Autumnal celebrations require energy! Fuel your fun at The Keeping Room, a cafe serving coffee and artisanal bites. Nestled in the heart of Nebraska City's downtown and surrounded by almost 150 years of history, The Keeping Room doubles as a chic boutique selling elegant wares that will never go out of style.

Old souls will have a ball at the Wildwood Historic Center on Steinhart Park Road. This unique attraction captures the faded splendor of the Victorian Era. Originally the home of Jasper and Ellen Ware, who built the Gothic-style house in 1869, the center now offers immersive tours guided by knowledgeable docents.

For fun with no admission fee, take a stroll through lovely Steinhart Park and enjoy the firey fall foliage.

Are you a budding creative? By appointment, you can visit the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, a famous residency program for talented artists.

Until the end of September, visitors passionate about local ingredients can peruse the Nebraska City Farmers' Market.

No fall excursion to Nebraska City would be complete without a visit to Arbor Day Farm. You could spend an entire day exploring the sprawling 260 acres of this local institution.

But even if you don't make it in time for this seasonal bash, your whole family will still enjoy a visit to the farm.

After a relatively mild winter last year, the weather is back to her usual tricks in the coming season. And that means wind chill that'll freeze you right through four layers of clothes.

It's likely that an El Niño, caused by unseasonably warm waters off the Pacific Coast of South America, will stir up toward the end of 2023. In the past, this has meant a dive in regional temperatures and a torrent of sleet, ice, and snow across the state.

Luckily, Nebraskans know the drill. Windshield wipers up, stock up on essentials when necessary, and crack your knuckles for a winter of sidewalk shoveling. Oh, and thank your grandma for those sweaters she's always knitting you!

The Almanac predicts the cold weather will start in earnest toward the middle of December.

Though there will be times when the weather outside is truly frightful, it's our opinion that inhospitable weather brings out the best in Cornhuskers.

Not to mention, those blustering storms leave behind some of the most peaceful landscapes you've ever seen.

Welcome to the charming village of Roca. This community is small, with approximately 200 people, but it’s a charming fall day trip destination.

Many people come to Roca this time of year for one destination – the Roca Berry Farm.

This farm dates back to 1980 and is home to more than 45 attractions and activities, ranging from a pumpkin patch to a ghost town putt putt course.

On select days in September and throughout the entire month of October, you can also attend the Roca Berry Farm Fall Festival, a family-friendly event that will get you into the autumn spirit with activities both day and night.

Plus, there are tons of food options to choose from, including delicious fall treats, corndogs, barbecue, and more.

There is nothing quite like a relaxing day at Capitol View Winery and Vineyards on Wittstruck Road in Roca. Come and enjoy a glass of wine and the changing leaves.

If you want to spend even more time outdoors and enjoy the fresh air, cooler weather, and pure beauty of the state, head to Wilderness Park and take the Wilderness Park Trail Southern Loop.

Fall in Nebraska is pure bliss when you visit a small community like Roca. It’s places like Roca that will make you fall in love with the autumn season.

Welcome to the Roca Berry Farm! Located in Roca, this farm dates back to 1980 and is a popular place to visit during the autumn months.

In fact, the Roca Berry Farm Fall Festival may be one of the best small-town festivals in Nebraska. Held on select days throughout September and in the entire month of October, this festival is one you’ll want to stay the entire time.

With more than 45 attractions and activities, you will never become bored.

If you visit during the evening hours, you can take a step into the House of Illusions…

Most of the activities are included in the price of admission, except for a few activities that require an additional fee, like going on a Zombie Hunt or taking a ride on the delightful Rocamotive Railway.

Of course, no fall festival is complete without tons of food, and this small town event has so much to choose from, you won’t leave hungry. From funnel cakes and donuts to corndogs, candy, and barbecue, your taste buds are going to be sent into overdrive.

No matter what you choose to do, you won't want to miss this bucket-list-worthy fall event!

1. The Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch - Papillion

2. Bloom Where You’re Planted Farm - Avoca

3. Fanny’s Fruit Farm & Pumpkin Patch - Gurley

4. Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch - Oakland

5. Helgoth’s Pumpkin Patch - Libory

6. Homestead Pumpkin Patch - North Platte

7. Poppy’s Pumpkin Patch - Norfolk

8. Roca Berry Farm - Roca

9. Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch - Blair

1. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

2. Indian Cave State Park

3. Niobrara State Park

4. Smith Falls State Park

5. Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area

6. Lake Mcconaughy State Recreation Area And Wildlife Management Area

7. Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area

8. Chadron State Park

9. Kimberly Creek Retreat

10. Slattery Vintage Estates

11. Two Rivers State Recreation Area

12. Fort Robinson State Park

13. Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area

14. Branched Oak State Recreation Area

15. Toadstool Geological Park and Campground

16. Whitetail Campground in the Bessey Ranger District

17. Steer Creek Campground

18. Yankee Hill State Wildlife Management Area

While it is impossible to know with 100 percent accuracy when the leaves will change colors, the fall foliage map by SmokyMountains.com gives us a pretty good idea so you can start planning your autumn adventures.

According to the fall foliage map 2023, most of Nebraska won’t start to see the leaves change until the middle of October. Also, keep in mind that the northern part of the state will see a change much earlier than the southern part of the state.

By the end of October, the vibrant colors should arrive in full force and fall foliage in northern Nebraska will be at its peak. This is a wonderful time to visit Smith Falls State Park. With a waterfall, hiking, and fall foliage, it’s the perfect autumn day trip.

Early November is when the rest of the state will experience vibrant fall hues. This will typically only last for a week or two so you won’t want to delay stepping outside and enjoying the views.

I recommend a visit to Indian Cave State Park when fall foliage is at its peak. The views are incredible and you won't want to forget a camera.

Platte River State Park is another destination you won’t want to miss when the leaves change colors. You could spend all day admiring the scenery surrounding you.

Sometimes you just don’t have the time to travel far and that’s okay. Gorgeous fall foliage can often be found right in the heart of the cities and towns in Nebraska.

Fall in Nebraska is truly delightful. It is easy to see why it is my favorite season of the year.

1. Platte River State Park Trail Loop

2. Schramm Park Nature Loop

3. Zorinsky Lake Trail Full Loop

4. Schramm Park Short Loop

5. Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

6. Red Cedar Trail

7. Hawthorne to Marsh to Missouri Loop

8. Rock Bluff Run Trail

9. Oak Creek Trail

10. Zorinsky Lake East Loop

11. Wehrspann Lake Full Loop

12. Flanagan Lake Trail

13. L.E. Ray Lake Loop

14. Lake Seldom Trail

15. Iron Horse Trail Lake Loop

16. Wilderness Park Trails

17. Holmes Lake Loop

18. Pioneers Park Trails

1. Homestead National Historical Park, Beatrice

2. Toadstool Trail, Toadstool Geologic Park, near Crawford

3. Antelope Creek Trail, Lincoln

4. Norfolk-Skyview Trail, Norfolk

5. Fontenelle Forest Boardwalk, Bellevue

6. Ash Hollow Trail, Lewellen

7. Walnut Grove Park, Omaha

8. Stromsburg Trail, Stromsburg

9. Daemonelix Trail, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Harrison

10. Schramm Park Trail, Gretna

11. South Overlook Trail, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Scottsbluff

On a hot summer day, gather up your sunscreen and towel, and head to Pawnee Plunge Water Park in Columbus. You'll want to spend all day long at this fun, man-made swimming hole in Nebraska.

There are so many ways to have fun in the water at this water park in Nebraska that you might not even know where to begin. If you're the daring sort, climb up the three-meter diving platform and take the plunge.

Once you're soaked from head to toe, you can tackle some of the other challenges, like the floating obstacle course. It's harder than it looks!

Get some thrills on one of the four water slides. There's a curve slide, a speed slide, a tube slide, and the Swirl Bowl.

This is definitely one of the best places to swim in Nebraska, but did you also know that you can surf in Nebraska? Pawnee Plunge's FlowRider lets you catch a wave and ride it as long as you can stay upright on your surfboard.

Then, take a break on the lazy river. Grab an innertube and float along til you're ready for some more action at this man-made swimming hole in Nebraska.

The littlest swimmers will love the spray area. It features a pirate ship with water slides and sprinklers, and the water is shallow enough for splashing safely.

When the weather gets hot and you are looking for one of the best places to swim in Nebraska, get to Pawnee Plunge in Columbus!