Read the full article on Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s tourism agency has announced this season’s 70 featured sight-seeing destinations in the popular Visit Nebraska “Passport” program.
The program guides Nebraskans and out-of-state visitors to “hidden gems” across the state, while supporting tourism destinations and local businesses.
Jenn Gjerde, executive director of Visit Nebraska, another name for the state tourism commission, calls Passport the agency’s signature in-state marketing program — and “one of the most fun things we do all year.”
“It’s designed specifically to encourage Nebraskans to explore their own backyard, to take a day trip, try somewhere new and support the small businesses and communities that make this state special,” said Gjerde.
Last year alone, travelers logged more than 147,000 digital stamps.
“That’s real foot traffic in local shops, restaurants and attractions across Nebraska,” Gjerde said.
The 2026 highlighted stops are divided into 10 themed tours, one of which honors America’s 250th birthday with history-filled sites. Also featured are outdoor adventures, businesses in picturesque downtowns and unique food and drink establishments.
Passport booklets will be available at participating stops starting May 1 or can be pre-ordered at NebraskaPassport.com. Participants are encouraged to download the special smartphone app for the option of digital stamps, supplementing the physical Passport booklet for convenience.
Travelers have from May 1 through Sept. 30 to visit the attractions and collect associated stamps. Passporters earn prizes based on the number of stamps collected.
Gjerde said the program also builds community interactions through the Nebraska Passport Pals Facebook group, where nearly 6,000 members share trip tips, photos and encouragement as they explore the state together.
The 2026 themed tours are: Adventure Algorithm; Book It & Look It; Downtown Charm Alarm: Flour Power; Heartland Eats; Little Lad; Oddball Outposts; Party Like it’s 1776; Shopportunity and Sip Trip.
The 70 selected stops (alphabetical by town):
- Dirty Pop (Alliance)
- The Market and Mill (Anselmo)
- Lee’s Crossroads Café (Arapahoe)
- Ashland Brewing Company (Ashland)
- Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum (Ashland)
- Something Special by Marilyn (Atkinson)
- Old Homestead Market & Floral (Aurora)
- Black Magic Coffee Co. (Battle Creek)
- Jeremy Hanson Gallery (Bertrand)
- Lazy U Roadside Market (Broadwater)
- Howdy Coffee Co. (Broken Bow)
- The New Leaf & Apricot Lane (Chadron)
- Clarkson Bakery (Clarkson)
- Batter & Beyond (Columbus)
- Columbus Fieldhouse (Columbus)
- Higgins Memorial (Columbus)
- Isis Theatre (Crete)
- Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area (Crofton)
- Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art (David City)
- Jukes Ale Works (Elkhorn)
- Little Scandinavia (Elkhorn)
- J&R Cones and Coffee (Fairbury)
- Fort Atkinson State Historical Park (Fort Calhoun)
- Rowe Sanctuary (Gibbon)
- Covered Wagon Drive-In (Gordon)
- Beverly Cake Shop (Grand Island)
- Grand Island Casino Resort (Grand Island)
- Vintageleaf Boutique (Grand Island)
- Yoder’s Amish Furniture (Greenwood)
- Prime Time H20 Zone (Gretna)
- Longhorn Saloon (Harrison)
- Sioux County Museum (Harrison)
- Back Alley Bakery (Hastings)
- Stagecoach Gifts (Kearney)
- Suite Child (Kearney)
- The World Theatre (Kearney)
- Happy Mango (La Vista)
- Pen & Dagger (La Vista)
- Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles (Lexington)
- High Society Cheesecake (Lincoln)
- Museum of American Speed (Lincoln)
- Nebraska History Museum (Lincoln)
- Nebraska State Capitol (Lincoln)
- Robidoux (Lincoln)
- Rose Cat Coffee Company (Lincoln)
- Lofte Community Theatre (Manley)
- Scotty’s Bar & Grill (Marquette)
- Self Expressions (Nebraska City)
- Niobrara Valley Vineyards (Nenzel)
- North Fork Outfitting’s Riverpoint Surf Shop (Norfolk)
- Sixpence (Norfolk)
- Crystal Cave & Falls Adventure Mini Golf (North Platte)
- The Coffee Bin (North Platte)
- Exist Green (Omaha)
- Fat Brain Toys (Omaha)
- North Omaha Visitors Center (Omaha)
- Wildflour Grocer (O’Neill)
- Burdette’s Custom Meats (Ord)
- Creek’s Bend Family Farm (Overton)
- Book Nook Bookstores (Papillion)
- Flyover Brewing Co. (Scottsbluff)
- Dryland Aquatics (Sparks)
- TumbleReed Mercantile (Shubert)
- Valentine Bike Share (Valentine)
- The Quilt Shop (Wakefield)
- Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Memorial Hospital (Walthill)
- Meadowlark Lane Coffee & Floral (Wauneta)
- HIS Baking Co. (Wayne)
- The Wild Nettle (Wayne)
- Clayton Museum of Ancient History (York)
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
