Brownville sits in the Loess Hills above the Missouri River Valley. It is home to one of Nebraska's two nuclear power plants. The Cooper Nuclear Station is owned and operated by the Nebraska Public Power District. U.S. Route 136, which meets Nebraska Highway 67 near Brownville, runs through the town, exiting the state via the Brownville Bridge. At Brownville bicycle riders along the Lewis & Clark Trail Bicycle Route can choose between the Steamboat Trace or the Hamburg Option.