This Scenic 272-Mile Drive Just May Be The Most Underrated Adventure In Nebraska
By Delana Lefevers|Published April 23, 2018
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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.
Nebraska’s scenic country drives are perfect for getting out and seeing all of the splendid landscapes our state has to offer. The next time you’re looking for a relaxing country drive, remember this highway journey that may just be the most beautiful in the state.
Nebraska Highway 2 (west of Grand Island) is also known as the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway. It takes you through the heart of the sandhills and some of the most breathtaking sights in Nebraska.
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Stretching between Grand Island in the southeast and Crawford in the northwest, the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway is 272 miles of epic scenery that you won't find anywhere else in the US - maybe even in the world.
No matter which direction you travel, this byway is lined with natural wonders as well as sweet little communities and even some ghost towns. This is the quintessential Nebraska road trip. Charles Kuralt called it one of the top 10 scenic drives in America, and it's not at all hard to see why.
The Nebraska sandhills region is the largest area of stabilized sand dunes in the western hemisphere. As you drive through this sea of gentle slopes and curves, you'll wonder how anyone ever got the idea that Nebraska is flat or boring.
The bucolic scenery and long stretches of uninterrupted wild land will relax your mind and renew your spirit. How could you feel anything but peace and happiness when gazing at sights like this?
There's so much more than natural beauty along this route, too. The byway passes close by or straight through more than 30 communities. Each has its own treasures to share, including a museum in just about every one. The people you'll meet out here embody the "Nebraska Nice" philosophy. Railfans will be pleased to see that the highway runs alongside miles of tracks.
If you can't travel the entire Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, make it a point to at least check out the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Visitor Center in Broken Bow. This inviting interpretive center is full of exhibits that celebrate the rare beauty of this part of Nebraska.
Displays and exhibits highlight some of the unique culture and history to be discovered along this route. The center is absolutely worth a visit even if you aren't planning to drive the byway; you'll learn plenty about the sandhills and about Nebraska, and you'll even get to see some impressive art.
This unique journey is one of the most underrated adventures in the state. There’s really no wrong time to take this drive, though summer may be best if you want to see the sandhills decked out in their finest greenery. Have you ever driven the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway? Tell us about your trip in the comments!
For information on all nine of Nebraska’s officially designated scenic byways, visit this article from our archives.
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