WanderNebraska Returns

What It Is

The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation’s travel adventure program, WanderNebraska, is kicking off its 5th year! This year the program joins the nationwide America250 celebration, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, through a special collaboration with Nebraska Game and Parks’ Trail Trek Program.

WanderNebraska was created to promote the work of local museums, historical societies, and libraries and increase awareness of what is found in the local sites along Nebraska’s backroads and in communities that are often overlooked by the typical tourist.

Growth & Booklets

This year’s program includes 254 Nebraska museums, libraries, parks, and other historical points of interest to visit, and runs from May 1 through September 30, 2026. Booklets contain information about each site, and include a map showing the seven different regions, which can be used to help visitors plan their trip.

This year’s booklet also features 50 designated “Trail Trek & WanderNebraska Special Sites,” which highlights destinations that celebrate Nebraska’s history and natural beauty as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Gretna Public Library has been a part of this program since its first year, and quickly ran out of the 2025 booklets within the program’s first month! But there are 2026’s brochures available at both library locations. If you don’t spot them right away, then ask a librarian for help.

Ways to Participate

There are three easy ways to register your WanderNebraska stops:

Use the WanderNebraska Mobile App
The fastest and most convenient of options. Download the app to automatically check in at locations, track your progress in real time, and easily see how close you are to your next prize level.
Scan the Site QR Code
Each site features a unique QR code. Simply scan the code with your smartphone and enter your information. If you don’t see a QR code, just as a site representative for assistance. At GPL the QR codes are on the front windows of each building.
Record Stops Manually
Prefer paper? Mark your visits in the official WanderNebraska brochure’s map and mail it to the address provided by the end of the season. All mailed maps must be postmarked by October 15, 2026.

Prizes

The more sites you visit, the higher the prize level that you can achieve! Koozies, t-shirts, totes, and sun visors make up the four main prizes . The top five visitors will win all prizes and more. Prizes are cumulative. Prizes earned at 25 stops or more will include all prizes from the previous level(s).

Please note: the 50 Speical Sites use a separate registration and prize system. For more information, refer to pages 36-37 in the brochure.