska is a long day's drive from Denver. If you add Rocky Mountain National Park, note it charges the $100 fee to non-US residents.Rocky Mountain National Park
Neighborhoods
Omaha
A short Midwestern city break built around a large zoo, a historic warehouse district and easy walks along the Missouri River.
Lincoln
The capital of Nebraska, known for its state capitol, a large university campus, live music and a network of bike and walking trails.
Things to do in Nebraska
See all attractions in Nebraska
Need to know
- Airport
- Omaha Eppley (OMA) and Lincoln (LNK)
- Getting there
- Fly to Omaha; drive Interstate 80 from Des Moines or Denver
- Getting around
- Rental car; Omaha has a few walkable districts
- Best base
- Omaha for the city; Kearney for the cranes
- Time needed
- 2 days in Omaha; 3 to 4 with cranes and the plains
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy5 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh1°Low-7°Cold, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -7°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy5 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh3°Low-7°ColdFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -7°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low-1°Sandhill cranesMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 10°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Sandhill cranes
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh15°Low4°Mild, springAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Mild, greenMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneClear10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low16°College World SeriesJuneClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 112 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
College World Series
- JulyClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low19°Hot, humidJulyClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, humid
- AugustClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low18°Hot, stormsAugustClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, storms
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh27°Low14°Mild, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh17°Low6°Fall colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberClear5 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low0°Cold, quietNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy4 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low-5°Cold, holidayDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, holiday
Average daily high and low in Omaha, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Nebraska
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 25 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 72%
Nebraska
03:55 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°10°72%Monday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 72%.
- Tue10°4°21%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Wed13°1°1%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu14°6°22%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Fri15°4°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat16°7°4%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun10°4°4%Sunday: Clear. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 03:32 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Omahaabout 1 hour from LincolnA zoo, an old market district and a food scene.
- Kearney and the Platte Riverabout 2.5 to 3 hours from OmahaThe center of the March crane viewing.
- Scotts Bluffabout 6 to 7 hours from OmahaOregon Trail landmark in the west. Plan an overnight.
Before you go to Nebraska
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Nebraska, checked
- International visitors need US entry permission before they fly. Check travel.state.gov for visa rules, and the CBP ESTA site if your passport qualifies for visa-free travel.
- Nebraska is in two time zones. Most of the state is on Central Time, but the Panhandle is on Mountain Time, so check the zone on tour and bus tickets.
- Check Nebraska 511 for road closures before driving rural highways in winter. Snow can close country roads.
- Dial 911 in an emergency. In a tornado warning, go to a basement or an interior room away from windows, and follow local emergency alerts.
Plan around Nebraska
St. Louis and Kansas City, the next river states
Read the guideMinneapolisTwin Cities lakes and food, 6 hours north-east
Read the guideRocky Mountain National ParkThe Colorado Rockies to the west
Read the guide$100 park fee for visitorsWhich 11 parks charge non-US residents
Read the guideAll of the USAStates, parks and cities in one planning hub
Read the guideESTA, explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideNebraska FAQ
When is the best time to see the sandhill cranes in Nebraska?
From mid-February to early April, with the peak in March. Book a guided blind visit for dawn or dusk, and dress for cold wind.
Is Nebraska worth visiting?
Yes for the crane migration, Omaha's zoo and food, and quiet plains scenery. It suits road trippers more than a short city break.
How many days do you need in Nebraska?
Two days in Omaha, plus two days for the cranes or the plains. A coast-to-coast driver can cross the state in a long day, but there is a lot to miss.
When is the best time to visit Nebraska?
March for cranes, June for the College World Series in Omaha, and September to October for mild weather. Winter is cold, and summer can be hot with storms.
Do you need a car in Nebraska?
Yes. Cities are far apart and public transport is limited. Fly into Omaha and rent a car for the plains.