Ashland (Nebraska)

Ashland is a city in Eastern Nebraska. The small city sits alongside the Platte River tributary of Salt Creek in Saunders County and had a population of 3,100 people in 2020.

Understand
The city of Ashland has its beginnings as a fording location of Salt Creek. The limestone bottom in the area allowed for caravans traveling on the Oregon Trail to cross the otherwise muddy stream. By 1870, Ashland was established as a town of 700 people. Today, the town is able to enjoy the benefits of living between the two main economic hubs of Nebraska, Lincoln and Omaha, while still being far enough away to retain a sense of identity.

Most of the people in town are employed through manufacturing, agriculture, and the state parks. Camp Ashland, a U.S. National Guard training camp, is located nearby and is off-limits to visitors. NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson grew up in Ashland, and graduated from the local high school; he spent 152 days on the International Space Station in 2007, and is so far the only Nebraskan to go to space.

Get in
There are no bus lines traveling to Ashland. The nearest airport would be in Lincoln or in Omaha. The easiest way to get to Ashland is by car.

By car
Ashland sits at the intersection of NE-66 and US-6 W. The town is almost 5 miles northwest of I-80, the main artery through the state, and midway between Lincoln and Omaha; each is about away.

Get around
Most of the points of interest inside the town are located in the downtown area, in the southeast corner. Exploring this area on foot won't be difficult. However, going anywhere outside the town is going to require a car. There is no public transportation and no taxi services.

The town is grid based and very easy to navigate. Numbered streets go north-south, increasing the further west they are, and named streets go east-west.



Buy
It seems to be a trend in small towns in Nebraska to have multiple antique shops and trinket shops within the town. Those interested in searching for vintage and antique items will have no trouble finding a location to shop. For the sake of brevity, they've been excluded from the list. Most are located in the downtown area.

Eat
Like most of Nebraska, beef is the central focus of the dining experience and large portions are how meals are served. If you cannot eat beef, don't worry about ordering something less popular. Remember you can always take leftovers home, so no need to gorge yourself.



Sleep
There are no hotels or motels in the city. Cabins are available for rent in the area.

Connect

 * Wireless internet access is available at the Ashland Public Library and select businesses.
 * The Ashland Gazette is the local newspaper, offering updates on events occurring in and around the town. The Omaha World Herald is used for more global news.

Go next
Lincoln and Omaha are short drives on I-80 or US-6.