If you’re rolling through Kearney a great place to pull off of the Lincoln Highway is at the University of Nebraska Kearney. It’s a prototypical Midwestern college campus to the point of being a stereotypical college campus. That is not a bad thing, it means there are trees and lush lawns, small-college sized buildings that adhere to the same architectural style. It is in short a very nice place to take a stroll or sit in the shade on a nice summer day.
If you’re looking for some history on your stroll through UNK stop by the Frank House. Built in 1886, this stone mansion was the first house west of the Missouri River to be wired for electricity during construction. Throughout it’s history it has served as a Sanitarium and Tuberculosis Hospital, and now plays host to small concerts, events, and Halloween tours. The architecture features Tiffany stained glass and a host of antiques. Tours are always free and it’s well worth wandering over to check it out while you’re in Kearney.
After you’ve wandered around campus for a bit, visit the Museum of Nebraska Art in the renovated Kearney Post office located just off of the Lincoln Highway in downtown Kearney. This museum has a collection of over 5,000 pieces of art that represent artists like George Catlin, Robert Henri and John James Audubon. The museum also features pieces by current Nebraska artists and offers tours and workshops for thousands of people every year.
Get off of the highway for a bit, stretch your legs and see some of the things that make Kearney a great little college town.