Twelve pairs of wings define the art project informally known as “The Wings Project” in downtown Atkinson. They are painted on or mounted on various buildings. Spanning multiple buildings makes the project a distinctive form of public art. Because the designs are not all found on a single building, the current map is helpful before your visit; the artwork inventory may change.
Prairies, Rivers and Trails
Gentle hills, lush prairies and the scenic Elkhorn and Niobrara rivers define Holt County. The Niobrara River forms its northern boundary. Hiking is one of the outdoor activities available in the county; the Bluebird Trail in Atkinson Mill Race Park is about half a mile long. For bike rides through northern Nebraska, the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail is an option. It runs northwest through Holt County along Nebraska Highways 275 and 20. If you are choosing between hiking and biking, you’ll find different options here: a hiking trail about half a mile long in the park, and a bike trail that runs northwest through the county. Check current conditions on both trails before your trip.
Art and History
The historical perspective ranges from a memorial to a specific person to a regional look at people and history. The General John O’Neill Statue on the Holt County Lawn honors John O’Neill’s role in the settlement of Holt County and in the founding of O’Neill and Atkinson. The statue was dedicated on June 4, 2022. The Sturdevant-McKee Museum was built in 1887 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. It offers the opportunity to learn about the people and history of north-central Nebraska. The statue focuses on O’Neill and the founding of two towns; the museum offers a broader regional perspective. In O’Neill, the World’s Largest Shamrock is a year-round tourist attraction and adds another destination to these historical points of interest.
Events and When to Visit
The Holt County Fair spans seven days and includes 4-H and FFA events, as well as two days of rodeo. The fair also features a free barbecue funded by donations. If you plan to include the fair in your trip, check the current dates and program beforehand. This lets you plan your visit around the specific event days instead of relying only on the fair’s overall duration.
The “O’Neill Summerfest Celebration and Rodeo” takes place in O’Neill in July; a St. Patrick’s Day celebration is held in March. The different months offer a useful guide if an event is the deciding factor in your travel plans. In that case, check the current dates for each event. Together, the festivals and the Shamrock, which is a year-round tourist attraction, show that you can plan a trip to O’Neill around either a specific event date or another local destination.
Explore more destinations: O'neill, Chambers, Thayer County, Seward County, Jefferson County, Sarpy County, Otoe County, Richardson County.
Go to the main travel overview: Nebraska.
