The north–south US-83 route takes you through the heart of North Platte, but historically the main way through was heading west. First along the Oregon Trail, then along the Pony Express, the Union Pacific railroad, and up to today’s I-80 freeway, the Platte River has long been one of the country’s most important transportation throughways. Paying tribute to all stages of the river corridor’s long history, the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument (daily; $10; 308/237-1000) is an expansive new interactive museum dedicated to America’s freedom of mobility. The museum actually spans I-80 at exit 272, just east of the town of Kearney (pronounced CAR-knee), an hour east of North Platte.
South of Kearny is another great monument to America: Harold Warp’s Pioneer Village (daily; $10; 800/445-4447), a Middle America version of Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village, with a much better sense of fun. The 20-acre site preserves dozens of historic structures along with the “world’s oldest steam-powered merry-go-round”, 350 classic cars, trucks, and airplanes, and some 50,000 other items of varying historical interest. Almost everything here dates from 1830–1950, illustrating Mr. Warp’s sense of history: “For thousands of years man lived quite simply. Then like a sleeping giant our world was awakened. In a mere hundred and twenty years of eternal time man progressed from open hearth, grease lamps, and ox carts to television, super sonic speed, and atomic power. We have endeavored to show you the actual development of this astounding progress as it was unfolded by our forefathers and by ourselves.”
The I-80 route replaced one of the country’s first cross-country roads, the Lincoln Highway, and if you’ve got some time (and an appetite!), take a little trip along the old Lincoln Highway (US-30). You’ll find a number of old motels and cafés; 12 miles west of North Platte, along US-30 in the town of Hershey, Butch’s (308/368-7231) serves some of the country’s best prime rib and pork chops, so tender you can cut ’em with a fork.
