North Platte, Nebraska
North Platte is a city of 22,831 people in Lincoln County, Nebraska.
Why visit North Platte
Townapedia lists 8 museums and landmarks, 16 parks and trails, 43 places to eat, 21 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Neville Center for the Performing Arts, AMC Classic North Platte 6, Buffalo Bill Ranch and Hotel Yancey.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 90°F; January lows average 12°F, and about 30 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in North Platte
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About North Platte
North Platte is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States. It is located in the west-central part of the state, along Interstate 80, at the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers forming the Platte River. The population was 23,390 at the 2020 census, making it the 11th most populous city in Nebraska.
From the Wikipedia article North Platte, Nebraska (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Neville Center for the Performing Arts
Cinema and theater · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Theater and former movie theater in North Platte, Nebraska, United States
Museums and landmarks8
Buffalo Bill Ranch
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.5 mi
Building in Nebraska, United States
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Hotel Yancey
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Historic building in North Platte, Nebraska, United States
Lincoln County Courthouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
County courthouse in North Platte, Nebraska
North Platte U.S. Post Office and Federal Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Building in Nebraska, United States
Lincoln County Historical Museum
Museum · 3.2 mi
2403 North Buffalo Bill Avenue, North Platte
May-Sep: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 13:00-17:00
North Platte Area Children's Museum
Museum · 1.0 mi
314 North Jeffers Street, North Platte
Parks, trails and playgrounds16
4 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes43
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.0 mi
2020 South Jeffers Street, North Platte
Mo-Sa 05:30-22:00; Su 06:00-21:30
Perkins
Diner · American · 1.2 mi
2302 South Jeffers Street, North Platte
24/7
Ruby Tuesday
Diner · American · 1.2 mi
2320 South Jeffers Street, North Platte
Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00
Canteen Bar & Grille
Restaurant · 1.1 mi
2102 South Jeffers Street, North Platte
Mo-Fr 11:00-22:00, Sa 17:00-22:00, Su 17:00-21:00
Merricks Ranch House
Restaurant · American, Regional, Burger, Sandwich, Chicken, Fish And Chips · 0.6 mi
1220 East 4th Street, North Platte
Cold Stone Creamery
Ice cream · Ice Cream · 0.7 mi
402 East Leota Street, North Platte
Godfather's Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 0.4 mi
520 East Philip Avenue, North Platte
31 more on the map.
History
North Platte was established in 1866 when the Union Pacific Railroad was extended to that point. It derives its name from the North Platte River.
North Platte was the western terminus of the Union Pacific Railway from December 1866 until the next section to Ogallala was opened the following year. Even though Congress had authorized the building of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1862, it had been extended only as far as Fremont, Nebraska, by the end of the 1865 construction season. The 275-mile (443 km) section from Fremont to North Platte was completed in 1866.
In the 1880s, Buffalo Bill Cody established his ranch, known as Scout's Rest Ranch, just north of town. It is now a National Historic Landmark.
On July 13, 1929, a Black man shot and killed a white police officer. The Black man reportedly took his own life, being trapped by a mob. This led to the formation of white mobs combing the city, and ordering Black residents to leave North Platte. Fearing mob violence, most of North Platte's Black residents fled.
The North Platte Canteen was one of the largest volunteer efforts of World War II, originating in 1941. Tens of thousands of volunteers from North Platte and surrounding towns met the troop trains passing through North Platte, offering coffee, sandwiches, dessert, and hospitality to nearly seven million servicemen.
From the History section of North Platte, Nebraska on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay21
BEST WESTERN PLUS North Platte Inn & Suites
Motel and hotel · 1.5 mi
3201 South Jeffers Street, North Platte
Churches and places of worship42
Holy Spirit Catholic Community Church
Church · Roman Catholic · 2.4 mi
2801 West E Street, North Platte
Shopping8
Gas and EV charging5
Schools, colleges and libraries26
Buffalo Early Learning Center
School · 2.8 mi
1600 N Buffalo Bill Ave, North Platte
Lake Maloney Elementary School
School · 5.5 mi
848 E Correction Line Rd, North Platte
Buffalo Elementary School
School · 2.8 mi
1600 North Buffalo Bill Avenue, North Platte
Healthcare4
Great Plains Health Sports & Therapy Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 0.9 mi
120 West Leota Street, North Platte
Map of North Platte
175 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41°F | 12°F | 0.4 in | 5.1 in |
| Feb | 44°F | 15°F | 0.6 in | 6.9 in |
| Mar | 55°F | 24°F | 1.0 in | 4.2 in |
| Apr | 63°F | 33°F | 2.3 in | 3.6 in |
| May | 73°F | 44°F | 3.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 84°F | 55°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 90°F | 61°F | 3.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 87°F | 59°F | 2.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 80°F | 48°F | 1.6 in | 0.1 in |
| Oct | 66°F | 34°F | 1.6 in | 2.2 in |
| Nov | 53°F | 21°F | 0.5 in | 3.0 in |
| Dec | 42°F | 13°F | 0.5 in | 4.5 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for North Platte Rgnl Ap Gsn 72562 (4 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Lincoln County has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2026-06-30: Wildfires (Fire)
- 2026-03-13: Morrill-Cottonwood Fire (Fire)
- 2024-09-24: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2024-08-20: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2020-04-04: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
North Platte Regional Airport (LBF) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 4 miles away.
- Hershey 13 mi west, about 21 min by car
- Sutherland 20 mi west, about 31 min by car
- Brady 21 mi east, about 34 min by car
- Stapleton 27 mi northeast, about 44 min by car
- Paxton 31 mi west, about 50 min by car
- Gothenburg 34 mi southeast, about 55 min by car
- Arnold 35 mi northeast, about 57 min by car
- Curtis 36 mi south, about 58 min by car
- Cozad 44 mi southeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Ogallala 51 mi west, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Golden Spike Tower, North Platte, Ammodramus, CC0
- Lincoln County Court House - North Platte, Nebraska (31388958327), Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
- North Platte Commercial HD NRHP 100005338 Lincoln County, NE, Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0
- North Platte, NE 69101, USA - panoramio (1), Eric Friedebach, CC BY 3.0
- Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Adult Detention Center (Jail), North Platte, Nebraska, Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
- North Platte, NE 69101, USA - panoramio, Eric Friedebach, CC BY 3.0
- White Horse on 5th Street and Hotel Pawnee (The Yancey) - North Platte, Nebraska (31834214768), Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
- 2022 06 07 Weather Briefing North Platte NE-0697, NOAA NSSL, CC BY 2.0
- North Platte Commercial HD2 NRHP 100005338 Lincoln County, NE, Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USPO North Platte NE, Smallbones, Public domain
- Victims of Ink - Tattoo Studio in North Platte, Nebraska (30624644187), Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
- North Platte Commercial HD3NRHP 100005338 Lincoln County, NE, Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bank of the West Branch - North Platte, Nebraska (29991451867), Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
- North Platte Commercial HD4 NRHP 100005338 Lincoln County, NE, Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0
- North Platte sunrise - panoramio, Peter K., CC BY-SA 3.0
- North Platte Commercial HD5 NRHP 100005338 Lincoln County, NE, Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0
- North Platte Comfort Inn from North Platte Ramada - panoramio, Peter K., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Greetings from North Platte, Nebraska, Buffalo Bill's Home Town - Large Letter Postcard (5273762507), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Hotel Yancy N Platte NE, Smallbones, Public domain
- Fox Theater Lincoln Co NE, Smallbones, Public domain
- Lincoln Co Courthouse NE, Smallbones, Public domain
- Church Bells (45114865794), Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
- NPHS Front entrance, TertiaryAdjunct, CC BY-SA 4.0
- ISS035-E-31290 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS029-E-26720 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS049-E-40144 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS020-E-26613 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS020-E-26612 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS029-E-39620 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- Scout's Rest, Nebraska 7-24-13a (10784354753), inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0
- Scout's Rest, Nebraska 7-24-13ia (10784217894), inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0
- Scout's Rest, Nebraska 7-24-13bc (10784100495), inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0
- Scout's Rest, Nebraska 7-24-13c (10784219444), inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0
- Log Cabin, Scout's Rest, Nebraska 7-24-13d (10784353873), inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0
- Scout's rest ranch - panoramio, ozarkcode, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Scouts Rest NE, Smallbones, Public domain
- Buffalo Bill's House - panoramio, ozarkcode, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Beef Herd, Scout's Rest, Nebraska 7-24-13j (10784099205), inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0
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