Hotel at a Glance: Valentine’s Niobrara Lodge

Valentine’s Niobrara Lodge seems tailor made for outdoors enthusiasts. This modern lodge in Nebraska’s scenic Sandhills region has a big backyard and patio close to outdoor activities. From here, you’re near the Cowboy Trail—Nebraska’s ambitious 321-mile rail-to-trail project—as well as hiking, fishing in the Niobrara River, and the restaurants in charming Valentine. 

• Why visit? Valentine was named by National Geographic Adventure as one of the country’s ten best wilderness towns for its Sandhills region, which is a picturesque mix of sand dunes and grassy prairie land.
• A complimentary hot breakfast is served each morning, including meats, eggs, and coffee
• Kick back in front of the fireplace and watch the panoramic sunsets
• Walk to the supermarket and deli across the street, nearby restaurants, and a movie theater
• Rent a canoe from the canoe outfitters next door and paddle down the Niobrara River

Valentine, Nebraska: America’s Heart City in the Nebraska Sandhills

Valentine, Nebraska is known as “America’s Heart City” for two reasons: firstly, it’s in the center of the country, the literal heart of the Midwest. Secondly, Valentine helps Americans be romantic each Valentine’s Day. Every year, Valentine re-mails the thousands of letters that get sent to this tiny town, stamping each piece of mail with a Valentine postmark and a romantic verse. 

But instead of mailing something here, you should come here yourself. Valentine is north of the Niobrara River, and the town caters to visitors looking to canoe, kayak, fish, and hike along the waterway, which is designated a National Scenic River. Valentine is also home to the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, a beautiful and rocky wilderness, where you can see wild bison in the flesh and hike through canyons.

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