Nebraska's oldest city, Bellevue was founded in 1853. Lewis and Clark, in their search for the headwaters of the Missouri, were some of the first explorers of Bellevue, which in French means "beautiful view." Situated on the Missouri River in Sarpy County, just south of metropolitan Omaha, the area is blessed with rugged and picturesque hiking trails, scenic biking and walking paths, and fishing holes. Bellevue is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, with expanding commercial, industrial, residential, retail and recreational opportunities accompanying the growth. Best Western Bellevue Nebraska.
Things to do in Bellevue
Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Ranch
Fun for the entire family! At the Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Ranch, visitors can pick strawberries in June, raspberries in September and pumpkins in September and October. In addition to thousands of pumpkins, the ranch's Fall Harvest in October offers attractions such as the Haunted Hayrack Ride, "How the West Was Fun" Activity Barn, Lewis & Clark Keel Boat, Sand Pit and Trike Track, the Lost Gold Mine, Ranch of Terror Haunted Barn and Buried Cave, the Old West Frontier Town Walking Tour, Ranch Animal Corral, and the Harvest Barn and Hungry Moose Cafe. The facility also offers planned events, group outings, and school tours with an educational focus. Located conveniently between Bellevue and Papillion at 11001 S. 48th Street. Call 402-331-5500 for more information.
Bellevue Little Theatre
The award-winning Bellevue Little Theatre has been bringing quality comedy, drama and musical theatre to the area for over 36 years. The theatre season runs from September - June with five productions per season. Located in Old Towne Bellevue at 203 W. Mission Avenue. Call 402-291-1554 for more information.
Bellevue Pioneer Cemetery
Bellevue Pioneer Cemetery is the final resting place for many of the families who pioneered Bellevue. Among those buried there are Big Elk, a prominent chief of the Omaha tribe, archeologist and artist, Dr. Gilder, and Fenner Ferguson, the first chief justice of Nebraska Territory. Located at 13th Avenue and Lord Blvd. Call 402-292-1880 for more information.
Children's Lewis & Clark Interpretive Art Wall
The Children's Lewis & Clark Interpretive Art Wall features children's art work the states along the Lewis & Clark Trail: Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington. The permanent concrete structure measures 65 feet long by 8 feet high. More than 700 original handmade art tiles display images of the Lewis & Clark expedition through a child's eyes. Located in Haworth Park at Mission Avenue and Payne Drive. Call 402-332-5771 for more information.
Fontenelle Bank
Fontenelle Bank was opened in 1856. The building has been part of Bellevue for over 100 years. After the bank closed just a year after opening, the building became the Sarpy County Courthouse, and then in 1875 the Bellevue City Hall. Located at 2212 Main Street in downtown Bellevue. Call 402-292-1880 for more information.
Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Owned and managed by the Fontenelle Nature Association, the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center encompasses over 1,400 acres of woods, wetlands and waterways overlooking the scenic Missouri River Valley. The area features 26 miles of Oak Savanna, Prairie and Wetland trails, 40 varieties of trees, and 200 species of birds. The Katherine and Fred Buffett Forest Learning Center serves as the main visitor's center, and offers permanent historical and children's exhibit galleries. Hundreds of nature programs and environmental education classes are offered year-round for the general public, schools, and youth groups. A gift shop is also available. The entrance to the forest and to the visitor's center is located at 1111 N. Bellevue Blvd. Call 402-731-3140 for more information.
Fontenelle Hills Golf Course
The Fontenelle Hills Golf Course offers 18 holes of golf in a scenic forest setting. With hilly terrain and medium size greens, the narrow tree-lined fairways are bordered by a standard cut of rough. Located in the Fontenelle Hills area of Bellevue at 1102 Country Club Court. Call 402-292-2500 for more information.
Haworth Park
The 153-acre Haworth Park offers a multitude of recreational opportunities for Bellevue residents and visitors. The park features a beautiful lake with public boat launch, 200-slip marina, ice skating, concession stand, picnic tables and grills, shelters, campground with RV pads and electric hookups, playground equipment, 3 soccer fields, 2 lighted tennis courts, 2 lighted softball diamonds, sand volleyball, and restroom facilities. Call 402-293-3142 for more information.
Keystone/Bellevue Loop/West Papio Trails
The Keystone, Bellevue Loop and West Papio Trails are part of Omaha's Metropolitan Area Trails Network, a system of more than 85 miles of paved, interconnected recreational trails and greenbelts. The trails are available to walkers, joggers, bicyclists, skaters and hikers. From Bellevue, the scenic West Papio Trail begins at 36th Street and winds 13 miles along the West Papio Creek through subdivisions, parks, and sports complexes. The 24-mile Keystone / Bellevue Loop trail is the longest trail in the system and passes through parks, residential areas, industrial areas and farmland. From Bellevue, the trail begins at Haworth Park and travels north to Democracy Park. Call 402-444-6222 for more information.
Log Cabin
Believed to have been built in the 1830's, only three families lived in the log cabin between 1856 and 1950. The last occupant resided there for 65 years without indoor plumbing or electricity. Located at 805 Hancock Street. Call 402-292-1880 for more information.
Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base is one of the most critical military installations in the United States. The base's mission is to provide worldwide reconnaissance, real-time intelligence, command and control, information warfare and combat support to national leadership and warfighting commanders. The base is home to the 55th Wing, U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Weather Agency, U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band, the 20th Intelligence Squadron, and the DET Survey. Offutt AFB is where President Bush flew into on Air Force One after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 Located in Bellevue on Fort Crook Road. Call 402-294-3663 for more information.
Old Presbyterian Church
The Old Presbyterian Church was built in 1856 and is the oldest church building in Nebraska. The structure features 19th century oak pews, beautiful stained glass windows and summer gardens. Call 402-292-1880 for more information.
Omaha and Southern Railroad Depot
Dating from 1869, the depot for many years provided Bellevue's primary link with the rest of the world. The depot features a pot belly cast iron stove, Morse code telegraph keys, an oak railroad station clock, oak station waiting benches, trunks, maps, pictures, and a station safe. Adjacent to the Sarpy County Historical Museum, at 2402 Clay Street. Call 402-292-1880 for more information.
Sarpy County Historical Museum
The Sarpy County Historical Museum serves as the headquarters for the Sarpy County Historical Society, whose mission is to collect, preserve, display and interpret the history of Sarpy County. The museum features Native American artifacts, furnished period rooms, historical documents, and photographs relating to Sarpy County. Open year round and located at 2402 Clay Street. Call 402-292-1880 for more information.
Tregaron Golf Club
Tregaron Golf Club offers enjoyable and challenging golf for players of all skill levels in a dramatic natural setting. The 6,500-yard, 18-hole course features rolling rye-grass fairways, large undulating greens, and water in play on nine holes. Natural wetlands, winding creeks and four lakes add to the scenic design. Located at 13909 Glen Garry Circle. Call 402-292-9300 for more information.
Walnut Creek Lake and Recreation Area
Built across Walnut Creek one mile southwest of Papillion, the Walnut Creek Lake and Recreation Area is the newest of six flood control reservoirs surrounding the Omaha metro area. The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resource District project is to create a 105-acre reservoir serving as the centerpiece of a rustic 450-acre park. The beautiful park features 3 miles of hiking and biking trails, a boat dock, ramp and fishing pier, campgrounds, a 3 ½ mile equestrian trail, and picnic areas. Eventually, over 40,000 newly-planted trees will enhance the tall-grass landscape surrounding the lake. This is a pack-in pack-out park. Located south of Highway 370 and west of 96th Street. Call 402-592-8877 for more information.
Willow Lakes Golf Course
Located on Offut Air Force Base, Willow Lakes is a championship-type military course designed by world-renowned Robert Trent Jones, Sr. With small greens, numerous lakes, and abundant trees, Willow Lakes is one of Nebraska's best competitive courses and will challenge players of all skill levels. Call 402-292-1680 for more information.