Family Travel - AmericInn® Kearney, NE
Welcome to the Perfect Family Vacation in Kearney, Nebraska
Our AmericInn Kearney hotel is a favorite among family travelers, whether taking a Kearney vacation or just driving through the Midwest. Our convenient location, Kids Stay Free program, spacious family-style accommodations and free hot AmericInn Perk breakfasts mean you'll enjoy great comfort without sacrificing great value. Each guest room features high-speed Internet access and cable TV with HBO. Some rooms also include private refrigerators and microwaves. At the AmericInn Kearney you'll be within walking distance of the Big Apple Fun Center, Central Nebraska's largest indoor activity center, and the Kearney Cinema 8. Nearby you can visit the Great Platte Road Archway and Monument, the Museum of Nebraska Art and the University of Nebraska - Kearney.
Family Services and Amenities
- Cribs Available
- Free, Hot, Home-Style AmericInn Perk Breakfast
- Guest Laundry Facilities
- Indoor Heated Pool
- Kids Stay Free
Nearby Family Attractions and Activities
University of Nebraska - Kearney
The public, residential University of Nebraska at Kearney is an affordable, student-centered regional hub of intellectual, cultural and artistic excellence that has been a prominent part of Nebraska's higher education landscape for more than a century. But what truly distinguishes UNK is its commitment to providing an outstanding education in a small and personal setting. It is a university that quickly transforms nearly 6,500 students from across the globe into a close-knit, supportive community of friends; it is a place they will forever call “home”.
Address: 905 West 25th Street, Kearney, NE 68845
Distance: 2.0 miles
Phone: 308-865-8414
Great Platte River Road Archway and Monument
Described by the Miami Herald as a “splashy, brassy history museum that uses film, computer graphics, light and sound, life-size dioramas, re-enactors and classic cars to document over 150 years of transportation and communication across America.” The Archway brings the westward migration to life. An adventure that links our nation, that will transport you back in time to an era when covered wagons, hand-pulled carts, and trains first criss-crossed the prairies. The Great Platte River Road Archway is an interactive adventure that pays tribute to the pioneers who passed through Nebraska on their way West. These entrepreneurs were shaped by what they saw and experienced, and they have given America a heritage that is a living spirit that molds our nation’s character today. You will witness the thrills of news coming into a distant trail, a buffalo stampede, the words and faces of those that lived and died on the route, the building of the railroad, the creation of the first transcontinental road (the Lincoln Highway), and today’s modern transportation system that still brings adventures-like you! The Great Platte River Road Archway is a bridge that pays tribute to the perseverance and ingenuity that developed our wonderfully diverse culture and dynamic American heritage and future. We have wonderful education programs for children of all ages, the outstanding Chuckwagon Restaurant, a premiere gift shop that offers a variety of Nebraska-made products and a selection of themed items that will appeal to all.
Address: One Archway Parkway, Kearney, NE 68847
Distance: 4.5 miles
Phone: 308-237-1000
Museum of Nebraska Art
Explore…the art of Nebraska! MONA has been home of the state’s official art collection since 1979. You’ll see Nebraska in a whole new way in eleven galleries. Visitors may also relax and stroll outside through the Cliff Hillegass Sculpture Garden, browse through the MONA Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts, and visit our Hitchcock Education Gallery.
Address: 2401 Central Avenue, Kearney, NE 68845
Distance: 2.0 miles
Phone: 308-865-8559
Kearney Area Childrens Museum
The Kearney Area Children's Museum / Kidzone is dedicated to developing within children and adults a feeling of excitement about learning, a sense of family and community. KidZone provides fun, interactive educational experiences for children. It's a place for children and families to experience the world of science, cultures and the arts in a unique, hands-on environment.
Address: 5827 4th Avenue Phone: 308-698-2228
Cabela's Outfitters
Retail Store Cabela's Kearney, Nebraska Retail Store is located just off I-80 along U.S. Highway 30. In addition to offering quality outdoor merchandise, the 35,000 sq.ft. showroom is an educational and entertainment attraction, featuring a décor of museum-quality animal displays and trophy animals interacting in realistic re-creations of their natural habitats.
Address: 3600 Highway 30 East, Kearney, NE 68847
Distance: 7.3 miles
Phone: 308-234-5933
Classic Car Collection
Classic Car Collection is the best public car attraction between Chicago and Denver that includes more than 130 vintage automobiles from the early 1900's to the 1980's. The attraction includes video and multi-media displays throughout. The entire Collection will be photographed inside and out and be displayed on a multi-media show on ipads. Visitors will be able to read the story of each automobile as they tour the attraction. The Collection is housed in a 50,000 sq. ft. space in the Kearney Cabela's building. The Classic Car Collection was created to house automobiles donated by Bernie and Janice Taulborg.
Address: 3600 Highway 30 East, Kearney, NE 68847
Distance: 7.3 miles
Phone: 308-627-9591
Rowe Sanctuary
Lillian Annette Rowe Bird Sanctuary, commonly known as Rowe Sanctuary, is dedicated to the conservation of sandhill cranes, whooping cranes and other migratory birds, and their habitat along the Platte River in southcentral Nebraska. Owned and managed by the National Audubon Society, the original purchase of 782 acres in 1974, which was funded by Lillian Annette Rowe of Trenton, NJ, included 2.5 miles of river channel, wet meadows, and some agricultural fields. Additional land acquisitions have increased the current size of the sanctuary to nearly 1,900 acres.
Address: 44450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon, NE 68840
Distance: 10.6 miles
Phone: 308-468-5282
Fort Kearney State Historical Park and Recreation Area
Built to protect Overland Trail travelers, Fort Kearny SHP near Kearney was a stage station, home station for the Pony Express, outfitting depot for Indian campaigns and home of the Pawnee Scouts. The stockade, parade grounds and blacksmith shop have been rebuilt. Archeological exploration by the Nebraska State Historical Society to locate building sites and other features has helped the Commission develop the park to give visitors an insight into the conditions and events contemporary with the settlement of the American West. This history is revealed in several exhibits in the interpretive center and in the carpenter-blacksmith shop. Walkways lead to the stockade where more information is available.
Address: 1020 V Road, Kearney, NE 68847
Distance: 4.8 miles
Phone: 308-865-5305
Hilltop Mall
Address: 5011 North 2nd Avenue, Kearney, NE 68845
Distance: 3.4 miles
Phone: 308-236-9798
Viaero Event Center
The Viaero Event Center was built in 2000 for $10.5 million. Since opening, the 5,500-seat multi-purpose arena has built a reputation as one of the Midwest's premier venues for concerts, sporting events and conventions. The privately-owned facility is home to the Tri-City Storm, which plays in the 14-team United States Hockey League for players age 20 and under. The Storm won the 2003-04 Anderson Cup and was named the USHL's Franchise of The Year for both the 2000-01 and 2003-04 seasons. The Event Center also hosts youth, high school and college athletic competitions, including tournaments for wrestling, basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer and other sports. In addition to sporting events, the Viaero Event Center hosts a variety of entertainment functions, from industry trade shows, sports banquets and business conferences to other special events or exhibits.
Address: 609 Platte Road, Kearney, NE 68847
Distance: 0.75 miles
Phone: 308-338-8144
Buffalo County Fairgrounds
The Buffalo County Fairgrounds offer excellent facilities to host year round events and exhibitions of all sizes with the flexibility to serve your needs and the assistance to make your event a success. They are also home to the Buffalo County Fair.
Address: 3900 Avenue N, Kearney, NE 68845
Distance: 2.8 miles
Phone: 308-236-1201
Harlan County Reservoir
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' project covering 31,000 acres, with 13,250 acres of water surface, Harlan County is Nebraska's second largest lake. It is located in the south-central part of the state, seven miles from the Nebraska/Kansas state line. Considered some of the best fishing in Nebraska, Harlan County Lake is about nine miles long and has 75 miles of shoreline. The Corps maintains six established campgrounds, with the entire project open to public access. Truly a sportsman's paradise, Harlan County is also home to excellent pheasant, quail, dove, duck, goose and turkey hunting, along with the furbearers raccoon, coyote, and bobcat along with whitetail and mule deer hunting. During the winter months, hundreds of Bald Eagles stop over at the lake on their annual migration.
Address: Alma Chamber of Commerce, 302 Main Street, Alma, NE 68920
Distance: 44 miles
Phone: 308-928-3992
Big Apple Fun Center
The Big Apple Fun Center is Kearney's largest family entertainment facility. All your recreational needs can be filled in one stop here at the Big Apple. The Big Apple is open 7 days a week, year round. Inside: Bowling (36 Lanes), Billiards (17 Tables), Pro Shop, Shuffle Board, Sports Bar, Game Room, Snack Bar, 18 Hole Black Light Miniature Golf – Theme in Pirates, Underwater and Jungle Adventure. Our golfers will be challenged by the many obstacles in the way. No weather delays here. High Ballocity: This adult/child interactive climbing structure is 19 feet tall and over 30 feet wide. Three levels of activities will keep you and your child entertained for hours. Air blasters project foam balls from the second and third levels as well as a volcano on the main floor, vacuums to send the balls to the upper levels and just for fun, a hopper that is on a time release allowing these foam balls to fall from the sky. Did I mention the triple wide two story slide and the two story spiral slide? Lots to do for all ages in here. Outside: Sand Volleyball (2 Courts), 18 Hole Miniature Golf, Go-Kart Track, Horse Shoe Pits Address: 500 West 4th Street, Kearney, NE 68845
Distance: 1 mile
Phone: 308-234-4545
Good Samaritan Hospital
One of the finest medical centers in the Midwest is in Kearney. Good Samaritan Hospital has one of the highest level trauma centers and neonatal intensive care units in Nebraska. Our facilities and physicians to treat bones and joints, cancer and heart disease are equal to any in larger metropolitan areas. Our extraordinary nursing and support staff are dedicated to helping you recover and improve your health with care and compassion. You may never need hospital care, but if you do, it's nice to know that all the care you're ever likely to need is right here...within reach.
Distance: 4.5 miles
Cattleman's Classic
Distance: 4 miles
Gateway Farm Expo
Kearney Midwest premier farm show in Nebraska, the Gateway Farm Expo is all under one roof at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds.
Distance: 2.8 miles
Cruise Night
Customarily, Cruise Nite events are held the third weekend in July (Thursday thru Sunday). Every year in July, the CNAC (Central Nebraska Auto Club) encourages anyone who wants to relive the memories of the “Good Ole Days” along with the love of the classic cars to come and enjoy in the fun.
Address: Various Locations in and around Kearney
Sandhills Crane Migration
The Nebraska Sandhill Cranes Migration - with a stopover on the Platte River near Kearney, NE. An estimated 500,000 Sandhill Cranes pass thru the Nebraska Platte River valley heading northward every year during the Annual Spring and Fall Sandhill Crane Migrations. They migrate through an 80 mile wide "Flyway" stretch along the Platt River from near Grand Island to west of Kearney, NE. It is estimated that about 80% of the world's population of Sandhill Cranes do an annual migration layover in this area of the Platte River. The Platte Valley area has great habitat for many types of birds - even bald eagles.
Address: Various Locations around Kearney
Cottonmill Park and Recreation
Area Cottonmill Park and Lake offers various opportunities for fun and recreational activities just west of Kearney. Visitors can hike in a native prairie or tour a Nature Barn. A central feature to the park is the 43 acre lake. The lake underwent a complete restoration in 1998 to create a top quality fishing lake. Swimming is allowed from sunrise to sunset with no lifeguard on duty. If boating and fishing is more to your liking, the lake is stocked with large mouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel fish and northern pike. The more athletic visitors can play disc (Frisbee) golf on the east side of the park. The 2,263 foot, par 33 course meanders through cedar forest areas and along the lake shore. Visitors can picnic at any of the scattered picnic sites throughout the park. Small shelters, grills and water are available at some sites. The two large groups shelters, which can accommodate up to 48 people, a lodge, which will hold around 80 people and the amphitheater, which holds around 250 people, may be reserved.
Address: Cottonmill Road
Phone: 308-237-7251
Frank House
The Frank House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1889 as George Washington Frank's third mansion. Designed by his son George Frank, Jr., it is made of red Colorado sandstone based on the H.H. Richardson Romanesque shingle style. Its focal point is an authentic five by ten-foot stained glass window by Tiffany. The mansion was wired for electricity during construction and included three bathrooms, steam heat, servants' quarters and ten fireplaces. Six fireplaces remain. Restoration of the house has been an on-going project since it was deeded to the University of Nebraska in 1972. The mansion is open to the public as a historic house museum and its rooms are used for exhibits, receptions and meetings.
Address: 2010 University Drive , University of Nebraska Kearney, (2010 West 24th Street on Highway 30)
Phone: 308-865-8284
Trails and Rails Museum
Trace the history of transportation through Buffalo County on a site where the Mormon Trail once passed. In addition to the Union Pacific steam engine and archives of the area, displays include an 1898 depot and church, 1880's Freighters Hotel and an 1871 school house.
Address: 710 W. 11th Street
Phone: 308-234-3041
Yanney Heritage Park
Yanney Heritage Park is an eighty-acre park located in southwest Kearney. The park has many features including the John & Carmen Gottschalk Observatory Tower that stands 80 feet high providing an inspirational view; the Ron & Carol Cope Amphitheater that host area productions and performances; the 12-acre lake that is stocked with fish and attracts migrating waterfowl; the Mitzi Pavilion, which is able to hold around 50 people and around 250 people in the courtyard, and the Environment Resource Center, which is able to hold 75 people and is used for air-conditioned or heated meetings in a building full of windows near the lake. A free Splashground/Playground is available for hours of fun for children of all ages.
Address: 2020 West 11th
Phone: 308-237-4644
Pioneer Village
You'll find one of Nebraska's leading attractions just 15 minutes south of Kearney. Live demonstrations and more than 50,000 historic items displayed to show America's progress since 1830. It is efficiently arranged for you to see it all by walking less than a mile. Stay at the modern 90 room Pioneer Motel, room rate includes one pass to Pioneer Village. Enjoy fine food at good old fashioned prices at the Pioneer Restaurant. The Pioneer Village Campground has 135 spaces, most are shaded. Call for current rates.
Address: 138 East Highway 6, Minden, NE 68959
Distance: 22 miles south of Kearney
Phone: 800-445-4447
Nebraska Firefighters Museum
The Nebraska Firefighters Museum and Education Center is designed to provide a place to safeguard and preserve Nebraska's proud firefighting heritage and to educate individuals on fire prevention. Located on the Great Platte River Road Archway Campus. The museum provides adequate parking for groups of all size. A large conference room and party room are available for a variety of gatherings.
Address: 2434 East 1st Street
Phone: 308-338-3473
