Get Your FREE Ultimate Weekend Packing Cheat Sheet!

carhenge in alliance, Nebraska PullOverandLetMeOut
Anna Marie

Anna Marie

Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska Is A Must-See When Traveling The Great Plains

Carhenge is Nebraska's answer to England's Stonehenge, but with an automotive twist that makes it a quirky and memorable roadside attraction.
A woman sipping coffee outside
Hi, I’m Anna Marie. I’m a wife, mother, Irish dancer, and pug mom living in North Carolina. I also love to travel. Come along for the ride! If you see something you like, don’t be afraid to say, ‘Pull over and let me out.’

Miles and miles of windswept prairie stretch out as far as the eye can see. That is until we reach our destination of Alliance, Nebraska. Perhaps not one of the better-known tourist hot spots, but nonetheless, this tiny town in western Nebraska is on our itinerary. And for a good reason. It’s where you’ll find Carhenge – Nebraska’s answer to England’s infamous Stonehenge, except with an automotive plot twist that makes it the perfect Pull Over and Let Me Out roadside attraction, I can’t resist.

Why was Carhenge built?

cars stacked to form stonehenge called carhenge
Carhenge is just north of Alliance, Nebraska, along Highway 87

“Unique, quirky, and a pop-culture icon” are words the folks at Carhenge use to describe this unconventional Nebraska tourist attraction. But you may wonder why? Why such an atypical creation in a most unlikely location?

Enter Carhenge creator, Jim Reinders. The story goes, Reinders, while living and working in England, had the chance to study the design and purpose of Stonehenge up close. Always an artist and tinkerer, his studies spawned a desire to re-create Stonehenge to scale on the farm in Nebraska as a memorial to his father who once lived there.

In 1987, with the help of his family, Reinders brought his idea to fruition. They gathered to create a replica in size and placement of England’s Stonehenge crafted entirely of automobiles. Appropriately, the dedication of Carhenge took place on the Summer Solstice in June of 1987.  

Visiting Carhenge

Having spent a couple of days in Rapid City, South Dakota, I was thrilled to discover our journey from there to the small town in Nebraska my husband hails from would take us right past Carhenge. Call it kismet but once the discovery was made, there was no doubt in my mind – to Carhenge we would go!

Pulling into the parking lot generates a mixture of thoughts and emotions. My first thought is akin to, wow, this really is out in the middle of nowhere. After all, east coast girls aren’t exactly accustomed to such wide-open spaces.

Second, my eyes are drawn to the incredible structure that begs to be explored. And the third thought is, oh my goodness, it’s windy here!

Undaunted by the gusty conditions, we set about surveying Carhenge. We wander the grounds examining each piece of the sculpture. Formed using 39 automobiles placed to adopt the identical measurements and circle size of 96-feet in diameter as its inspiration, Stonehenge, it takes me a few minutes to process Carhenge in its entirety.

The more time I spend inspecting and pondering, the more impressed I am. Carhenge may be quirky, but it is something to behold and admired.

A visit to Carhenge includes plenty of fun photo ops
Carhenge in Alliance, NE
The artist of this unique car sculpture is Jim Reinders
Carhenge in Alliance, NE PullOverAndLetMeOut
Carhenge is a copy of England's Stonehenge in size and placement
Distant view of Carhenge in Alliance, NE PullOverAndLetMeOut
Carhenge has the great plains as its backdrop

More than just Carhenge

In addition to the gray-painted cars that form Carhenge, there’s more art to be seen and experienced here. There are other car sculptures in what has become known as the Car Art Reserve.

Strolling beyond the great Druid circle we find other unusual pieces such as Reinders’ creation, The Fourd Seasons, named for the Vivaldi musical composition, and an old covered wagon, albeit a station wagon modified to resemble a prairie sooner. 

There’s even a special sculpture comprised of three bells blowing in the breeze to represent the three Reinders siblings. 

Additionally, other artists are featured at Carhenge. Towering overhead is “Dino” a near life-sized dinosaur built by Merle Stone of Hemingford and there’s even the award-winning “Spawning Salmon” constructed by Geoff Sandhurst from Canada. Geoff entered a competition and was the winner of a $2500 award and prime placement at the Car Reserve.

Along with these, there are several other assorted sculptures that were donated by locals. The Car Reserve continues to grow in number and eccentric vehicular style variations.

A scupture of a covered wagon made from an old station wagon
Prairie sooner or is it the Family Truckster?
Dino, the dinosaur was built by Merle Stone of Hemingford
PullOver Pro Tip picture

Carhenge was named a "2020" Top Ten Worldwide Attraction Award Recipient by Trip Advisor

How much does it cost to see Carhenge?

Jim Reinders donated Carhenge and the ten acres of land it sits on to the Friends of Carhenge, a local organization of committed people who protected and maintained it. Later, Carhenge was granted to the City of Alliance in October of 2013 and it’s been in the city’s care ever since. 

Carhenge is opened to visitors year-round and there is no charge for enjoying this monument though donations are welcomed. Furthermore, there is a seasonal gift shop called the Pit Stop where guests can pop inside for a cold soft drink or souvenir to commemorate their visit to this offbeat art exhibition.

Even if you’re not looking to make a purchase, you’ll want to step inside and sign the guest book. Carhenge’s singularity, distinctiveness, and unexpected elements have drawn well over 100, 000 visitors from around the world. You’ll want to make sure to be included in that grand tally!

Pit Stop Gift Shop at Carhenge in Alliance, NE
Pit Stop Gift Shop

Other things to do in Alliance, Nebraska

Alliance, Nebraska is a small town in the western part of the state along Highway 87 West. And while Carhenge has huge appeal, there’s much more to Alliance. 

Journey downtown to the historic district for shopping. The charming downtown harkens back to the days when the buildings were just as elegant and beautiful as the wares inside.

In addition to the cute shops and boutiques, keep in mind this is beef country and there’s good food to be savored in this corner of the Husker state.

There’s even craft beer to slowly sip in Alliance. Visit Brewery 719 where it’s their mission to provide “a relaxing and inviting environment where patrons can gather and enjoy handcrafted beverages that showcase the finest natural ingredients and time-honored traditions from around the world.” 

Maybe a post-Carhenge toast would be in order followed by a lovely steak dinner in small-town America.

 
Car sculpture at Carhenge in Alliance, NE
Jim Reinders Fourd Seasons

Parting Thoughts

Carhenge isn’t for everyone. I know that. Nevertheless, this is the kind of quirky and off-the-beaten-path attraction I adore.

From the homage to England’s Stonehenge to the ingenuity, cleverness, and resourcefulness, not to mention skill of the artist, Carhenge should not be dismissed as a wacky roadside attraction. Carhenge is greater than that.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time spent here. I arrived expecting a whimsical photo op and funny tale to share from the road. Having explored, inspected, and fully experienced this automotive artwork, I can say with confidence, Carhenge is a masterpiece.

Creator Jim Reinders was once asked, why Carhenge? His reply to that question was perfect in my estimation. Why not?

If you find yourself traveling across Nebraska near Carhenge, pull over, be prepared for the wind, enjoy the art, and capture some memories!

Carhenge
Highway 87 West
Alliance, Nebraska 

woman and son at Carhenge in Alliance, NE
Making memories at Carhenge

Hey Pinners, Pin this for later!

► Plan Your Trip to Alliance, Nebraska Now!

It makes it simple to plan your trip.   We’ve pre-filled the destination from the article and if there are multiple places mentioned in the article, we’ve put the one that is best used as your base to see all of the places mentioned.

Just select I’M STAYING and enter the travel dates and hit SEARCH.  It automatically uses the first place in the article.  

For a multi-day trip, if you stay near that location, you should be able to use it as your base.

Super simple.  Just click on the pencil and enter the name of any place mentioned in the story.  Or you can enter any address or even the name of a company if you are mixing business and pleasure.

Just click I’M DRIVING and you can see how long it will take, get driving directions and even rent a car if you need one.

Yes, we guarantee the best published rates on hotels.  Click on the link for BEST RATE 110% GUARANTEE for details.

Share your experiences  

Hey pinners, save this for pinning after your trip

After you get back from your trip, please use these images to post to social media or post your own photos.  Please tag us on your post #pulloverandletmeout
 
You can also use the social sharing links on the SmartTrip tool.

More great stories you'll love reading!

Cover photo two pints of Guinness

What You Need to Know Before You Order That Pint of Guinness

Few beverages are as closely linked to a location as Guinness is to Ireland. Rich in heritage, the creamy dark stout is a daily staple at pubs and bars across Ireland and the world. Travel along with Pull Over and Let Me Out to the Emerald Isle and learn what you need to know before you order that pint of Guinness.

Read More »
a cover photo of a stone bed and breakfast

Seven Simple Steps For Selecting a Bed and Breakfast

The term B&B encompasses a wide variety of guest houses and is a form of lodging which provides a very different mood and atmosphere for an over night stay. Travel with PullOverandLetMeOut to discover 7 simple steps for selecting a bed and breakfast that is perfect for your next stay.

Read More »

Let’s Get Social!
Click below and join the conversation on social media

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top

FREE Access to Exclusive Travel Tips and Deals

Get the latest travel news, tips & information from PullOverandLetMeOut.com!

Save on Membership with

Coupon LIFECHANGER25

don't leave empty-handed

Get your FREE Ultimate Weekend Packing Cheat Sheet

Happy Travels