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Visit Grand Island, Nebraska

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Grand Island, named for the large isle in the Platte River, was a landmark used by the early French traders in the 1700s. In the late 1850s three Iowa businessmen saw the potential of a town near the Platte Valley's “Grand Island” and speculated that the railroad would soon follow. The venture went bankrupt but the 36 settlers hired to start the new town stayed and in 1866, the Union Pacific Railroad came through Hall County and Grand Island Station was founded. By 1872 the city was incorporated and evolved into a major railroad, business, agricultural and industrial center.

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Hampton Inn by Hilton-York

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Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Kearney

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Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

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Comfort Suites

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Comfort Inn Grand Island North

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Comfort Inn

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Comfort Inn

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Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kearney

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Hampton Inn by Hilton Kearney

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Hampton by Hilton Hastings

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ARTICLEGrand Island Grand Island, named for the large isle in the Platte River, was a landmark used by the early French traders in the 1700s. In the late 1850s three Iowa businessmen saw the potential of a town near the Platte Valley's “Grand Island” and speculated that the railroad would soon follow. The venture went bankrupt but the 36 settlers hired to start the new town stayed and in 1866, the Union Pacific Railroad came through Hall County and Grand Island Station was founded. By 1872 the city was incorporated and evolved into a major railroad, business, agricultural and industrial center.Grand Island
NATIONAL PARKAgate Fossil Beds National Monument Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is on SR 29, 22 miles south of Harrison or 34 miles north of Mitchell in the Niobrara River Valley. Imbedded in the sedimentary rock are fossils formed some 20 million years ago. Named for James Cook's Agate Springs Ranch, this 3,000-acre site also features Cook's collection of 19th- and 20th-century American Indian artifacts.Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
NATIONAL PARKBadlands National Park Badlands National Park is reached by the Badlands Loop (SR 240). The scenic loop meets I-90 at exit 110 at WallBadlands National Park
NATIONAL PARKChimney Rock National Historic Site Chimney Rock National Historic Site is 4.5 miles south of Bayard and 1 mile south of the junction of US 26 and SR 92. The spire of Chimney Rock National Historic Site
NATIONAL PARKHomestead National Monument Of America Four miles northwest of Beatrice on SR 4 following signs, Homestead National Monument of America was one of the first quarter sections of land to be claimed under the Homestead Act of 1862. The act provided a process by which citizens (or intended citizens) could acquire their own homestead. After filing an application, prospective landowners could claim 160 acres (a quarter of a square mile) of surveyed federal land. If the homesteader lived on the land for the next 5 years, built a dwelling and cultivated crops, he could file the necessary paperwork and be granted ownership of the land.Homestead National Monument Of America
NATIONAL PARKNebraska National Forest In portions of the northwest quadrant of the state three units totaling 352,252 acres—the Pine Ridge and Bessey ranger districts and the Nebraska National Forest
NATIONAL PARKPipestone National Monument Pipestone National Monument is 1 mile north of Pipestone on US 75, then half a mile west. Within its 300 acres are pipestone quarries that yielded red stone used to fashion ceremonial pipes. According to one Native American legend, the quarry site was discovered by a woman who followed a white bison to a spot where its hooves turned the rocks red.Pipestone National Monument
NATIONAL PARKScotts Bluff National Monument Five miles southwest of Scottsbluff via SRs 71 and 92W, the 3,003-acre Scotts Bluff National Monument encompasses the escarpment that rises 800 feet above the North Platte River, or 4,659 feet above sea level.Scotts Bluff National Monument
EDITOR PICK8 Things to Know about ETIAS, ETA and Travel to Europe in 2025AAA Travel Editor, Sherry Mims01/16/2025 : Some countries in Europe will require applying for an electronic travel authorization before you go.8 Things to Know about ETIAS, ETA and Travel to Europe in 2025
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