Travel to North Platte, NE. and check into your hotel for a two night stay.  Dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant. (D)

After breakfast, start the day at the Golden Spike Tower offering a bird’s eye view of the World’s Largest Classification Yard (Railroad Term).  Take a ride up the elevator to the 7th floor open air observation deck to experience the sights and sounds of the rail yard, or the 8th floor for enclosed viewing.

Next, visit the Cody Park Railroad Museum.  This hands-on museum has the only Challenger 3900 series steam locomotive on public display in the world.  Number 3977 is not only on display, you can actually climb up and get the engineer’s view before you walk through a series of old rail cars, including a mail car and a caboose, that are filled with old railroad memorabilia from the time when trains were America’s main mode of transportation.  It’s not just the locomotives and rail cars, you’ll also find the old Hershey, NE rail depot that also has historic railroad artifacts inside.

After lunch on own, enjoy a little shopping time at Grain Bin Antique Town.  Here 20 historic granaries have been salvaged and re-purposed and filled with all kinds of treasures.

Next, visit the largest souvenir shop in Nebraska, the Fort Cody Trading Post.  See Buffalo Bill’s Wild West in Miniature, with 20,000 hand-carved figures.  It is one of the largest single folk art displays in the country!  Check out the Old West Exhibit, filled with authentic pieces of historic cowboy gear and Buffalo Bill memorabilia!  All of this, plus a wonderful gift shop stocked with jewelry, books, t-shirts, toys, and so much more!

This evening, experience the Wild West with a Ride with the Wild Bunch! Start at the Buffalo Bill State Historical Park where you are greeted by reenactors portraying Buffalo Bill and his wife Louisa.  They will guide you through the mansion and barn Buffalo Bill called home for 40 years during his Wild West Show.  Immerse yourself in the ‘Wild West’ as Buffalo Bill lived each day; with horses, wagon rides, servants, ranch-hands, gun fire, law-and-no-order, and much more.

Buffalo Bill and Louisa will accompany your group on a hayrack ride and regale you with tales of their lives in the Wild West.  The hayrack ride continues as you travel to the Lincoln County Historical Museum.  You will arrive with plenty of time to explore the old western prairie village and the exhibit that tells the story of the North Platte Canteen.  Be on the lookout as you stroll through the Village – you never know when the Giggling Bandits will strike again!

After your time exploring the Lincoln County Historical Museum, your group will be treated to a true pioneer style dinner cooked outdoors in Dutch Ovens, just like a cowboy.  (B,D)

Are you ready for a flavorful adventure?  Today features a “Here’s The Beef Tour,” an immersive and educational experience all about Nebraska’s rich beef industry.  Hosted by the UNL Extension Center, this tour takes you through the fascinating journey of cattle ranching, from pasture to plate.  Learn about the entire ranch-to-table process, gaining valuable insights into how beef is produced, processed, and prepared.  One of the highlights of the tour is a hands-on, educational presentation that teaches how to differentiate the various grades of beef.

No tour is complete without a delicious meal, and the “Here’s The Beef Tour” delivers just that!  Enjoy a full beef feast featuring five different sample cuts of Nebraska-raised beef, each cooked to perfection.  It’s the perfect way to experience the heart of Nebraska’s agricultural legacy and savor the flavors of locally raised cattle.

Following lunch, depart for home. (B,L)