WOS 2027

March 17–20, 2027  |  Kearney, Nebraska

Travel & Area Info

Traveling to Kearney

By Air

  • Kearney Regional Airport – Daily flights are offered by United Express from the Kearney Regional Airport to Denver International Airport and Chicago O’Hare.
  • Grand Island Regional Airport – Daily flights are offered by Allegiant and American Airlines from Dallas/Ft Worth, Phoenix/Mesa, and Las Vegas. Grand Island is approximately 54 miles from Kearney, NE.
  • Lincoln Airport, Lincoln, NE – Airport is located 128 miles east of Kearney, NE (approximately 2 hour drive on I-80 from Lincoln, NE)
  • Eppley Airfield (Omaha International Airport, Omaha, NE) – Airport is located 187 miles east of Kearney, NE (approximately 2 hours & 45 minutes’ drive on I-80 from Omaha, NE)

By Train

  • A main line of the Union Pacific Railroad benefits the city, providing approximately 150 freight trains daily. In fact, the railroad manages nearly 1,400 total inbound and outbound cars annually.
  • For commuter use, Amtrak is available through a station in nearby Holdrege, a short 30-mile drive from Kearney.

By Car

  • Car rentals available in Kearney are Thrifty Car Rental and Enterprise Car Rental.

Shuttles

  • Crowne Plaza Hotel provides free shuttle service from Kearney Regional Airport between 8am -11pm

Potential charter bus service for pick-up at Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island airports will be dependent on number of participants for each location; more info to come, fees and availability TBD.

Hotels

Meeting Hotel: Crowne Plaza, 707 West Talmadge Street, Kearney, NE 68845, (308) 238-7000 or 1-800-227-6963

Reservations for the meeting hotel must be made by February 16th, 2027 to guarantee availability of rooms. Rooms may be available after this date and if available the hotel will honor the group rate. Hotel check-in is 4pm and check-out is noon.  Group rate is $179.95 per night.

Other Hotels within walking distance

Candlewood Suites Kearney by IHG, Hampton Inn Kearney, Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Kearney (all within 0.13 miles from meeting hotel)

LaQuinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kearney, Home2 Suites by Hilton Kearney, Tru By Hilton Kearney, Quality Inn Kearney South,  AmericInn by Wyndham Kearney, Comfort Inn Kearney I-80, Holiday Inn Kearney by IHG (all within 0.3 miles from meeting hotel)

Food & Drink

Restaurants within walking distance of meeting hotel

Fyre Modern Grill – inside Crowne Plaza Hotel

Angus Burgers & Shakes – farm-fresh bites & brews in a hip eatery

Coppermill Steakhouse – casual stop for steaks & wine

Cunningham’s Journal On The Lake – Bar food & beer in a low-key setting

Tasty Bowl Kearney

Kinkaider Brewing Co. & Bierhaus Maisschaler

Sip & Swirl Wine Bar

Joy’s Table Pasta & Steak (in Holiday Inn)

Margaritas Kearney (Mexican)

Pizza Ranch

Coffee – Starbucks (inside Crowne Plaza Hotel)

Restaurants nearby & east of hotel area

Nebraska Ale Works

Red Lobster

Coffee – Scooters

All Restaurants in Kearney (Kearney Food & Drinks)

Hours: M-F 8am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 1-5pm

Things to Do

  • Crowne Plaza Water Park (at meeting hotel)
  • Kearney Welcome Center (0.3 miles from meeting hotel), visitkearney.org
  • Kearney SportsPlex – Drop-In Play access could include basketball courts, pickleball courts, walking track, and turf (as available). Availability may vary depending on the day’s schedule.

Things to do for families – within driving distance

  • Big Apple Fun Center and Sports Bar – bowling, indoor glow mini-golf, laser tag, ball pit
  • Golden Ticket Cinemas
  • Archway Museum
  • Axe Holes – Kearney
  • Kearney Public Library
  • Trails and Rails Museum
  • MONA – Museum of Nebraska Art
  • Kearney Area Children’s Museum