“Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest.”
—Lady Bird Johnson
Your community
Hastings, Nebraska / Adams County
Located in the heartland of south-central Nebraska, Hastings is the county seat of Adams County. Hastings has a population of approximately 24,000 residents. Hastings is a small community with a lot to offer.
Recreation & entertainment
Annual events that take place in the community include Kool-Aid Days, the Cottonwood Festival, the Oregon Trail Rodeo, the Brickyard Park free concerts and the Adams County Fair. For some local community calendars try the Adams County Convention & Visitors Bureau Calendar of Events, the City of Hastings web site, and the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Calendar of Events.
Hastings Public Library offers a variety of activities and programs as well as the friendliest staff around. See our Events & Programs page for a list of activities.
Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History, JM McDonald Planetarium and the Lied Super Screen Theatre. The museum offers a variety of exhibits from animals to historic artifacts as well as a special Kool-Aid Exhibit. The Super Screen Theatre and Planetarium offer shows each day. See their Calendar of Events for events, theatre & planetarium show times, as well as featured exhibits.
The Adams County Historical Society located at the Hastings Museum or the Adams County Genealogical Society. For local history enthusiasts and genealogists, the Hastings Public Library offers books, census, and newspaper articles on microfilm. More...
The Aquacourt Family Aquatic Center is a premier water park that opened in 2004. The center features a wave pool, four water slides, lazy river, diving boards, concessions, and an interactive play area for little ones and their parents.
The YMCA and YMCA–Champions is an awesome recreation facility. The two branches host events such as concerts, dances, and tournaments. The facilities offer both indoor and outdoor recreation such as indoor water slides, swimming pools, miniature golf, go-carts, racquetball, basketball, and tennis courts, batting cages, a climbing maze, weight rooms,and fitness machines.
For hunters, the area provides world-class upland game bird hunting experiences. See the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission web site for more information.
The public is invited to free astronomy presentations and night sky viewings at the Sachtleben Observatory two Saturdays per month, weather permitting.
Bird watchers come from around the world for the annual migration of cranes. See the Crane Meadows Nature Center web site for more information on tours & activities.
The Smith Softball Complex hosts local as well as national softball games and tournaments throughout the summer. The Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame is also located at the complex.
The Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning offers several programs and festivals throughout the year as well as a site for a community garden. Their focus is on sustainable living, outdoor education, and agricultural processes.
Other recreational opportunities include 3 golf courses, 18 parks, 10 tennis courts, and the Children's Museum of Central Nebraska. See the City Parks and Recreation and the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission web sites for more information.
Hastings enjoys 3 theatres, shopping and restaurants. See the Downtown Hastings web site to find events and activities as well as information about the Downtown Center Association and the Business Improvement District. For a listing of area businesses see the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce as well as the the Adams County Convention & Visitors Bureau list of attractions.
The Listening Room offers small intimate concerts throughout the year, and showcases national as well as local artists. Hastings is also host to the Hastings Symphony Orchestra and the Hastings Community Theatre.
Education
Public and Private Schools:
Hastings Public Schools, Adams Central, Hastings Catholic Schools, and Zion Lutheran School are all dedicated to the education of children.
Central Community College The Hastings Campus offers degrees, diplomas and certificates in 28 career and technical education programs, as well as academic transfer courses in 17 areas.
Hastings College Ranked among the nation's top liberal arts colleges and has state-of-the-art sports and communications facilities.
MLMH Medical programs located in Hastings include the Creighton University School of Nursing Program - Mary Lanning Campus and the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital School of Radiologic Technology.
Local Government
City of Hastings Official city web site. City Code, permits, links to city deptartments including: Police, Parks & Recreation, Museum, and more.
Adams County The official Adams County Government web site. Find general local information as well as voter registration information, County offices, a calendar and more
Medical
Hastings has many medical practices and specialists as well as a local hospital. Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital
For more information about Hastings and Adams County
See the Links page community links section. The City of Hastings' Community Resource Page provides a comprehensive list of local links. Also try the United Way's 2-1-1 to search for human services and volunteer opportunities in your community.