Nature centers can be a beautiful break from the Playstation and the iPod.

Here's where they are:

Allwine Prairie Preserve

A 160 acre reestablished grassland research area situated northwest of Omaha in Douglas County. The use of the Allwine Prairie Preserve is encouraged for research projects, educational activities, and visitations to the extent that such use does not affect the long-term value of the Preserve as an ecological research site. The Preserve is located northwest of Omaha in Douglas County, at 14810 State St., Bennington, Neb. Individuals or groups desiring to make use of the Preserve may make arrangements by contacting the Preserve manager at amullarkey@unomaha.edu, or by visiting www.unomaha.edu/prairie/app.php.

Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge

Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge was established to recover fish and wildlife habitat in and along the Missouri River. The Boyer Chute Restoration Project was developed to help restore essential wildlife habitat that became scarce with river channelization, wetland drainage and conversion of river bottom floodplain areas. For more information, contact the refuge at 402-468-4313, email at boyerchute@fws.gov, or visit www.fws.gov/midwest/boyerchute.

Chalco Hills Recreation Area

Chalco Hills Recreation Area, in southwest Omaha, is the Metro area's premier outdoor recreation facility. The area is managed by the Papio-Missouri River District. Featured at Chalco Hills is Wehrspann Lake, a 245-acre lake. For more information, visit www.papionrd.org/.

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge's primary wildlife management role is to serve as a stopover for migrating ducks and geese during their fall migration between the Arctic nesting grounds and the Gulf Coast wintering areas.The refuge lies in the floodplain of the Missouri River in a former bend of the river about 25 miles north of Omaha. For more information contact the refuge at 712-642-4121, email to desoto@fws.gov, or www.fws.gov/midwest/desoto/.

Fontenelle Forest Nature Center

The mission of Fontenelle Nature Association is to enhance human stewardship of the natural world by providing citizens of the greater Omaha metropolitan area with quality environmental and natural science education, ecologically sound management of the association's natural resources, preservation and interpretation of the association's historic and cultural resources, and increased opportunities for personal reflection and enjoyment of the outdoors

Fort Atkinson State Historical Park

The first U.S. military post west of the Missouri River, Fort Atkinson was established in 1820 on recommendation of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Located at Fort Calhoun, the fort was important to the early fur trade, river traffic and Indian relations. The grounds are open year-round, and the Harold W. Andersen visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer. For information, contact the park at 402-468-5611; email ngpc.Fort.Atkinson@nebraska.gov.

Glacier Creek Project

Established in 1999, the project is designed to ensure the long-term ecological integrity and dynamics of Allwine Prairie. Major components are acquisition of adjacent land, minimizing adverse effects of adjacent roadways, and construction of an environmental education and research center. For more information, requests for speakers at meetings or ways to support the project, contact the director at tbragg@unomaha.edu or call 554-2641; www.unomaha.edu/prairie

Graske Crossing

Public access to the Elkhorn River for nonmotorized watercraft, fishing and picnicking. Managed by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District; 402-444-6222; www.papionrd.org

Hitchcock Nature Center

This Iowa center has a 22-acre campsite, hiking trails, playground, an archery range, a sled run and cross-country skiing trails. Cabin rentals,$45 per night. Nature trail accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Home to Loess Hills Preserve. Open year-round, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Loess Hills Lodge Interpretation Center features interactive exhibits and a kids area. Lodge open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, March to November; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; open Friday through Sunday afternoons December through February. Operated by the Pottawattamie County Conservation Board. Entrance fee: $2 per vehicle per day; annual county park permit, $10. 27792 Ski Hill Loop, five miles north of Crescent, Iowa, on Old Lincoln Highway. 712-545-3283; www.pottcoconservation.com

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Visitor Center

Situated at Lewis & Clark Landing, the National Park Service provides opportunities to learn about the Lewis & Clark Expedition and all 390 national parks through ranger programs, permanent and seasonal exhibits, films, a native plants garden, bookstore and special events. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Memorial Day through Labor Day; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Other times of the year, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free. Handicapped accessible. 601 Riverfront Drive; 661-1804; www.nps.gov/lecl

Mormon Trail Center

In the winter of 1846-47, the Mormon migration camped in the Omaha area. Visitor center commemorates the difficult circumstances. Mormon Trail museum includes a full-size log cabin and covered wagon; historic cemetery with bronze sculpture depicting the great migration west. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Free guided tours. In historic Florence. 3215 State St., 453-9372; www.historicflorence.org/attractions/mormontrail.htm

Narrows River Park

On the Missouri River banks at the northern edge of Council Bluffs. Picnic areas, playground, swings, boat ramp, archery range, horseshoe pit, shelter rental and restrooms. Operated by the Pottawattamie County Conservation Board. Open April through October (or later, depending on weather), 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. $2 per vehicle or $10 annual permit. Interstate 29 Exit 55 at North 25th Street, Council Bluffs. 712-323-1342; www.pottcoconservation.com

Neale Woods Nature Center

Native prairie, deep woods and scenic views on 550-acre preserve 15 minutes north of downtown Omaha. Seven miles of marked trails. Trails are open year-round, with a pay station available. Visitors center open seasonally; check Web site for hours. Also includes the largest public observatory in the Omaha metro area, with a variety of telescopes for viewing the night sky. Astronomy programs held many Friday nights during the school year (August through May), open to the public. Operated by the Fontenelle Nature Association. Admission: $5, ages 12 and older; $3, ages 3 to 11; $4, senior citizens. Free for members. 14323 Edith Marie Ave., 2.7 miles north of the Mormon Bridge. Call 453-5615 when the center is open, otherwise call 731-3140; www.fontenelleforest.org

Schilling Wildlife Management Area

Nearly 2,000 acres where visitors can enjoy fishing, picnicking, nature observation, wildlife photography, hiking, horseback riding, dove hunting, archery and mushroom hunting. Includes backwater chute area. Open year-round. Operated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. 17614 Schilling Refuge Road, Plattsmouth. For hours, required hunting permits and additional information, call 296-0041; www.outdoornebraska.org

T.L. Davis Prairie

A 25-acre loess hill prairie and oak woodland donated to the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2005 and named after Thomas L. Davis. The preserve, which overlooks the Elkhorn River, contains numerous species typical of hilltop prairies and savanna. Current efforts focus on restoring the site's historic savanna landscape. Managed by the University of Nebraska at Omaha department of biology. For individual or group access, call 554-2641. Situated at the north end of Pine Ridge Road (south of Q Street); www.unomaha.edu/prairie

Western Historic Trails Center

National monument to the Lewis and Clark, Mormon, California and Oregon Trails. Exhibits, hiking and biking trails, Iowa Welcome Center. White Catfish Camp Days in July features re-enactments, music and history lectures. Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration on July 3, with carnival games and family activities, cost is $10 per car. Center open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed state holidays. 3434 Richard Downing Ave., off Interstate 80 at Exit 1B South, in Council Bluffs; 712-366-4900; www.iowahistory.org