Things to do & places to visit in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States

Named after Abraham Lincoln, this state capital is a great place for children, history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts. Soak in the panoramic view of the city from the observation tower of the 400-foot high capitol building, whose white stone Art Deco spire can be seen from miles around. Then take a tour of the building and its grounds, where you'll find a Lincoln monument created by the same artist who sculpted the famous Lincoln statue in Washington, D.C. While you're on a history roll, visit the Governor's Mansion, whose Georgian Colonial exterior belies the varied architectural styles inside, and be sure to see the collection of dolls representing the state's first ladies dressed in their inaugural gowns. Kids will love the Folsom Children's Zoo & Botanical Gardens, where they can circle the zoo in a miniature train and see over 300 animals living among spectacular gardens. For some outdoor fun, head to one of the city's beautiful parks, the largest of which is Wilderness Park, whose hiking, biking and equestrian trails will keep you on the move for hours.

Lincoln city in Nebraska, United States. Timezone: America/Chicago, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 20:43.

Top things to do (20)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Museum of American Speed (525 reviews)
- Excellent museuyun Lincoln
Monday: 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

The museum is incredibly well layed out and speaks to the history of racing. The amount of engines on display along with the various speed equipment really helps you understand this aspect of history. The 3 floors are filled with a wonderful assortment of items and there’s something for everyone. Would absolutely recommend stopping as it tells the story of automotive history. See more..
5.0 Escape Room (240 reviews)
- Vesper #1 Game Master
Monday: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

The Lincoln Escape Room is a physical adventure game in which people are locked in a room with friends, family, or complete strangers and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within a set time limit. See more..
5.0 Boiler Brewing Company (48 reviews)
- Not your typical micro-brewery
Spent 1-2 hours Breweries

Boiler Brewing is always a favorite. Their brewers are not afraid to get a little creative. We liked the beer we had at the tap room so much, we bought 2 crowlers of other beer to try at home. The "you got peanut butter in my chocolate" was exceptional. Kudos to the staff for doing a great job being attentive in restrictive COVID guideline fashion. Faye was GREAT! See more..
5.0 Bob Devaney Sports Center (22 reviews)
- Awesome venue
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Arenas & Stadiums

If you have never experienced college Volleyball, this is the place to see it. The fans generate a level of energy that can move the team to excel. See more..
5.0 Hamann Rose Garden (17 reviews)
- Every thing is coming up ROSES
Monday: 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Gardens

A beautiful peaceful rose garden. Across the street from the sunken gardens and in same lot as the children's zoo. 3 venues within a block of each other!! The rose and sunken gardens are FREE! The rose garden is fragrant, well maintained with beaches to enjoy the beauty. There are several sculptures and a fountain. There are several varieties of roses for your enjoyment. See more..
4.5 Nebraska State Capitol (864 reviews)
- Magnificent State Capitol
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Government Buildings

Beautiful mosaic ceilings and floors, paintings and sculptures inside the 400-foot high capitol building are as impressive as its marble, bronze and gold leaf exterior and white tower topped by a bronze statue. Free guided tours are available. See more..
4.5 Sunken Gardens (757 reviews)
- Very Nice Gardens!
Monday: 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM Gardens

We (myself and my grandparents) visited the garden at the end of September. It was a really great stop on our road trip especially since it was free! We wandered the gardens for 30-45 minutes. There’s so much to look at! We also really enjoyed the two koi ponds. If you have some time or need a quick stop on your road trip this is a great place to stretch your legs. Although this might not be the best stop if you’re bringing small kids as there are some nude statues in the garden. See more..
4.5 Memorial Stadium (520 reviews)
- Game day
Monday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Arenas & Stadiums

I love the attitude at the stadium. Everyone is so proud of their Nebraska Cornhusker Football! They keep the crowd involved in the game especially when we get a touchdown. The red balloons float into the sky with the first touchdown. The crowd chants for the Husker team. We sat in club seating. It was so much more comfortable than the regular bleacher seats. We had a stadium seat to sit in. We could go inside to get food, use the restroom and stay out of the sun. See more..
4.5 Lincoln Children's Zoo (360 reviews)
- Fantastic little zoo!
Zoos

Lincoln Children's Zoo is rated among the best zoos for children by Parent Magazine and is home to over 400 animals, including the world's smallest monkeys (pygmy marmosets), ring-tailed lemurs, dromedary camels, red pandas, meerkats, and more!. Over 40 of our animals are endangered, including the Humboldt Penguin, Amur leopard and Matschie's tree kangaroo. Featuring interactive Zoofari stations with Larry the Cable Guy, up-close animal encounters and the historic ZO&O Railroad, the Zoo is the perfect destination for the entire family. Lincoln Children's Zoo's mission is "to enrich lives through firsthand interaction with living things." See more..
4.5 Lincoln Children's Museum (266 reviews)
- Love this place.
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Children's Museums

The Lincoln Children's Museum invites families to create, discover and learn through the power of play. Offering three floors and 23,300 square feet of hands-on exhibits and imaginative programs that allow children and adults to discover the adventure of learning through play together. See more..
4.5 University of Nebraska State Museum (189 reviews)
- This Museum was A Surprise Find!
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Natural History Museums

One of the Midwest's premier natural history museums, we are home to the world's largest complete mounted mammoth skeleton. Archie, our mascot in bronze out front, is based on this mammoth fossil. Touch his foot for good luck! Poop & Paws is our newest exhibit and explores the clues animals leave behind in nature. Our Cherish Nebraska exhibit encompasses the entire 4th floor and examines Nebraska's past and present with digital interactives, collections displays, hands-on activities and a visible lab to watch our scientists at work. Other exhibits include Bizarre Beasts, Weapons Throughout Time, First Peoples of the Plains, Paleontology, Geology, and the Hall of Nebraska wildlife. Our Marx Discovery Center has tons of activities for kids, including a fossil dig pit, reading nook, discovery tables, dinosaurs, coloring sheets and more. See more..
4.5 International Quilt Museum (185 reviews)
- So much better than Paducah
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Art Museums • History Museums

The International Quilt Museum’s mission is to build a global collection and audience that celebrate the cultural and artistic significance of quilts. The museum draws from this collection to produce exhibitions and programs year-round. See more..
4.5 Pinnacle Bank Arena (185 reviews)
- Lots of Concerts
Arenas & Stadiums

Security Staff is always great and they have good concessions, this arena is small enough that there really isn't very many "bad seats" See more..
4.5 Pioneer Park Nature Center (153 reviews)
- The great experiences of Pioneer Park
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks

A 900-acre wildlife area that features hiking trails and other outdoor pleasures. See more..
4.5 Sheldon Museum of Art (96 reviews)
- Even Better was the Sculpture Garden
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

Sheldon Museum of Art houses an art collection of international distinction in a landmark high modernist building at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Admission is free. See more..
4.5 Holmes Park & Lake (90 reviews)
- Nice running/walking trail around the lake
Bodies of Water • Parks

The center of outdoor activity in the heart of Lincoln including a lake for boating and fishing, plus picnic grounds and hiking trails. See more..
4.5 Haymarket Park (64 reviews)
- Most cities do not have this
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Arenas & Stadiums

The Haymarket is amazing! There is something for everybody here. Antique shops, gift shops, clothing stores, flea markets, bars, several restaurants of every style and type, activities, etc., etc. I wish there were more city planners that would look at a concept like this. See more..
4.5 National Museum of Roller Skating (51 reviews)
- Small museum packed with info
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

This was smaller than we expected, basically 1 large room overfilled with various displays. I believe we spent about 1/2 hour here as we were looking for something to do vs having a huge interest in roller skating. Was mostly intrigued that this museum even existed. Did enjoy the small display about roller derby, which I loved growing up. There is probably something here for everyone. See more..
4.5 Antelope Park (47 reviews)
- Antelope Park is home to the Auld Pavilion
Parks

Beautiful park offering gardens, a golf course, swimming pool and playground areas. See more..
4.5 Lied Center for the Performing Arts (41 reviews)
- Great concert venue!
Closed now - 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM Theaters
We attended the Pat Metheny concert at the Lied. The staff was welcoming and friendly. The usher staff was extremely accomodating. See more..
4.5 Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test & Power Museum (40 reviews)
- Even if you are not a farmer!
Monday: Speciality Museums

I lived for 30 years at the beach and don't know much at all about tractors, but this place was so cool! It is in a tiny nook on the University of Nebraska and we were just looking for something to do as we were traveling cross-country to Yellowstone. What a good decision we made to stop here! There were very old tractors and more plus the guide there offered to take us to the testing lab and show us how they do the required tractor testing. Kids of ALL ages, young and old would love this place! See more..
4.5 Pinewood Bowl Amphitheater (30 reviews)
- Great venue
Arenas & Stadiums

We had to get our tickets early from will-call and they were very accommodating. It was easy to park and exit the venue after the show. See more..
4.5 Deer Springs Winery (28 reviews)
- Scenic Tasting Room
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

This winery is located about 15 minutes outside of Lincoln. It is a lovely tasting room in a converted farm house with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating options. There were 13 wines available to taste ($8 to taste four or $7 for a glass of wine). Only one person at a time can currently be served at the bar as a COVID-19 precaution. I tried four reds, and my wife tried four whites. We both liked the Rose the best. They had a friendly golden Labrador that wandered around the tables. See more..
4.5 Wilderness Park (27 reviews)
- This place is awesome
Parks

Hike, bike or horseback ride on the 13 1/2-mile Wilderness Park Trail through dense forest, meadows and creek beds in the city's largest park, which also offers fishing and picnicking. See more..
4.5 American Historical Society of Germans From Russia Museum and Library (19 reviews)
- Fun
Monday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

By far my favorite spot to learn about history. My family comes from the Black Sea region of Russia and came over to the USA and settled into the Dakota areas. As we walked into the museum, we got a personal guide to all the out buildings to learn about daily living of the people. We learned so much on history of the area from our guide and how she remembers growing up. Then we got to watch a short film and tour the upstairs. I would recommend this museum for anyone wanting to learn about the history. And it is free to do this. See more..
4.5 Hazel Abel Park (18 reviews)
- Beautiful!
Parks

Quaint Renaissance-style park. See more..
4.5 Nebraska State Holocaust Memorial (16 reviews)
- What an amazing memorial
Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Monuments & Statues

This is an unexpected beauty. They did an amazing job with this. I recommend this stop. It really makes you reflect on what happened to these people. See more..
4.5 Haymarket District (15 reviews)
- Loved this area!
Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

This area has such cool shops, bars, coffee shops, stores, hotels, etc. Lots of variety. They also have a really cool train engine to get pics with. I really liked their fun mural! See more..
4.5 Mueller Planetarium (15 reviews)
- Nebraska red sky show
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Observatories & Planetariums

Mueller Planetarium, the first ever in Nebraska, is proud to bring the wonders of the universe and the natural world to everyone in a totally immersive environment! Please note a planetarium is a different kind of theater, with overhead motion & occasional loud sounds during a show. It is not recommended for guests who are sensitive to such conditions. Children must be at least 4 years old to be admitted to public shows as the environment can be overwhelming for such an age group. See more..
4.0 Nebraska History Museum (69 reviews)
- Very Nice and CHEAP!
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

12,000 years of history! Many people and cultures have made Nebraska their home. We have over 125,000 objects in our collections and we continue to collect items that tell the story of Nebraska's history. Come see fascinating artifacts and hear amazing stories from our rich past. See more..