As we made our way east, we found Holiday RV Park in North Platte, Nebraska. Upon further inspection of the area, we also found that North Platte was home to the Golden Spike Tower and Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park. Two very different, but equally interesting, locations.
Golden Spike Tower
Located at the Union Pacific’s largest railroad yard in the world, at 8 miles long and almost 2 miles wide, Golden Spike Tower and Visitor’s Center is an 8-story structure with a viewing area overlooking the yard. From the 7th and 8th floors, visitors can see trains coming and going.
A short video tells the story of how the Union Pacific Railyard, or Baily Yard, came to be, as well as the inner workings of the yard as told by past employees. Be sure to watch it before you head up to the observation decks.
The Hump Yard is where individual cars are routed from an incoming train to an outgoing train to continue on to their final destination.
Important Info:
- Hours of Operation:
- 7 days a week – 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Entrance Fees:
- Adults: $8.00
- Seniors 62+: $7.00
- Students – Ages 6-16: $6.00
- 5&under: FREE
- AAA, Military & Union Pacific Discounts Offered
- Special Bus Tour Group Rates are available. Contact the Golden Spike Tower for details at 308.532.9920 or info@goldenspiketower.com
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park
This location, once over 4,000+ acres, was home to scout, buffalo hunter, and wild west showman, Buffalo Bill Cody. He and his family lived here and built this magnificent estate. The home and Scouts Rest Barn are full of photos, memorabilia, documents, and collectibles telling the life story of Buffalo Bill Cody and his extended family. We were quite impressed by this little piece of history.
Important Info.
Hours of Operation:
House & Barn
April 7 – May 30 (Memorial Day Weekend): Open Wednesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
May 31 – Sept. 6 (Labor Day): Open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sept. 7 – Oct. 31: Open Wednesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Park Grounds
Open 8 a.m. – sunset; year-round
House Admission:
Adults: (13 & up) $2
Children: (3 – 12) $1
Under 3: Free
Final Thoughts
We continue to be amazed by the places we find when we venture off the highway. North Platte was not on our travel bucket list, but I’d suggest you put it on yours if you’re heading down I-80 through Nebraska.
Join us next time as we find that the small town of Ashland, Nebraska, is near the Strategic Air Command Museum.
We are likely to be traveling through Nebraska on I-80 next year, so I am glad to read these posts.
It was an interesting little find, for sure!
[…] Ashland is a short drive from the Strategic Air Command Museum. This was a fun little surprise we didn’t know about. It seems we always find these great places around America that we hadn’t heard of, but enjoyed visiting. Check out our previous post about the Golden Spike Tower & Buffalo Bill’s Place here. […]