If you are looking for a great weekend getaway or weeklong vacation. Look no further. Nebraska has a beautiful spot for all you needs – Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. Of course, Nebraska has many beautiful state and local parks for camping, hiking and enjoying the great outdoors. All you need to do is check out the Nebraska Game and Parks website to find how just how many there are. In the meantime, here is our favorite Nebraska Weekend Getaway.
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is between Lincoln and Omaha. Located a few miles from Ashland, Nebraska. Eugene T. Mahoney State park has everything you could want to get away from it all. Whether you like tent camping, RV camping, staying in a cabin, or renting a room like a hotel. Mahoney has it all for you.
Mahoney State Park proves that Nebraska isn’t just flat corn fields. With beautiful trees, and amazing views. What’s not to love? Located right on the Plate River the views are amazing no matter where you look. If you are brave enough, you can get an even better view for the 70-foot-tall Walter Scott Jr, Observation Tower. This tower lets you see for miles. Located close to the Platte River you can see miles up and down river. It’s beautiful for those who aren’t afraid of heights.
No matter what you like,, Eugene Mahoney State park has something for you. They have an amazing pool to cool off in, with two water slides, dive area, zero-entry wave pool, sun deck and concession area.
If swimming isn’t your thing, then there is always Golf. There is a driving range and 18 holes of miniature golf. For those who don’t like hitting balls there is also have an 18-hole disc golf course.
There’s a Marina where you can rent paddle boats, along with all sorts of fishing and camping equipment for sale. If you want to try your hand at fishing, you can borrow a rod and reel and take a chance at catching that big fish you’ll tell stories about for years to come.
Mahoney isn’t just about camping and fishing, like some state parks. There is so much more. There is an Arts and Crafts Center, theater performances, horseback riding, and a new ropes course for those who like “hanging around”. And there is dining and concessions, so you can eat without ever leaving the park, if you choose.
Camping and Lodging for your Nebraska Weekend Getaway
There are multiple options of how, or where, to stay at Mahoney State Park. It all comes down to whether you are doing a back to basics thing, or you personally enjoy a bit of luxury.
Tent Camping
Being a state park there are plenty of flat spots for you to set up a tent near your car. The tent camping areas have a parking space, fire ring and grassy area for the tent. The best part is while you are planning your camping trip you can make a reservation for the specific site you want. That way you can choose just how close, or far away, you are from everything and everybody.
Cabins
If sleeping in a tent isn’t your style, and you don’t have own an RV, you can always rent a cabin. Eugene T. Mahoney park has 57 cabins available for rent. The majority of them are 2 bedroom units, but there are 3 that have four bedrooms, and 5 that have six bedrooms. You can bring the extended family if you want. Let everyone enjoy Nebraska with you, on your great vacation. Each cabin has AC and heat, but they also have a TV with cable, a refrigerator, range, and an outdoor deck with a grill.
The Lodge
For those who are hotel fans they have you covered also. You can stay in the Peter Kiewit Lodge, which has 40 guest rooms. Each is supplied with a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee pot, with free Wi-Fi, TV and a private bath. The best part is you can choose between 16 with lofts, or 24 with walkout decks. If you choose a room with a deck you will have a beautiful view of the park or the Platte River. For rainy days, there is even a game room in the basement.
Nearby Attractions for your Nebraska Weekend
If everything Eugene Mahoney Park offers isn’t enough for your weekend, there are plenty of things to do nearby. Ashland is less than 10 minutes away, while both Omaha and Lincoln are less than 40 miles. There are many fun things to do close by, while staying in an amazing park.
SAC Museum
Exactly one drive way over from the entrance to Mahoney Park is the SAC (Strategic Air Command) Museum. This of course goes along with the idea that the actual SAC air base is a few miles away. In case you don’t know, that is one a few bases the President can land Air Force One in times of nuclear war. The SAC air force base is also one of the few bases with an underground tower for control of our air force in the event of a nuclear war.
The SAC Museum has dozens of planes in hangars you can look at, including the SR-71 Blackbird, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-29 Superfortress and others. On top of the planes there are plenty of interactive displays about the history of different wars, the United States Air Force and aeronautical history. Plus, they have some of the first rockets that started the race to space. If you are lucky, you may even get to see them restoring older planes, as they are working on restoring old bombers.
The Henry Doorly Zoo
Of course, airplanes aren’t for everyone. So if you still want to get away from the park for a day. A short road trip of less than 30 miles into Omaha, Nebraska is a great option. The Henry Doorly Zoo has been voted one of the best Zoo’s in the United States.
You get to see the North America’s largest Aquarium, of any Zoo. It boasts an underwater aquarium walk through that could possibly be the longest in the world.
They also have a huge Penguin exhibit that is popular with almost everyone, considering the penguins are always fun to watch walk around or swim in their tank. Plus, you get to see many different species of sharks, fish. If you’re lucky you’ll find a few Dorys and Nemos.
For those who aren’t fish fans, there is the Desert Dome. It features all sorts of desert animals, and a whole exhibit of nocturnal swamp animals including alligator and crocodiles. There are also beavers, frogs, and toads. Don’t miss the largest indoor rainforest in the US. You can see all the animals at canopy level, and ground level.
There are several other outdoor exhibit areas, including African Grass lands. Safari lands, and of course, lions, tigers, and bears. Other great features of the zoo are a splash area, if you get hot in the summer; a train, if you want a park tour; and the Sky Safari, if you want to see the Zoo from the air.
Round the Bend Steak House
With all these activities to do while you’re on vacation, you’re bound to work up an appetite. If you don’t feel like cooking for yourself, there is dining right in the park. But, just down the road from Mahoney State Park is the perfect place to eat.
Round the Bend Steak House is home of the annual Testicle Festival. They have some of the best steak you will ever try. My personal suggestion is order the Ritz. Where else can you get a top sirloin steak big enough for 2 adults to eat, and have leftovers? For under $30 you get a dinner plate sized steak and side dishes for 2 people. The only downfall would be if you partner likes their steak cooked differently than you do.
If you plan your trip during the Testicle Festival you will get to sample bull fries, lamb fries, turkey fries and all sorts of dishes, all while listening to great country bands in their ball room.
Conclusion
Whether you are planning a weekend, or a weeklong trip, Eugene Mahoney State Park in Nebraska is worth the drive from anywhere in the US. With everything you can do, you’ll never run out of fun and excitement. Whether you like relaxing by a campfire, enjoying the great outdoors, museums, or zoos, or savoring some great food, there is something nearby for everyone.
However, if you are looking for a weekend getaway in the central US, and this isn’t quite right, try our St. Louis Weekend Getaway, or start on our Weekend Getaway page. If you have another state park in mind, start with our Introduction to State Parks.
About the Author
This article was written by Jeff Adamson from Myknowledgeguy.com, a blog about cars, camping and guns. With years of experience as an auto mechanic, avid outdoorsman, camper, and Eagle Scout, and Cub Scout leader, plus Range Safety officer, and firearms instructor, the blog is all about teaching others the things that interest him the most. “My goal is to help others to better enjoy the things I love. Being as I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska Mahoney State Park, and all the other places mentioned are places I frequent and wanted to share them with others.”
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Some of the photos in this article are from Outdoor Nebraska.
The cover photo credits are: By Babymestizo [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
