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** To fuel with our advertised fuel grade, Regular, Please pull up to any of the following pumps: 1 - 4 & 17 - 20. **

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Where you stop matters! At Fat Dogs Travel Centers and Convenience Stores we pride ourselves on clean restrooms, fresh coffee, tidy drink stations, and stocked coolers. With our friendly Nebraska staff, we are bringing you the convenience you deserve for all your road trips near or far.

Whether you’re a cross country hauler or a local trucker, we appreciate you keeping our country moving. At Fat Dogs Travel Centers, we had our truckers in mind when we installed the 5-head showers, laundromat, and oversized leather chairs next to charging outlets in our Driver’s Lounge area. With twenty-four-hour service, we truly are here to serve you.

Fat Dogs Rewards

Let us help you save even more! When you use your Fat Dogs Rewards Card, you earn points for every purchase made in store and for every gallon at the pump. Our reward members receive exclusive offers throughout the year, just by swiping their Fat Dogs Rewards card at checkout. Points never expire and you can redeem them on nearly anything we sell. You can get what you want, when you want it. Sign up for Fat Dogs Rewards Today!

Fat Dogs Libations is a secret worth sharing! The Libation section at Fat Dogs is far more extensive than your average convenience store. Beer, wine, and spirits all at competitive pricing, providing you the libations you need for every occasion. Be sure to stop inside and see for yourself what you’ve been missing out on.

what They’re Saying

Testimonials.

Not only is the name great, this place is great. Plenty of fuel islands and the big rigs have their own lanes. Everything you need inside from soda to alcohol to food. The restrooms were clean and the cashier was very friendly.

First time here. Clean, organized, and safe. Helpful and respectful staff. Variable products with reasonable prices. The place is unique without a doubt. Thank You!

This location was clean and offered courteous service. I even picked up a few sling shots as gifts. I may regret the purchase but the sling shot were beautifully made. I say that to say if you need some gifts and you are passing by. Food, Gas and Gifts this is your place. Truck Parking available.

Great place to get fuel for yourself and your vehicle.

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Flying J Travel Center

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3400 S Newberry Rd

North Platte, NE 69101

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The cashier was rude to multiple customers she was being a smartass and even yelling at them. The pumps suck, I went to multiple pumps and they kept having issues.

Worst Super Bird sandwich I've ever gotten from a Dennys. So small it seems like they used the little heel ends of the bread. Not worth the 18.00 I paid for it and the 7 onion rings. And the inside of the restaurant windows are disgusting. They haven't been cleaned in a long, long time. Greasy, blurry. I sat in my booth and ordered my food to go. Every window in the restaurant is like that.

This place had lots of parking. The food was good and the people were great. I would recommend stopping if u can.

Good food and service, showers had mold like most of the truck stops but I didn't get a chance to gets pictures this time. Looks like the fountain drink setup needs clean but everything else looked clean. Cashiers were nice and parking was decent.

Stopped by at 10 am on a Monday. Women's restroom was closed for cleaning. Who does that at that time? Front counter staff grumpy .Went across the road to Love's. Much cleaner and employees weee cheerful and welcoming.

I must say there is nothing quite like the disappointment you feel when you're really looking forward to a good, hot shower and you get there water is not hot and the water pressure is non existent. I am most pleased to report you will not have that experience here. Our shower was steamy hot and the water pressure was phenomenal! Easily ranks as one of the best. Shower #5 in North Platte is easily on par with Shower #10 at the Troutdale TA. Of course, neither of these are in the same class as Shower #1 at Sapp Bros in Denver or any of the bathtubs at Little America, but, it is nice to know this is here. The Denny's underwent remodelling which removed all the outlets at the booths, continuing Corporate's war on truck drivers. Now the only outlets are at the counter, which isn't so bad if you need to charge your phone, but, it is a bit awkward when you want to use your computer to pay bills or some such. Food is still good and I was glad that they still had the Denny's as a lot of them are pulling their sit-down restaurants out. Am definitely looking forward to coming back!

Restrooms could be much cleaner. The announcements are made for bathroom checks, but no one shows up to do the check or actually correct an issue. The pumps are hard to get to in the afternoon & early morning hours, due to parking of big rigs in areas not meant for that use. Not only is it hard to pull in, but then you have a hard time trying to leave. Obviously no one monitors the parking area.

See all photos from Tina R. for Flying J Travel Center

The gas station I originally had routed for (across the street) was full so instead of waiting I just came right here which actually worked more in my favor. Service was good.They have slot machines, Staff are always helping customers from what I saw and the best part it's attached to a freaking Denny's. The bathrooms could use some work though, not the cleanest.

You have to wait 3 hours for shower Sometimes you don't have time No body not helping for ask and question

DON'T like: How dirty the lots are, the . management, how dirty the bathrooms are & how they're always out of grease soap in the women's, the management, the food in the incubator, how there's only pork pizza, never cheese (ever hear if a Muslim or Jew?), the management, how the cashiers at one location will be quick, efficient * friendly but at another will be inept dicks, a aaand the management. Today in Gretna, this manager was standing back in the aisle watching the line of customers pile up because one cashier stopped the line to call corporate to fix a messed-up pump. Why didn't the manager handle that? When I called later to ask him that, an assistant manager refused to put that fuck on the phone. And also Denny's is extremely disgusting. I go to Love's from now on, not that there's any decent choice, aside from Bosselman & Shoemaker's.

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• 3214 Detco Circle North Platte NE 69101
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Plan Your Visit

The Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center welcomes tour groups of all sizes. Whether it’s a family get-together, a school field trip, a church group or buses full of passengers ready to take in the unique experience that is the Golden Spike Tower, we’re here to make sure that you have a great time.

Our welcome video gives visitors an overview of Union Pacific and Bailey Yard. Our interpretive displays tell the story of the history of Union Pacific, Bailey Yard and North Platte, Nebraska.

Our courtyard proudly flies 23 flags representing each state Union Pacific serves. The  Brick Pavilion features commemorative bricks embossed with the names of railroad employees and individuals from our community, our region and around the world. In memory-In honor-In recognition.

Our gift shop features items for young and old alike…from traditional t-shirts and sweatshirts to train novelty items too numerous to mention.

The Golden Spike Tower is handicap accessible with elevators traveling to the top of the tower.

Whether you’re a railroad buff, a history enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique experience for your family, the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center is a must-stop when in the area.

Special group rates are available and we’ll make sure we have everything in place before your arrival. Our tour guides are former Union Pacific Employees, and they’ll be able to tell your group about the intricacies of Bailey Yard from our eight-story tower.  Call today to find out more about the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center – 308.532.9920 .

Treat your kids, your dad,  or even the whole family to a day at Golden Spike Tower. It’s a valuable way to spend the day with family or friends. Get the kids out of the house and climb to the top.

Adults: $10.00

Seniors 62+: $8.00, students – ages 6-16: $6.00, 5 & under: free, *aaa, military and union pacific discounts offered.

Special Bus Tour Group Rates are available.  Contact the Golden Spike Tower for details at 308.532.9920 or [email protected]

Directions to the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center Coming from the West or South

Enter North Platte by using Exit 177 and travel north on Dewey Street.

After crossing the river bridge, stay in the center lane. When you see The Mall on the right, enter the left turn lane and turn left onto Philip Ave.

Continue west on Philip Ave. approximately 3 miles.

At Lakeview Road (a two lane boulevard, just past Linden Court and Linden Estates) turn right and head north using the left lane until the next stop sign.

Turn left onto A Street and proceed west approximately 1 mile.

Turn right onto Homestead Road and the Golden Spike Tower is straight ahead. Please be careful at the stop sign. Traffic on this road does not stop and is often moving fast.

Directions to the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center coming from the East

Enter North Platte by using Exit 179 and travel north on Newberry Access.

After stopping at the stop sign, continue north over the overpass and follow the curve approximately 4 miles. Please be careful at the stop sign. Traffic on this road does not stop and is often moving fast.

At the intersection of Rodeo Road and Buffalo Bill there is a Casey’s Gas Station on the right and signs pointing to turn north to go to Buffalo Bill’s Ranch. Instead of turning right, turn left (south) and head south, crossing the viaduct and proceeding to A Street.

Turn right onto A Street and proceed west approximately 2 miles.

Turn right onto Homestead Road and the Golden Spike Tower is straight ahead.

Directions to the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center coming from the North

Enter North Platte on Highway 83.

After stopping at the first stoplight, turn right (west) onto Rodeo Road (highway 30) and proceed approximately 2.5 miles.

Turn right onto Homestead Road and the Golden Spike Tower is straight ahead

The best 15 things to do in North Platte, Nebraska

15 best things to do in north platte, nebraska.

Geography determined North Platte’s destiny. Let geography determine your stay’s destiny, and enjoy the ideal location for the entire family vacation. 

The West-Central Nebraska city sits west of where the North and South Platte Rivers join to create the Platte River. North Platte’s biggest claims to fame are the Union Pacific Bailey Yard, the world’s largest railroad classification yard; the home of “Buffalo Bill” Cody; and the North Platte Canteen. All three came to North Platte because of its location on the broad, flat Platte River Valley. It was the easiest route to the Pacific Coast.

Because of the valley, the Oregon Trail, Transcontinental Railroad, the Lincoln Highway, and Interstate 80 all traversed the Platte Valley. The Lincoln Highway was the nation’s  first coast-to-coast highway . 

Discover the city’s destiny in the top 15 things to do in North Platte, Nebraska.

Table of contents:  Golden Spike Tower  |  Buffalo Bill Ranch  |  Lincoln County Museum  |  Tanking  |  Cody Park  |  Go-Karts  |  National Cemetery  |  Veterans Memorial  |  Box Elder Canyon  |  Lake Maloney  |  Sutherland Reservoir  |  Sutherland Railroad Park  |  Grain Bin Antiques  |  Fort Cody  |  Eat and stay

Introduction to North Platte

North Platte is about halfway between Omaha and Denver on Interstate 80. The city of 23,000 people is home for Economics Research Topics to  North Platte Community College . The Union Pacific’s Chief Engineer Grenville Dodge platted the town because of its good water and distance from Grand Island, Nebraska.

Related: Dodge City, Kansas , may be named for Grenville Dodge.

Cody traveled the world with his Wild West Show. North Platte’s rail network enabled Cody to load his huge cast, crew, and equipment and send them wherever the next show would take them. Cody’s Scouts Rest Ranch is only one of several North Platte attractions to bear his name. 

During World War II, the North Platte Canteen fed 6 million service members, and none paid a cent. In 2008, the Golden Spike Tower opened above the Bailey Yard. The yard looks like the world’s most intricate model train layout from the overlooks. We can watch the trains jockey around the yard for hours. 

In the spring, hear the haunting songs during the sandhill crane migration. Millions of migratory birds descend upon the rivers. Find the best viewing sites with advice from the  North Platte Visitor Center .

Let’s explore the top 15 things to do in fascinating, historic North Platte, Nebraska.

Visit North Platte  hosted me. The opinions in this story are my own. If you use our affiliate links, including Amazon Associates and Stay22, to make a purchase, we might earn a small commission for our time and website costs (at no additional cost to you).  These links are always disclosed. 

1. The Golden Spike Tower, North Platte’s best attraction

Whether you’re a railfan or not, you must watch the Bailey Yard from the  Golden Spike Tower . Looking out from the tower’s top two floors, all the trains you could ever imagine are spread out before you. It’s like a giant dance floor of people performing a variety of the most rigorous dances simultaneously. All of them are dancing without missing a step or interfering with each other. 

Bailey’s statistics are mind-blowing. Seventeen receiving tracks and 16 departure tracks handle 14,000 railcars every 24 hours. Gentle “humps” sort four cars into east and westbound trains each minute. The fueling and service center processes 8,500 locomotives monthly and the car repair facility replaces 10,000 pairs of wheels yearly. 

What to see and do at the tower

Before you watch the intricate dance, watch the orientation film on the ground floor. Browse the excellent gift shop. Above, the seventh floor offers 360-degree views and volunteer docents will explain the railroad’s operations.

While the top floor offers the most complete views, plus shelter from the elements, the open sixth floor is the best place to shoot pictures or videos because you won’t have to fight reflections. The Bailey Yard view makes the tower one of North Platte’s top 10 things to do.

On the ground, let your kids play on the wooden train as you examine the 23 flags of the states the UP serves. Compare the figures on the flagpole bases to learn which state has the most UP track and which ones have the least.

Roxie’s reliable recommendation: During  North Platte Rail Days , you can tour the Bailey Yard and examine model layouts in the Model Train Show. To view the yard 24/7, see its  webcams . 

2. Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, a North Platte gem

Cody enjoyed worldwide fame when he lived in “The Mansion on the Plains” west of North Platte. Visible from the railroad, his ornate Second Empire-style house stood out against the plains. But, to ensure that everyone knew who lived there, Cody painted “Scout’s Rest Ranch” on the barn roof. The ranch is now the  Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historic Park .

Before Independence Day 1882, North Platte’s mayor told Cody he should put on the city’s Fourth of July event. Cody devised the  Old Glory Blowout , which lasted for four days. Cody didn’t stop with a local event. The Blowout became Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. The show continues influencing how the motion picture industry portrays the American West. At the time, it spawned over 100 imitator shows and created the modern rodeo circuit. While Cody lived at the ranch, he bought and trained horses, recruited performers, and rehearsed his shows.

What to see and do at the ranch

In the mansion’s dining room, examine the wallpaper. The custom design features the highlights of Cody’s life. The ormolu clock on the mantle is set to 12:05 p.m., the time Cody died on Jan. 10, 1917. The mansion’s furnishings are all either Cody’s possessions or from the period. Cody’s mannequin stands in one of the bedrooms. Also look for Cody’s desk, Wild West Show costumes, firearms, Cody’s bed, family artwork, and souvenirs. Cody’s elaborate costume hangs in a shallow closet. The Wild West band uniform was also ornate, complete with a Prussian  Pickelhaube .

The barn houses tack, carriages, a chuckwagon, Wild West Show memorabilia, historic photos, and more. Also, visit the cob house and the ice house.

Look for the bison on the grounds. If the animals are near the fence, stay back. They can get testy and charge. 

Legend says Cody earned his nickname in a bison shooting contest near present-day Oakley, Kansas. Cody didn’t slaughter bison for no reason. His kills fed railroad workers. 

Related : Visit the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center in Oakley to see a huge sculpture of Cody riding his horse Brigham as he is about to shoot a bison. The center is an attraction on  Western Vistas Historic Byway .

Roxie’s reliable report : North Platte’s  NEBRASKALand Days  are the blowout’s direct legacy. It’s Nebraska’s Official State Celebration.

3. Lincoln County Historical Museum

The North Platte Canteen is a beautiful story. North Platte led hundreds of volunteers to serve service members during World War II. North Platte was a railroad division point, and trains had to stop there for 10 to 20 minutes for engine lubrication and water tank refill.

During the stop, volunteers brought food to servicemembers on the train. Inside the depot, they served those who could come inside. Those who had a birthday received a birthday cake. The volunteers brought food from all over Nebraska and parts of Northeast Colorado. During severe rationing, they gave what little they had to provide some cheer for soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who were away from home. The canteen is a signature exhibit at the  Lincoln County Historical Museum . Because the story is so touching, I fought tears throughout the exhibit. 

Of course, Lincoln County’s story has more chapters than the canteen. Learn about the overland trails that followed the Great Platte River Road, the railroad, pioneers, and agriculture in the museum.

Behind the main building, find the heritage village. Buildings include the 1860s Pony Express log cabin, Fort McPherson’s headquarters, the 1869 two-story log home of Lincoln County’s first homesteader, and the 1876 birthplace of North Platte’s William Jeffers, who was the President of Union Pacific Railroad from 1937 through 1946.

Related : Read more about the  North Platte Canteen  and the  Great Platte River Road .

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4. Tanking on the North Platte River

When I was a kid, we borrowed tractor inner tubes from our farmer friends and floated down the Platte River. Sometimes we couldn’t find anyone with spare tubes, and our hoped-for expeditions fell flat.  Dusty Trails  in North Platte will ensure your expedition won’t fall flat. 

I’ve tubed and canoed down Nebraska rivers but hadn’t tanked until I went to North Platte. I’m ready to go again. Dusty Trails provides stock tanks with benches inside, perfect for loading your friends and favorite beverages. Load at  Buffalo Bill Ranch State Recreation Area  and float to Cody Park. The trip takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours. Usually, the North Platte River’s current will pull you down the river. If you get caught on an obstacle or hit a bank, use the oars or get out and extract your tank from the problem. The shallow, cool water feels great. Tanking is a peaceful experience and conversations flow easily.

If you prefer to float on a tube, row a canoe, or paddle a kayak, Dusty Trails offers those options as well. If you enjoy riding horses, join Dusty Trail’s rides through Buffalo Bill’s ranch.

Roxie’s reliable recommendation : To safely exit the tank, stand on top of the bench before stepping out of the tank and use an oar to steady yourself.

Fun fact : To sound like a local, call the North Platte River “the North River” and the South Platte “the South River.”

5. Cody Park, one of the top things to do in North Platte

Buffalo Bill and the railroad come together at  Cody Park . Add in an antique carousel, carnival rides, and an ice cream stand and you have a perfect recipe for a relaxing day. The  Cody Park Wild West Memorial , a gazebo, a marker, and an avenue of flags, greets you as you enter Cody Park. Citizens of Great Britain donated a statue of Buffalo Bill to North Platte. For protection, the city surrounded the statue with a cage and glass. The flags represent every state and nation where the Wild West Show performed. The memorial also honors the show’s entertainers.

What to see and do at the park

It’s all aboard at the open-air Cody Park Railroad Museum. With North Platte’s strong railroad heritage, you’d expect a railroad museum as one of the top 10 things to do in North Platte. The world’s only Challenger 3900 series steam locomotive on display is here. And, unlike many railroad displays, you can climb into the engineer’s cab. I wondered how its occupants survived the heat of that coal-burning engine. Beyond the heat, what a view! And what heavy responsibility! 

After pretending to be an engineer, walk through the cars, including a postal car and a caboose. I imagined sorting mail while the train was rocking beneath me. 

Next to No. 3977 is No. 6922. In contrast to the steam-driven 3977, the 6900 series were diesel-powered, the largest locomotives ever made. UP accepted the first 6900 series on the centennial of the Transcontinental Railroad’s completion, so the locomotives became known as “ Centennial ” locomotives. Their horsepower rating was a mind-blowing 12,000. They could reach 90 mph. While the 3977 shows its interior, the 6922 displays its incredible engines. The engine’s 36 cylinders seemed to be the size of dinner plates. 

I loved this train, and you will, too. After you visit the trains, explore the former Hershey depot on-site.

Fortunately, the park’s  1913 Herschell-Spillman Carousel  does not rotate at 90 mph. However, the carousel rotates at a good speed. The hard-carved horses move up and down and they are all original. Kids may ride a Ferris wheel in enclosed cars and other kiddie-sized rides. Eat delicious soft-serve ice cream at the concession stand near the carousel. You must eat the scrumptious blackberry-vanilla twist cone. Before you leave, walk or drive around the zoo enclosures.

6. Cody Go-Karts

Is driving Interstate 80 a little too predictable? Would you like a driving challenge? Then head to one of the top 10 things to do in North Platte. Sign up for the Slick Track go-kart ride at Cody Go Karts . The surface is like driving on ice. Ask the operator to throw more powder on the track if you’d like an even greater challenge. Afterward, you’ll be relieved to drive I-80 again. For more auto adventures, test your racing skills on the speedway. When it’s time to switch from go-karts, drive a mini train, and spin in bumper boats. You’re not done yet! Play miniature golf and slide down three water slides. Little ones may slide down tree stumps.

7. Fort McPherson National Cemetery

Fort McPherson  (pronounced  Mc-FEAR-son ) is long gone, but its  national cemetery  remains. Four Medal of Honor winners, James Fous ,  George Jordan ,  Daniel Miller , and  Emanuel Stance , are resting here. Jordan and Stance were two of the  Ninth Cavalry’s  15 Medal of Honor recipients during the period. The Ninth and 10th Cavalry units were all-Black regiments, nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers.”

Related: The Buffalo Soldiers mustered in at Fort Leavenworth .

After frontier forts closed, the army reburied the fallen from 18 graveyards at Fort McPherson. Because of this, the soldiers who rest here came from Colorado, Idaho, Nebraska, and Wyoming, and one from Fort Manila in the Phillippines. The largest contingent, 198, arrived from Fort Kearny, Nebraska.

Related : Because of discrimination, Jack Weinstein received his Medal of Honor decades after he earned it.

Fous earned his posthumous Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. He lies next to his father, a Navy veteran who died several months before him. How his family must have suffered from the losses of father and son so close together. 

Roxie’s reliable report : Cody  earned a Medal of Honor  while stationed at Fort McPherson.

Less gloriously, a white obelisk marks the resting place of enlisted men who died in the 1854  Grattan Massacre . Grattan’s high-handed actions caused him and all his men to die after a Minneconjou warrior took a Mormon Trail emigrant’s sick cow. The incident sparked 22 years of war.

Roxie’s reliable recommendation : Look for Oregon Trail ruts outside the cemetery’s walls.  

Find Fort McPherson’s site near North Platte

Near the cemetery, a Seventh Iowa Cavalry  trooper’s statue  marks where Fort McPherson’s flagpole once stood. The Seventh Iowa built the fort in October 1863, next to Cottonwood Springs. The fort protected the Platte River’s crossing at a key indigenous north-south road.

Related: Fort McPherson had a role in the Kidder Massacre .

A  Lincoln Highway  marker stands next to the soldier because the paved county road is part of the original Lincoln Highway route. The route tended to follow section lines, so prepare for sharp curves.

8. Honor 20th-century veterans at the 20th Century Veterans Memorial

Visit the  20th Century Veterans Memorial  shortly before sunset when the sculptures glow in the light of the setting sun. A figure and a flag represent each service. A high-relief brick mural depicts scenes from each of America’s 20th-century conflicts. Next to the walled main plaza, a tombstone for the unknown dead stands next to a marker and statue honoring the North Platte Canteen. Across a sidewalk, the  Lincoln County Law Enforcement Memorial  honors the 11 officers who have died in the line of duty since 1916.

9. Box Elder Canyon, where North Platte is far from flat

Non-Nebraskans often have the mistaken idea that Nebraska is flat. To defy the reputation, journey a short distance south of the river to Box Elder Canyon State Wildlife Management Area southwest of Maxwell. Box Elder above the North Platte River is a hidden emerald gem. Park at the small lot and cross into the wildlife management area. A narrow trail climbs a hill. Shortly after you begin the ascent, your vehicle drops out of sight. Instead, wildflowers surround you on the narrow path. It’s separated from a pasture by a barbed-wire fence. Green hills fill your vision.

Where is this flat reputation? Nowhere to be seen. The best part? Box Elder is only one of the area’s scenic canyons.

10. Lake Maloney

The 1,000-acre  Lake Maloney  State Recreation Area (SRA) is only six miles south of North Platte on Highway 83. It’s one of a pair of great outdoor activities near North Platte.

The lake is popular for boating, fishing, water sports, camping, and family fun. Watch wildlife, fish for a variety of species, or ride a wakeboard. Enjoy shady camping, grilling, and picnicking spots. The SRA provides 56 electric plus and 200 primitive campsites. Look for coin-operated showers, a dump and fill station, two boat ramps, and primitive restrooms. Camping is all first-come, first-served. The area limits stays to 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period.  Park ,  fishing , and camping ( PDF ) permits are required.

11. Sutherland Reservoir

A Nebraska Public Power canal joins Lake Maloney to the  Sutherland Reservoir  State Recreation Area 25 miles west of North Platte. Thirty-seven acres surround the 3,017-acre lake. Enjoy fishing, power boating, camping, and a swimming beach. The reservoir is south of Interstate 80 on Highway 25.

Roxie’s reliable report : The  Sutherland Supply Canal  is one of the state’s best trout fishing destinations. However, remain on the top of the canal’s banks. The canal’s slopes are steep, making it easy to fall into the water and difficult to escape.

12. Sutherland Railroad Park

The Bailey Yard’s westbound trains pass below a pedestrian bridge over Highway 30 in Sutherland. Carefully place your camera lens between the fence netting for prime images. Take a picnic lunch and eat underneath large shade trees or in the picnic shelter in  Sutherland Railroad Park . The picnic areas include barbecue grills. Enjoy a playground and horseshoe pits.

12. Fort Cody Trading Post

The stockade around the Fort Cody Trading Post marks a North Platte icon. If you haven’t been to Fort Cody, you haven’t been to North Platte.

Experiencing Fort Cody is like watching a Pixar movie, with layers for children and adults to enjoy. As the exterior suggests, the store sells every wonderfully kitschy souvenir imaginable. Beyond the kitsch, I loved the store’s book selection, jewelry, onyx dishes, and Nebraska-made food. The store also includes a museum of Western and Cody artifacts (including a two-headed calf).

Don’t miss the store’s showstopper, the Wild West Show in Miniature . It’s a 20,000-piece hand-carved, automated look at the Wild West Show. Ernie Palmquist met Cody as a child and attended the Wild West Show. Later, Palmquist took 12 years to carve his diorama. The Palmquists toured the world with the diorama before selling it to Fort Cody. Highlights include a bull attempting to buck off a cowboy, the Congress of Rough Riders of the World’s parade, and backstage glimpses. The narrated free show runs every half hour and is worth waiting for.

Kids can stretch their legs in the stockade behind the building. A giant Muffler Man turned into a warrior, and a Conestoga wagon decorate the stockade’s interior. On Thursday nights during the summer, relax and listen to the Fort Cody Summer Music Series .

12. Grain Bin Antique Town

Pat and Lori Clinch were enthusiastic antique shoppers. They moved a grain bin from Paxton to their farm, intending to use it as a sitting room. A year later, they discovered 14 more historic grain bins near Palisade and moved them to their property. Grain Bin Antique Town now includes 20 grain bins. Look for authentic antiques, not craft items, in the bins.

13. Eat and stay

For nostalgic diner classics, visit the Lincoln Highway Diner . The oversized Lincoln Highway marker in the parking lot ensures that you won’t miss it. Arrive well before the lunch rush and try the breakfast burrito. A mural shows the North Platte arch that marked the former Central-Mountain Time Zone boundary. The boundary used to be at the west end of the Bailey Yard. Now the time changes at the Lincoln-Keith County line.

In the Historic Canteen District downtown, eat a delicious Green Goddess wrap at the Espresso Shop by Caravan . The ambiance there is incredibly relaxing. I loved its mismatched chairs and tables. While you’re downtown, enjoy the historic walking tour . Look for the North Platte Canteen marker at the former depot site, 300 N. Front St. The marker is made from bricks salvaged from the demolished depot.

For supper, eat the Portobello mushroom ravioli at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant or sashimi at Tempura Japanese Restaurant . We love to quaff a great beer at Pal’s Brewing Company .

Stay at the Hampton Inn behind Fort Cody, and dream of a railroad bearing Buffalo Bill across the nation and around the world.

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17 Fun Things to Do in North Platte, Nebraska (7 are free)

North Platte is best known as the home of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody, whose historic ranch and mansion are one of the many things to visit.  The fun doesn’t stop there though you will find many more things to do in North Platte. 

In fact, taking from the buffalo Bill theme, the Lincoln County Visitor’s Bureau recommends the best attractions through its “Buffalo” of Approval.

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North Platte History

 North Platte, Nebraska, located at the junction of the North and South Platte Rivers is the seat of Nebraska’s Lincoln County.  

Built during the post-Civil War advancement of the railroads, North Platte is full of history. It was founded in 1868 as a result of the extension of the Union Pacific Railroad. 

Although the railroads have always been the main basis of the region’s economy, North Platte is also known for agriculture and cattle ranching. In fact, the local farmers market is bustling in the summer and an attraction worth visiting. 

North Platte, Nebraska List of Fun Things to Do

Union pacific bailey yard and golden spike tower .

This is a must-see attraction for everyone – but especially for train lovers and history buffs. This is the world’s largest rail classification and sorting yard and is over 8 miles long and 1 1/2 miles wide.

 The Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center overlooks the Bailey Yard.  It honors the famous golden spike that officially joined the Union and Pacific railroads in 1869. 

The multi-story spike-shaped building houses a variety of exhibits, mostly on the history of the railroads. In addition, the seventh floor and eighth-floor observation decks are both great places to watch the trains in the adjacent Union Pacific Bailey Yard.

The Golden Spike and Visitor Center also includes a gift shop full of railroad-themed souvenirs.

• Golden Spike and Visitor Center Website
• Location: 1249 North Homestead Road, North Platte, Nebraska, 69101
• Hours: October – April from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and May to September 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. 
• Cost: Adult admission is $7.00.
• Discounts: Senior and student discounts are available, and children 5 and under are free

North Platte Area Children’s Museum

This is the best small-town children’s museum we have ever been to.  This museum, housed in a historic building, is full of hands-on activities.  They have everything from costumes and props to dress up in, a huge lite board, and a construction site touch and try.  It is geared towards imaginative play. 

Throughout the museum, there are various themed areas, ranging from a railroad to a pirate ship. The museum also includes a puppet theatre and pizza parlor and holds special events throughout the year.

• Children’s Museum Website
• Location: 314 North Jeffers Street, North Platte, Nebraska, 69101.
• Hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: Admission is $6 for children ages 2-12, and $4 for adults 13-59.
• Discounts: Children under 24 months are admitted free, senior’s admission is $3, and free admission with museum membership.

Cody Park Railroad Museum

The Cody Park Railroad Museum showcases what North Platte is known for historically (besides Buffalo Bill!)— the railroads. 

In this outdoor museum, you will find many historic locomotives, including one of the few series 3900 steam engines on display. When visiting this train, you can explore the engineer’s compartment as well as the mail car, caboose, and other attached railcars. The museum is also home to historic rail depot.

• Cody Park Railroad Museum website
• Location: Part of the Cody Park complex, 1601 N Jeffers St, North Platte, NE 69101
• Hours: Open May 1 to September 22 – Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: Admission is free.

Lake Maloney State Recreation Area

The Lake Maloney State Recreation area is a large outdoor recreation area fronting 1000-acre lake. The recreation area is great for many outdoor activities, but especially boating and fishing. 

In addition, there are a couple of (unsupervised) swimming beaches. If you prefer to stay on land, hiking is another popular activity, and campsites are available for both primitive and RV camping.

• Lake Maloney State Park website
• Location: Six miles south of North Platte, 9402 Lakeview Drive, North Platte, Nebraska, 69101.
• Hours: Open 24/7.
• Cost: Daily and annual permits are $8 and $45 respectively, and there are additional camping fees. See website for details.
• Discounts: If you are a Nebraska resident, daily permits are $6 and annual permits are $30.

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The Cody park complex is another of our favorite stops in North Platte.  We enjoy the children’s rides and the Carousel (1913 Herschell-Spikeman original), the playground and the drive through mini zoo.  Yep – you drive (or walk) around the outside of the zoo for free.  

If you are more sports-focused, there are athletic facilities, including a baseball field, a swimming pool, and a horseshoe pit! 

And if you’re hungry, Cody Park is also famous for the soft-serve ice cream sold at the park.

• Cody Park website
• Location: 1601 North Jeffers St, North Platte, NE 69101.
• Hours: Cody Park is open 24 hours, but the attractions close at 9 pm
• Cost: Admission to the park is free (Rides are $1 or less each)
• Discounts: Multi-ticket discounts and group rates for rides

North Platte Recreation Center and Cody Park Pool

if you would like to get in some indoor swimming during your visit to North Platte, the North Platte Recreation Center and Cody Park Pool is open to visitors as well as residents. 

We took the kids swimming at this pool and had a great time. I would recommend this as a rainy day activity. The family admission rate makes this a great deal for a family group.

The center includes plenty of things for children, including a game room, water slides and a “kiddie pool.” In addition, there is free babysitting for parents who take classes at the center.

• North Platte Recreation Center website
• Location: 1300 South McDonald Road, North Platte, Nebraska, 69101.
• Hours: Hours for the building and pool vary according to season.
• Cost:  Adult admission is $6.75, and family admission is $16 per day. Discounts: Youth admission is $4.75 and senior admission (age 60 and over) is $6.

Cody Go-Karts

Cody Go-Karts is a small family-owned amusement park that features go-kart rides on two tracks, rides, and a small water park.  We have a great time on the slick track and the tweens drove their own go-carts. 

But if you are not into go-karts, the park has a variety of other attractions, ranging from bumper boats to water slides to miniature golf. 

And though the park is open to all ages, some of the rides, slides, and games designated for kids only. Snacks are available, or you can bring a cooler. 

In an effort to serve families with the best deals, you can choose from a large variety of ticket prices and rates. 

• Cody Go-Karts Website
• Location: 805 Halligan Drive, North Platte, Nebraska. 69101.
• Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day 10:30 a.m. to 10 from p.m. and open weekends 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. the rest of the year.
• Cost: Prices for individual rides or day packages vary. 
• Discounts: Group rates available, and discounts for partial day visits

Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park

 The Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park is a must-see in the town of North Platte. Like it sounds, it is the historic ranch of Buffalo Bill, made into a museum and park.  

Originally called Scout’s Rest Ranch, the site includes Buffalo Bill’s 1886 mansion, the barn, and outbuildings, and plenty of Cody memorabilia within the buildings.  You can tour the mansion, watch a movie, and walk through the huge barn full of old carriages. 

The ranch adjoins Buffalo Bill State Recreation Area, which offers many outdoor activities to enjoy.

• Buffalo Bill Ranch Website
• Location: 2921 Scout’s Rest Ranch Road, North Platte Nebraska, 69147.
• Hours: The ranch grounds are open from 8 am until sunset year-round, and the house and barn are currently open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: Free to walk the grounds. A donation of $2 for 13 years and older, and 1$ for those 12 and under to tour the house and buildings.
• Discounts: Children under two have free admission.

Iron Horse State Park

 The Iron Horse State Park is a fifty-acre park, forty acres of which are a under a lake! This park’s lake is periodically stocked for fishing, and fishing facilities include a handicapped-accessible fishing dock.

The park is also great for walking and hiking. Picnic tables are available, and there is a kids’ playground that is currently being upgraded by the local Kiwanis.

• State Park Website
• Location: South Jeffers Street, North Platte, Nebraska 69101.
• Hours: The tourist information “caboose” is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Lincoln County Historical Museum

The Lincoln County Historical Museum is both a museum and a “historic village” of old buildings.

The museum’s historic buildings include a schoolhouse and a general store, and they serve as a trail for a scavenger hunt that kids are invited to try. Visitors are welcome to take pictures and invited to submit them to the museum’s online gallery of visitor photos. The museum’s gift shop features local crafts for sale.

• Museum Website
• Location: 2403 North Buffalo Bill Avenue, North Platte, NE 69101.
• Hours:  Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5p.m
• Cost: Admission is $6 for 13 and over, family admission is $10
• Discounts: Children under 12 have free admission, and there are military and senior discounts. 

Fort Cody Trading Post

The Fort Cody Trading Post is an unusually fun souvenir shop, with a museum devoted to Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Show attached. The gift shop is filled with Western gear and souvenirs.

In addition, the gift shop sells things ranging from food items to Native American-made jewelry. The Trading Post also features live music performances during the summer months.

• Fort Cody Trading Post Website
• Location: 221 Halligan Drive, North Platte, NE, 69101.
• Hours: The trading post hours vary with the season. See website for details
• Cost: Admission is free

North Platte Community Playhouse

If you like live theatre or movie-watching, the North Platte Community Playhouse offers both. The live shows at this historic theater include four mainstage productions per year, most of which are popular musicals. 

The theatre also hosts a children’s theatre program during the summer.

• North Platte Community Playhouse Website
• Location-: 301 East 5th Street, North Platte, Nebraska, 69101.
• Hours: Business hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily. See website for showtimes.
• Cost: Ticket prices vary, and tickets may be ordered online.

Prairie Arts Center

 If you are an art lover, I suggest visiting the Prairie Arts Center, a gallery supporting local artists.

Originally built in 1913 as the North Platte Post Office, the building itself is a work of art. In addition to its varied exhibits, the Prairie Arts Center offers a variety of art classes for all ages.

• Prairie Arts Center Website
• Location: 416 North Jeffers Street, North Platte, Nebraska, 69101.
• Hours: The Prairie Arts Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cost: Free but donations are welcome. There is a charge for classes and memberships are available.’

 Homestead Pumpkin Patch

Depending on when you visit North Platte, the Homestead Pumpkin Patch offers a great new seasonal attraction—picking your own pumpkins. Beyond the pumpkin patch, there are a variety of fun activities, ranging from foosball to hayrides. Pumpkins, gourds, and pumpkin products are also available for sale.

• Homestead Pumpkin patch Website
• Location: 6459 South Homestead Road, North Platte, Nebraska, 69101.
• Hours: Open on weekends only. mid-September to late October, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
• Cost: General admission to the pumpkin patch is $9.
• Discounts: Admission is free to children two and under.

Wild Bill’s Fun Center

Wild Bill’s Fun Center, like the name suggests, is devoted to family fun. It is best known for its bowling lanes, but also has a video game arcade, laser tag, and virtual reality. 

They have a good variety of virtual reality games, and bowling includes nighttime cosmic bowling.

• Wild Bill’s Fun Center website
• Location: 1100 South Jeffers Street North Platte, NE 69101,
• Hours: Hours vary according to activity, 
• Cost: Prices vary according to activity,
• Discounts: Wild Bill’s Fun Center offers different discounts each week.

Best Places to Stay in North Platte Nebraska

We have stayed in hotels and campgrounds in North Platte during our visits to this town.  I can recommend the places that we have stayed at or have friends and family vouch for.  

Campground s

See our full article on campgrounds near North Platte.

If you want to try RV camping but don’t have one, try renting one. This is the best way to enjoy RVing without jumping in and buying an RV. We have out camper listed on a peer to peer site that has a large variety of RVs for rent all over the country. I suggest you try RVShare or Outdoorsy . We offer our readers a special $50 discount on outdoorsy here.

I-80 Lakeside Campground

This small locally owned campground attracts locals and tourists alike.   You can enjoy tent or RV camping on a little lake right in town. The scenery is beautiful, grassy sites are spacious and the owners are lovely.   

We have stayed at this campground. I can say that this is by far one of the best values we have had in our western states travels.  See our article for our favorite spot!

• See Our Review of I-80 Lakeside Campground
• Reservations from AllStays
• Location:3800 Hadley Drive, North Platte, NE 69101

Family and Dog Friendly Hotels:

Best western plus north platte inn and suites.

Our top choice for both family-friendly and pet-friendly hotel is the Best Western North Platte Inn & Suites. This hotel is a great deal for families.

The Best Western has an indoor pool, hot breakfast and clean rooms. Best Westerns allow children to stay for free.

• Check rates at Booking.com for Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites
• Location: 3201 S Jeffers St , North Platte, NE 6910

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham North Platte

Another perfect option is the La Quinta Inn and Suites. We frequently stay in La Quintas with our family and this is one of the top-rated on TripAdvisor.

It is conveniently located just off of I-80, adjacent to Iron Eagle Golf Course and near to the airport. With a free hot breakfast and an indoor pool, your family will be quite happy here.

• Check rates on Booking.com for La Quinta Inn & Suites
• Location: 2600 Eagles Wing Dr, North Platte, NE 69101

Other Information to Help Plan Your Visit to North Platte:

The best time to visit.

 Weather in North Platte, Nebraska is typical for the Midwest (speaking as someone who has lived in the region!). 

Summer temperatures can rise into the high 90’s, while winter temperatures can drop down to the teens. The annual rainfall averages twenty inches, and total snowfall is up to thirty inches. 

The best time to visit is the spring, when the weather is pleasant and everything is greening up. 

Although, we have also enjoyed the hot summer, playing in the lake at the campground I mentioned above.

Getting to North Platte, Nebraska

North Platte is easy to get to by car, being conveniently located at the crossroads between I-80 and I-83.   We have driven from Colorado many times along this route.  The rest stops on this section of highway are very nice. 

Depending where you are coming from, if you want an alternative to the interstate, I recommend Sandhill Scenic Drive. 

If you prefer to fly, small regional jets connect through Denver (DIA). 

Bus travel is also an option from some cities, with either Arrow Stage Lines or Burlington Railways.

In the Amtrak runs through North Platte, although the hours are not the most convenient.  We looked into this and decided against taking the train with small children for this reason. 

Distance from nearby major cities:

• North Platte NE to Lincoln NE 3 hours and 23 minutes (281 miles)
• North Platte NE to Omaha NE 4 hours (281 miles)
• North Platte to Denver Colorado 4 hours ((263 miles)

Final Thoughts on Visiting North Platte, NE

This small western town is full of historical things to do and modern family friendly activities. Many people may pass right by on I80 but this is worth a stop.

This is part of our series on North Platte. You might be interested in our other article The best places to camp near North Platte.

Also, visiting North Platte might include a road trip and you will want to read our Sanity Saving Tips for a Road Trip with Young Kids.

Hi, I’m Shauna – Welcome to Family Travel Fever.  We are a large family, that was bitten by the travel bug!  I take the kids by myself because I don’t mind flying or driving solo with my crew to discover the coolest places.

Sign up for our email list for my best travel tips plus get the family travel planner free. 

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Visit North Platte

Discover the outdoor delights and rich cowboy heritage of North Platte, a railroad town at the heart of Western Nebraska. Nestled in the fork of the roaring Platte River, this town has been an important trading crossroads since its founding in 1868. Visit today to learn about its Wild West legends and importance during World War II.

One of North Platte’s most famous inhabitants was William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, a 19th-century buffalo hunter who popularized the idea of America’s Wild West on a global scale. Learn about his travelling Wild West-themed shows at the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park , where his Victorian-style mansion still stands. Explore the surrounding grounds to see an authentic 19th-century barn and watch bison herds grazing.

Delve further into the town’s history at the Fort Cody Trading Post, a stockade from the days of the Wild West. Browse exhibits of 19th-century artifacts and treat yourself to boiled candies. Afterwards, take a tour of the region’s archaeological discoveries at the Dancing Leaf Cultural Learning Center.

Take the kids to Cody Park, where modern amusement rides provide hours of fun for the whole family. Visit the Cody Park Railroad Museum to inspect trains of yesteryear, including a restored Hershey diesel locomotive. Nearby, see deer, peafowl and geese grazing at a small zoo.

Visit Bailey Yard, one of the world’s largest rail yards, to learn more about North Platte’s importance as a crossroads. Thousands of troops and supply shipments passed through this yard during World War II, facilitating the effective American war machine. Climb the Golden Spike Tower for expansive views over the yard.

Get to North Platte via a 3.5 hour drive west from Lincoln , Nebraska’s capital. Get between attractions most easily by car.

For an invigorating experience in the Nebraskan outdoors, take an overnight trip to the Lake Maloney State Recreation Area. Go boating on the lake’s picturesque waters, fish for walleye and then camp under a gorgeous star-filled sky.

• North Platte Hotel Deals
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Popular places to visit.

• Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park

Discover the life and times of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, North Platte’s first celebrity, as you explore his excellently preserved 19th-century ranch.

• Lake Maloney State Recreation Area

Explore the great outdoors at Lake Maloney State Recreation Area, a lovely green space in North Platte. While in this family-friendly area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

• Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center

Learn about the local history of North Platte with a stop at Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center. While in this family-friendly area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

• Union Pacific Railroad Bailey Yard

Find out about the history of North Platte with a stop at Union Pacific Railroad Bailey Yard. While in this family-friendly area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Explore the great outdoors at Cody Park, a lovely green space in North Platte. While in this family-friendly area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

• Fort Cody Trading Post

You can browse the exhibits at Fort Cody Trading Post, a museum with a storied past, during your trip to North Platte. While in this family-friendly area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Reviews of North Platte

2/5 - disappointing.

They dont have a taxi or a lyft driver or an uber driver when you need them late at night

Great little historic town-safe and unique e

Just traveling through, AAA service for a flat tire was outstanding on Mothers Day morning.

I didn't really have any time to visit North Platte, so I can't really say anything positive or negative about it. It seemed ok to me.

Never had been to Nebraska before..so it was a nice change of scenery...and a pleasant addition to our road trip.

5/5 - Excellent

Very friendly !!!

• Cities near North Platte

• Places of interest
• River's Edge Golf Club
• Cody Go Karts
• America's 20th Century Veterans' Memorial
• North Platte Area Children's Museum
• Platte River

Honest. Hardworking. Team.

Our teammates at Wilkinson Company take pride in being straight forward with our customers and each other, working hard , and putting our team first.

We strive to build positive culture  in our workspaces, so we can in turn provide excellent service to our customers that will go above and beyond their expectations. This is something they can count on time and time again. Our values  are what set our companies apart from the competition. Wilkinson Companies is much bigger than just fulfilling a role. We are a robust team that strives each day to create exceptional experiences.

Want to work with us?  Check out all of our career openings here.

Prime Locations

Since 1978 Wilkinson Development has been in the real estate development business in Nebraska.  We have developed properties along the I-80 corridor in Lincoln, Grand Island, Lexington, North Platte, Ogallala and Sidney.  Our real estate portfolio includes hotels, shopping centers, and convenience stores.

WD Construction has built office buildings, retail stores and other businesses across the state.  Contact us today regarding your business development plans and leasing options. Whether it is for a turn key property or a footprint with a unique vision, we can assist you with your goals.

Want to develop a business with us?   Check out our available real estate here.

Nine Locations Across Nebraska

Our original Fat Dogs brand delivers dependability from one end of the state to the other – with locations spanning I-80 from Lincoln to Sidney . North Platte and Ogallala host an expanded Travel Center, designed with frequent travelers and professional drivers in mind. The newly constructed Travel Centers offer skill games, a lounge area, laundry, showers, auto and truck accessories.  The Travel Centers offer a wide range of quick service food offerings including Hot Stuff Pizza and Subs, Subway and Hardees.

Lexington , Lincoln and Grand Island are next up for expanded Travel Centers.  Lexington will be completed in the early spring of 2023.  We are currently looking for tenants for these locations.  If you want to expand your retail, service or quick serve food business, check out our Travel Center Plans here.  

Our newly acquired Time Saver convenience stores in North Platte offer two additional locations for fuel, beverages, and food.  Located just south of I-80 Exit 177, our Time Saver South location is undergoing a renovation to the diesel pumps and will offer expanded diesel options in the spring of 2023.  Our Time Saver North location now offers expanded hot food options.

Fuel prices are as important to us as they are to our customers.  Wilkinson Fuel Carriers delivers fuel to all of our locations daily.

Want to fuel with us?   Check out all of our convenience store locations here.

Midwest Hospitality

Since 1994, Wilkinson Companies has owned and operated hotels in Nebraska.  You might say we know a thing or two about the hospitality industry.  Although the industry continues to evolve every day, one thing stays the same: customer service is as valuable now as it was then .

We pride ourselves on delivering the best in Midwest hospitality.  Our current hotel brands include the Holiday Inn Express in North Platte , the Best Western Plus in North Platte and Comfort Inn & Suites in Lexington .

We also own a smaller original brand called the North Platte Inn & Suites designed with extended stays in mind.  

North Platte

Food, Beverage + Catering Services

Our chef and friendly staff have some serious talent with over 35 years in food, beverage and catering services. Our Mid Plains Food + Lodging team is formerly the Holiday Inn Express Conference Center team who were known for extravagant social and business events. Events as large as 400 people are nothing new to our team. Allow us to be a part of your next event from the beginning to the end. We offer meeting room rental, on and off site catering, bar catering, along with the very latest in high quality technical equipment.  Download our FREE event planner here.

During the pandemic, the Holiday Inn Express Conference Center was closed allowing us to shift our business strategy to compliment the hotel.  This p roperty is in planning and development stage for restaurant and bar to be constructed. A landlord capital investment package will be included in rent terms.  Fully engineered plans are available as BLOCK Grill + Tavern concept, or lessee may choose to use their own concept.   Plans seat 250 patrons inside, plus additional seating in outside patio area. We are currently seeking a tenant for this property.  Check out the plans for this exciting development here.  

Want to eat with us?   Check out Mid Plains Food + Lodging here.  

Honest.  Hardworking.  Team.

Wilkinson companies, (308) 532-3090, [email protected], 214 e 5th st, north platte, ne 69101.

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Looking for resources to plan your trip to North Platte? You’ve come to the right place. Individuals will find information on trip ideas and places to stay. For those of you looking to book something bigger make sure you take advantage of our tailored information just for you.

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Avid Hotel and Candlewood Suites opens in North Platte

N ORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - Housing and lodging continue to be pressing issues within Greater Nebraska, especially within the Lincoln County region as major developments like the Nebraska International Port of the Plains and Susstainable Beef, LLC increase the workforce in the area.

One unique property has opened its doors to help address the need for not only long-term housing but short-term as well.

”We are actually a dual property where we have Avid Candle Wood Suites on one side and we have Avid on the other,” said Mike Furmanski, General Manager at Avid Hotel and Candlewood Suites. “Avid is more of a normal hotel room where as Candlewood Suites is more of an extended stay with kitchenettes for people that are staying two weeks, 30 days, a year, whatever it is on that. We are not very far from the Interstate, we are right behind the Veterans Memorial off Exit 177, we have easy access to gas stations for travelers and everything like that.

Furmanski said the staff has been receiving calls for reservations for weeks, despite not opening until late April.

”At our longterm stay we have already had people contact us from the railroad or maybe someone that has been displaced by fires,” Furmanski said. “We’ve already had people calling and asking for 30 to 40-night stays up to 12-month stays and then we have people calling to stay on the Avid side where it is more of I’m coming in on Friday and leaving on Saturday or something along those lines.“

From traveling health care providers, rail transportation workers, and, power utility linemen, a number of occupations within Greater Nebraska require workers to travel miles away from home and stay within a community until their jobs reach completion. The Candlewood Suites can give those individuals a sense of home.

”These guys while they are on their long-term stays can grill up burgers or dogs and have a taste of home and our long-term stays on the Candlewood side they have a little more space with places where you can sit and relax and you are not just forced to sit on a bed and eat or drink on that,” Furmanski said.

With the opening of the unique property, an additional 25 to 40 jobs have been added to the North Platte community. Furmanski said it’s exciting to be a part of the historic growth in the Lincoln County region.

”This is fantastic, I was born and bred here, grew up here, came back here, I’m working here I love seeing the city of North Platte expanding and getting places to stay not only short-term but also long-term,” Furmanski said. “We have wonderful employees working here and people are working real hard and we are excited about the opening.”

The Avid and Candlewood is set to become a member of the North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation at an official ribbon-cutting ceremony in early May.

Learn more about the Avid here, and, learn more about the Candlewood here.

Click here to subscribe to our KNOP News 2 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

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LIVE: Death toll climbs to 4 after devastating tornadoes

Tornadoes and damaging thunderstorms blasting across the central United States, and will continue to threaten lives and property in more than a dozen states through the weekend.

Updated Apr. 28, 2024 5:39 PM PDT

Death toll climbs to 4 after devastating tornadoes

Apr. 28, 2024 4:36 PM PDT

At least four deaths, including a 4-month-old child in Oklahoma, have been confirmed in the wake of powerful tornadoes that ripped a heartbreaking path of destruction across the state Saturday night.

Daylight Sunday revealed a trail of incomprehensible devastation in the hard-hit town of Holdenville about 60 miles southeast of Oklahoma City where officials say four people were killed, including a baby, and several others injured.

“You just can’t believe the destruction,” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said Sunday. “It seems like every business downtown has been destroyed.”

Another 60 miles southwest of Holdenville, damage in the city of Sulpher is hard to fathom. “One person died from storm-related injuries at a sports bar in Sulphur that was hit by a tornado, officials said. At least 30 people were injured in Sulphur, including 20 who were at the sports bar, according to officials,”  ABC News reported .

Carolyn Goodman told the  Associated Press  she traveled to Sulphur trying to locate her former sister-in-law, who she believed was at a local bar when the tornado hit the area. “The bar was destroyed,” Goodman said. “I know they probably won’t find her alive ... but I hope she is still alive.”

About  9,000 Oklahoma  customers and  52,000 in Texas  were without power as of Sunday night as a result of the storms, according to  poweroutage.us . Gov. Stitt issued an  executive order on Sunday morning declaring a state of emergency  in Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne and Pontotoc counties on Saturday. He also made plans to damage hard-hit areas on Sunday.

Severe thunderstorm risk to continue through end of weekend

By Monica Danielle, AccuWeather Managing Editor

Apr. 28, 2024 11:21 AM PDT

Between Thursday and Saturday,  over 550 reports of severe weather  were submitted across the central United States and the threat is not over. AccuWeather meteorologists continue to track the  ongoing outbreak of severe thunderstorms across the center of the nation . Sunday will be the final day of widespread severe weather before thunderstorm activity becomes more localized early in the week.

“The risk for severe weather will continue into a fourth day, Sunday, farther east toward the Mississippi Valley, ” AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. “ The threat of tornadoes appears to be lower, but instances of damaging winds and hail are still expected, especially across northeastern Texas, northern Louisiana, Arkansas and southern Missouri,”  he added.

Flash flooding is also a concern.  “Repeated rounds of heavy thunderstorms have resulted in instances of flash flooding over portions of the central Plains, Ozarks and mid-Mississippi Valley,” Buckingham noted adding,   “This threat will extend through the end of the weekend  as additional thunderstorm activity passes through the region.”

Heavy rain falling in short amounts of time can lead to additional flash flooding concerns, especially in the form of  ponding on highways and roadways leading to travel delays along portions of interstates 35, 40, 44 and 70.

A least 2 dead, including baby, after overnight tornadoes in Oklahoma

Apr. 28, 2024 9:55 AM PDT

Residents of Holdenville, Oklahoma, are trying to pick up the pieces of their lives this morning after  a violent suspected tornado Saturday night killed at least two people. One of the deaths was a 4-month-old baby,  local news affiliate  KOCO News 5 reported . Holdenville is about 60 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.

Another 60 miles southwest of Holdenville, damage in the city of Sulpher is hard to fathom. The footage below, shot by storm chaser Brandon Clement, shows homes reduced to rubble, cars tossed around, and trees shredded to stumps.

Damage from an intense tornado on April 27 was seen the morning after in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Video shows buildings collapsed, as well as vehicles thrown into debris along the roadside.

The search for more victims lasted into the morning hours, with Hughes County Emergency Management telling KOCO they worked through power outages and the emergency phone call system shutting down. As of Sunday morning, at least 37,000 customers are without power, according to  poweroutage.us .

“Over  200 reports of severe weather  were submitted on Saturday, spanning from Texas to Michigan. Out of those reports, there were  38 reported tornadoes,”  AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.

In a  statement  released late Saturday night, the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management reported injuries and damage, including downed power lines in Carter County. Several homes and trees were damaged in the town of Devol in Cotton County. Damage and flooding have been reported across the state, and officials are urging residents impacted by the storms to report damages to their property at damage.ok.gov.  Reporting damage helps local and state emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts.

AccuWeather’s Tony Laubach was driving on Interstate 35 in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, where severe storms caused a muddy mess on the highway on April 27. Road crews were busy clearing mud and debris.

Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a statement early Sunday morning, saying, “My prayers are with those who lost loved ones as tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma last night. Thank you to Oklahoma Emergency Management and those who have worked through the night to keep Oklahomans safe and have worked to clear debris and assess damage.” 

Cleanup begins after tornadoes, severe weather risk to linger through the weekend

Apr. 27, 2024 9:00 PM PDT

Two women help carry a friend's belongings out of their damaged home after a tornado passed through the area in Bennington, Neb., Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)

Residents spent Saturday sifting through what was left of their homes after a powerful tornado ripped through suburban Omaha, Nebraska on Friday, including the hard-hit town of Elkhorn.

People pick through the rubble of a house that was leveled in Elkhorn, Neb., on Saturday, April 27. Residents began sifting through the rubble after a tornado plowed through suburban Omaha, demolishing homes and businesses as it moved for miles through farmland and into subdivisions. (AP Photo/Nick Ingram)

The massive twister destroyed homes and businesses as it moved for miles through neighborhoods and fields before tearing through Minden, Iowa. Incredibly, no deaths have been reported.

Cleanup began for many parts of Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska after tornadic severe storms blasted the region on April 26-27.

Tens of millions from central Texas to eastern Nebraska and Iowa will be at risk once again  from Sunday to Sunday night. Two moderate risk zones are being highlighted around cities like  Omaha , Nebraska, and  Little Rock , Arkansas, as places where the chances for robust storms is greater.

Localized damaging wind gusts of 55-65 mph will be possible with peak winds up to the AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 75 mph. Other s evere weather risks such as hail, intense downpours and isolated tornadoes are also a possibility.

Residents should stay vigilant when the risk for severe weather lasts into the overnight hours . Potent thunderstorms hidden under the cover of darkness, especially when there is an isolated tornado threat, can pose a greater risk to lives.

Tornado-producing storms erupt from Texas to Iowa

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist

Apr. 27, 2024 5:19 PM PDT

The next round of severe thunderstorms is well underway with s trong storms capable of producing tornadoes rumbling from northern Texas to southern Iowa  across an area spanning more than 700 miles.  The most intense storms are likely in Oklahoma and northern Texas, where three potent storms are ongoing . Each storm has a history of producing tornadoes. People in and around Wichita Falls, Texas, and Oklahoma City should monitor these storms closely, as well as any more that develop, as  the atmosphere in this region is primed to spin up intense, potentially long-tracked twisters through Saturday evening.

A snapshot of the radar around Oklahoma at 4 p.m. CDT on April 27, 2024. The two storms west of Witchita Falls, Texas, and the storm west of Oklahoma City were capable to producing tornadoes. (AccuWeather)

Storm chaser shows tennis-ball sized hail while tracking storms

Apr. 27, 2024 5:11 PM PDT

AccuWeather’s Tony Laubach reports from a hailstorm in Oklahoma and discusses the severe weather outlook for the rest of the weekend.

AccuWeather meteorologist Tony Laubach encountered  baseball-sized hail during a “pretty hefty hailstorm”  in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, about 100 miles north of Oklahoma City. “The hail was enough to wreck windshields, mine included,” Laubach said during a live report on the  AccuWeather Network  where he revealed his cracked windshield.

(Credit: Tony Laubach)

After seeing a number of people stopping their cars under overpasses, Laubach also reminded people not to do that. 

While it may seem like a good idea to seek shelter from hail under an overpass, it puts other motorists at risk because you’re blocking traffic as you wait for the storm to pass, preventing others from getting out of harm’s way. It reduces visibility for others and increases the potential for a bad accident.

If you encounter hail while driving, slow down and turn on your flashers. If you need to stop, make sure you pull all the way off the road.

'Particularly Dangerous Situation' Tornado Watch issued

By Jesse Ferrell, social media producer and meteorologist

Apr. 27, 2024 1:58 PM PDT

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center issued a rare "particularly dangerous situation" Tornado Watch for parts of Texas and Oklahoma early Saturday afternoon, saying that a few intense tornadoes are likely. The last PDS Tornado Watch was issued on March 31, 2023. Several tornado warnings had also been issued by lunch time CDT but no tornadoes had been reported yet.

Severe weather watches for northern Texas and Oklahoma on the afternoon of April 27, 2024. A "PDS" Tornado Watch is shown in bright red.

On Thursday, AccuWeather meteorologists marked another rare 'high' risk area for severe weather from south-central Oklahoma to east-central Kansas and the western border of Missouri for Saturday, outlining the area with the best prospects for destructive, widespread and dangerous storms.

VIDEO: Stunning destruction in Elkhorn, Nebraska shows power of tornado

Apr. 27, 2024 12:34 PM PDT

Destruction in Elkhorn, Nebraska, a suburb of Omaha, in the wake of a massive tornado that tore through yesterday. pic.twitter.com/JxOAG3ryMD — AccuWeather (@accuweather) April 27, 2024

New video reveals the absolute devastation in hard-hit Elkhorn, Nebraska, a suburb of Omaha, in the wake of a  massive tornado that tore through  yesterday. Crews spent much of the night searching for anyone trapped or injured, local authorities said . Incredibly, no deaths have been reported.

Elkhorn resident Jason Sunday described the tornado as a “freight train,”  affiliate KETV  reported.

“We saw it coming from the southwest, and when it got too close for comfort, we headed downstairs quickly. We were in the downstairs bathtub, and it was just like the movie said, it was like a freight train,” Sunday told  KETV . “And you knew the roof was coming off because that was a loud pop and sucking motion. It was pretty scary.” The tornado caused severe damage to the Sunday family’s dream home to which they had just moved last month.

“We’re thankful to be alive. We’re very thankful,” Sunday added.

More than 35 million people brace for another round of violent storms on Saturday

AccuWeather’s Tony Laubach recalls several of the tornadoes he chased on April 26 and discusses the potential for more through the weekend.

Following a catastrophic day filled with tornadoes and intense storms across the Plains, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that the  pattern on Saturday can pose eerily similar threats .

At least 11 states will be within the danger zone for severe thunderstorms bringing large hail, flash flooding and tornadoes into Saturday night .

Similar to Friday, AccuWeather meteorologists have marked another rare ‘high’ risk for severe weather from south-central Oklahoma to east-central Kansas and the western border of Missouri for Saturday , outlining the area with the highest prospects for destructive, widespread, and dangerous storms.

The risk for severe storms through Saturday night will span roughly 1,400 miles across a chunk of the Central U.S., home to over 35 million people.  Potent thunderstorms can begin to ramp up by the midday and afternoon hours for many locations .

“With such a volatile atmospheric setup favoring severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, AccuWeather meteorologists remain concerned that a second tornado outbreak in as many days may occur [into] Saturday night, which  may once again include some particularly intense or long-track tornadoes,”  AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said.

WATCH: Tornadoes captured on camera from Texas to Iowa

Apr. 27, 2024 9:26 AM PDT

Tornadoes were captured on camera from Texas to Iowa on April 26 as severe storms raced across the Midwest, damaging airports, knocking out power and leaving communities in ruins . As of Saturday morning, about  27,000 customers  in northeast Texas were without power

This compilation video shows the severe weather recording in several states including supercells, lightning, tornadoes and their destructive aftermath.

From Texas to Nebraska to Iowa, multiple tornadoes carved a trail of damage on April 26.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen released a  statement   saying he extends his deepest prayers to all those impacted by the storms.

“I have ordered that state resources be made available to assist with the emergency response and to support local first responders as they assess the damage. Nebraskans are tough, resilient people, and our neighbors and communities will rally around affected families and businesses to assist them. Nebraskans are no strangers to severe weather and, as they have countless times before, Nebraskans will help Nebraskans to rebuild. ”

Drone footage shows scope of tornado devastation in Iowa

Apr. 27, 2024 8:43 AM PDT

A large tornado ripped through the town of Minden, Iowa, causing extensive damage to property on April 26.

Tornadoes carved several paths of destruction across the midwest on Friday , destroying hundreds of homes and other buildings, many around Omaha, Nebraska.  This drone footage shows the scope of destruction a massive twister left behind in the city of Minden, Iowa.

An enormous tornado devastated Minden, Iowa, on Friday, prompting Governor Reynolds to declare a disaster emergency for Pottawattamie County. pic.twitter.com/EX8T5gEI30 — AccuWeather (@accuweather) April 27, 2024

The small city, located about 30 miles northeast of Omaha, was heavily damaged. “Approximately 40 homes, maybe 50, were destroyed, gas leaks, wires down, a lot of debris. So it’s a very dangerous area. We have shut off the entrance to the city , except for the people that live here,” Jeff Theulen with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office told 6 News . “Obviously, they’re trying to take care of their houses and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Theulen said rescue crews pulled many people from damaged and destroyed homes Friday evening. As of Saturday morning, there were  several reports of injuries but no immediate deaths . However, the danger is not over, AccuWeather  forecasters warn another round of volatile storms is expected  Saturday afternoon and evening .

Planes tossed and destroyed at Eppley Airfield, Nebraska

Apr. 26, 2024 8:40 PM PDT

Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, released a statement Friday evening saying that a tornado had touched down and the airport was closed for an hour while passengers were in storm shelters. There were no reports of injuries, but several buildings and many planes were destroyed, according to photos and videos posted on X.

More on the destruction at the Eppley Airfield (OMA), Omaha, Nebraska after a massive tornado hit the premises and the area. Eppley Airport says, Passenger terminal was unaffected while a number of buildings and properties of General Aviation terminal sustained damage. Video… pic.twitter.com/69eO2mChFU — FL360aero (@fl360aero) April 27, 2024

Over 75 tornado reports Friday, mostly in Nebraska and Iowa

Apr. 26, 2024 8:33 PM PDT

Over 75 tornado reports have come in today from spotters as of 7:30 PM CDT, mostly in Nebraska and Iowa.

Many reports were likely the same tornado or supercell thunderstorm, as there have been several long-tracking storms.

Over 85 tornado warnings were issued, including some lasting more than 3 hours in which Tornado Emergency Warnings were in effect.

Catastrophic destruction: Emergency crews in Elkhorn, Nebraska checking damaged houses

Apr. 26, 2024 7:08 PM PDT

Photos and videos of catastrophic damage are emerging on social media, showing utter destruction in Elkhorn, Nebraska , a suburb of Omaha, in the wake of a massive tornado that tore through.

Video shows the scary moments as a massive tornado spins toward the town of Elkhorn, Nebraska, on April 26.

The Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter for Elkhorn-area residents, according to the Omaha Police Department. Douglas County authorities report a reunification center is being established at Elkhorn Middle School for parents whose students were held during earlier tornado warnings, according to 6 News WOWT.

During a media briefing at 6:30 p.m. CDT, Omaha police and fire officials say they have extra officers going door-to-door helping people from houses that were "flattened" by the tornado , but no serious injuries or fatalities have been reported. Police say they think media reports regarding warnings helped reduce injuries.

Firefighters work to clear a home damaged by a tornado northwest of Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Margery A. Beck)

Fire Chief Kathy Bossman said damage is also reported in other Nebraska towns, including Arbor Village, Arbor View, and Waterloo. "Right now, we are beginning detailed searches of those neighborhoods; we're going to be looking at each property."

The drone-assisted search will take place overnight and possibly into tomorrow.

A destroyed home is seen northwest of Omaha, Neb., after a storm tore through the area on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Margery A. Beck)

A destroyed house is seen northwest of Omaha, Nebraska, after storms swept through the area on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Margery A. Beck)

Debris is seen from a destroyed home northwest of Omaha, Nebraska, after a storm tore through the area on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Margery A. Beck)

"Challenges include power outages; we have power lines down, we have gas leaks, we have unstable structures, we have trees that are down," Chief Bossman said.

The Omaha Police Department tweeted it has established a command center and additional officers are being brought in to assist with 911 calls citywide. Officers are asking everyone to avoid the Elkhorn area “as emergency personnel are assisting those in the path of the tornado.”

As of 7:30 p.m. CDT, poweroutage.us is reporting 7,000 customers are without power in Nebraska.

Another perspective: Tornado rips across Nebraska freeway

Apr. 26, 2024 5:47 PM PDT

Drivers on Interstate 80 got an incredibly scary view of a powerful tornado  on the afternoon of April 26. Officials urged residents in eastern Nebraska to seek shelter “immediately” as massive tornadoes moved through the Lincoln and Omaha metro areas 

Drivers on Interstate 80 got an incredibly scary view of a powerful tornado on the afternoon of April 26.

You can track the severe weather on  AccuWeather’s weather radar . AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Lada has been monitoring the radar throughout the afternoon and said a tornado northwest of Omaha was a “menace on radar” with  a debris ball that appeared to be over a mile wide .

Radar showing a supercell thunderstorm with tornado debris ball moving northwest of Omaha, Nebraska on April 26, 2024.

A debris ball, technically known as a  tornadic debris signature  ( TDS ), is an area of high reflectivity on weather radar caused by a tornado lofting debris into the air.

Storm chaser captures jaw-dropping footage of wedge tornado crossing I-80 in Nebraska

Apr. 26, 2024 4:57 PM PDT

Storm chaser Aaron Jayjack captured this video near Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 26 as a violent tornado tore across a highway, leaving at least one tractor trailer on its side.

Storm chaser Aaron Jayjack was uniquely positioned to record this stunning footage of a massive wedge tornado crossing Interstate 80 in Nebraska Friday afternoon.  “VIOLENT tornado just crossed the Interstate 80 Lincoln, NE,”  he tweeted .

You can see the powerful twister flinging debris across the interstate as motorists attempt to navigate the treacherous roadway. At one point during the video, Jayjack shouts, “Oh, somebody got hit!” 

At least one tractor-trailer was tossed on its side by the intense wind. No word yet on injuries. The Nebraska Department of Transportation caught a different view of the massive twister.

A tornado near Interstate 80 in Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 26, 2024. (Nebraska Department of Transportation)

Wedge tornadoes are the most destructive  and catastrophic tornadoes and can grow to be over a mile in diameter.

Storm chaser captures tall rope tornado tearing across Nebraska field

“Wow!!! What a tornado  just north of Ravenna, Nebraska, this Friday at 12:32 p.m. CDT,” storm chaser Brandon Montgomery  tweeted  after recording this footage. “Incredible experience!”

Storm chaser Brandon Montgomery followed a tall rope tornado as it tore across a field in Ravenna, Nebraska, on April 26.

Ravenna is about 175 miles west of  Omaha , which is  one of the major metro areas that are very close to or within the high-risk area  into Friday night  along with  Kansas City , Missouri; and  Des Moines , Iowa.

Rope tornadoes, named after their long, thin appearance, are the  smallest type of tornado and can be short-lived, lasting just a few minutes but can be just the start of the evolution of a twister. Don’t be fooled by their size!  Even a thin rope tornado can cause damage, although the path of destruction tends to be narrow  compared to other kinds of whirlwinds.

Storm chaser intercepts large tornado in Nebraska

Apr. 26, 2024 2:39 PM PDT

One of the first tornadoes of the day touched down in central Nebraska , and AccuWeather Storm Chaser and Meteorologist Tony Laubach was on the scene.  Laubach came within a few hundred yards of a large tornado near Elba, Nebraska , as it crossed the road in front of him. Watch the heart-pounding video below:

Meteorologist Tony Laubach got up close with a tornado as it crossed a highway in Elba, Nebraska, on April 26.

New tornado watch issued where strongest storms are expected

Apr. 26, 2024 2:06 PM PDT

There is a  high risk of tornadoes, powerful winds and large hail  in part of the central United States today, according to AccuWeather meteorologists, and intense storms are in short order.  A new tornado watch has been issued for eastern Nebraska and western Iowa  in the area where the strongest storms of the day are expected.  A tornado has already been reported  from a storm about 150 miles west of Omaha, Nebraska, according to storm chasers in the area.

A tornado watch is also in effect for northeastern Texas  and part of southeastern Oklahoma where locally severe storms have been rumbling since late Friday morning.  People who are under a tornado watch should remain vigilant and seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued.

'Tornado on the ground': Multiple supercells move over Kansas

Apr. 26, 2024 12:01 PM PDT

Stormchaser Ben McHone captured this  ominous footage of multiple supercells moving across northwest Kansas producing heavy rain, hail and the formation of a ‘needle tornado’  on Thursday afternoon.

Multiple supercells moved across northwest Kansas producing heavy rain, hail and formation of a needle tornado on April 25.

A needle tornado is another name for a  rope tornado  which is the smallest type of tornado and named for its long, thin appearance.

On the thunderstorm spectrum,  supercells are the least common type of thunderstorm.  What makes a supercell unique from all other thunderstorm types is that  it contains a deep and persistent rotating updraft called a mesocyclone.

Supercells have a high propensity to produce severe weather , including damaging winds, very large hail, and even violet tornadoes.

Violent storms likely into Friday night

Apr. 26, 2024 11:16 AM PDT

“ There could be more than a dozen tornadoes spawned from Friday afternoon to Friday night alone ,” AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. “Into Friday night, the areas most likely to be strewn with intense, discrete thunderstorms -- the type that often produces strong tornadoes -- extends from northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri to southeastern Nebraska and southern and central Iowa.”

Major metro areas that are very close to or within the high-risk area into Friday night include  Kansas City , Missouri;  Omaha , Nebraska; and  Des Moines , Iowa.  The AccuWeather Local StormMax™  straight-line wind gust  is 80 mph into Friday night  and is stronger than that of the minimum threshold for a hurricane (74 mph).

People in the severe weather threat zones each day and night are encouraged to  pay attention to the weather, take alerts and warnings seriously and have a plan of action  in place in case violent conditions become imminent. A method to receive audible alerts when sleeping is strongly advised

Thursday’s storms seen from space

Apr. 26, 2024 9:19 AM PDT

High resolution imagery of severe storms erupting tonight across the Central Plains. pic.twitter.com/S6GqdUuKba — CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) April 26, 2024

As severe weather erupted over the Plains on Thursday afternoon, NOAA’s GOES-EAST weather satellite was keeping a close eye on the evolving situation. The satellite was focused on  eastern Colorado, western Kansas, and southern Nebraska, where the strongest storms of the day rumbled to life . There were around  70 reports of large hail from storms in this area, including chunks of ice as large as tennis balls.

Storm chaser nearing 500,000 miles in pursuit of storms, twisters

Apr. 26, 2024 7:39 AM PDT

The miles can add up fast for folks who drive across the country to capture footage of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, and one storm chaser is closing in on a monumental benchmark. “ I am making my way to half a million storm-chasing miles, ” AccuWeather Meteorologist and Storm Chaser Tony Laubach said.  So far this year, Laubach has logged 5,448 miles , and he will add to that in the coming days as he hunts down dangerous storms across the central United States. Laubach said that  hitting the 500,000-mile mark has been a long-standing goal for his storm-chasing career  and he might finally reach the benchmark later this year.

Blue shelf cloud moves over Arkansas

Apr. 25, 2024 9:23 PM PDT

Heavy rain and hail hit Little Rock, Arkansas, as this shelf cloud passed through the area.

An incredible timelapse of a shelf cloud with blue hues was recorded in Little Rock, Arkansas Thursday afternoon. Flooding was also reported from the storms.

Shelf clouds often form at the leading edge of strong winds  flowing down and outward from a storm.  It is not uncommon for thunderstorms to contain blue or green tinted clouds , but there is no direct correlation to the severity of the storm.

Storm chaser wraps up a day of tracking severe weather, gets ready for tomorrow

AccuWeather meteorologist and storm chaser Tony Laubach is  wrapping up a day of tracking severe weather across Kansas  and is headed east to get set up for tomorrow. AccuWeather Prime’s Melissa Constanzer caught up with Laubach as he traveled through Quinter, Kansas.

“It has been more of a hail day today,”  Laubach said. “Most of the hail we saw was anywhere between nickel and quarter-sized. We had  hail reports in Kansas as big as two-and-a-half inches , that would be tennis ball-sized hail. ”

In the video below, Laubach explains why there was more hail than tornadoes:

Severe thunderstorms produced prolific hail across parts of the Plains on April 25, but cold air undercut the threat for tornadoes.

Tennis-ball-sized hail pelts the Plains

Apr. 25, 2024 8:50 PM PDT

Storm spotters reported  hail as large as 2.5 inches in diameter (about the size of a tennis ball)  near Russell Springs, Kansas, earlier Thursday evening, with 2-inch-diameter hail near Syracuse and Colby, Kansas.  Wind gusts also spiked to 70 mph  at a weather station near Sharon Springs, Kansas.

Hail as large as 4.5 inches in diameter  fell in the Carolinas last weekend.  A hailstone that fell in Vivian, South Dakota, on July 23, 2010 ,  holds the United States' record for largest hail size with  a diameter of 8 inches  and heaviest weight at 1.94 pounds.

Severe weather to escalate on Friday

Apr. 25, 2024 7:59 PM PDT

Thursday is just the start of an extended severe weather event across the central United States . AccuWeather meteorologists say there is a high threat of severe thunderstorms on Friday and Friday night, the second-highest level on AccuWeather’s severe weather index.

Approximately 38 million people could face thunderstorms, the strongest of which may spin up tornadoes and unleash large hail and damaging winds.

Additional rounds of severe weather are in the forecast through the weekend , with some areas at risk of being hit multiple times.

Landspout touches down in Colorado

Apr. 25, 2024 6:34 PM PDT

A landspout tornado touches down in Akron, Colorado as another funnel cloud spins above it.

A landspout tornado touched down today near Akron, Colorado,  while another funnel cloud spun nearby. The landspout was on the ground for only five minutes.  Landspouts start as a column of spinning air near the ground  and aren't always connected to a severe thunderstorm, whereas tornadoes are spawned in a rotating thunderstorm and move down to the ground.

Tornado watches issued as storms erupt

Apr. 25, 2024 6:18 PM PDT

Severe thunderstorms are rumbling over the Plains with  two tornado watches in effect  from eastern Colorado and southern Nebraska to the Texas Panhandle.  One thunderstorm in northwestern Kansas has already produced a tornado , according to a storm chaser in the area. Thunderstorms may become more widespread into Thursday night over the region, with additional watches possible. Three preliminary tornadoes have been reported across the entire region as of 5:10 p.m. CDT.

Tornado watches in the central United States as of 5 p.m. CDT on April 25, 2024. (AccuWeather)

A tornado watch means that weather conditions are prime for severe thunderstorms to develop and spin up twisters. Meanwhile,  a tornado warning means that a tornado is imminent or is happening  and that people in the path of the storm should seek shelter.

Calm before the storm

Apr. 25, 2024 3:03 PM PDT

A clear sky over Colby, Kansas, an area where tornado-producing thunderstorms are possible later Thursday afternoon. (AccuWeather/Tony Laubach)

Storm chasers are in position ahead of an outburst of thunderstorms expected to erupt over part of the Plains later Thursday afternoon.  AccuWeather Meteorologist and Storm Chaser Tony Laubach is in Colby, Kansas , located in the northwest part of the state, and is sitting under a sunny sky with a few patches of clouds.  A much different scene is foreseen to unfold over the region in a few hours, including the potential for tornadoes.

In-depth look at the severe weather threat

Apr. 25, 2024 1:07 PM PDT

AccuWeather Severe Weather Expert Guy Pearson joined Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno to talk about the forthcoming severe weather outbreak over the United States,  explaining why the threat of damaging thunderstorms will unfold over several days.  Watch the interview below:

The Plains and Midwest regions of the United States face a weekend of dangerous severe weather including the risk of tornadoes starting on Friday.

Types of tornadoes that may touch down through the weekend

Apr. 25, 2024 11:56 AM PDT

Tornadoes come in all shapes and sizes, but meteorologists can classify each one based on distinct features.  The smallest type of twister is a rope tornado , named after its long, thin appearance. It is one of the most common types of tornadoes and can be short-lived, but  some evolve into larger, more powerful twisters.

A large tornado spinning near Morton, Texas, on May 23, 2022. (Marcus Diaz via Storyful)

Wedge tornadoes are the largest type of tornadoes and can be over a mile wide . Some of the most intense tornadoes in history were wedge tornadoes, including the EF5 that leveled Joplin, Missouri, in 2011.  Click here to see more types of twisters that occur over the United States.

Severe weather outbreak to commence Thursday afternoon

Apr. 25, 2024 10:19 AM PDT

The first round of a multiday severe weather event is about to unfold over the central United States with  each day through the weekend bringing the risk of damaging winds, hail and tornadoe s. On Thursday, the severe weather threat will extend from northern Texas to eastern Wyoming, with  thunderstorms expected to erupt late Thursday afternoon.  The strongest storms are likely from the Texas Panhandle through western Kansas.

An even higher risk of severe weather is in the offing at the end of the week as the next round of thunderstorms unfolds. “ I think the worst days for severe weather, specifically tornadoes, is going to be [Friday] and then on Saturday ,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.  Click here for a full breakdown of the impending severe weather outbreak.

How to stay alert when severe weather nears

By AccuWeather staff

Apr. 25, 2024 8:17 AM PDT

Knowing when  severe weather is approaching can be life-saving information , especially during a severe weather outbreak, like what is unfolding over the South Wednesday. One of the easiest ways to receive severe weather alerts, such as tornado warnings, is by  having the free AccuWeather App on your smartphone .   Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you  subscribe to Premium+  on the  AccuWeather app , which also provides an ad-free experience. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. These custom alerts can provide critical time to seek shelter before damaging weather moves into the area . Watching the AccuWeather Network and monitoring  AccuWeather’s website  are two other ways to stay updated with the latest weather information.

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