Bill On The Road
  • ROAD TRIP IDEAS
    • SIGHTSEEING
    • AMERICA
    • Road Trip Lists
    • Tips
    • ROAD QUIRK
  • BILL’S BOOKS
  • About Bill On The Road
    • About Bill Clevlen
    • Booking Information
    • Appearances
  • Work With Bill
  • Contact
  • ROAD TRIP IDEAS
    • SIGHTSEEING
    • AMERICA
    • Road Trip Lists
    • Tips
    • ROAD QUIRK
  • BILL’S BOOKS
  • About Bill On The Road
    • About Bill Clevlen
    • Booking Information
    • Appearances
  • Work With Bill
  • Contact
Bill On The Road
AMERICAFeatured

A Visit To Buffalo Bill’s Nebraska Home

by Bill Clevlen June 24, 2021
by Bill Clevlen

The truth is – I wasn’t expecting much when I rolled into North Platte, Nebraska. Let’s be honest – have you ever actually heard of North Platte, Nebraska? Aside from mentioning the town in my most recent book Finding The American Dream – A Guided Tour of Places Where Americans Changed History – I knew nothing about it other than it’s the place where Buffalo Bill lived.

While I arrived with zero expectations, I drove away pleasantly surprised after spending two days exploring this fun little community that completely embraces the “wild west”.

Buffalo Bill’s Ranch home in North Platte, Nebraska

First stop was visiting the former home of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. The two story home sits on the 25 acre Buffalo Bill State Historical Park in North Platte. Originally, the property was a sprawling 4,000 acres and called Scout’s Rest Ranch. You can enjoy a peaceful walk around the park, tour the barn which has stables and vintage vehicles inside, and even get close to a few bison that are kept in a corral.

But the biggest attraction is the house itself. While not everything inside is original, much of it is. Buffalo Bill’s bedroom is on the second floor and guests can peek inside and see the western decor that fills the walls and shelves. Some of his costumes and firearms are still on display. On the second floor there’s a small museum with newspaper clips, old comic books, and other artifacts that tell his life story.

In keeping with the wild west theme – visitors should make a stop at Fort Cody Trading Post. Inside there’s a cool miniature version of Buffalo Bill’s “Wild West Show” as well as a museum. You’ll find something interesting to buy in the store with all sorts of fun western themed gifts and souvenirs.

For train lovers, you’ll get a kick out of visiting the Golden Spike Tower and Visitors Center where a panoramic view of Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard awaits you from an observation deck at the top. Look out at a whopping 315 miles of railroad track that can carry as many as 150 trains each day. They also have a really cool gift shop with unique train themed toys, shirts, and collectibles. Perhaps a “train nerd” tee shirt is in your future?

Across town at Cody Park you’ll find another fun train exhibit that features the only Challenger locomotive on public display. You can walk through the train including a mail car to see how letters and packages were once delivered by rail. The park also has hiking trails and sports fields.

A short drive from downtown, and certainly off the beaten path is a unique antique shopping experience called Grain Bin Antique Town. Visitors can walk around the property, lined with large grain bins loaded with odds and ends. I found everything from kitchen utensils to vintage signs as I popped into each bin looking to score a must-have treasure.

Downtown North Platte didn’t disappoint either. For a town of its size, there are some wonderful choices of restaurants. I stopped by The Cedar Room on my first night in town and was treated to an incredible steak that was so big I could only eat half of it. After dinner, I took a walk around town and spotted a beautiful old Fox Theater that was still showing movies.

Other things to consider on your visit – Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Dusty Trails horseback riding, the Prairie Arts Center, and Feather River Vineyard – the largest in the state of Nebraska. You can find other things to do and lodging options on North Platte’s tourism website: visitnorthplatte.com.

0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Bill Clevlen

Bill Clevlen is a road trip expert and travel content creator for radio and TV stations across the U.S. His stories have been published in major media outlets like The Los Angeles Times and is heard sharing travel tips and ideas on SiriusXM Radio. He's the author of five travel books - The Ultimate American Music Bucket List, 100 Things To Do In America Before You Die, Driving Across America, An American Road Trip For Kids, and Finding The American Dream.

previous post
See The Great Salt Lake From Antelope Island
next post
A Visit To Johnny Carson’s Hometown

1 comment

Bill McGahan July 2, 2021 - 7:38 pm

Thank you for all the positive comments. You drove right past one of our greatest claims to fame. The Lincoln County Historical Museum just a quarter mile from Buffalo Bill’s Ranch and less from Dusty Trails … There you would have been able to view many of the items that were housed in the historic North Platte WWII Canteen where our town and area communities fed/treated over 6 million US service men-women over the course of 1941 to 1946. If you haven’t read “Once Upon a Town” check it out — and the next time you venture so far from St. Louis in our direction, stop and check it out. It is currently just a segment of the Museum – but we have plans/intentions of adding an entire new structure to house the Canteen and related items.
I have lived in North Platte (as a school administrator and resident) since 1958. It is a great place to live. I volunteer at the Museum 2-3 days each week. Thanks again for your kind comments — come see us next time!!

Comments are closed.

Have You Visited These Places?

  • Coastal Mississippi’s Biggest Attraction: Kindness

  • What I Learned After One Week In The Villages

  • Thoroughbred Country Is A Hidden Gem in South Carolina

  • Discover This Small Georgia Town for Big Family Fun

  • How to Spend One Day in Spartanburg

  • These Small Towns in South Carolina Offer Big Outdoor Fun

  • 9 Things To Know About Hendersonville, North Carolina

  • Beautiful Brevard: Exploring North Carolina’s Waterfall Mecca

  • I’m In Love With This Tennessee Town

  • Manhattan, Kansas Might Just Surprise You

LATEST TRAVEL TIPS

Subscribe for the latest road trip ideas, behind the scenes updates, travel tips & videos from Bill On The Road!

viagra here kamagra kokemuksia here
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email

@2021 - Bill On The Road | Rediscover America


Back To Top