Great Platte River Road Archway Monument

Overview

Spanning I-80 at Exit 275 in Kearney, NE, from the Oregon Trail era through today, the Archway tells the story of the building of America.

Our personal audio guides allow you to begin your tour whenever you arrive. No need to arrive at a specific time of day. And, you set the pace. Most visitors spend about an hour in our historic exhibit. You are welcome to take your time and enjoy everything the Archway has to offer.

Experience our family-friendly historical exhibit, visit our replica sod house, picnic on the Archway campus, stroll on our hike/bike trail, and feed the fish in our pond from our vintage bridge. Then, plan the rest of your trip in our Nebraska Visitors Center.

The Archway is a one-of-a-kind experience that’s entertaining and inspiring for the whole family.

City: Nebraska

Tue 24 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $15.00

Make a reservation

Tue 24 Dec

Starting at $15.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Access to all exhibits

All taxes, fees, and handling charges

Use of headset

Route and map

Meeting point

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Kearney
3060 E 1st St,

Redeem your ticket upon arrival at the Archway Gift Shop. You can begin your self-guided tour at any time during our business hours and complete it at your leisure.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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.
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Guides required to regularly wash hands

What To Expect

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. Travelers on today’s I-80 are following in the footsteps of the pioneers who headed down the Oregon Trail in the 1840s. The means of transportation have changed, but the route has stayed pretty much the same. We are still following the Great Platte River Road across Nebraska on the road to adventure in America. The admission price applies to the historic exhibit only. Other amenities on the Archway campus are accessible at no charge.

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (121)

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IL_Jeff

Jul 2019

I loved the history and the way it was shown!!! We had about an hour to visit this site - but we should have taken two or more!!! It was awesome to see the historical figures and the narrations that were with each. We could go at our on pace and we linger at many places just taking in more and more of each of the displays. It is amazing what can fit in such size building!! If you can visit it - Take the time!!

Response from Host

Aug 2019

Thanks so much for your thoughtful review. We hope you have the opportunity to come back again and take in the exhibit at a more leisurely pace.

TravelRNLiz

Jul 2019

The Archway Monument is about the settlement of the midwest and the west. The self-guided audio tour is well arranged. There is an escalator that takes you to the start of the tour (elevator available). The flow is good. You can fast forward the speaking. Shows the hardships faced by the early settlers, Life size covered wagons are present along with the handcarts the Mormons used. The history continues right to the interstate system. Interesting displays of how transportation progressed to today. There is even a radar gun so you can see if anyone is speeding. The Archway goes right over I 80!! Very easy access from either East or West.

Response from Host

Aug 2019

Thanks so much for the great review. We hope you come back and visit us again, soon!

J222_psu

Jul 2019

There are 2 ways to approach this attraction. First is a bridge and tourist stop. The second is a little museum that explains about the settling of the west and the trail to the pacific. There are gas stations nearby and places to eat so it’s a decent place to stop if driving through the state.