The Village of Brownville was designated as a National Historic District in 1970 with 32 historic sites. Add to that the cultural attractions and the natural beauty of the area, and one can easily see why tourism is the economic mainstay of the "Oldest Little River Town in Nebraska." Brownville has the best of both worlds: the charm and quiet of a small river town and the cultural amenities of a cosmopolitan city. The Brownville Historical Society and Fine Arts Association together with local merchants offer a multitude of cultural and recreational activities to rival cities many times Brownville's size. The Steamboat Trace hiking/biking trail is open from Brownville, through Peru to Minersville, with a hard-surface path, further enhancing the community's outdoor recreation offerings. The area is known for hunting of deer and wild turkey, observation of migratory birds, and for fall foliage tours. Fishing the Missouri River from the shore or via the Brownville boat ramp is also popular. Perhaps the best news is that all of this is easily accessible on US Highway 136, just 10 minutes from Interstate 29. Likewise, residents have convenient access to Omaha, Lincoln and St. Joseph, Missouri, all only about one hour away.