Museum is phenomenal. Some interactive exhibits and tons of information to read. This national monument was incredibly educational. There are three buildings: one building (the main building) tells the story of Homesteaders and the Homestead Act and has a homesteader’s house ion site, another building (just down the road) has a lot of farm equipment on display and the third building is a one room schoolhouse that is also just down the road. The schoolhouse is unlocked and staffed by a Park Ranger at various times, so please inquire about that.

Awesome experience at the homestead. We got there early so we were the only ones in the visitor center. The NPS worker gave us a brief history and we walked around the premises. So interesting to learn all the different defendants of homesteaders!

Jonathon is very welcoming and knowledgeable, and answered my questions about various farming machines after the park was closed, I really appreciate his hospitality

Great place to visit and learn. I was here on a weekend and it wasnt crowded at all (possibly because of covid-19). The park rangers were all really helpful and knowledgeable, answering pretty much all my questions. One of them (I think his name was walter) patiently answered my questions for like an hour.Wear long sleeves and pants if you can to protect against bugs and ticks on the trail, though you can choose to skip the hike and just drive the entire way as well.

Historical site with nice museum and short hiking trails through prairie grass.

Very nice history park with free programs related to homesteading period. Frequently have a variety of living history re-enactors, artists, and performers such as Jack Gladstone who is an eloquent historian and musician. Plenty of natural beauty on the restored prairie, Woodlands and riparian zones.

Very nice place to visit. A lot of history of settling the plains. The two people we encountered that worked there were fantastic. They have the Junior Ranger Program, but more importantly for me, as I dont have any kids, they have a Not-So-Junior Program. I got my own book to fill out, got a pin, and got sworn in! Lots of fun. Worth the visit.

Worth the stop!! Beautiful, clean, educational. This place is for all ages. You can spend as little or as much time as you want here and its free. The inside has several displays and a well done video. The young man working did a great job explaining the history of the site and the unique architecture of the building. You can walk a few yards from the building and see an actual settler home. Worth the stop!

What a surprise find. The museum has an amazing display on the homestead act in the 1860s and how it shaped America for the next 125 years. Even has hiking through prairie grasses.

Take time to watch the video as its so worth it and gives you a different perspective on the settlement of the USA. Loved the images of how much each state land was homesteaded. The park service interpreter was so helpful. They even have computers to use for genealogy research if you think your family may have been homesteaded and he assisted with that.

I liked this place for the trails because they are well kept

Another great location teaching of American History. The park ranger was outstanding. He was engaging, educated and helpful. He ran the video for me even though I was the only one there. He engaged in conversation and shared information about the displays inside the building. Thank you!

Very well done. Park rangers knowledgeable and helpful. The video is well done and instructive of the hardships and balanced as to natives and settlers.

Great displays and information. A great place to walk in prairie restoration and see native wildlife

Absolutely a must see! Very informative and worth seeing! Makes you very proud being a Nebraskan! Just a beautiful building.

I was able to get a copy of my great great grandfathers homestead deed. Very cool little known monument with very friendly staff

Amazing place! It has been an hour or so down the road from me my entire life and I just now made it down there. So much great information that really makes you think about what is what like to homestead and how lucky we are that people did it

Historical park with informative displays and a video describing the Homestead Act and what led up to it, as well as events since, that was balanced, in my opinion. Has a few Interactive displays for kids. There is a separate education building that older kids and adults can tour.Also they have programs and events that are worthwhile.Take your binoculars, when we were there in August, we were serenaded by a variety of songbirds. The toddler we brought delighted in running along the trail in the adjacent prairie.Plan for 45 minutes for the main building, plus more to walk the trail.

This is the plot of the first homestead. It has an inside museum, and attractions outside such as a cabin and farm equipment. There is an education center, and an old school building that is part of this center as well. There are many trails going through the prairie that are very well kept and pretty to walk along. This makes for a perfect stop during the day, but I would recommend bringing some water with you when you are on the trails, as the closest building can be as far as 1.5 miles away. Also bring sunscreen, as there isnt much shade on the prairie.

Nice hiking area. Three miles of beautiful sky and prairie

This home belongs to my husbands family. Always a joy to go there.

The FREE Square Dance Lesson was awesome, the rangers were knowledgeable about the monument and the areas around.

Loved it here!! The park employees were so very kind, knowledgeable and helpful. We were greeted and given information and maps. Then we walked all the trails, looked at all of the exhibits and had a fantastic time.

Beautiful place very informative rangers

Rook a group of residents from our nursing home and had a wonderful time .

Youll enjoy this place and learning about the Homestead Act, while seeing tools used by many families who settled the West.TIFA 2003

Very nice historic site. Smithsonian quality layout. Very knowledgeable staff.

Really enjoyed the visit. Great information and no fees!

Visited for the solar eclipse as the monument site was perfect viewing. Bill Nye was there, can’t beat that. The site itself has a nice vantage for the surrounding landscape and the exhibits are very informative about homesteading and what the first settlers had to deal with to survive. Sobering.

The first registered homesteaders property and the story of the homestead movement both the good and the bad. Interactive museum and site to walk with school down the road. Good place to take kids to understand a part of the history of the people on the land and talk about where we go from here.

Truly a must see. History at its finest, especially for and Nebraskans and or True Adventurers. Staff is knowledge and you can tell they have fun and pride in their jobs educating the public.

I delivered a brand new RTV 4×4

Great facility with friendly staff. The grounds and exhibits were quite clean, and easy to self-navigate at your own leisure. Great amount of history to be appreciated! I definitely recommend visiting this monument.

Very educational and we learned a lot from the film at the Heritage Center. The Education Center has some farm equipment on display but was in the process of changing their other exhibitions while we were there. We also went on a Friday because they have ladies that hand quilt there on Fridays in the summer. My grandma used to quilt so it was interesting to chat with them for awhile. Unfortunately, it was very hot (almost 100 degrees) so we did not get a chance to walk on the trails. Hope to swing back another time for that. The Rangers were very informed and answered many questions people had. There is also a place to do a lot of ancestry research if you are descended from a Homesteader. I plan on taking out a thumb drive next time because a ranger told me we can download some of the information we find there. All in all, would recommend, especially for families and people that live in the area and would want to know more about homesteading life.

Great staff and amazing history

A lot of interesting facts and history. Good for anyone to visit. Very nice people working there.

Really informative. Didnt know the Homestead act lasted that long. Also learned some neat tricks the Homesteaders used for farming and energy. Addressed the Native American issue for a different perspective. It is out in the middle of nowhere. Peaceful setting.

Lots of interesting information. Lots to see. Ranger Amber was so kind to the kids getting the Junior Ranger badge. We will visit again.

Life on the prairie was anything but kind. The sights had to be beautiful and sometimes concerning as the storms rolled in.Dont miss this monument as it is very well done and worth the stop.

Calm and peaceful.

Good reminder of our History

Very nice facility, had good amount of people there for the event. Wildlife Rescue Team, which I am a member of, had a table there for the event, we had several people stop by, even some potential new members. The staff at Homestead National Park were all very polite and helpful.

One of my favorite national monumenta

A must see if your traveling through! Great information on the settlement history that includes a few walking paths through nature! As you can see it has an amazing view for sunsets!

Hate to have to rate this place because I did not go in, but just took a break in their parking lot. But it does look like a wonderful place that I plan on going back to when I have the time to enjoy what they have to see.

Very informative. Enjoyed seeing the equipment from the past and how they lived. Friendly staff

Beyond educational. We learned things we never heard in school. Or even considered for that matter. The removal of the native Americans. The harshness of life as a homesteader. Were beyond spoiled.

Such a neat place. We went for a field trip and the kids loved every minute!

It is a great place to learn history.

Fantastic Nebraska heritage site!

A true treasure

If you like American history, how our country grew in the mid 1800s, you must visit this place and the associated Freeman school house less than a mile away.

Wow so interesting

Great place! Exhibits on the first and last US homesteader lives. Friendly and helpful. Nice video and theater. A coffee bar addition would be nice on cold or windy days.

Great seats experience, learned a lot and gained a greater appreciation for early settlers and appreciated that the Native American experience was not ignored.

Good place to take your family and learn about the way of a homesteaders

Its history of the beaten path.

Historically important. Nice Outdoor Experience for those not familiar with Nebraska Outdoors.

Boyond all the little exhibits inside the buildings the monument has trails that run up and down next to the creek with benches randomly placed throughout.. great place to go absorb some fresh air and nature if youre in the area.Some of the trails are blocked off right now due to the flooding eroding the walls of the creek out.

Wonderful museum about our history.

The ranger Amber was great. Very enthusiastic and very knowledgeable.

Friendly staff, excellent multimedia displays help visitors understand the impact of the 1862 Homestead Act. Artifacts, photos, documents support your insights into the challenges that homesteaders faced - and the legacy of those pioneer families.

I have visited it on several occasions and the last time I visited it with an Indian friend of mine who gave me a different perspective on the Homestead. From the Indian point of view, I had never looked at it that way!

This is very educational. A must see if you are traveling across country.

Educational and great outdoor activities for prairie. Learned about my ancestors.

Very interesting. A place everyone should visit!

They showed how to look up my familys 1886 homestead I still own. They were amazed I still have the original Patent Paper given to my Great Grandfather. Need to bring my Grandson now.

Great place to visit! There is a ton of great educational information at this place. I definitely recommend it. The employees are very knowledgeable.

An up to date museum with exhibits related to the growth of America.

Very well done as youd expect from one of our national monuments.

Great...pushy young guy...worried 2 old seniors walking around with items to purchase were going to steal them... made us put our items on counter until we were ready to leave... he was employee ...not volunteer... very disappointing... facility very nice.

New visitor museum was well done, telling history. The images of the states along a long walk struck a lasting impression on me. The square hole in each state represents the proportion of that states land area that was homesteaded.

When driving here do not speed!! It switches from a 60 to 45 just over a hill from the West. I got a ticket because I was looking at the actual monument and not the sign, just poor luck. But after sitting and waiting for my ticket I noticed there are over six cops there and they pulled over five others while I sat. If this is all Gage County cops are good for I am a disappointed taxpayer

Really surprising place tucked in this corner of Nebraska.

A jewel in the middle of nowhere. This is a well done park. Outstanding facility with fascinating pictures, vids, equipment. There is a east, and west facility, and a grass trail between the two. Go to both. Get a nice walk in, and tactile experience. The park rangers were outstanding. Informative and professional. Free prairie dog display, bring some peanuts for the little buggers.. Interesting how the pictures show many different people, of different faiths, banding together in the spirit of freedom, under what must have been atrocious conditions. The drive to Beatrice herself gives some breathtaking views as well. Note to my federal friends = We could use another homestead act. 160 acres and mule for hardworking free men and women.

Very helpful and provides great learning about history

Really enjoyed the displays.

We came to say goodbye to the sun in one spectacular moment. The crowds of people swelled and spilled over across the small space. Vendors hocked the usual fair as the clouds once ominously crouching in the distance had now moved in threatening to ruin all. The rain came and went in short showers just before we beheld the loss of the sun. The sky became Shadow and the window into space briefly opened. There was Venus and a ring of brilliance playing across the overcast sky where the sun once had been. It was over all to quickly and then we dispersed.

Great place to take in some historical info about the settlement of the great plains. Your tax dollars built the place so go enjoy it!

Great place to run or walk! There is some cool and important history here! Take some time and read and see what it has to offer!

Visited for the total solar eclipse event (day before the actual event to avoid the crowds). They did an incredible job preparing for this event. Leaned a lot and had a good time. A few more food choices on the auditorium side would have helped.

Great place to visit.

The Park Rangers were very nice and answering any and all questions of ours. Loved the gift shop. It is interesting that NASA designated this National monument as an official Eclipse site. But what we are so thankful about is the $10 lifetime membership for Seniors.

Lots of history and nice facilities.

What an amazing piece of history! Our Girl Scout troop had a great time spending a little time in history, hiking, education, roaming the praries and learning about preserving and maintaining the National Parks.We helped seed the praries taller than all of us that lie on the first original homestead. We had lunch, dinner and camped. A night hike with historical stories of the stars was to follow.

I never would have thought of harnessing goats for power. Homesteading brings out the ingenuity in people. Bummer that the program ended in 1986, I would have loved to give it a go

This national park celebrates our national history regarding the government giving plots of land to our pioneer ancestors for homesteading. Im 66 & live in Nebraska. I didnt know about this subject! I learned so much! I even discovered that I am a decendant of a homesteader. The rangers & staff are so helpful. The education center has events yearlong. Its a wonderful place to enjoy nature close up.

Nicely done memorial to the homesteading pioneers of Nebraska.

So pretty!! We stopped to have lunch at this very well kept little park!! We will go back for sure

Bittersweet history. We appreciated their showing the dichotomy between the homesteaders and what everything meant to the Native Americans. Displays were well put together and informative. The intern was excited, amiable, and fairly knowledgeable. The ranger on duty at the end of the day today (9/30/2018) was relatively friendly but quite pushy and kind of off-putting. He watched us like a hawk at the displays, in the shop, and even on the way to the bathroom. I understand being vigilant against things like vandalism and theft. I also understand wanting people out by 5pm so that they can close up, especially if overtime is a no-no. I can not understand having someone on staff who acts more like a type A security guard and not a welcoming and interested National Parks ranger, which weve come to expect and genuinely appreciate from our other visits to monuments and parks across the US.

Came for the eclipse, everyone attempting to see homestead should give themselves plenty of time. Its extremely beautiful history packed area that shouldnt be rushed over. Very well maintained establishment many thanks to the park service.

Great place to search family history including homesteaders. Homestead National Monument at Beatrice, Ne, provides great information about Nebraska in the early settlers time. Very educational.

Its an great place for learning

National Monument at the site of first Homestead plot. Great place to visit if you happen to be around to learn about homestead. If you are not into history, may not be worth the trouble.

Great place to go, especially after going to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail first.

Awesome displays and tells the whole story of homesteading. You can use their computers to look up your own families land records!

We visited both the heritage center and the education center, which are on opposite ends of the monument. I recommend the heritage center if you are only going to stop at one, it has many more exhibits. There is a very nice shaded patio behind the heritage center which is an excellent place for a picnic.

Great park center with a very detailed museum. Lovely trails with good directions. Dog friendly. Worth the drive from Leavenworth. Good views the whole way there. Loved the history of Homesteading, even the more modern honesteading.

This is a beautiful place. Attended Homestead Days activities today. Great storytelling, music, exhibits. Everyone is helpful & friendly.

The Homestead National Monument has two museums, one being more modern and the other containing seasonal displays. Both are extremely well put together and provide an interesting learning experience. Between these two buildings are hundreds of acres of land, preserved to resemble a natural prairie, that is an absolute joy to walk through. Homestead is a must visit destination to learn more about our Nations homesteading past.