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Attractions Blair City Parks
 Over 200 varieties of trees and 150 varieties of
shrubs are found in:
- Ralph Steyer Park and Arboretum
- Black Elk-Neihardt Park
- Lions Club Park
- Stemmerman Park
- Rhoades Park
Ralph Steyer Park and Arboretum and Dana College
are both units of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
De Soto National Wildlife Refuge
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/desoto
Five minutes east of Blair is Desoto Bend, a
7,823 acre national wildlife refuge. Available is fishing,
wildlife observation, mushroom gathering, boating, hiking on four
nature trails, and education through various environment programs.
each year, approximately 400,000 people visit the refuge and its
Visitor's Center which contains artifacts from the sunken
steamship, the Bertrand. Viewing galleries overlook Desoto Lake
and promise spectacular views of the millions of geese that stop
each year.
Fort Atkinson State Historical Park
Built in 1819 and abandoned in 1827, Fort
Atkinson was part of several momentous events during the western
expansion of the United States. This 154 acre park in Fort Calhoun
includes the partially reconstructed Fort Atkinson, the Harold W.
Anderson Visitor Center, a one mile hiking trail and picnic area.
The park is open year-round and visitors may
tour the barracks, the Armorer's Shop and the Council House. The
Visitor Center houses several original artifacts and exhibits, as
well as a theater for viewing a film that chronicles the fort's
history. Be sure to see the Lewis and Clark "First Council"
monument while visiting the park.
Tower of the Four Winds
Located in the Black Elk-Neihardt Park, the
44-foot tower stands as a living memorial to John G. Neihardt,
Poet Laureate of Nebraska, and Black Elk, a Lakota Sioux Indian
Chief and the inspiration of Neihardt's book "Black Elk Speaks".
The Tower's most powerful feature is a mosaic which depicts Black
Elk's message of peace and unity for all people. Four smaller
mosaics located on the park's paved walking trail further
interpret Black Elk's vision.
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