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    Rowe Sanctuary

    4.7 (31 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Heather T.

    The hubs and I spent our 9 wedding anniversary weekend here in Kearney watching the great Sandhill Crane migration. I called at the beginning of January to secure a spot on a morning photo blind tour and a general afternoon tour. The sanctuary is a peaceful dirt road drive past farm land. The buildings are low and obscure and the staff is exceedingly friendly. I showed up wearing a bright orange jacket and o was very nicely lent a more color appropriate jacket by a staff member so I wouldn't scare off the birds. We were fortunate to be able to try out the newest bird blind right on the river. It was a lovely quiet walk in the dark to the blind and then we waited. The birds were full of noise and we eagerly awaited the sunlight coming up. We saw three big lift offs and it was beyond impressive. What an amazing experience that we were so lucky to see.

    Cranes rising from Platt River

    The Rowe Sanctuary, its employees, and many volunteers have created a mystical environment full of wonder, enchantment, and engaging experiences. Just knowing they exist is good for the soul. Participating in a blind is magical. My most recent morning blind included a full moon slowly descending as a gorgeous sunrise emerged, all to the cheerful warbling of the cranes. Then, cranes filled the sky as they left the Platt River for nearby corn fields. This massive migration is only possible due to the enormous efforts to make the River suitable and safe for the cranes. Highly recommend.

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

    Just do it pictures don't do it justice wonderful experience support the birds support the Audubon society be a fine American

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Great coaching on how best to view the sandhill cranes. Had a great experience. Enjoyed the volunteers and other birders

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Fantastic evening. All sorts of photo ops and it was a thrill just to be out there among the cranes. Hope to return next year.

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    Ask the Community - Rowe Sanctuary

    Review Highlights - Rowe Sanctuary

    Spent the evening at Rowe Sanctuary last night, in a beautiful new blind on the Platte River.

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    Fort Kearny State Historical Park - Panorama inside fort

    Fort Kearny State Historical Park

    4.0(8 reviews)
    6.6 mi

    Just to be clear, there are two different places in the area that are easy to confuse--Fort Kearny…read moreState Recreation Area is not the same as the Fort Kearny State Historical Park, even though they are close together and technically the same park. You can not access the hike/bike bridge in the Fort Kearny State Recreation Area from the Fort Kearny State Historical Park. We visited during the Spring Sandhill Crane migration, but since my son was also studying the Civil War, I wanted to squeeze in some history while we were in the area too. First, the Fort Kearny State Historical Park was really enjoyable for me. It was larger than I expected and has clearly marked areas showing where original buildings once stood. There's also a blacksmith shop with a covered wagon and several other historic features to explore along the way. The fort itself still stands, and you can walk inside and even climb up the lookout points on each corner. Inside, there's a lot of Nebraska history and artifacts from that time period. It didn't hold my son's attention quite as long as I had hoped, but I'm still very glad we visited. A Nebraska State Park Permit is required to park here, which can be purchased online ahead of time (what I did) or at the Fort Kearny Visitors Center or kiosk. The permit is good for 1.5 days. The interpretive center is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. This site has a lot of history--built by the Army in 1848, Fort Kearny served as a safe haven for Overland Trail travelers, Pony Express riders, and gold prospectors. Soldiers helped travelers, repaired wagons, and provided protection as people moved west. It also later served as a station for the Pony Express and supported workers building the transcontinental railroad. One unexpected highlight was seeing Sandhill cranes in the surrounding fields. It added a really interesting layer to the experience--thinking about how settlers may have experienced this same migration compared to us today. The cranes have been making this journey for thousands of years, which is incredible to reflect on. Just down the highway is the Fort Kearny State Recreation Area. There's a hike/bike trail with a paved, accessible 1.5-1.8 mile path that leads to a former railroad bridge over the Platte River. This is a well-known viewing area for the Sandhill crane fly-in and fly-out. We visited later in March and didn't see the massive peak migration numbers, but we still saw hundreds of cranes flying into the area at dusk, which was an incredible sight. It does get very crowded near sunset, especially on the bridge itself, so expect a lot of people and limited space. The experience felt a little rushed with kids, but I'm really glad we stayed through sunset to witness it. Watching the cranes come in over the river is something I won't forget.

    "You have died of dysentery."…read more OK, if you're a Yelper of a Certain Age, you might remember that delightful game Oregon Trail, all monochrome green or orange in your tiny Apple IIc computer. Fort Kerney brings it to life. Visiting here, you can imagine the old 49ers heading west, stopping here for supplies and a little rest before heading west into the frontier. There's a lot of history here-- the Pony Express, connections to the Transcontinental Railroad, and the Westward expansion. The visitor center is well done, and the grounds have been variably preserved and restored to a condition that whisks you back in time to a very different era of American history. It wasn't all pretty, it wasn't all easy... but it's inexorably linked to who we are, who we aren't, and who we're all striving to be. Worth the stop for a stretch of the legs and the imagination.

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    Fort Kearny State Historical Park - Memorial

    Memorial

    Fort Kearny State Historical Park
    Fort Kearny State Historical Park

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    Great Platte River Road Archway Monument - Inside the museum

    Great Platte River Road Archway Monument

    4.5(63 reviews)
    8.1 mi

    We visited The Archway and came away with mixed feelings--mostly because this just isn't a great…read morefit for families with very young kids. Ours are aged 8 and 2. When you enter, you're given a handheld device to scan exhibit numbers and listen to narration. In theory, it's a cool idea. In reality, it was tough to manage while chasing kids who were already 10-15 steps ahead. The device didn't always work smoothly, and trying to troubleshoot it mid-visit was frustrating. I eventually gave up and just narrated what I could myself. I expected we'd move through quickly because of the kids' ages, but the bigger issue is that the museum really isn't designed for younger audiences. Lots of stuff to read, pictures, very few artifacts, and of course, the handheld narration. That said--the displays themselves are beautifully done. You start by riding a very tall escalator "up a mountain" into the exhibit, which is a memorable entrance. I also went in thinking it would focus mostly on pioneers, but it's actually a broader (and well-done) journey through transportation history--pioneers, the railroad, automobiles, road trips, and more. One of the coolest features is that the museum spans over Interstate 80, and there are windows where you can look out over the traffic below. Where it fell short for me was in representation and storytelling. There was very little inclusion of Black history--only a brief mention of a Black pioneer. When covering the rise of car travel, it felt like a missed opportunity not to include the history of the Green Book. The exhibits often present travel as carefree and joyful, but that wasn't the reality for everyone. There's also a mining activity area (the typical "buy a bag and wash rocks" setup), which felt overpriced. One unexpected highlight: seeing people fishing outside the building. You can actually buy poles and bait inside, which my son was very interested in (we skipped it this time, but maybe next visit).

    I've driven past The Archway more times than I can count, and every single time it's a moment of…read more"I've made it to Kearney!" It's one of those landmarks that immediately catches your eye and gives you that sense of arrival. Even though I haven't had the chance to go inside yet, the view of the arch from the highway is absolutely stunning, especially when the light hits it just right. I can already tell that the next time I'm in town, I'll definitely be stopping in to explore what's inside. If the exterior is this impressive, I can only imagine what the inside has to offer.

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    Great Platte River Road Archway Monument - Inside the museum

    Inside the museum

    Great Platte River Road Archway Monument
    Great Platte River Road Archway Monument

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    Rowe Sanctuary - parks - Updated May 2026

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