Kearney

Understand

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.

Getting there

By car 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.

By plane 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)

By bus 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)

Getting around

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.

Taxi services 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)

See

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. Due to the age of the house and its status as a protected building, there is no elevator to the upper floors. A handicap accessible restroom is available on the ground floor. Operated by the University of Nebraska Kearney. Free admission, but donations are appreciated. (updated Apr 2021) 4 The Trails & Rails Museum, 710 W 11th Street (take exit 272 off I-80 and head north on NE-33/2nd Ave, turn east on W 1

Do

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. (updated Mar 2026)

Sandhill crane migration

Between late March and early April, hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes stop along the central Platte River between North Platte and Grand Island on their way north into Canada for the summer. This leaves Kearney at the center of one of the largest bird migrations in the world. The shallow waters of the Platte and the meadows surrounding it provide a perfect resting spot for the birds. But sandhill cranes aren't the only b

Buy

Major retail chains, such as Target and Walmart, are present in the city. The Hilltop Mall, located near W 48th St and 2nd Ave, has several clothing shops and sporting goods stores. At least half a dozen grocery stores are present in town. The downtown region has several beauty salons.

1 Cabela's, 3600 US-30, ☏ +1 308-234-3933. M-Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 10AM-7PM. Offers a wide range of sporting goods and outdoor apparel for hunting, fishing and camping even though it's smaller than most other Cabala's stores. (updated Apr 2021) 2 Buffalo Records, 19 E 21st St (on the corner of E 21st St and Avenue A, across