Paul Mills, Joan Glendy (right) and Donna McCaslin with a piece of the broken Pawnee bow that give Broken Bow its name at the Custer County Museum.

Custer County is located in central Nebraska. Its largest town, Broken Bow, is about 65 miles northwest of Kearney. Nearby Callaway is located along the scenic South Loup River. The heritage of this county, including a piece of the splintered Pawnee Bow that gave Broken Bow its name, is preserved at the Custer County Museum.

The county is also home to the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Visitors Center in Broken Bow. Visitors can preview scenes from this 272-mile journey from Grand Island to Alliance along Nebraska Highway 2. This byway is considered one of the top 10 scenic drives in the country.

Learn more by contacting the Custer County Economic Development Corporation at (308) 870-5012.

Discover Activities in Custer County

  • Wild Rose Art Gallery

    The Wild Rose Art Gallery features the works of regional artists. Farm and ranch life, and the scenic Sandhills, are common subjects depicted. The gallery is located in the ...

  • The Tumbleweed Café

    The Tumbleweed Café is one of those places you see full of local cowboys and farmers so you know it’s good. There is nothing fancy here. The cups ...

  • Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Visitor Center

    The historic red barn on Broken Bow’s eastern edge was once a big white barn on the west. Golf carts were stored in the 150-year-old barn before it ...

  • Melham Park

    The highlight of Melham Park is its 5-acre fishing lake. There is also a picnic shelter, restrooms, bike path and a walking trail. The Olympic-size swimming pool is heated. ...

  • Tomahawk Park

    The town with a broken Native American bow also has a fully functional Tomahawk Park. This spacious park includes four picnic shelters, lighted sports fields, a playground, RV hook-ups ...

  • Jo’s Cafe

    Jo's Cafe is a popular lunch spot with famous noon specials like beef and noodles, and smothered chopped steak....

  • Broken Bow Country Club

    Golf carts cruise Broken Bow Country Club at Highway 2 and Memorial Drive. Challenges include tree-lined fairways and bunkers. Carts and a snack bar are available on the par-36 course. ...

  • Seven Valleys Museum

    The community of Callaway has accumulated a lot of history in its more than 130 years. Local volunteers preserve that heritage at the Seven Valleys Museum through four buildings. Household ...

  • Bonfire Grill

    Ambiance and gourmet meals are served at the Bonfire Grill. Executive Chef Trenton Hunt’s menu includes standouts such as pomegranate walnut chicken. The Rigatoni Vodka is pasta tossed ...

  • Bear Pad

    Although no wild bears have been sighted in this valley for more than 100 years, the Bear Pad is well known for its breakfast pizzas and fast food....

  • Kinkaider Brewing Co

    A new kitchen means Kinkaider Brewing Co. toasts great tastes of both their food and beer. The brewery name honors the people who settled Custer County following the passage ...

  • Custer County Museum

    The only remaining fragment of the Native American bow that Broken Bow is named for is preserved at the Custer County Museum. The nearly treeless sand hills provided little ...

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