Bellevue: History, Parks and Nature

Bellevue combines historic sites with expansive green spaces and special nature experiences. Those planning a trip can choose between culture, guided tours, hiking trails and events in a diverse setting. When searching for a suitable holiday apartment, the key question is therefore which of these experiences should shape the stay.

Historic Sites and Free Guided Tours

Bellevue Cemetery was first used in 1856 and is therefore one of the city’s historic points of reference. Hamilton House also tells the story of the region’s past: it is one of the oldest homes in Nebraska. Bellevue Presbyterian Church is considered the oldest church building in Nebraska and offers another starting point for anyone interested in the history and architecture of the region.

For a more guided exploration, the City of Bellevue offers free tours of Fontenelle Bank. Free tours of the Log Cabin in Bellevue are also available. These offerings can be incorporated into travel plans if you would like to learn more about individual sites rather than simply viewing historic places on your own. Sarpy County Museum provides an additional cultural destination. It is closed on Mondays; from Tuesday to Sunday, opening hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Trails, Forest and Open Landscapes

Bellevue’s municipal park system encompasses more than 750 acres of parks and green spaces. Bellevue’s Parks Department is responsible for maintaining all municipal trails in the community. Those who enjoy combining their stay with outdoor activity will therefore find an important part of the area’s character in its public green spaces.

Fontenelle Forest offers a variety of hiking experiences. The forest has 17 miles of hiking trails. In addition, it includes a one-mile ADA-accessible boardwalk. When planning your day, you can therefore choose between a longer hiking route and a considerably shorter one without limiting the nature experience to a single type of trail. At Fontenelle Forest’s Raptor Woodland Refuge, visitors can also observe birds of prey that cannot be released back into the wild and are kept for educational purposes.

Gifford Farm offers a different perspective on the landscape. It encompasses a 420-acre farm in the largest remaining oxbow of the Missouri River between Yankton, South Dakota, and St. Louis, Missouri. Every year from April through October, Gifford Farm offers a series of public events. For families and other travel groups, this seasonal event period can be an additional factor when planning a trip.

Choose Your Accommodation Based on Your Travel Plans

When searching for a holiday apartment in Bellevue, you can first decide whether historic discoveries, museum visits, hikes or nature observation should be the focus. Travelers planning to explore Fontenelle Forest’s 17 miles of hiking trails will structure their days differently from those who primarily want to visit Bellevue Presbyterian Church, Hamilton House or the free guided tours. The opening hours of Sarpy County Museum and the event period at Gifford Farm can also help you organize your stay around your own interests.

For further travel planning, you can also find La Vista, Papillion and Omaha.

For the overarching travel overview: Sarpy County.