Three-time All-American City Award-winner and the county seat of Hall County, Nebraska, is a city called Grand Island. Framed by the Wood River and the North Platte River, the city is the largest inland island in the world. Settled by German pioneers who had heard of a place the French called “La Grande Isle,” Grand Island quickly grew into a bustling community.
The development of the Union Pacific Railroad offered businessmen and visitors a new place to explore. Today, Grand Island is as American as apple pie, with plenty of amusements and a friendly community.
At the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, you can experience both the victories and hardships of central Nebraska’s first settlers who arrived in the late 1800s. The museum was ranked as one of the “Top 10 Places to Relive America’s Past” by Good Housekeeping magazine and has improved upon its groundbreaking exhibits and educational programs for over 40 years. One of the museum’s most beloved features is the living history village called Railroad Town, which is designed to look and feel like a real prairie village from the 1890s. Check out the 1901 steam locomotive and an authentic caboose from 1912. There’s even a reconstructed Pawnee Earth Lodge from the only Native American tribe indigenous to the state. You can see the house where actor Henry Fonda was born in 1905, and the area where film crews shot footage for the movie Sarah, Plain and Tall.
After walking around Railroad Town, you may need some refreshment. Luckily, there’s Island Oasis Water Park, known as the “best water park between Denver and Des Moines.” Relax on the park’s Lazy River – a 750-foot winding river where you can cool off at your own pace. For a little more action, check out the Fury of the Isle slide, which surprises you with some bumps on your way down the six-story high structure. Little ones will love the toddler slides and lily pads, while teens will enjoy a game of volleyball on the sand.
If visiting a state famous for its steak has your mouth watering, head over to Uncle Ed’s Steak House, where steak is their passion. Try a Sensational Steak Burger, which can be enjoyed “plain jane” or with extras like bourbon BBQ sauce or Gorgonzola blue cheese. For something a little different, there’s Uncle Ed’s Legendary Chicken Fried Steak – made with either thick “tri tip” sirloin or premium pork loin. If you’re in the mood for Mexican, Grand Island locals will send you to the Carlos O’Kelly Mexican Café, where faithful patrons claim the food is the best of its kind. The servings of chips and salsa are endless, and there are convenient combination platters for people who can’t decide on just one of Carlos’ delicious dishes.
All year long, Grand Island plays host to some of Nebraska’s most exciting annual events. Husker Harvest Days is the largest working irrigated agricultural show at a permanent site in the United States with over 700 acres of crops. Another favorite is the Harvest of Harmony Parade, which broke a Guinness world record in 1996 for having the most marching bands in a parade! At the Central Nebraska Ethnic Festival, you can take part in the traditions of cultures from around the world. One of Grand Island’s quirkiest celebrations, however, is the yearly Running of the Wieners – a dachshund race for competitors in three age categories: Little Smokies, Frankfurters and Senior Sausages.
Grand Island was recently chosen to host the 2010 Nebraska State Fair – a compliment to both the city’s inherent beauty and to the people who work to make it an enjoyable place to live or visit. So while Nebraska’s little isle may not be the most exotic island on which to kick back and relax, it offers some of the most pleasant sites, scenery and residents you’ll ever meet. You’ll fit right in – even if you’re coming from out of state.
For more information, visit www.visitgrandisland.com.
