York County offers a variety of discoveries: ancient history at the Clayton Museum of Ancient History, art and performing arts in York, and outdoor recreation. The Recreation Areas also offer different options—from camping to day use.
Ancient History and an Interactive Experience for Children
The Clayton Museum of Ancient History displays artifacts from the ancient Near East and Rome and presents the C. Foster Stanback Collection. Its exhibits cover the history of Mesopotamia from 3000 BC to 500 BC, as well as the rise and fall of Rome from 753 BC to AD 1453. The two subject areas are each defined by their own historical periods.
The Little Kingdom at the museum offers children an interactive world of discovery, featuring an archaeological dig, an Israelite house, a Roman street and a Roman market. These different stations give the museum visit a different focus from the exhibits on Mesopotamia and Rome.
Self-guided tours at the Clayton Museum are free during regular opening hours. Guided tours cost $1 per guest, with a minimum charge of $25. Check opening hours before your visit; if you plan to take a guided tour, factor in the minimum charge when budgeting.
Art, History and Theater in York
York’s Creative District includes a large public art project in the form of a water tower featuring a hot-air balloon design. The district is also home to the historic York Auditorium, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Public art and a historically listed auditorium thus offer distinct cultural experiences side by side.
The Yorkshire Playhouse is scheduled to present four productions over the course of the year, as well as special seasonal events and children’s theater productions. This adds planned stage performances to the art and history offerings. If you want to focus your stay on culture, you can take these different options into account when choosing your visits.
Recreation Areas: Camping or Day Use
Bruce L. Anderson Recreation Area offers tent and RV camping, grills, picnic tables and restrooms. The grounds also include a 14-acre outdoor shooting range with 25 covered bale targets and elevated platforms. Camping, picnic facilities and the shooting range are the recreation options listed here.
Overland Trail Recreation Area is for day use only; camping is not allowed. It is also the site of York County’s first known pioneer grave, dating to 1865. The distinction between the two areas is clear when it comes to camping: Bruce L. Anderson Recreation Area offers tent and RV camping, while Overland Trail Recreation Area is limited to day use.
Parks and More Travel Ideas
York’s parks offer picnic facilities, an arboretum, sports fields, trails and playground equipment. These amenities provide a different focus from the Recreation Areas: here, the emphasis is on the listed park facilities, while the two Recreation Areas differ in whether they offer camping or are for day use only.
Discover more destinations: York, Lancaster, Phelps County, Hall County, Holt County, Colfax County, Red Willow, Washington County.
For the main travel overview: Nebraska.
