We invite you to visit Phelps County (known as County 37 on our license plates), where you can slow down and savor the simple moments of life. Enjoy uncrowded streets and free parking. Make fun family memories at a reasonable price. Experience the beauty of nature and come home from your trip feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Located in the middle of Nebraska (17 miles south of the I-80 Elm Creek exit), Phelps County is an easy drive from any Midwest region. Here are 37 ways you can take a break from the fast lane in Phelps County:
1. See the work of many talented bronze sculptors, including Holdrege natives George and Mark Lundeen, Brad Pearson and Mike Sughroue by embarking on the Holdrege Bronze Sculpture Tour. Enjoy a self-guided tour of 19 bronze sculptures throughout Holdrege. You can also take the tour by downloading the Discover37 app.
2. Relax and play golf at one of the best-kept golf courses in the state at the Holdrege Country Club. The beautiful 18-hole golf course features a tree-lined back nine and a modern front nine with strategic water hazards to give you a challenge. Drive 15 miles west for another 9 holes of relaxing golf at Bertrand’s Hi-Line golf course.
3. Stroll around Lake Seldom, a crushed concrete walking trail south of Holdrege on Hwy. 183. With its wide-open prairie and tall grasses, it’s the perfect location to stretch your legs and let your furry friends roam free.
4. Spend an entire day at Holdrege’s beautiful North Park. Stroll around the lake on the paved walking trail, kayak or fish in the trout-stocked lake, play tennis or pickleball on the new tennis courts, take pictures by the mini waterfall, and see bronze sculptures including the first bronze in Holdrege called Promise of the Prairie. Kids will enjoy playing in the water at the free public splash pad or on one of three playgrounds, including a wonderful adaptive playground for kids of all abilities.
5. See ducks, geese, cranes, and other wildlife at the Funk Waterfowl Production Area (north and east of Funk). The Peterson Walking Trail lets you get an up-close view of the wetland restoration area and the wildlife that visit. If you visit in the spring, you might catch a glimpse of the endangered majestic Whooping Crane.
6. The Bertrand Aquatic Center features slides, water games, a climbing wall, lily pads and other summer fun in the water at a reasonable price.
7. The Holdrege City Swimming Pool at Veterans Memorial Park has been a Holdrege tradition for decades. It features an Olympic-sized pool with two large water slides, a separate pool with diving boards, and a third pool for toddlers.
8. The Speakeasy restaurant is a must-see for foodies and steak lovers. The restaurant is in the middle of the peaceful country just south and east of Holdrege and is known to be haunted by Faceless Fred. The restaurant is open evenings, and don’t expect to get a table without a reservation!
9. Enjoy free outdoor sports by playing pickleball or tennis at the Holdrege North Park or outdoor basketball or disc golf at Veterans Memorial Park.
10. The Smithsonian-quality Nebraska Prairie Museum features a German POW Exhibit that houses paintings by a former POW prisoner detailing what life was like in a POW camp. Step back in time to see antique farm equipment and stroll around the old town square. This summer, the new Prairie Power agricultural exhibit is planned for inside the museum. Outside of the museum, stroll through a one-room schoolhouse, church, and home from the turn of the century.
11. Attend the Nebraska Prairie Museum’s Fall Festival on Sept. 26 to see history come to life with demonstrations (blacksmithing, artisans and more), food and music.
12. See the work of Bertrand native Jeremy Hansen at the Jeremy Hansen Art Gallery at the Herald, a former newspaper office in downtown Bertrand. Some of Jeremy’s recent work features paintings of 80’s toys, tractors, shoes and even beer cans.
13. The Iron Horse Arts District in downtown Holdrege features monthly art exhibits, live music, creative businesses, and murals. Annual events include the Art After Dark gala in January, an Artisan Expo in May, the Flyover Country Stage in August, and Haunted Holdrege in October. Plus, the new art gallery at First State Bank opens soon.
14. Visit the Cupcake Capitol of Nebraska at Funk’s Annual Festival of Cupcakes on July 12. The contest draws the best cupcake bakers from the region!
15. Enjoy a movie at the renovated Holdrege Sun Theater & Event Venue in downtown Holdrege. A family of four can see a show for less than $25!
16. Enjoy a live performance at Tassel Performing Arts Center. The 865-seat modern theater features events like ballets, classical music, symphonies, and even magicians.
17. Visit Veterans Memorial Park in south Holdrege to play Frisbee golf or basketball on the outdoor courts, enjoy playgrounds and a pollinator garden. Take a moment to honor local veterans at the new Veterans Memorial.
18. Take the family bowling and enjoy lunch and snacks at Gutterz Fun Center.
19. Tour a cattle feedlot and learn about different varieties of cattle at Nebraska Star Beef in Northern Phelps County. At the end of the tour, be sure to try Nebraska Star Beef’s delicious beef jerky or order steaks to be shipped to your home.
20. Spend a day shopping with the girls in Holdrege at the 308 Boutique, Gifts & Things, My Fair Lady’s Fashions and Frills, and Blessed Trio.
21. Enjoy art and music at the Iron Horse Festival on May 30 in downtown Holdrege. The festival will feature vendors, demonstrations, music and food throughout the day.
22. Enjoy family time in the indoor swimming pool or gymnasium at Don Sjogren Community YMCA. Day passes are available, and the Y honors reciprocal memberships for free if you are a YMCA member anywhere.
23. Relax and relieve stress at Studio 607 in downtown Bertrand. Yoga classes are offered four days a week, and drop-ins are welcome.
24. Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and improve your golf swing at The Drive Golf & Lounge in downtown Holdrege. The establishment serves food and houses two indoor golf simulators.
25. Meet with up friends or family and sip locally brewed craft beer at Lost Way Brewery in downtown Holdrege. Enjoy friendship and camaraderie on your daily run by dropping into the brewery’s run club on Sundays and Thursdays.
26. Taste authentic Mexican cuisine at one of two restaurants, Catrinas or La Hacienda in Holdrege.
27. Catch up on the latest sports and enjoy daily lunch or supper specials at JB’s Sports Bar & Grill. For late-night fun, enjoy occasional live music.
28. The Blue Moose in Bertrand features delicious steaks or seafood. Of course, you might just be too full from the generous salad bar!
29. Brides from around the Midwest are saying yes to the dress at Bridal Isle in downtown Loomis. If a wedding is in your future, make an appointment at the Bridal Isle where you feel pampered and special from the moment you step in the door. The store also features a wide variety of mother’s dresses and accessories for the entire wedding party.
30. Love finding a good deal? Spend a day thrift shopping in Holdrege at the Mission Avenue Thrift Store and The Drawer Upscale Resale.
31. Pamper yourself with a massage, pedicure, manicure or facial at Holdrege Day Spa, Pampered Soles Tanning and Spa, or You & Me Nails, all in downtown Holdrege.
32. A hearty breakfast or good cup of coffee is a great way to start the day. Step back in time at the Cozy Inn Café for a traditional breakfast, or start the day with a smoothie or coffee with friends at Coal & Feed, Coffee & Vittle. A quick drink to go can be found at Scooter’s Drive-Through.
33. Stroll through the Holdrege Farmer’s Market (Thursdays evenings on the Phelps County Courthouse lawn) or the Bertrand Farmer’s Market (Tuesdays in downtown Bertrand) to purchase and enjoy fresh foods, homemade items and more.
34. Outdoorsmen and women will find plenty of opportunities in Phelps County with fishing at the trout-stocked North Park lake during the warmer months, ice fishing in colder months, and hunting opportunities at the Funk Waterfowl Production Area.
35. While in Phelps County, sleep peacefully at one of three Holdrege hotels, including the Cobblestone Inn & Suites (new in 2020), the newly remodeled Rodeway Inn, or the Plains Hotel.
36. Make plans to visit the new Grey’s Twisted Manor haunted house, where the whole family will be entertained with scares and screams. It is located at 203 High Street in Holdrege and is open from 7-10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in October.
37. The Phelps County Fair (July 26-30) features lots of free family fun, including Big Foot, face painting and free kids games, livestock shows, live music and a FREE beef bbq. Other events include bull-riding, a demolition derby and the DC Lynch carnival.
