Overview
O'Neill is a city in North Central Nebraska.
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 10°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Sioux City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- GRI Central Nebraska Regional Airport, Grand Island — 105 mi away. Directions
- SUX Sioux Gateway Airport / Brigadier General Bud Day Field, Sioux City — 116 mi away. Directions
- OMA Eppley Airfield, Omaha — 163 mi away (major hub). Directions
John L Baker Field (ONL)
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
Downtown: Mexican (2), Chinese (1), American (1) East Side: Franchises including hamburgers (2), subs (1), pizza (2)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
O'Neill is the county seat of Holt County. This area is a geographical transition area from farming to the east to ranching to the west.
Get in
By plane
John L Baker Field (ONL)
By car
O'Neill is intersected by two highways that traverse the entire country. Highway 20 which is the longest road in the country running from Boston Massachusetts to Newport Oregon and Highway 281 that runs from Brownsville Texas to the Canadian border.
Get around
O'Neill is small enough walk the entire city limits. The two areas with the greatest amount of pedestrian traffic are the downtown area and the eastern edge. The two areas are separated by a distance of 3 to 4 blocks along highway 20.
See
Things to see are the giant greenhouse located on the northern edge of O'Neill on Highway 281, the historic Golden Hotel on 4th & Douglas, the historical marker several miles east of O'Neill on Highway 20.
Do
Visit the Holt County Historical Museum.
Buy
Most shopping is located in the two previously mentioned pedestrian areas of downtown and the east side. Downtown: Auto parts, banking(ATM's) , grocery, barber/stylist, thrift shop, convenience stores. East Side: Auto parts, banking(ATM's), grocery, department stores, convenience store.
Eat
Downtown: Mexican (2), Chinese (1), American (1) East Side: Franchises including hamburgers (2), subs (1), pizza (2)
Drink
Barring an oil leak the regular tap water is some of the best tasting water in the country. Most alcoholic drink establishments are located in the downtown area.
Sleep
With the exception of one hotel in downtown O'Neill, most motels are located on the east side, with one on the south edge of town. Also on the south edge (Highway 281) is Carney Park for RV parking, with electric hookup.
Go next
Valentine Nebraska to the west, Pickstown South Dakota to the north, Grand Island, Nebraska to the south, and Norfolk, Nebraska to the east.
Nearby
My experience
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