Most People Don't Know About This Magical Sunflower Field Hiding In Nebraska
By Delana Lefevers|Published May 31, 2017
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
A bright, cheery field of yellow sunflowers is one of the most magical summertime sights. We look forward to the all-too-brief sunflower blooming season every year. While you can see wild sunflowers in plenty of places all throughout the state, there’s one place where you can hop aboard a wagon and take a ride right through a field of some of the biggest, cheeriest sunflowers you’ll ever see.
Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City has a huge sunflower field that bursts into magnificent blooms for a very brief time in late summer every year.
The "maximum bloom" only lasts for around two weeks in August. You can view the flowers before they reach full bloom, but they really are most stunning when you see them at their biggest and brightest.
You can ride through the sunflower fields on the Discovery Ride, part of the Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure attraction.
The Discovery Ride vehicle is a covered wagon pulled behind a tractor - it's bumpy, but not terribly uncomfortable. There is a charge to enter the Tree Adventure and an additional charge to take the Discovery Ride - but trust us, it's absolutely worth it.
The ride goes through the vineyards, orchards, wooded areas, and fields. You'll see a wide variety of plant life, and if you're lucky you might even see some of the woodland creatures who reside on the farm.
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All through the journey, a Nature Interpreter (or tour guide) tells you about what you're seeing and gives fun facts about nature and conservation.
If you've ever had any questions about how the farm operates, what grows there, or even why sunflowers bloom for such a short time, your Nature Interpreter will have answers.
Time your visit right - in mid-August - and you'll get to travel right through the magnificent fields of cheery yellow sunflowers.
You can't get out to walk around in the sunflower field, but on the Discovery Ride you'll pass close enough to the blooms that you'll be able to see them in detail. It's almost overwhelmingly beautiful to ride through this sea of giant, bright flowers.
This short video gives an idea of what the flowers look like at about 25% bloom. Just imagine how impressive they are fully open!
This experience is unforgettable, and it’s made even more special by the fact that it’s so ephemeral. If you miss your chance to see the sunflowers this year, you have to be patient for another 50 or so weeks before you’ll have the chance again. It’s kind of a reminder to slow down and enjoy the beautiful things around us while we can.
Admission to the Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure is $8 for adults and $6 for kids 3-12. The Discovery Ride is an additional $5 for everyone ages 3 and up. The Discovery Ride operates April through October every year, but the sunflower fields reach peak bloom in August. Follow Arbor Day Farm on Facebook for updates on the sunflower bloom status so you can time your visit just right. And don’t forget your camera, because this is a truly one-of-a-kind ride!
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