Our visitor center opened in the spring of 2009 and is located on the south side of Nebraska Highway 2 just east of Broken Bow.  The center is housed in a beautifully restored 1920’s era barn moved from west of the city.  Highway 2 from Grand Island to Alliance, a distance of 272 miles, has been designated the Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway.  The eastern third or so of the byway consists mainly of farmland that gradually gives way to the beauty of the massive Nebraska sandhills area and its expansive cattle ranches to the north and west.  Sandhills lakes and spring fed rivers supplied by the huge underground Ogallala Aquifer system are intersected by the byway and wildlife exists in abundance throughout the area.

The byway visitor center, “the Barn”, is an essential stopping point for travelers and visitors to our area.  The friendly volunteer staff at the Barn is ready to welcome you with information, guidance, brochures, travel guides and maps.  Inside are informative displays as well as artwork, murals and photographic art by artists with local ties.  Outside attractions at the Barn, which has recently had a major facelift with new siding, trim and roofing, include a covered picnic shelter with tables and benches, a working windmill, and an enclosed information kiosk.  There are well defined walking trails including one that will take you a third of a mile up the hill to the southwest of the Barn.  There will be found an observation deck with seating that offers a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape.  Other points of interest include a pond fed by the windmill, educational panels strategically located along the gravel and mowed pathways, and abundant flowers, shrubs and other landscaping around the property.  Almost all of the varieties of flowers, shrubs and trees are identified with labels.  Sections of mixed prairie grasses cover a significant part of the landscape.

Be sure to stop and enjoy our visitor center.  Your visit will be time well spent!