Downtown Ashland

Downtown Ashland offers a variety of shops, eateries, art galleries and services.

The downtown area is a vibrant center of activity with no-hassle parking and friendly merchants.

Many of the rich historical features have been preserved in downtown Ashland, including the traditional brick streets and original buildings.

Nestled among the storefronts of Ashland is Willow Point Gallery, which is the home of The Archie Hightshoe Big Game Collection (otherwise known as "Home of the Bear"). There, for the delight of all ages, over 30 animals will be found amid their natural habitat, a simulation created by local artist Gene Roncka and his design collaborator, Jim Shaul of Gretna.

Visitors to the gallery can venture through all four seasons. The landscape for the animals extends from summer to winter and features a waterfall, stream and "wishing pond" with real fish. Unique lighting effects bring daybreak to twilight and naturalistic music brings the display to life. Admission is free. Address is 1431 Silver Street.

Wiggenhorn Park & Swimming Pool

Wiggenhorn park is located at 25th and Clay streets. It features a covered picnic area, a large variety of playground equipment, tennis court, basketball court and a large open park area.

The city swimming pool is also located in the park, which is a great place to cool off on a hot Nebraska summer day.

Mahoney State Park

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers year-round accommodations and recreational use. This ultra modern park offers a spectacular array of lodging, group meeting facilities, and activities. Located near Ashland, just off of I 80 at exit 426, Mahoney nestles on 690 acres along the picturesque Platte River.

The dominant feature of the park, the Lodge, offers 40 guest rooms, each with private bath. The Park Lodge also houses the restaurant (where guests can dine with the scenic Platte River as a backdrop), a gift shop and meeting rooms. The restaurant can also cater meals for group activities.

Mahoney has myrid recreational activities, including a Family Aquatic Center complete with a 0-depth swimming and wave pool and two 200-plus-foot curling water slides. Other activities include miniature golf, driving range, tennis and basketball courts, softball fields, horseback trail rides, crafts, fishing, picnicking, hiking, 70-foot observation tower, nature conservatory, theDenman and Mary Mallory Kountze Theater, sand volleyball and waterway.

At Owen Marina, visitors will find the camp store with ice cream, snacks and sandwiches, can rent a paddleboat and checkout recreational equipment. Winter activities, depending on conditions, include cross country skiing, sledding and toboggan runs and ice fishing. The Activity Center provides year-round entertainment with an indoor playground, activity simulators, concession stand and an ice skating rink.

Wildlife Safari Park

Take a wild ride and spot bison, elk, cranes, prong horn antelope, and other North American natives right outside the car window as you wind through the rolling prairies, tranquil wetlands and majestic woodlands of the Wildlife Safari. Explore the Wildlife Safari’s newest addition, Wolf Canyon Overlook. This new boarded walkway spans 30 feet into the display, allowing visitors to peer in on the pack as they prowl and play among the wooded hills of Wolf Canyon.

Golf

Ashland has three local golf courses to enjoy.

• Ashland Country Club, 944-3344
• Country Drive Golf Course, 944-2333
• Iron Horse Golf Course, 944-9800