Location

Located in the Burr Oak forests of the Missouri River, Nebraska City is Nebraska's oldest incorporated city.  The historic town is beautiful and fascinating, with tree-lined brick streets, architecturally-interesting homes and buildings and the most museums per capita of any city in the midwest. Nebraska City is thriving with businesses, dozens of attractions, and several large festivals held throughout the year including Arbor Day and Applejack weekend celebrations. Midwestern friendliness abounds —neighbors say hello on the streets and shoppers often stop to chat in the grocery store. 

Nebraska City offers a wealth of small town experiences. Take a walk on shady streets, visit the orchards, attend a nearby concert, hit the Wellness Center, or gather for lunch at one of the cafes. The city is walkable and easy to navigate via one of three bicycles provided by the center for resident use. 

Nebraska City is known to conservationists around the world as the birthplace and Home of Arbor Day, a national holiday to plant, celebrate and nurture trees. The day is celebrated in all 50 states and in 31 countries and territories from Australia to Yemen. Arbor Day Farm is part of the original estate of J. Sterling Morton, recognized as the founder of Arbor Day. His elegant 19th century mansion is now a National Historic Landmark.

An hour’s drive north takes you to Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city, with a major airport, restaurants and art galleries. Omaha is home to the Henry Doorly Zoo, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, The Old Market shopping and restaurant district, Benson arts district, College World Series, Creighton University and numerous arts, music and theatre events and venues. The Nebraska Shakespeare Festival offers activities throughout the year, the beautifully restored Orpheum Theatre, Joslyn Art Museum, Holland Performing Arts Center, Film Stream non-profit cinema and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art all host regular programs.  

An hour's drive to west is Nebraska’s capital city, Lincoln. Lincoln is home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, many museums and restaurants, an airport, the Great Plains Art Collection, the Haymarket historic downtown district, the Sheldon Museum of Art and the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center for independent and classic films, and Big Ten football on fall Saturdays.  

Surrounding Nebraska City are many charming small agricultural towns.  Iowa is immediately to the east of town on the other side of the Missouri River.  A short drive takes you to Waubonsie State Park in the Loess Hills for hiking, camping and wildlife.  The Iowa Loess Hills are rare geologically; these natural loess sediment land formations only occur in this region and Shaanxi, China.