Archway Monument: Family-Friendly Historical Exhibit Experience

Experience the Archway Monument in Kearney, NE, a family-friendly historical exhibit spanning the Oregon Trail era to today. Set your own pace with personal audio guides and explore the replica sod house, picnic areas, hike/bike trail, and more. Plan your trip at the Nebraska Visitors Center. Don’t miss this entertaining and inspiring one-of-a-kind experience!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Great Platte River Road Archway Monument - Walk with the pioneers over the Oregon Trail. Watch a rider make a quick stop to switch horses at a Pony Express Station. Hear Mark Twain’s account of a cross-country stagecoach trip. Relive the competition that created the first Transcontinental Railroad, and visit a travelers’ campground to hear stories of life on the Lincoln Highway. All this happened right here on the Great Platte River Road in Nebraska. Using life-size figures in elaborate scenic displays the Archway tells an inspiring American story of discovery, innovation, and adventure.

The admission price applies to the historic exhibit only. Other amenities on the Archway campus are accessible at no charge.
(Note: Last Ticket Sales @4:30pm Mon-Sunday)

What's Included
  • Access to all exhibits
  • All taxes, fees, and handling charges
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks, available to purchase
Additional Information

Step inside and embark on a riveting 180-year journey through time, delving deep into the heart-wrenching tales of those who laid the very foundation of our great nation. Prepare to be awestruck by our acclaimed exhibit, where you will not only witness the struggles and triumphs of our ancestors but also find yourself transported to another era. Feel the resonance of history within the walls of our replica sod house, inhale the essence of the past along our scenic hike/bike trail, and let nostalgia sweep over you as you feed the fish from our charming vintage bridge at the tranquil pond. Do not let this extraordinary chance slip away to connect with the very soul of America. Step into the Archway, where history breathes and unforgettable memories are woven. Plan your visit today and let the spellbinding journey unfold. Standing proudly above I-80 at Exit 275 in Kearney, NE, the Archway serves as a beacon of the unyielding American spirit. Note: Tours Stop @4:30pm.

  • The Archway is wheelchair accessible and a limited number of loaner wheelchairs are available.
  • The Archway has plenty of pull-through parking spaces for RVs, trailers, and semis.
  • Just minutes east Kearney, NE, the Archway offers easy access to an abundance of hotel and restaurant options.
  • Note: Last Tour Ticket Sales @ 4:30pm Mon-Sunday
  • Single Admission good for anytime.
Location
Great Platte River Road Archway Monument
3060 E 1st St,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(181 Ratings)
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Judy_t
Sep 2, 2024
Piains Pioneers - If only those pioneers could see the miles of beautiful corn fields in Nebraska today! My visit was a welcome break from the drive back home to Denver CO.
Review provided by Viator
Diane_j
Aug 29, 2024
Great experience - Awesome experience. Displays & stories were very educational. Staff was very pleasant. We will definitely stop back 👍
Review provided by Viator
Cathy_h
Aug 26, 2024
15th Birthday - We came to the Archway for my daughter's 15th birthday. She's a history nut and it didn't disappoint!
Review provided by Viator
Z7073sjlydiam
Aug 19, 2024
Stretch the Legs during Roadtrip - Nice break during road trip. Pic-nic tables outside. Accessible, easy to walk through. Very interesting way to learn about the Midwest's role in western migration.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nikki_w
Aug 11, 2024
Great experience! - It’s always great to share our history with our kids! So much fun! The kids said it was the best day ever!
Review provided by Viator
Paul_s
Aug 10, 2024
Make it happen, Captain! Stop already and check this place out! - Driven under it 100 times, finally stopped. Well done. Well run. Fun couple hours for anyone who wants to learn more about the area and its role in the styling of the west. If you love America and Americana or road tripping - you’ll love this.
Review provided by Viator
Michelle_s
Jul 14, 2024
Well worth the stop! - It defies all logic that such a great museum exists over the interstate in the middle of Nebraska but our entire family loved it!
Review provided by Viator
Lynnette
Jul 7, 2024
Great activity for a rainy day! - Having driven under the museum many times over the years, we finally stopped to check it out. It was a wonderful museum. We spent almost 2 hours! Great history!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Magdalena_w
Jul 3, 2024
Great family destination - This is a great audio-guided tour! So much great information. My 12-year-old loved it and didn't get bored! WIN!
Review provided by Viator
Readribbet
Jul 14, 2024
Unique Attraction Worth a Stop When Traveling on Interstate 80 - We met my wife's cousins from Kearney at the Archway Monument. This unique attraction spans over highway 80. With a new exit, the Archway is more easily accessible. There is free off-street parking at the site. The outdoor grounds have a number of stunning sculptures capturing the spirit of the westward expansion including a large bison. There is a part of the outdoor grounds that also celebrate the preservation of the Lincoln Highway including a retro Hammer Motel sign and some actual bricks saved from the original highway. (These are a part of an Eagle project.) Inside is a museum with displays. There is a cost for tickets ($13 plus tax for seniors). You are given a headphone that is triggered by signals throughout the displays. You take an escalator up to the exhibit and can wander at your own pace taking in as much of the audio tour as you want while looking at the displays. While the displays are most about the westward expansion, some of the exhibition does include more contemporary displays and artifacts about the expansion of the interstate highway system. There are some windows which provides view of the highway and the vehicles traveling under the Archway on interstate 80. The building also has a significant gift shop with a wide variety of souvenirs. Some snacks and drinks are available with a quiet area for sitting inside. The Archway is a short walk to a bridge over the Platte River with an additional picnic area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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