Last updated on December 19, 2023.

North Platte, Nebraska, may not sound too exciting but it’s got a lot of history, making it a decent place to stop for a day. In this entry, I’ll write about the things I did on my day in North Platte. Visit the town’s official website for more info on what to do or special events taking place.

 

Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park

Firstly, North Platte is billed as the hometown of Buffalo Bill Cody. The Wild West showman built Scout’s Rest, a home and ranch a few miles from the town, in 1886, on some of the 4,000 acres he owned. They are now part of Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park. Adult admission is US$4 (as of April 2023). A US$12 Nebraska State Park daily permit is also required for private vehicles with out-of-state plates. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, it’s open daily from 9am to 5pm. In May, it’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. The rest of the year, it’s open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

Scout's Rest Ranch in North Platte Nebraska
Scout’s Rest Ranch

In the Victorian home, period furniture and personal artifacts are on display. The barn has remnants of original posters from the Wild West show along with some wagons and other equipment.

Scout's Rest Ranch in North Platte Nebraska
Scout’s Rest Ranch
Scout's Rest Ranch in North Platte Nebraska
Buffalo Bill’s Home at Scout’s Rest Ranch

Near the barn is an authentic cabin used by Cody when he was a scout. It was brought to the park from its original location near the Dismal River in Nebraska.

Scout's Rest Ranch in North Platte Nebraska
Cabin at Scout’s Rest Ranch
Scout's Rest Ranch in North Platte Nebraska
Cabin at Scout’s Rest Ranch

A small pen of bison are also on display.

Buffalo at Scout's Rest Ranch in North Platte Nebraska
Buffalo at Scout’s Rest Ranch

 

Lincoln County Historical Museum

Near Scout’s Rest is the Lincoln County Historical Museum. This wonderful volunteer-run museum tells visitors about the history of North Platte and Lincoln County. Behind it is a small “village” of historical buildings collected from all over the county. Adult admission is US$6 for adults (as of April 2020). It’s open daily from May through September.

Lincoln Country Historical Museum in North Platte Nebraska
Lincoln Country Historical Museum

The most important section of the museum explains the history of the North Platte Canteen. It was a volunteer effort used to feed soldiers who passed through North Platte during WWII. From Christmas Day in 1941 until 1 April 1946, over 6,000,000 servicemen and women were served food and entertained by the people of North Platte. Everything was donated.

Canteen display at Lincoln Country Historical Museum in North Platte Nebraska
Lincoln Country Historical Museum

The “village” is a collection of historic homes and buildings, including an original building from Fort McPherson, which stood near North Platte from 1863 to 1880.

Fort McPherson at Lincoln Country Historical Museum in North Platte Nebraska
Fort McPherson at Lincoln Country Historical Museum

The small boyhood home of William Jeffers, former president of Union Pacific Railroad, is also on display, as is the Brady Island Depot and a caboose.

Jeffers Home at Lincoln Country Historical Museum in North Platte Nebraska
Jeffers Home at Lincoln Country Historical Museum
Brady Island Depot at Lincoln Country Historical Museum in North Platte Nebraska
Brady Island Depot at Lincoln Country Historical Museum
Brady Island Depot at Lincoln Country Historical Museum in North Platte Nebraska
Brady Island Depot at Lincoln Country Historical Museum

Other buildings include a school, church, some homes, and businesses.

Church at Lincoln Country Historical Museum in North Platte Nebraska
Church at Lincoln Country Historical Museum

 

Golden Spike Tower

North Platte has always been linked to the railroad industry. It was the western terminus of the Union Pacific Railway in 1867 for one year. Today, it is the home of the largest railroad yard in the world, Bailey Yard. Visitors can view the yard from the Golden Spike Tower for a cost of US$8 (as of April 2023). It’s open daily from 9am to 5pm.

Golden Spike Tower Union Pacific rail yard in North Platte Nebraska
Golden Spike Tower

There’s a small museum and video on the ground floor. An elevator to the 7th and 8th floors take you to viewing platforms. On the 8th floor, a volunteer is on hand to explain what’s happening in the yard at any given moment.

Golden Spike Tower Union Pacific rail yard in North Platte Nebraska
Golden Spike Tower

 

Combination Ticket

When I visited North Platte in September 2015, there was a combination ticket for Scout’s Rest Ranch, the Lincoln County Museum, and the Golden Spike Tower. I haven’t been able to find any information about the ticket since then. If it’s available, it’s a significant savings if you plan on visiting all three sites. Tickets can be purchased at the first of the three locations visited.

 

Fort Cody Trading Post

A kitschy site at the highway exit to North Platte is the Fort Cody Trading Post. This huge souvenir store contains a museum with oddities and a mechanical scale model of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show that runs on the half hour. Admission is free and it’s open daily.

Fort Cody in North Platte Nebraska
Fort Cody
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show at Fort Cody in North Platte Nebraska
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show at Fort Cody
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show at Fort Cody in North Platte Nebraska
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show at Fort Cody

Behind Fort Cody is an outdoor area with some log cabins, wagons, and a giant Indian.

Fort Cody in North Platte Nebraska
Fort Cody

 

Downtown North Platte

The historic downtown of North Platte isn’t much to see. The most interesting buildings are the old Fox Theatre and the Pawnee Hotel.

Downtown North Platte Nebraska
North Platte

 

Hotel & Food

We stayed at the America’s Best Value Inn. It had clean and comfortable rooms and a swimming pool. Breakfast was not included. Wifi was ok.

For food, we had a quick breakfast at the local chain of Daylight Donuts and lunch at the Oak Tree Inn’s Penny’s Diner. Neither were special.

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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