Gold Rush Byway
Alliance, NE

You'll know you've come to the end of the Sandhills Journey when the Sandhills stop. Once again the land will be flat and you will be surrounded by farms. Alliance offers many recreational as well as cultural opportunities. Alliance was a central point for the Burlington Santa Fe Powder River Basin coal train operations, giving Alliance the distinction of being the "Coal Capital of Nebraska." The area was also a key place for homesteaders because the land office was located here. These homesteaders braved the elements to settle the land that is now known as the Sandhills Journey.

Alliance offers visitors many opportunities to relax and rest up from the journey through the Sandhills. Laing Lake gives kids the chance to feed the ducks, the opportunity to go walking or jogging along the nature trail, or the chance to go fishing from a footbridge. Box Butte Reservoir is located 9 miles north of Hemingford on Highway 385 and is a wonderful spot to go fishing, boating, or swimming. In the summer months, Alliance is also alive with events such as Heritage Days during the second week of July and Iron Rail Days in the early fall. Golfing, hunting, tennis courts, and swimming pools are also available.

One of the most unique attractions along the Sandhills Journey is Carhenge, a replica of Stonehenge built out of cars. The heel stone, or in this case, a 1962 Cadillac, was raised using the same methods of the ancient people who raised Stonehenge. If more traditional arts and historical stops are what you are looking for, Alliance is home to the Carnegie Arts Center. There are exhibits of Nebraskan artists, as well as those from surrounding states. Literary and performing arts, shows, workshops, classes and programs are also held here throughout the year. The Knight Museum of High Plains Heritage showcases military memorabilia from the 1870s, railroad exhibits, turn-of-the-century kitchen, a parlor of the 1880s-1900s, and Oglala and Lakota artifacts.