More than a half-million cranes travel to Grand Island and Kearney to rest during the yearly migration, and the Rowe Sanctuary (tel. 308/468-5282; www.rowesanctuary.org) and the Nebraska Bird Observatory at Crane Meadows (tel. 308/382-1820; www.cranemeadows.org) are the best places for bird-lovers to check out the snowy-white birds. For a living-history view of life on the prairie, Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, 3133 W. Hwy. 34, Grand Island (tel. 308/385-5316; www.stuhrmuseum.org), offers a hands-on living history experience, including blacksmithing and tinsmithing classes, as well as an amazing collection of historical artifacts from prairie days gone by.

A pastime of women throughout the ages, and certainly during the days of westward expansion in the United States, quilting is not only an artisan craft of patience and skill, but also one that often tells a story. The International Quilt Study Center at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln (tel. 402/472-6549; www.quiltstudy.org) has over 2,000 quilts on display from 14 different countries, offering a fascinating look at the history, art, and handiwork that went into each one.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.