There are lots of things to see and do, all within a short drive of Wood River.
The Crane Trust
Visit The Crane Trust, a beautiful Nature and Visitor Center that welcomes guests to rare, protected lands year round and to the great Sandhill Crane migration in the spring, when over 500,000 Sandhill Cranes travel through central Nebraska.
Address: 9325 South Alda Road, Wood River, NE 68883
From I-80: Take Exit 305, turn south
Visitor Center Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Trail Hours: Daily 9:00am – 5:00pm
Stuhr Museum
"Stuhr Museum is known for providing immersive historical, educational, and cultural experiences. As a humanities-based organization, the museum provides visitors with programming and activities that encourage understanding for one another and for their communities. For example, as visitors walk through our historic Railroad Town, they will talk with living historians who share their stories, as well as ways that the entire town works together in order to not just survive, but also thrive. When students come to Stuhr Museum for field trips, they might learn about the Pawnee and how they worked together to hunt and grow crops in order to feed the tribe over the cold winters."
Address: 3133 W US Hwy 34, Grand Island, NE 68801
Hours: Monday - Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-5pm
Fonner Park
Fonner Park offers springtime horse racing in the spring and many other activities throughout the year.
Address: 700 E Stolley Park Road, Grand Island, Nebraska 68801
See the full schedule and all events by visiting their website.
Nebraska State Fair
The State Fair runs the last few days in August through Labor Day. Enjoy great food, carnival rides, and live events daily.
Grand Comic Fest
This family-friendly event is the only full-fledged comic con in Nebraska. The 2023 version, Grand Comic Fest V, will be held in the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center on the Fonner Park campus.
Dress up as your favorite comic book or movie character. Meet famous illustrators and writers of well-known comics as you wind through vendor booths, explore photo ops, and catch a free movie at the 1930s art-deco Grand Theater.
Rodeo Grand Island
This annual PRCA rodeo event features bull riding, barrel racing, and more.
Kearney Archway
Spanning I-80 at Exit 275, the Archway offers a unique historical exhibit that brings American history to life. Picnic on the Archway campus, tour the replica sod house, and more.
3060 East 1st Street Kearney, NE 68847
Rowe Sanctuary
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary focuses on conservation of the Platte River ecosystem and the birds that rely on it. The visitors' center and gift shop is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Masks are recommended indoors for all individuals.
Address: 44450 Elm Island Rd, Gibbon, NE 68840
Hall County Historical Society
The Hall County Historical Society is an organization run by volunteers. As such, we have no set hours of operation outside of our scheduled programs and events. However, we are typically willing to open our doors for tours and events with advance notice.
If you would like to schedule a private tour of the historic Stolley House in Stolley Park contact our board president, Fred Roeser, at (308) 384-2154.
Address: 603 N Plum St, Grand Island, NE 68801