09/08/2025
Day 1: Hey there! We are Columbus!
Columbus - located in the heart of the Midwest, will have you ready for an incredible experience – from admiring bridges and life-sized World War II Higgins boats to exploring artistic interpretations.
In our newly formed Creative District, located in the heart of our community – the Trackside District – Downtown Columbus, hosts a variety of art inspired opportunities. Saunter through downtown and embrace the Sculpture and Mural Walk. Listen (via the app) to the artists tell their story of how their creations came to life. View thirteen murals depicting historical, whimsical and evolutionary works of art. Once complete, take a seat in one of the many benches in Frankfort Square and simply enjoy nature. Embark on a journey along the Lincoln Highway Scenic & Historic Byway (Hwy. 30), swing a club, or wander the serene Loup River, listening for the melodious call of a meadowlark. There’s live music, gripping history, thrilling races, unique shops, and unbeatable Nebraska steak – all right here in Columbus/Platte County. Discover tranquil hideaways and lively festivities in Columbus and Platte County, Nebraska. CHOOSE COLUMBUS, NE! We are proud to call Columbus home and cannot wait to welcome you. Find more information about Columbus including events, places to stay, eat, and play at www.visitcolumbusne.com.
Day 2: CHOOSE COLUMBUS, NE!
Stay, play, eat, meet and shop in Columbus, Nebraska. We offer new and upcoming attractions, historic attractions, and everything in-between. You will quickly learn there is something for everyone in Columbus. STAY! Columbus has 12 hotels featuring over 700 rooms with a variety of meeting spaces for small groups of 15 to large groups of up to 1,000. This year, Prime 10 Steakhouse & Venue, a new 10,000 square foot steakhouse/convention space opened next to Harrah’s, the first casino in Nebraska. The full-service steakhouse offers mouthwatering steaks with a captivating,
elegant atmosphere. https://visitcolumbusne.com/stay/
EAT! Fast food, food trucks, sports bars, specialty wellness cafes, coffee bars...to restaurants with a more formal dining experience, Columbus has it all. Glur’s Tavern, the oldest continuous operating tavern west of the Missouri River, will tempt your tastebuds with their famous burgers and a cold beer. Regina’s Kitchen, Downtown Columbus, offers homecooked meals while Dusters Restaurant/Gottberg offers casual dining with a full-service microbrewery on site. Bo’s West welcomes you with outdoor seating and great cocktails. If you are looking for cultural
options, El Tapatio, El Matador, El Mezcal offer a great Mexican-inspired indulgence. Tokyo Japanese Cuisine offers traditional Japanese food, sushi and hibachi at affordable prices. This is a short list of all the delectable places to dine - visit https://visitcolumbusne.com/eat-drink/ to
find your food of choice! CHOOSE COLUMBUS, NE! We welcome you and hope you enjoy your visit!
Day 3: Are you ready for an adventure?
SPLASH! Pawnee Plunge Waterpark features the only Flowrider in Nebraska, 6-lane swimming pool, splash pad, play ship, diving platform and Aquaclimb wall, along with a lazy river and tube,
double and swirl slides. Catch some rays, be lazy and get cooled off right here!
PLAY! Columbus has more than seventeen parks. Pawnee Park is a 15-acre park, known as the
“Picnic Capital of Nebraska.” Throughout Columbus, there are lighted softball/baseball fields,
pickleball and tennis courts, regulation-size soccer fields and football fields, all located in our
park system.
An extensive recreational trail system throughout the city and adjoining areas provides a safe
setting for the healthy activities of hiking, biking, running and rollerblading.
Columbus is located near the Loup River with plenty of water activities including air boating, 4-
wheeling and more. Water trails with various entry points have been developed for those who
want a relaxing float down the river.
CHOOSE COLUMBUS, NE! For more ideas, go to https://visitcolumbusne.com/play/ and find a
treasure trove of fun in Platte County.
Day 4: There’s more fun ahead in Columbus, Nebraska!
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM! Columbus Area Children’s Museum, new in 2023, features a water play
area, corn climber, Kidstown, early childhood play area and more. Take the kids and have them
learn while they play and use their imaginations!
THE HOUSE! The Columbus Fieldhouse, new in 2024, features a full-size covered turf soccer
field. It boasts indoor miniature golf, trampoline park, state-of-the-art equipment, basketball
courts, indoor fields and a quarter-mile walking track. Indoor tennis/pickleball courts,
racquetball/handball courts and football/soccer field offer a professional sporting experience.
You will truly be amazed when you enter the facility and realize all the amenities at your
fingertips!
CHOOSE COLUMBUS, NE! Visit and let the kids burn some energy! It will be hard to tear the
kids away from all the fun and excitement! https://visitcolumbusne.com/
Day 5: You got game? GOLF! Columbus has two 18-hole golf courses – Quail Run (public) and Elks Country Club (semi-
private) where you can show off your skills. Van Berg (public) golf course is a charming 9-hole
course which doubles as a foot golf course is located within Pawnee Park. Inside the Van Berg
clubhouse you will find two Trackman golf simulators and a relaxing atmosphere. Open during
the summer months is Boulevard Green Miniature Golf Course – watch out for the alligator!
CHEER! US 30 Speedway is a 1/3-mile clay track and offers Stock Car Racing on Thursday nights
April through September. Feel the thrill of the cars as they whiz by and vie for the win! Strategy,
skill and grit will keep you coming back to see what happens next!
PLACE A BET! Harrah’s Columbus Racing & Casino boasts the state’s longest thoroughbred
racetrack offering guests a first-class experience while featuring a 28,000-square-foot-casino.
Live horseracing is limited to summer months but simulcast is always on deck!
Can you say delicious? You will find an award-winning restaurant, The Brew Brothers, and a bar
dubbed Wishbones inside. Sit back and enjoy some tasty bites or have a specialty drink! A
Marriot Fairfield Inn and Townplace Suites built next door also recently opened for a place to
rest your head after winning at the tables.
CHOOSE COLUMBUS, NE! Visit soon and get in the spirit of the competition! Learn more:
https://visitcolumbusne.com/play/
Day 6: History buffs unite!
EXPLORE! Explore history at the Andrew Jackson Higgins National Memorial. The memorial
includes a full-size replica of the famous Higgins boat and bronze soldiers from each of the
three wars in which the Higgins boats served. Also, nearby is a steel sculpture made from the
fallen World Trade Center twin towers. A large, bronzed Freedom Eagle, with a wingspan of
eight feet, towers over the World Trade Center steel sculpture. The two structures do not touch
to symbolize terrorists cannot destroy freedom.
The Platte County Historical Museum offers an afternoon of unique experiences with artifacts
from days gone by. See a turn-of-the-century barbershop and schoolhouse, and a log cabin. You
will also find military memorabilia, a 1914 Chevrolet Baby Grand Touring car, a 1913 Indian
Motorcycle and Buffalo Bill Cody memorabilia. If you are ready for a short walk, head to the
Trackside District -Downtown Columbus and take a step back in time with a self-guided
historical downtown tour – just follow the signs throughout the district!
CHOOSE COLUMBUS, NE! We host very diverse opportunities and love to share our history!
Learn more at https://visitcolumbusne.com/
Day 7: Follow me - boutiques, coffee shops, unique finds – this way!
SHOP! Take time to visit our boutiques, stores, and antique shops in the Trackside District –
Downtown Columbus. Historic downtown 11 th , 13 th , and 14 th streets have 100 buildings
constructed between the late 1800’s and the mid 1900’s. For full listing of all things shopping,
follow https://visitcolumbusne.com/shop/!
Nestled right off 13 th Street, you will find Urban Farm Boutique. Browse their collection of
furniture, home décor, women’s and children’s clothing and so much more! This is Urban chic
meets farmhouse and you won’t be disappointed!
Tooley’s Drug & Homecare is not your typical drug store. Walk in and you are surrounded with
unique collections of select figurines (Precious Moments, Willow Tree & more), Department 56
Village Collections, quality home fragrances, bath and body selections, tableware, home décor,
bags and accessories not to mention all things Hallmark!
The Fort, located in Westgate Plaza, offers a huge selection of western wear and décor at
everyday low prices. Just down the sidewalk, Accent Floral, provides an inviting atmosphere.
Not only are they a floral shop, but they offer a place to find peace while looking through their
array of gifts, antiques and unique art.
Did you say coffee?? The Broken Mug, located in the 1C Sanctuary, offers the best quality
drinks, food and service. The ambiance is relaxing, and you will find it easy to nestle into one of
their comfy couches and just enjoy your surroundings. 38th Street Coffee invites you to a place
of community and fostering relationships. Sip, relax and unwind with a good friend!
Not a coffee drinker? How about tea? Head over to House Sips in the Columbus Fieldhouse and
grab yourself a loaded tea or protein shake. Yes, they have coffee too – a wide variety of flavors
that will keep you coming back for more!
CHOOSE COLUMBUS, NE! These are just a few of the great places, visit
https://visitcolumbusne.com/eat-drink/ to find your next coffee [or tea] stop!
Eat & Drink Cozy dinners, authentic cultural cuisine, tasty burgers, a hearty Nebraska steak to signature drinks, a cold brew […]
