Nebraska, in the heartland of the American continent, is a place of wide, endless expanses that appear to stretch to the furthest reaches of the earth. The state's major cities are concentrated in the southeastern part of the state, and most of them have industries that are connected to agriculture. Lincoln, the capital, is a small, pleasant city, home to the art-deco capitol building and the nationally renowned University of Nebraska, where Willa Cather once studied literary traditions. Omaha, the largest city, is a friendly and welcoming Midwestern town built along the shores of the Missouri River. Attractions in Omaha include Henry Doorly Zoo, the impressive Joslyn Art Museum, and Father Flanagan's Boys Town. Further north, the Omaha Indian Reservation is believed to be the birthplace of the powwow.

Travelers to this part of the nation need to go farther west to truly appreciate Nebraska's wondrous appeal. The sparsely populated western side of the state has probably changed little since it was settled around the mid-19th century, when German and other European farmers arrived and populated the plains. Those early pioneers--the ones Willa Cather described so eloquently in her novels--left an indelible mark on the famed Oregon Trail, which now runs along US 26. While driving on the Oregon Trail, visitors can view a number of sights that recall the early American experience, including Chimney Rock, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Rebecca Winter's grave.

Nebraska is also a place where nature still holds man at bay with her powerful might. Bitterly cold winters and a relatively harsh climate have kept the population levels low for decades, therefore sparing the state some of the uncontrolled development that plagues American regions with more favorable weather conditions. Nebraska's natural attractions include three national forests, three wildlife refuges, scenic byways, and the soulful, endless prairie fields that inspired the immortal American author Willa Cather.