| Playtime in the parks |
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 Nothing is quite as invigorating as time spent outdoors escaping into nature. With a state park system that stretches from border to border, Nebraska can offer a refreshing getaway in the open air just down the road. A number of parks offer structured activities such as trail rides, rafting, naturalist programs, hayrack rides and even cookouts on the weekends. Some have other seasonal offerings including swimming pools, theatre productions and kids’ crafts.The abundance of parks makes it easy for the whole family to recharge in the great outdoors. For large family events, book the lodge at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park or the resource and education center at Ponca State Park. Or head out to Nebraska’s largest state park (Fort Robinson State Park) for buffalo stew cookouts and Jeep rides through the majestic buttes. Several historical park areas encompass fossil beds (Ashfall), frontier fortresses (Fort Hartsuff and Fort Atkinson) and even the grand mansion of a former statesman (Arbor Lodge). Wherever you are in the state, you won’t have to go very far to find a park getaway. |
