Lincoln, Nebraska's capital, has a plethora of museums and cultural sites, but it's also a university town with a lively and energetic environment. No matter what their hobbies are, visitors will find enough to do.
The Historic Haymarket District, located in the city center, is an attractive neighborhood with shops, galleries, and restaurants that are popular with both residents and visitors. The Governor's Residence is one of the significant sites in the region around the capital building.
The Sheldon Museum of Art and the University of Nebraska State Museum are both situated on the University of Nebraska campus, which is ideally placed in the center of the city. The Speed Museum and the Quilt Museum are two distinct sights worth seeing outside of the city center but yet within reasonable driving reach.
See our list of the best tourist attractions in Lincoln for additional ideas on what to do.
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1. Haymarket Historic District
The Historic Haymarket District is a great location to go for a walk, get a bite to eat, or just people-watch. The neighborhood is small, with late-nineteenth-century brick warehouses, brick walkways, a huge water tower, and a distinctive clock all wonderfully refurbished and maintained.
The University of Nebraska is close, and students visit the numerous businesses crammed into this tiny neighborhood, giving the Haymarket District a vibrant atmosphere. The Lincoln Station is the most prominent structure. It used to be a train station, but now it contains a tourist center and a restaurant. The streets are often blocked throughout the summer for festivals and farmers’ markets.
Location: Nebraska State Capitol, 7th and P Streets, Lincoln 2.
2. Nebraska's Statehouse
It took three attempts for Nebraska to create a long-lasting capitol building. In comparison to other state capitols, the current structure, the third on this site, is distinctive. It does not have a conventional dome but instead has a 400-foot tower with offices.
The structure cost ten million dollars and took ten years to complete, beginning in 1922. The Nebraska State Capitol is well worth a visit for its beautiful interior of marble columns, mosaic flooring, and paintings, as well as its limestone façade representing 3,000 years of democracy via carvings. A 19-foot-tall bronze statue of The Sower stands at the topmost top.
1445 K Street, Lincoln, Nebraska
3. The University of Nebraska State Museum
The University of Nebraska State Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a must-see site in Lincoln for paleontology enthusiasts. The world's biggest articulated mammoth, as well as a highly-regarded display of fossilized elephants, are housed here.
As a consequence, Elephant Hall is a common nickname for the museum. The Mueller Planetarium is housed at the museum, which also houses other artifacts pertaining to Nebraska's natural history.
A visit to the museum may be coupled with a visit to the Quilt Museum and the Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum for a relaxing walk through the beautiful grounds of the University of Nebraska campus in Lincoln.
645 North 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska
4. Sunken Gardens
Sunken Gardens is a piece of natural beauty that appeals to all of the senses. The gardens, which were established in 1930 and restored in 2004, are a source of civic pride in Lincoln.
The Healing Garden, where all the plants blossom white, the Perennial Garden, and the Annual Garden are the three major gardens in the park. Each year, more than 30,000 plants are utilized to create fresh patterns and themes in the Annual Garden. The gardens are tiny, spanning less than two acres, so you can visit them quickly, but don't be shocked if you find yourself lingering longer.
The Museum of American Speed is located at 27th and Capitol Parkway, Lincoln 5.
5. The American Speed Museum
The Museum of American Speed will appeal to fans of racing cars, motors, and anything else that moves quickly. The museum was established in 1922 and now has a total display area of 135,000 square feet.
Automobilia, Cars and Engines, and Toys and Models are three main exhibits in addition to a large archival collection. Because it is situated in an industrial park, finding the museum may be difficult, but it is well worth the effort; utilize the GPS coordinates given on the website.
The tours are only available in the afternoons on weekdays and last two hours. The museum is also self-guided for those who want to tour at their own leisure.
599 Oak Creek Drive, Lincoln, NE 68502
6. Pioneers Park Nature Center
Pioneers Park Nature Center is excellent for people on a budget who want to have some free outdoor fun while learning something new. The park covers 668 acres and is an excellent location to reconnect with nature; this is how the Great Plains used to appear before industrial cultivation.
Visitors may view bison, white-tailed deer, and elk on the eight-mile hiking paths that meander around the property. Red-tailed hawks barred owls, and wild turkeys may also be seen by those with sharp eyes.
Caged animals may be viewed up close at the Nature Center building, and those who want to touch a turtle or a snake can do so simply by asking.
Climbing structures and a large patch of soil with digging toys are available at a children's play area.
7. Sheldon Museum of Art
The interesting Sheldon Museum of Art has 12,000 works of art in a variety of mediums. This museum is just a short walk from the University of Nebraska State Museum, and there are several unique sculptures in the Sheldon Museum's collection along the route.
The artist Jun Kaneko's unnamed giant head, which can be seen on the museum's stairs, is particularly noteworthy. Over 30 sculptures are on display, including works by Jacques Lipchitz, Claes Richard Serra, and William Tucker, among others. The museum's primary emphasis is on American art on the inside. Mary Cassatt, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Andy Warhol are among the artists represented in the collection.
Address: University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 12th and R Streets.
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