By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview with Amanda Connick on our Kubota Podcast
Group tourism continues to grow in North Platte and Lincoln County, thanks in large part to targeted efforts by Visit North Platte.
Amanda Connick focuses on attracting group tours for Visit North Platte, including how motorcoach tours, reunions, conventions, and senior travel groups are discovering what the area has to offer — often for the first time.
Connick said her primary role is bringing organized group travel to the region, particularly bus tours that may have previously passed through North Platte without stopping.
“Many of them had no idea what we had to offer,” Connick said. “It’s so much fun promoting what we have.”
Classic attractions and group-only experiences
Connick said groups are often familiar with North Platte’s staple attractions, including the Golden Spike Tower, Lincoln County Historical Museum, and Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park.
But she said Visit North Platte has also worked to create exclusive group-only experiences to give tour operators even more reasons to include the community in their itineraries.
Those experiences range from guided storytelling and themed meals to hands-on activities that highlight local history and culture.
One of the biggest surprises for visitors, Connick said, is learning that North Platte is home to the world’s largest railroad classification yard, operated by Union Pacific Railroad.
“Train people love it,” she said, adding that events like Rail Days and visits to the Golden Spike Tower draw a passionate following.
From tanking to World War II history
Connick said groups are often intrigued — and amused — by the idea of tanking on the North Platte River, an activity that has become increasingly popular with organized tours in recent years.
While many group travelers are seniors, she said the experience is accessible and adaptable for a wide range of ages and abilities.
Another standout experience is the North Platte World War II Canteen story, which Connick described as one of the community’s most powerful and meaningful attractions. Group tours can attend presentations, enjoy a themed canteen-style meal, and finish the experience with angel food cake, tying history and hospitality together.
Groups can also enjoy appearances by a Buffalo Bill Cody impersonator, horse-drawn wagon rides, wine tasting paired with stargazing, downtown walking tours highlighting historic buildings, and even ice cream for breakfast — a favorite tradition that is also offered exclusively to visiting bus groups.
“We have beef, we have birds, we have Buffalo Bill,” Connick said. “What more can you ask for?”
Tourism benefits locals, too
Connick emphasized that many of the experiences promoted to group tours are also available to local residents, encouraging the community to take part in the same activities visitors enjoy.
She said Visit North Platte has seen a healthy increase in both group travel and individual visitors in recent years, benefiting businesses across the community.
Coffee Week launches Feb. 8
One of the newest tourism initiatives is North Platte Coffee Week, hosted for the first time by Visit North Platte.
The event runs Feb. 8–14 and features a Coffee Week Passport, encouraging residents and visitors to explore local coffee shops and tea locations.
Participants who purchase a beverage at seven different locations during the week can turn in their completed passport at Visit North Platte for prizes. Additional visits and social media participation can earn extra entries into prize drawings.
Connick said passports are available at the Visit North Platte office and at all participating locations.
Participating businesses include Seven Brew, All Sorts and Mug Coffee Shop, The Coffee Bin, Dunkin’, Einstein Bros. Bagels, The Espresso Shop, Lose Coffee, Mellow Grind, Scooter’s, The Fix, TJ Nutrition, and Voodoo Coffee.
Learn more
Connick said information on Coffee Week, group tours, and other tourism initiatives can be found at VisitNorthPlatte.com.