If you are looking for a simple uncrowded destination for a weekend of family fun, consider a summer road trip to Phelps County, Nebraska. Located in south-central Nebraska, it’s a short drive from anywhere in Nebraska and surrounding areas.
Indoor and outdoor water fun, history, fishing, movies and wide open spaces await your family.
Aquatic Adventures
Phelps County boasts lots of opportunities to cool off from the summer heat. It won’t cost you a dime to cool off in the splash pads at Holdrege’s North Park and the Loomis City Park.
North Park Splash Pad
Or, spend the afternoon at the new Bertrand Aquatic Center (502 Nelson St. in Bertrand), which features a water basketball hoop, diving board, a climbing wall, slides, a lily pad obstacle course and a toddler play area.
Bertrand Aquatic Center
Swan dive or cannonball off the diving boards into the deep water pool located at the Holdrege Swimming Pool (103 Blaine in Holdrege) in Veterans Memorial Park. Or, make a splash on one of two water slides. The Olympic-sized main pool gives kids and parents a great chance to practice lap swimming, and the baby pool is the perfect spot to keep the littlest swimmer safe and cool.
Holdrege City Pool
If the weather turns cooler, take your summer fun inside at the Don Sjogren Community YMCA (1415 Broadway, Holdrege) indoor pool that features a zero-depth entry area and fountain toys, a slide and a lap-swimming area. While there, challenge each other to a game of basketball in the gym or take a family walk around the indoor track.
YMCA Indoor Pool
History & Art
For a freewill donation, your family can step back in time at Holdrege’s Nebraska Prairie Museum (2701 Burlington, Holdrege). Show the kids your favorite toys of the past in the toy history area and give them a World War II lesson in the German POW exhibit. Most kids will be fascinated by the “antique” telephones – the kind with a cord that might even have a rotary dial. And, they can experience a one-room schoolhouse in the Snowball School building.
Nebraska Prairie Museum
If your kids have never visited an art gallery, the Jeremy Hansen Gallery at the Herald (615 Minor Ave.) in downtown Bertrand is a great place to start. Jeremy’s unique art features fish, cows, Coca-Cola cans and toys and shoes from the 1980s.
Nature
Bring your kayaks or fishing poles to float or fish in Holdrege’s North Park Lake (1511 Burlington), which is stocked annually with trout. Play tennis, feed the ducks or take a walk around the beautiful walking trail surrounding the lake. The new adaptive playground at the North Park offers opportunities for kids of all ages and abilities to slide, swing and spin.
Adaptive Playground
At Holdrege’s Veterans Memorial Park, get active with the family in a game of Frisbee golf or let the kids explore on a real army tank.
Just south of the Veterans Park, walk the dog or just enjoy the sounds of nature on the Lake Seldom walking trail.
Loomis, Bertrand and Funk also boast beautiful playgrounds for kids to enjoy.
See birds, deer and other wildlife at the Funk Waterfowl Production Area. Summer is a great time to walk the 3-mile Funk Peterson Trail, which is a designated National Recreation Trail. The trail features educational signs to learn about wetlands and wildlife preservation.
Funk Waterfowl Production Area
Evening Fun
The renovated Holdrege Sun Theater & Event Venue in downtown Holdrege features movies Friday-Monday nights and Sunday afternoons. A family of four can buy movie tickets for less than $25 (two adults and two kids younger than 16). The popcorn and soda prices won’t break the bank either.
The Sun Theater also has $3 morning or afternoon matinee movies scheduled throughout the summer.
Challenge each other in a game of bowling at the Gutterz Fun Center or spend the evening playing sand volleyball, pool or enjoying a delicious steak at the center’s restaurant.
Phelps County Flavors
To start your day, eat an old-fashioned breakfast of bacon, toast and eggs or chocolate chip pancakes and hot chocolate with whipped cream at the Cozy Inn Café.
When you’re hungry after your day’s activities, Phelps County has several options. Runza is a Nebraska favorite featuring its famous Runza sandwiches and hamburgers. We suggest frings (onion rings and French fries together) on the side. Runza, Dairy Queen and Sonic all serve ice cream and summer treats for an afternoon reset.
If your family has more adventurous tastes, the Gourmet House features delicious Asian cuisine, while Catrinas and La Hacienda will give you a taste of Mexico.
Overnight
After your Phelps County adventure, rest your head at one of our three hotels, including the new Cobblestone Inn that opened in 2020 and the renovated Rodeway Inn.
