Harlan County Courthouse is the location of the county court (Box 379) and the district court (Box 698) and each is in their respective Tenth judicial district of Nebraska. Mess of roads running through Harlan which will get you almost anywhere; US 6, US 34, US 136, US 183, SR 4 and SR 89.

Alma has several recreational facilities including its city park, ball fields, municipal swimming pool and RV park. The Harlan County museum, in Orleans, consists of four historic buildings and has a collection of Native American and pioneer artifacts. There is a privately owned museum in Republican City which has exhibits of some interesting articles. The Lighthouse Antique museum's collections include Americana antiques and collectibles from the 1900’s to the 1950’s such as close to 5,000 pieces of depression glass, a beer sign collection, a McCoy pottery collection with over 500 pieces, toys, clothing and antique furnishings. To see one of the many prairie dog towns in Harlan County you need only travel a short distance South of Alma. The Army Corps of Engineers maintains a viewing site there with educational signage