Known for vast prairies, majestic cliffs and wide-open skies, the starkly beautiful state of Nebraska has marvels in every direction. Though somewhat off the beaten track, it's an absolute must for anyone seeking rich history and breathtaking natural beauty.

Historically, Nebraska has everything from dinosaur remains to Native American culture and a legacy of hardy settlers, who crossed the grassland plains and bracing rivers of this big, Heartland state as they headed toward the Old West. Today, visitors can connect with this heritage through farm tours, stops at friendly ranches and farm-to-table dining experiences.

Indeed, agriculture is a way of life in the Cornhusker State. The level land of the east is ideal for farming, while the western area of high dunes and small, shallow lakes is dotted with ranches. However, the destination does boast two large cities by way of Omaha and Lincoln.

Along with being the state's biggest city, Omaha is famously the home of financial genius Warren Buffett as well as really great steaks. Visitors will also find a world-renowned zoo, and a buzzing arts and entertainment district. Lincoln, in turn, is a small and fairly sleepy state capital, where the mood transforms from small-city peace to football-fan pandemonium with every University of Nebraska Huskers game.

That said, Nebraska's best feature is its natural beauty, which lies to the west of the commercial centres and flatlands. Early each spring, the Platte River in south-central Nebraska is a stopover in the massive migration of sandhill cranes, the largest gathering of this kind in the world. Watching the ritual dancing of the cranes as the sun sets over the water is an unforgettable sight. Further west are the Nebraska Sandhills, a remote, rippling area of grass-covered dunes and isolated ranches.

Nebraska's landscape becomes truly remarkable in the panhandle region, which juts up into rocky columns, sheer buttes and pine-covered canyons. This is wilder land where skirmishes with Native Americans continued long after the east was settled, and where Crazy Horse, leader of the Lakota, was killed at a lonely frontier outpost. The geography culminates in Scotts Bluff and Chimney Rock, unusual limestone formations that tower above the surrounding land. Both were major landmarks for pioneers on the Oregon Trail, the wagon roadbed of which is still visible.