Best Things to Do in Ogallala

The Travel Pages lists the best things to do in Ogallala, Nebraska, including a visit to Boot Hill, where to stay in Ogallala, and where to eat.

We’re frequent visitors to Ogallala, which we always try to make a stop on our regular journeys between home in Arizona and to visit family and friends in Iowa.

Where is Ogallala?

Ogallala is about a 5-hour drive west of Omaha along I-80. It’s about a 3-hour drive north-east of Denver on I-80 and I-76.

Best Things to Do in Ogallala

So if you’re staying in Ogallala, what are the best things to do while you’re there?

Boot Hill

Ogallala’s Boot Hill may not be as well-known as the one at Tombstone, not far from where we live in Arizona, but it’s just as fascinating. It was the blossoming city’s first cemetery and got the name of Boot Hill in the 1880s through the tradition of burying cowboys with their boots on. There’s an excellent brochure available at the Spruce Street Visitor Center and maybe at your hotel too, which lists all the graves and tells you the stories behind the names. You’ll find it at 119 E 2nd Street. It’s open 24/7 and you can find out more at the Visit Nebraska website.

Front Street and Cowboy Museum

From 1875 to 1885 Ogallala was a booming western town as this is where cattle were shipped from to be taken to the meat markets in Chicago. The feel of the town then has been recreated along Front Street, with historic-looking buildings, steakhouses, music, bars, and the free Cowboy Museum. There’s also a Western stage show usually put on from about June to mid-August. Head for 519 E. 1st Street. Find out more, and the opening hours of places, at the Front Street website.

Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area

You’d never know it if you breeze by Ogallala on I-80 but you’re just a few miles from Nebraska’s largest reservoir, known to the locals as Big Mac. And it is big, at 30,000 surface acres. It’s got white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and good fishing with many of the fish caught here setting state records. In summer the lake is filled with boaters, water-skiers, windsurfers, swimmers, and others, while in January-February there are organized hikes to go see the eagles and other birds that congregate here. There are camping facilities here as well. Visitors can buy a day pass, or you can get an annual pass. Find out more at the Visit Nebraska website.

Mansion on the Hill

In total contrast to the rough and tough lives of Ogallala’s cowboys, life in this Victorian mansion was much more refined. It was the finest home in town when it was built in 1887, and was occupied for many years by a prominent banker. You can see how it would have looked back in those glory days thanks to the work of the Keith County Historical Society, who bought the house in 1966. It’s open to visitors and there’s also a one-room schoolhouse in the grounds that you can see too. The mansion is at 1004 N. Spruce Street, and you can find opening times and admission prices here.

Petrified Wood Gallery

If you’re visiting Ogallala’s famous Front Street, take a look across the other side of the street as almost opposite at 418 East 1st Street is this unusual and interesting little gallery. The collection was begun by two brothers in the 1950s, and then in 2000 they donated their collection to go on public display in Ogallala. It showcases ancient woods and fossils alongside items like Native American arrowheads and other artefacts, all collected around Ogallala. There are also special exhibitions, and visiting exhibitions. It’s an unusual attraction but we were delighted to see that reviewers on TripAdvisor made this the number one best thing to do in Ogallala. Find out more on their website.

Prairie Theater

Just along from the Spruce Street Visitor Center is the Prairie Theater, which dates from 1936. It now shows the latest releases and it’s definitely worth a visit to see inside. Check their website to see what’s showing while you’re in town.

Spruce Street Station and Visitor Center

Spruce Street Station is a cute former Standard Oil gas station which has been lovingly preserved and remains in use but now as Ogallala’s Visitor Center. There are fewer than twenty of these stations remaining in the country, and this is one of the best-preserved of them all. You should definitely make an early stop at the center, to better plan your visit to Ogallala. It’s at 220 N. Spruce Street.

Where to Eat in Ogallala

Although we’ve visited Ogallala many times, we always eat at the same place, because it’s brilliant. We love Mexican food and the food at Mi Ranchito is always excellent. It’s also only a two-minute drive from our favorite place to stay, the Ogallala Super-8. We usually stay here after a long day on the road, but we always have to make it before Mi Ranchito closes for the night!

We just love walking through the doors of this place. It’s welcoming and colorful, everything is kept clean… we love settling into a booth, and ordering a Margarita. Tip: pay a little extra and get their Patron Margarita. It’s worth it.

As for the menu, it’s pretty standard Mexican dishes that you’ll find anywhere. We simply choose whatever we’re in the mood for, and we know it’ll be perfect and served with a smile.

Phone: (308) 284-2066
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How Long to Stay in Ogallala?

If you wanted to see everything on our list of the best things to do, you’d probably need at least two full days, or a three-night visit. Of course, there’s plenty to do around the lakes so you could stay even longer and not get bored. There’s also plenty of shopping opportunities.

Where to Stay in Ogallala

We always stay at the excellent Super-8, which is just off the interstate and is a really nice motel. It doesn’t look much from the outside but inside everything is perfect, and it’s very well-run. The staff are always friendly and helpful, there’s a light breakfast included, and it’s a much better motel than you might think from its budget rates. It’s also across the street from the Walmart Fuel Station, which usually has the cheapest gas nearby.

But check out all the hotel and motel prices in Ogallala…