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Visiting Grand Island with Kids

June 30, 2020

The entrance sign to Grand Island

A couple years ago, we were looking to go on a Weekend Road Trip close to Omaha. With Grand Island a little less than 2.5 hours from Omaha via I-80, it was a perfect destination to explore with kids!

Special thanks to Visit Grand Island for partnering with us by providing passes and hotel accommodations for our visit.

 

Stuhr Living History Museum

A street of stores at Stuhr Museum

The Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer invites visitors to immerse themselves in a Living History Experience. The mission of Stuhr Museum is to “preserve and portray the inspiring era of the pioneer townbuilder who settled the first communities in Nebraska.”

 

The wooden sign at Stuhr Museum

Take a walk through Railroad Town and explore life as it was in 1897. Visit with costumed historians who are in the homes and businesses in town engaging in the activities of their day, ready to answer questions and help visitors understand life in the 19th century.

 

A man making something at Stuhr Museum

One of our favorite stops was the Tinsmith Shop. A very skilled tinsmith shared how he made each item in the shop inviting the kids to help him with various steps. As a retired schoolteacher, he was excellent in helping the kids learn while also sharing interesting facts about life in 1897.

 

A man making something t Stuhr Museum

It was fascinating to watch the authentic old tools being used and how creative and skilled they were in making various cups, lunch buckets, and more. He also helped my kids make a bit of tinsel for the Christmas tree.

 

A clerk standing at the cash register at Stuhr Museum

In the Mercantile Shop, visitors can browse a variety of items and candies. This young man engaged my kids in a fun popular game in one of the houses!

 

A woman dressed in period clothing in a historic house at Sturh Museum

Visitors can walk through several homes full of authentic furniture and decorations, including bedrooms, children’s toys, kitchenwares, a dumbwaiter, and more, with historians eager to help answer any questions visitors have.

 

A historic fire hose reel at Stuhr Museum

My kids were fascinated with the Fire Station!

 

A wall of post office boxes at Stuhr Museum

The Stuhr Museum has over 60 historic and recreated structures, including this Post Office, Blacksmith Shop, Bank, Telephone Exchange, and Silver Dollar Cafe – perfect for lunch or a refreshing drink.

 

A historic school house and wood burning stove at Stuhr Museum

After Railroad Town, follow the circular drive to the Rural Schoolhouse and Church, 1893 Farmstead, Taylor Ranch, and Pawnee Earth Lodge. The Visitors Center is in a beautiful building – they were preparing for a wedding while we were there!

 

Antique cars at Stuhr Museum

Be sure to stop by the Antique Farm Machinery and Auto Exhibit! It is FULL of unique cars and farm machinery and equipment. Kids will enjoy following the signs just for them helping explain fun facts.

 

A large white display and entrance sign at Stuhr Museum

I remember going to the Stuhr Museum when I was younger, walking along the boardwalks and exploring Railroad Town. It was fun to share this experience now with my children!

 

A group of people walking in a parade at Stuhr Museum

Photo provided by The Stuhr Museum

Special events take place year round including the 4th of July celebration, Christmas Past & Present event, Memorial Day event, Cowboy Night, Prairie Princess Party and others.

 

Island Oasis Waterpark

An outside waterpark and pool at Islan Oasis Grand Island

We love Waterparks and Grand Island’s Island Oasis Water Park is a perfect place to cool off on a warm summer day!

With a variety of waterslides, amazing lazy river (one of the best we have experienced!), and wave pool, it was a day full of fun!

Read more about our visit to Island Oasis Water Park here!

 

More Fun Sites to Explore

A large wooden playground at Grand Island

Stolley Park is a beautiful park in the middle of the city. Kids will love Kids Kingdom castle-like park, and can take a train ride on Stolley Park Railroad.

 

A large body of water at Grand Island

Mormon Island State Recreation Area offers swimming, camping, fishing, and picnic areas.

 

A sign on a brick building at Grand Island

A fun restaurant that recently opened in Grand Island, Kinkaider Brewing Co. offers delicious food, a fun atmosphere, and extensive beer choices in the Railside Area in downtown Grand Island.

 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

The outside and entrance to the Holiday Inn Express at Grand Island

Special thanks to Visit Grand Island for providing lodging during our visit at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites.

With an indoor pool and free delicious breakfast (and yummy cinnamon rolls!), the centrally located Holiday Inn Express & Suites offers a wonderful family-friendly stay.

 

A Girl Scout Banner hanging in the Holiday Inn Express Grand island

Upon check-in, we were given a free box of Thanks-A-Lot Girl Scout Cookies! What a treat, and an example of how Holiday Inn Express goes above and beyond to make sure their guests feel welcome.

 

The lobby at the Holiday Inn Express Grand Island

The cozy lobby welcomes guests upon their arrival.

 

A guest room with two beds at the Holiday Inn Express Grand Island

Comfortable beds and a clean room provided a great rest after a busy day.

 

The swimming pool at the Holiday Inn Express Grand Island

Both kids and adults loved the pool!

 

Fun Stops Along the Road Trip from Omaha

A close up of the Nebraska Passport Map

We love the Nebraska Passport Program! It is like a scavenger hunt across our beautiful state showcasing attractions, shops, plazas, and more.

There are several Passport stops between Omaha and Grand Island (including the Stuhr Museum!), with a few more if you want to venture on to Kearney.

 

The outside brick side of the Hastings Museum

The Hastings Museum was a nice surprise offering 3 levels of exhibits with several interactive activities for kids. It is the largest municipal museum between Chicago and Denver, featuring a planetarium and the history of Kool-Aid, the famous soft drink invented in Hastings.

Additionally, with our Omaha Children’s Museum Membership, we were granted FREE Admission to both the Hastings Museum and the Edgerton Explorit Center (below) with their Reciprocal Membership Program (as of June 2017. See list of currrent participating museums here).

 

The games area at Edgerton Explorit Center

The Edgerton Explorit Center, located in Aurora, NE, offers a variety of hands-on learning experiences for kids of all ages.

 

Special Events in Grand Island

Grand Island provides an excellent destination to view the Sandhill Crane Migration every Spring.

The Nebraska State Fair is held annually in August at Fonner Park in Grand Island.

 

Be sure to stop by Visit Grand Island to help plan your next trip to this fun city!

 

Disclosure: Special thanks to Visit Grand Island for providing hotel accommodations, and passes to the Stuhr Museum and Island Oasis Waterpark for our visit. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

 

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Family Fun in Omaha

Family Fun in Omaha is your local resource for family-friendly activities and events in Omaha and beyond! We are a local family of 5 that loves finding new adventures and wants to help you enjoy all that Omaha and the surrounding area has to offer. We recommend starting here. Thank you for visiting!

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