Kearney, NE Road Trips

Kearney is home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The westward push of the railroad as the Civil War ended gave birth to the community.

1 Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA), 2401 Central Ave, ☏ +1 308-865-8559, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM, closed Monday. Housed in a former post office, this art collection contains over 5000 pieces of artwork. The MONA celebrates Nebraska's artistic culture by highlighting Nebraskan artists like George Catlin and Robert Henri. MONA also hosts an annual Student Art Show in spring, showcasing works by budding artists from elementary school to high school. Free Admission. (updated Apr 2021) 2 The Great Platte River Road Archway (Archway Monument), 3060 East 1st St (take exit 275 off I-80, head north on NE-10 and take the first left on E 1st St), ☏ +1 308-237-1000, toll-free: +1-877-511-2724. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Closed on holidays. Spanning I-80, the archway allows visitors to explore the settling of the west by the pioneers on the Oregon Trail and the construction of the Lincoln Highway. The audio guide is highly recommended. Outside the archway, there is a maze, picnic area, and a reconstructed sod house. $12/adult, $11/senior, $6/youth. Admission fee is for historic exhibits only. (updated Apr 2021) 3 G. W. Frank Museum of History and Culture (The Frank House), 2010 University Dr (take US-30/W 24th St west, take the right turn directly in front of the nursing school), ☏ +1 308-865-8284, [email protected]. Tu-F 1–5PM, Sa-Su noon-5PM. A historic mansion built in the 1890s by businessman G.W. Frank. After the Frank family left, it became a tuberculosis hospital for most of the 20th century. Walk-ins are welcomed for both guided and self-guided tours.

1 Viaero Center, 609 Platte Road (take exit 272 off I-80 and head south on NE-44, take the first right onto Platte Rd), ☏ +1 308-338-8144. Box office hours M-F 10AM-5PM. Home of the Tri-City Storm, the hockey team for the area. This event center has hosted everything from car shows, musical venues, and trade shows. If there's a concert in town, it's probably located here. Check the website for the list of upcoming events. (updated Apr 2021) 2 Big Apple Fun Center, 500 W 4th St (turn west onto W 4th St from 2nd Ave/NE-44, it will be on the left), ☏ +1 308-234-4545. M-Sa 10AM-1AM, Su 10AM-midnight. Bowling, lazer-tag, go-karts, and a sports bar. The entertainment complex also has a black light mini golf course. Each attraction has different hours and different admission prices. (updated May 2021) 3 The World Theater, 2318 Central Ave (across from the MONA), ☏ +1 308-234-8046, [email protected]. F Sa 6-11PM, Su 1-4PM. A volunteer run single-screen theater showing anything from old classics to modern television shows. The interior was designed to match the original 1920s style. $5 general admission, $20 for a private booth. (updated May 2021) 4 Kearney SportsPlex, 1415 Younes Drive, ☏ +1 (308) 455-7135, [email protected]. M-Sa 8AM – 8PM; Su noon – 8PM. State of the art indoor sports complex with room for eight basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts, and over 60k feet of premium turf for soccer/baseball/softball. 4 pickleball courts as well. Very popular for youth sports tournaments.

Various fast food outlets are found near the Interstate including a McDonalds, Burger King, Runza, Red Lobster, Old Chicago and a Perkins family restaurant. 1 Cunninghams Journal, 15 W 23rd St (on the corner of 23rd and 1st Ave), ☏ +1 308-236-9737. M-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 11AM-midnight. (updated Apr 2021) 2 Angus Burgers & Shakes, 421 W Talmadge St, ☏ +1 308-455-6218, [email protected]. M-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 11AM-3PM. Burgers, beer, and milkshakes. Offering Angus beef burgers sourced locally and portions to fill the emptiest of stomachs. (updated Apr 2021) 3 Sakura Teriyaki House, 1010 3rd Ave (at the intersection of 11th St and 3rd Ave), ☏ +1 308-455-3457. Tu-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 11AM-3PM. Japanese restaurant serving sushi, spring rolls, and of course, teriyaki. Large bowls of rice. (updated May 2021) 4 Barista's Daily Grind, 2301 13th Ave (south side of 25th St, across from the university campus), ☏ +1 308-236-8728. M-Th 6:30AM-9PM, F Sa 6:30AM-7PM, Su 7AM-7PM. A coffee shop offering a wide variety of blends, specialty drinks, and tea. Also serves pastries and baked goods. A popular place with university students. Offers catering as well. (updated May 2021) 5 Bierhaus Maisschäler (Kinkaider Brewing), 221 11th Ave Suite B, ☏ +1 308-270-2300. Su 11AM-8PM, Tu-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM, M closed. German-style lagers, Bavarian-inspired food, and European cocktails. Burgers and other restaurant fare available as well. One side of the restaurant is a German Beer Hall, the other is restaurant.

Drinking is the unofficial pastime of Kearney. There are bars and drinking spots all over the city. 1 Thunderhead Brewing, 18 E 21st St (on the corner of E 21st St and Avenue A, across from the police station), ☏ +1 308-237-1558. 11AM-midnight. Serving their in-house beer along with a menu of pizzas, Thunderhead provides a good place to unwind after a long day. Happy Hour is Monday-Friday 4-6PM. $5.50/pint. (updated Apr 2021) 2 McCue's Nebraska Taproom, 2008 Ave A (at the corner of Avenue A and Railroad St), ☏ +1 308-708-7750, [email protected]. M-W 3PM-11PM, F 3PM-midnight, Sa 2PM-midnight, Su 2PM-7PM. Specializing in Nebraskan beer, wine, and liquor. (updated May 2021) 3 The Dome Lounge & Package Store, 2321 K Ave (on K Ave between Railroad St and 25th St), ☏ +1 308-237-3404. M-Sa 7AM-1AM. Offers keno and pool. No food served but a food truck stops on Fridays. A hometown bar run by locals for over 30 years. Cash only. (updated Dec 2024) 4 NVY Bar and Cigar Lounge (NVY), 1925 Central Ave, ☏ +1 (308) 224-3819, [email protected]. Cigar lounge with an extensive whiskey collection. Cigar smoking allowed (no cigarette smoking inside), with outdoor seating available. Food trucks on site sometimes, with outside food allowed in. (updated Mar 2026)

The area around Exit 272 has the vast majority of the hotels in Kearney. Major companies like Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn have locations available. 1 Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, 411 2nd Ave (take exit 272 off I-80, head north on 2nd Ave, turn right on W 4th St), ☏ +1 308-698-2810. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Right off the interestate and within walking distance of a few restaurants. Smoke free. Pets allowed with a $15 fee. $50 per night starting. (updated May 2021) 2 Kearney RV Park & Campground, 1140 E 1st St (take exit 275 or 272 off I-80, and follow 1st St to M Avenue), ☏ +1 308-237-7275, [email protected]. Check-in: Noon, check-out: 11AM. Reservations preferred. If arriving within 7 days, call for reservation rather than using online submission. Offering both paved and gravel 100ft lots. Full hook-ups available and laundry services as well. Part of the Good Sam network. $45 a night for RVs, $25 a night for tents. (updated May 2021) 3 Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Kearney, 510 W Talmadge Rd (take exit 272 off I-80 north, take the first left onto Talmadge St), ☏ +1 308-236-4200, toll-free: +1 855-496-8637. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: Noon. A nicer than usual hotel with a modern interior. Offering free breakfast and wireless internet. Indoor pool and hot tub. No Smoking. $130 a night starting. (updated May 2021)

Interstate 80, the main artery through the state, passes just to the south of the city. Exits 272 and 275 provide entrance into the city. US Highway 30 passes through the center of the city and is part of the Lincoln Highway. Within the city, the road is referred to as 24th Street in the western part of town and 25th Street in the eastern part of town. 1 Kearney Regional Airport (EAR IATA), 5145 Airport Rd (take exit 275 off I-80, head north on NE-10, turn right on US-30, then left onto Airport Rd), ☏ +1 308-234-2318, [email protected]. M-F 5AM-9PM, Sa 5:30AM-8PM, Su 5:30AM-9PM. During the Second World War, the airport was constructed as an Air Force base. After the end of the war, it was decommissioned and rebranded as the Kearney Regional Airport. The facility offers daily passenger flights from Denver, Colorado. All flights are run by United Airlines. (updated Apr 2021) There is only one bus stop in Kearney, located on the southern tip of the city. 2 Greyhound Bus Stop, 112 Talmadge St (take exit 272 off I-80, it's the first left, the stop is behind the gas station). A simple pick-up/drop-off point. Serviced by Greyhound, Express Arrow, and Burlington Trailways. Routes to Denver and Omaha. (updated May 2021)

The town in laid out in a grid pattern. Numbered streets go east–west, increasing the further north they go. North–south streets are labeled as avenues. Avenues west of Central Ave are numbered and avenues east of Central Ave are lettered. Both increase the further away they are from Central Avenue. The Bricks (the name for the old town center), is located along Central Ave near Railroad St. The railroad travels through the center of the town. Most of the new commercial development is along the main north-south street, 2nd Ave, near the interstate, as well as the northernmost section of 2nd Ave. While there is not a public transportation network in Kearney, there are a handful of private taxis offering their services. Taxis do not drive around without riders so hailing one will not be an option. 3 Kearney Cab Company, 1103 B Avenue, ☏ +1 308-234-6725, [email protected]. Available 24/7. Allows for schedules or repeat services. (updated May 2021)

Kearney is a safe city. Most of the trouble in the town is caused by public intoxication, which is rare. Avoid approaching people who are obviously intoxicated. When driving late at night, be wary of drunk drivers. While the situation has greatly improved over the last few years, drunk driving is still a serious issue. Being found drunk driving will result in prison time of at least 7 days and a fine of $500. Keep your car locked and valuables out of sight when not in it. On the university campus, there are emergency stations are at several points, lit with a blue light. Simply press a button and the Kearney police will be sent to your location.