Scott's Bluff National Monument: The rocky pinnacle known as Scott's Bluff was considered by pioneers as the gateway to the West. It marked the end of the flat landscape of the Mid-West and the beginning of the rugged terrain of the Rockies. Modern-day pioneers can hike to the bluff's summit (1 1/2 miles), drive there (also 1 1/2 miles), or take a free shuttle. Many people ride the shuttle up and hike back down. The road with its three narrow tunnels constructed in the 1930s is not friendly to big RVs.

The visitors center displays copies of its stunning collection of William Henry Jackson paintings. He traveled the Oregon-California Trail in 1866-67 and later painted a series of watercolors based on that experience.

There are picnic tables here but no camp sites.

Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. from Memorial Day-Labor Day; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Labor Day-Memorial Day.

Admission: $5 per vehicle

Directions: Exit I-80 at Kimball and follow U.S. 71 north, about 40 miles, to S.H. 92. Turn left to the monument.

Information: 308-436-4340; www.nps.gov/scbl

The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument: You can't miss this span across I-80 at Kearney. It's a hybrid that combines information you might find in a museum presented in ways you might find at an attraction. Lest you wonder whether it works, the archway was named one of the top 12 new attractions in the world by the Themed Entertainment Association. The California, Mormon and Oregon Trails converged at Fort Kearny and the archway celebrates that fact.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Admission: $7.25, seniors and kids 3-11; $9.25, adults

Directions: Get off I-80 at exit 272 in Kearney (pronounced Carney).

Information: 877-511-ARCH (2724); www.archway.org

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo: Readers of Disney's Family Fun magazine consistently rate it among the top five family friendly attractions in the country. Among its zoological achievements: the world's largest indoor rain forest with plants and animals representing the jungles of Asia, Africa and South America; and the largest "cat complex" in North America with more than 50 "cats" ranging from pumas to Bengal tigers.

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors may remain at the zoo two hours after closing time or until dusk. Open daily.

Admission: Children (5-12) $4.75; adults (12 and over) $8.50; seniors (62 and over), $7. Tickets to the IMAX theater are extra.

Address: 3701 S. 10th Street

Directions: The zoo is right off I-80. Take I-80 exit 454 (13th Street south exit). Follow that road for two blocks. Turn left at the Rosenblatt Stadium/Henry Doorly Zoo sign. Continue east past the stadium. The road will turn north onto 10th Street. Visitor parking is to the right.