26011 Great Migration of the Sandhill Crane

Day 1

Heading West to the Heartland

Begin your journey this morning toward the Great Migration of the Sandhill Cranes in Nebraska - one of nature’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles. Enjoy rest and refresh breaks along the way, with lunch on your own en route.

Stop in Winterset, Iowa, the charming hometown of film legend John Wayne. Visit the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, where engaging exhibits, rare memorabilia, and his original childhood home tell teh story of “The Duke” and his endurnig legacy in American cinema.

Continue westward and stretch your legs during a dinner stop at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in Omaha. Enjoy classic comfort food and a bit of browsing in their nostalgic country shop befoe resuming your journey. Arrive at your Nebraska hotel later this evening and settle in for a comfortable overnight stay as your Sandhill Crane adventure begins.

Day 2

Welcome to Grand Island — and the Cranes!

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning and then depart for the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Step inside one of the nation’s premier aviaion museums, featuring an extraordinary collection of historic aircraft, missiles, and space artifacts. From the awe-inspiring SR-71 Blackbird to Apollo-era spacecraft, the exhibits highlight America’s achievements in flight, defense, and exploration. Enjoy browsing the hangars, interactive displays, and gift shop at your own pace.

Enjoy lunch on your own at the museum cafe or nearby before continuing westward through Nebraska’s open countryside.

Next, make a delightful stop at Baker’s Candies in Greenwood’s sweetest destination! Known for their signature chocolate meltaways, this family-owned candy factory welcomes visitors with a cheerful, retro-style store brimming with locally made confections and gifts. Take time to shop, sample, and maybe pick up a box (or two) to enjoy along the journey.

Arrive in Grand Island and check into the Fairfield Inn with some time for a quick freshen up. As the afternoon fades to evening, prepare for an unforgettable experience — your first Sandhill Crane Viewing Excursion at the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center along the Platte River. Begin indoors with interactive exhibits, interpretive displays, and a short film that introduces the incredible story of the cranes’ annual migration. Then, step outside to a private viewing area along the river, where your naturalist guide will help you witness the magic firsthand. As the sun sets, thousands of cranes return to the river to roost — their calls echoing across the plains in a scene that feels timeless and sacred.

This evening’s included dinner will be at The Chicken Coop Sports Bar, a favorite local gathering place known for hearty comfort food and plenty of small-town charm. Enjoy good company and a few stories shared over a delicious meal before returning to the hotel for a restful night.

Day 3

Exploring the Heart of Crane Country

Start your day with a hearty breakfast before setting out to explore Nebraska’s Platte River Valley — the heart of crane country.

Your first stop is Fred’s Flying Circus, a quirky roadside attraction full of colorful cars, whimsical airplane sculptures, and humor that perfectly captures Nebraska’s creative spirit. Then, continue on a guided driving tour through the crane feeding grounds, where thousands of these elegant birds gather across the meadows and river flats. Your expert local guide will share fascinating insights into their behaviors, migration routes, and conservation efforts that protect this vital ecosystem.

Next, we’ll visit the renowned Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, home to the stunning Wings Over the Platte photography exhibit by acclaimed wildlife artist Tom Mangelsen. After exploring the gallery, enjoy an included buffet lunch followed by a special educational presentation from museum staff about the Sandhill Cranes and their remarkable journey. You’ll also have time to stroll through the museum’s living-history pioneer town — a window into Nebraska’s early days.

This afternoon, stop at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, where you’ll learn about ongoing conservation work, enjoy scenic nature trails, and perhaps spot cranes and other migratory birds along the river.

Later, travel to Kearney, Nebraska, and check into the welcoming Holiday Inn Kearney. This evening’s included dinner will be at The Alley Rose, a beloved local favorite offering hearty Nebraska-style fare in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

Day 4

Sunrise with the Sandhill Cranes

Rise early for an unforgettable experience — a Sunrise Crane Viewing at the Rowe Sanctuary. From the comfort of a heated riverside viewing blind (with restroom access), witness tens of thousands of cranes awakening and taking flight in synchronized waves across the dawn sky. The chorus of their ancient calls, combined with the golden light of sunrise, is a moment that will stay with you forever.

After breakfast and check-out, we’ll continue west to North Platte, a town steeped in railroad history and heartland hospitality.

Our first stop is the Golden Spike Tower, offering panoramic views of Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard — the largest railroad classification yard in the world. Watch the incredible ballet of engines and railcars in motion, and learn about how this vital hub keeps America’s railways running.

Next, we’ll step back in time with a World War II Canteen Lunch & Program. This moving living-history experience pays tribute to the volunteers of North Platte who served six million soldiers during the war. Enjoy a canteen-style lunch as costumed interpreters share heartfelt stories of community, patriotism, and the everyday heroes who lifted spirits during one of America’s most challenging eras.

Check into the Hampton Inn North Platte for your overnight stay. Dinner this evening is on your own, with several convenient restaurants nearby, including Applebee’s, Jersey Mike’s, and QDOBA — all within walking distance.

Day 5

Prairie Chickens & Farewell to the Plains

This morning, we rise before dawn once more to experience the Prairie Chicken Sunrise Viewing, a rare and exhilarating wildlife encounter. Watch as male Prairie Chickens gather on traditional “leks” — open display grounds where they dance, drum, and boom in a dramatic show to attract mates. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse into one of the Great Plains’ oldest and most fascinating courtship rituals. Afterward, return to the hotel for breakfast and time to freshen up before beginning the journey homeward.

Later this morning, depart North Platte and begin your journey eastward. Enjoy a lunch break on your own along the route before continuing to Kearney, where you’ll stop at the Archway Monument & Museum. Spanning Interstate 80, this fasincating attraction brings the story of America’s westward expansion to life through immersive exhibits, life-sized dioramas, and multimedia experiences that trace the pioneers, settlers, and travelers who shaped the nation’s heartland.

Continue to Lincoln and check into your comfortable hotel accommodation for the night. Dinner this evening is on your own. Enjoy a relaxed final evening reflecting on the remarkable wildlife encounters and heartfelt history you’ve experienced across the Great Plains.

Day 6

Homeward Bound

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for your journey home. Sit back, relax, and reminisce about the incredible experiences you’ve shared - from the breathtaking sight of the Sandhill Cranes in flight to the echoes of Prairie Chickens across the plains.

Along the way, enjoy rest and refresh stops and a lunch break on your own before continuing to your original departure point.

Return home carrying with you the memories of two of America’s most remarkable spring wildlife spectacles and the warm hospitality of Nebraska’s heartland.