When people think of small-town America, Nebraska immediately springs to mind. The state is full of picturesque little towns where the people are friendly and the main streets are still the center of activity. Of course, every town in Nebraska has its own particular charm – here are just a few of the best small towns in Nebraska where you can enjoy a slower-paced, relaxing day seeing the sights, shopping, and learning about the town’s history.

1. Ashland
Wikimedia/Ammodramus
Ashland, NE 68003, USA
flickr/Tom McLaughlin
Ashland is one tiny town in Nebraska that will quickly steal your heart. This historic town in southeast Nebraska is home to the amazing Strategic Air and Space Museum. The town features modern conveniences and attractions alongside loads of charming old-time buildings.
2. Aurora
Wikimedia/Bkell
Aurora, NE 68818, USA
Wikimedia/Ammodramus
Aurora has repeatedly been named on lists of the best places to live in Nebraska. Located near Grand Island, the quaint town contains lots of historic buildings as well as the super-fun Edgerton Explorit Center.
3. Chadron
Wikimedia/Ammodramus
Chadron, NE 69337, USA
Journey to Western Nebraska
There's something truly special about Chadron and its unparalleled beautiful surroundings. With Chadron State Park, Nebraska National Forest, Oglala National Grasslands, and Toadstool Geological Park all nearby, it's no wonder why this is one of the best small towns in Nebraska, especially for nature lovers.
4. McCook
Wikimedia/Ammodramus
McCook, NE 69001, USA
Wikimedia/Ammodramus
Located in southwest Nebraska, McCook has the amenities you'd expect in a larger city with the charm and friendliness of a small Nebraska town. Plenty of cultural events keep residents and visitors busy year-round, and there is no shortage of shops and restaurants. McCook is also home to the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in the state.
5. Minden
flickr/Tim O'Brien

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Minden, NE, USA
Wikimedia/Rolf Blauert
Minden is known as "Nebraska's Christmas City" thanks to its dazzling display of more than 12,000 lights in the courtyard square during the holiday season. The town is also home to the delightful Harold Warp Pioneer Village, an attraction that draws visitors from all over the area.
6. Nebraska City
Wikimedia/Workman
Nebraska City, NE 68410, USA
City of Nebraska City
Nebraska City is full of natural beauty, but it's also full of fun activities and historic attractions. One of the highlights of this town in Nebraska is the annual AppleJack Festival which attracts from 60,000 to 80,000 visitors to the town every year and features all kinds of apple-related foods and fun.
7. Ogallala
Wikimedia/Coemgenus
Ogallala, NE 69153, USA
Wikimedia/Pewwer42
This small town in Nebraska with fewer than 5,000 people has some big history, starting with the Pony Express and the transcontinental railroad. The town's Old West heritage is preserved in the fantastic historic Front Street, and the town is conveniently close to Nebraska's favorite lake, Lake McConaughy.
8. Red Cloud
City of Red Cloud
Red Cloud, NE 68970, USA
Willa Cather Foundation
As the former home of American author Willa Cather, Red Cloud's natural beauty and pioneer history has been immortalized in novels like O! Pioneers and My Antonia. The town now contains a large Willa Cather memorial consisting of multiple sites connected with the author's life. The historic downtown area is a great place to take a leisurely stroll, and the town's nine-hole golf course is said to be the third best in the state.
9. Seward
Seward, NE 68434, USA
Wikimedia/Ammodramus
On the banks of the Big Blue River, Seward has been ranked among the best places to live in America. Their annual Fourth of July fireworks display is known as one of the most impressive in the state. Seward is close enough to Lincoln that residents can easily enjoy small-town living and city conveniences.
10. Valentine
Wikimedia/Ammodramus
Valentine, NE 69201, USA
flickr/Diana Robinson
There's so much natural beauty packed into the tiny Nebraska town of Valentine that it's almost unbelievable. Smith Falls State Park, home to the state's tallest waterfall, is nearby, as is the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. The Cherry County Historical Society Museum is a fantastic attraction that memorializes the hardy pioneer history of Valentine and the surrounding area.

We know you all have your own opinions about Nebraska’s most charming towns, so let us know your personal picks in the comments. Of course, you can always check out some of the most hauntingly beautiful ghost towns in Nebraska.

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small towns in Nebraska

Jackie Ann | September 16, 2022

Which town in Nebraska has the best restaurants?

One of the best small towns in Nebraska to grab a bite to eat is the tiny town of Stuart. This tiny but mighty town may be home to fewer than 700 people, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in incredible restaurants that are overflowing with charm and bring you back to an old-fashioned atmosphere rarely seen in bigger cities. On the other side of the state, close to the Kansas border, you’ll find Fairbury, another incredible food town in Nebraska. From authentic Mexican to fancy steakhouses, this tiny town has a little bit of everything

What is the most naturally beautiful town in Nebraska?

Surrounded by majestic buttes and a rolling landscape, Crawford is one of the most naturally beautiful towns in Nebraska. The northwest Nebraska town is home to fewer than 1,000 people, so it’s an ideal destination for anyone looking to get away from it all and enjoy some peace and quiet. Be sure to visit the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area while you’re here. The 22,000-acre park really showcases the natural, raw, beauty of Nebraska’s lush canyons, forests, and rock formations. 

What is the oldest town in Nebraska?

Nebraska City is the oldest town in Nebraska and a fantastic destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Founded in 1855, the charming town boasts several historic museums as well as historic landmarks like Arbor Lodge State Historical Park and the Mayhew Cabin, and John Brown’s Cave, which is the only officially recognized stop on the Underground Railroad. 

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