The trip to McCook in itself can be of great interest, regardless from which direction you come. Some of these points of interest are a few of my favorites, and are on some of my favorite two-lane highways.
- Bruce Hoffman

(Please click on any yellow-colored website link to view more information about that attraction!)
*An interactive map can be found at the bottom of this page*

From the South and East
Nicodemus, KS.--an all-black town, settled by former slaves fleeing the South in 1877. It is the only remaining all-black town West of the Mississippi. Stop and visit the Nicodemus National Historic Site.
Victoria, KS.--St. Fidelis Catholic Church, at the time of it's dedication, was the largest church west of the Mississippi.
Damar, KS.--settled by French Canadians in the 1880's. St. Joseph Catholic Church was built from Kansas limestone, mostly by parishioners.
Studley, KS.--Cottonwood Ranch - visit this relatively unchanged Yorkshire England-style ranch and view examples of Yorkshire architecture.

From the North
Halsey, NE.--Halsey National Forest-How could you not enjoy Highway 2 and the Sandhills of Nebraska? Halsey National Forest is the largest hand-planted forest in the United States.
Ogallala, NE.--Lake McConaughy and Kingsley Dam. Kingsley Dam is the largest earthen dam in the world.

From the East or North
Brady, NE.--get off I-80, visit the McPherson National Cemetery, then travel South past Jeffrey Reservoir to Moorefield, NE.
Wellfleet, NE.--Dancing Leaf Cultural Learning Center. If you are good at asking directions, go east from North Platte, NE. on State Farm Road to Cottonwood Canyon, and go South to Curtis, NE. This drive is almost like being in Montana.
Red Cloud, NE.--childhood home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Willa Cather. Red Cloud is 18 miles from the geographical center of continental U.S.

From the West
Fort Laramie, Wyo. --visit Fort Laramie, a military post that was founded in 1849 when the army purchased the old Fort John for $4000, and began to build a military outpost along the Oregon Trail.
Guernsey, Wyo.--visit the Oregon Trail Wheel Ruts, worn from 2 to 6 feet into an eroded sandstone ridge on the south side of the North Platte River, this roadbed gives clear physical evidence of the route followed by thousands of pioneers who migrated westward across the Plains in the mid-19th century.
Bayard, NE.--feel the awe and curiosity the pioneers experienced when they saw the most famous landmark on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails - Chimney Rock!
Genoa, Colo.--see The Wonder Tower, built in 1926 at the highest point between New York and Denver.
Sterling, Colo.--head south on I-76 out of Sterling for 10 miles to the Atwood turn off. From there go south on Colorado highway 63 approximately 5 miles to county road 43 or look for the tiny Summit Springs Battlefield sign. Turn left (east) for two miles to the site.
Wray, Colo.--head South of Wray to check out the Beechers Island Battlegrounds.

(Below is an interactive map of these attractions, courtesy of Google Maps. There are different symbols marking the various destinations you may need directions traveling to. Hover your mouse over each symbol and click once to obtain each specific name and address. You can also use this feature to print out detailed turn-by-turn directions to each location from any starting point you choose. If you need any help using these Google Map functions, please click here for detailed instructions.)

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