The Great Platte River Road Archway is easily seen from the I80. I, myself have passed under it more than a dozen times during my travels. However I never stopped. Why? I really don’t know. I have never been much for museums and I figured that this one would be just like all the rest…boring displays of this and that. WOW…was I wrong!!!
This place was so much fun!! The exhibits are larger than life and interactive. What a fun place for a child (or child at heart) to explore.
We were greeted by “Crazy”, a volunteer dressed in period clothing from the old West and a personality to match! (See All Photos)
After we chatted with Crazy for a few minutes, we got our tickets and headphones and acceded the escalator into the covered wagon to begin our frontier journey. I only wish that I could have gotten the camera working quicker to get the full experience of entering this fun place.
As soon as we topped the escalator, our headphones came alive with the sounds of the frontier and continued as we worked our way through the exhibits.
Start at Ft. Kearny in the 1840s where the Oregon Trail converged with the Mormon Trail and California Trail. Here, you’ll immerse yourself in the sights of the historic trails while listening to the stories of the early pioneers. Next, hear the rumble of the Iron Horse on the transcontinental railroad as it passes overhead. Watch a Pony Express rider make a quick stop to change horses as he races to deliver mail across the country. Listen in as the first transcontinental telegraph transmits the news of the breakout of the Civil War to the West Coast. Finally, traverse the historic Lincoln Highway, catch the newsreel at the drive-in theater and take a break to check on the traffic below in the roadside diner.
My favorite part was playing cards with Dad as we waited for the Pony Express Rider to show up at the Station.
Give yourself about an hour to make the stop. There is a huge parking lot more than adequate to accommodate any size RV, a gift shop and small cafe.
The Hip-Gyp Trip began on June 3, 2016 and who knows when and where it will end… If you would like to see all of the photo’s from the trip, please visit Hip-Gyp Photo’s.
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