Ashfall Fossil Beds

Orchard, NE 68764
ashfall.unl.edu/
Located six miles north of US highway 20 between Royal and Orchard, this educational site offers a unique window to the past. Barrel bodied rhinos, three toed horses, llama like camels and saber tooth deer are just a few of the intact skeletal remains you can view. Visit with the paleontologists under the covered barn and learn about the animals that roamed our land millions of years ago.

Cowboy Trail

Once part of the Chicago & North Western Railroad’s Cowboy Line, this limestone trail covers 321 miles from Norfolk to Chadron. From east to west, the trail passes through the farmland of the Elkhorn River Valley, into Plains ranchland, across the scenic Niobrara River Valley, along the northern Sandhills and to the edge of the Pine Ridge. The Cowboy Trail is the longest rail-to-trail conversion in the United States, which includes a 148-foot high bridge over the Niobrara River at Valentine. A portion of the trail was damaged near Norfolk in the June 2010 flood, however 70+ miles recently re-opened and is ready to be traveled. The pedestrian bridge near the trail head in Norfolk will be replaced in 2012.

Cuthills Vineyards

54663 853 Road, Pierce, NE 68767
www.cuthills.com
Located north of Norfolk and west of Pierce, Nebraska’s first winery offers a variety of wines to suite any palate. Check the website for tastings and special events during the year

DeGroots Orchards

83210 554th Avenue, Madison, NE
Open in the fall every year, DeGroots is the place for all your fresh apple needs. Over 10 types of apples are grown annually (including Honey Crisp and Jonathans) and are perfect for baking, snacking and sharing. Don’t forget the cider.

Elkhorn Valley Museum and Research Center

515 Queen City Blvd Norfolk, NE 68701
www.elkhornvalleymuseum.org
Whether your a Johnny Carson fan, interested in history, or just want something different to do plan on spending a few hours here. Home to the Johnny Carson exhibit, this museum also has a working one room school house, the restored first home of Norfolk, a children’s Discovery Zone, the Square Turn Tractor, research center and a birding library that will take your breath away. The staff at Elkhorn Valley Museum will welcome you with open arms.

GeoCaching in Madison County

http://www.geocaching.com
Geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices and then share their experiences online. Check out local attractions in Madison County. Good Luck!

Madison County Museum

210 W 3rd Street Madison, Nebraska 68748
www.madisoncountyhistory.org/Site_2/Home.html
Located in the heart of Madison, Nebraska, the museum has a working communication display, a showcase tribute to baseball hall-of-famer Richie Ashburn, and is home to the Northeast Nebraska Model Railroaders display. For you history buffs they have genealogy research on the orphan train riders. Over 3,000 pieces of a lighted Christmas village brings joy to your heart year round’.

Maskenthine Lake Mountain Bike Trail

Stanton, NE 68779
www.nencycling.org/wiki/maskenthine_trail
This mountain bike trail is for riders of all skills. Easily accessible from Norfolk via Hwy 275, the area features over five miles of single-track trails with a wide variety of terrain. This is a popular destination for cyclists from around the area.

Memorial AquaVenture Waterpark

715 South 1st Street, Norfolk
www.ci.norfolk.ne.us/parks/AquaVenture.htm
Norfolk’s Newest Water attraction. Wave pool, zero-depth entry pool, water walk, blow fish slide, 54 inch raft slide/32 inch body slide and much, much more!

Norfolk Arts Center

305 North 5th St. Norfolk, NE 68701
www.norfolkartscenter.org
Where the arts come alive in Norfolk. This spectacular facility has revolving art exhibits, classes for all ages, performing arts and so much more. You can also rent the center for small weddings, private parties, meetings, tea parties, lunches or anything you put your mind to.

Off Road Ranch

2900 Old Hwy 8 Norfolk, NE 68701
www.offroadranch.net
This unique motor cross track and drag strip for off road vehicles is located just outside of Norfolk in Stanton County. If you would like to join the competition or just ride for fun this is the place to bring your ATV. Other amenities include a sand volleyball court and campground with electrical hookups. Visit their website for a list of year-round events.

Poppy’s Pumpkin Patch

55275 837th Road, Norfolk, NE
www.poppyspumpkinpatch.com
Want more than just a pumpkin patch? This place will have the kids smiling from ear to ear and parents running to keep up! Activities include Jared’s jungle, the observation tower, corn maze, petting zoo, craft activities, jail, dress up cabin and so much more.

Red Road Herbs

57190 835th Ave Stanton, NE 68779
www.redroadherbs.com
Red Road Herbs is a haven of peace and tranquility tucked away in the rolling hills of northeast Nebraska, just down the road from Humbug Creek. Their herbs are grown in harmony with nature, respectfully harvested by hand at peak potency, then air-dried. They are open to the public by appointment and offer herb classes, free garden tours and fresh herb harvesting. Call 402-644-0744 to make an appointment.

Riviera Raceway

204 Sherwood Road Norfolk, NE 68701
www.rivieraracewaynorfolk.com
Riviera Raceway has Street Stock racing every Friday night from April to September. Bring the whole family for a night of heavy metal, fast driving and lots of fun.

Willow Creek Recreation Area

54876 852 Rd. Pierce, NE 68767
outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks/guides/parksearch/showpark.asp?Area_No=256
Willow Creek, one 1/2 miles SW of Pierce, has 1,633 acres with a 700-acre lake. Facilities include: 100 camping pads (64 with 30 amp electrical hookups, 19 with 50 amp electrical hookups), picnic tables and shelters, fire grates, H2O, showers, modern restrooms, an accessible fishing pier, a archery field course, unsupervised swimming, two playgrounds and an 8-mile hiking/horseback trail around the lake.