Lincoln Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Lincoln showing railway items and a city
Sheldon Museum of Art showing interior views
Lincoln featuring railway items
Sunken Gardens which includes wild flowers and flowers
Nebraska State Capitol featuring heritage architecture and a statue or sculpture
Under the sweeping Nebraskan skies, the state capital offers many historic sites and buildings, a thriving cultural scene and miles of outdoor trails.

Visit Lincoln to enjoy plenty of cultural and artistic attractions as well the scenic, natural beauty of the surrounding farms and grass-covered flat plains.

Before heading out into Lincoln’s popular outdoors, take some time to explore the city itself. Head to the Haymarket, a turn-of-the-20th-century warehouse district where wagons were once bought and sold. Today, the restored buildings feature boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, galleries and Nebraska’s first microbrewery. Buy fresh produce, flowers and homemade food stalls at the farmers market which is held every Saturday morning during the summer.

From the Haymarket, make the short walk to Iron Horse Park where you can see the brick mural that depicts the first locomotive crossing the prairie.

Lincoln was founded in 1856 and was originally a village called Lancaster. The name was changed to Lincoln a few years later as a tribute to the recently assassinated president.

The city is also home to one of the world’s largest collection of publicly owned quilts. Head to the International Quilt Study Center and Museum to see more than 3,500 quilts dating from the early 18th-century to the present day. Art is a big part of Lincoln’s cultural activities and many of the city’s galleries offer interactive activities for both children and adults.

Head outdoors and take a hike through the prairie grasses, woodlands and wetlands of the Pioneers Park Nature Center. Photograph the flowers in the Sunken Gardens at Antelope Park or visit Wilderness Park, the city’s largest park with more than 1,475 acres (596 hectares) of land.

Note that Lincoln can get rainy and windy from March to May, with possible tornados. It can be hot and humid in July and August, but outdoor pools offer reprieve. From December to February extremely chilly conditions are common. Whatever the weather is, however, this growing city has plenty of open spaces, nightlife and thriving arts to keep you entertained for days.

Where to stay in Lincoln

Lincoln featuring railway items

Downtown Lincoln

Downtown Lincoln is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Lied Center or Lincoln Children's Museum.

Downtown Lincoln
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Haymarket

Though Haymarket may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Pinnacle Bank Arena and Lincoln Children's Museum.

Haymarket
Sunken Gardens which includes bird life and zoo animals

Near South

While visiting Near South, you might make a stop by sights like Sunken Gardens and Museum of Nebraska History.

Near South
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40th and "A"

When in 40th and "A", you can plan a visit to Lincoln Children's Zoo and Sunken Gardens, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

40th and "A"
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West Lincoln

West Lincoln might not have many top sights, but Capitol Beach Lake and Haymarket Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

West Lincoln
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Highlands

While visiting Highlands, you might make a stop by sights like Highlands Golf Course and Highland Village.

Highlands
The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel
The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel
3.5 out of 5
333 S 13th St, Lincoln, NE
The price is NZ$263 per night from 18 Apr to 19 Apr
NZ$263
includes taxes & fees
18 Apr - 19 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"We were both happy with our stay at the Cornhusker Marriott clean quiet and close to Haymarket"

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2025

The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln Downtown by IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln Downtown by IHG
2.5 out of 5
905 O Street, Lincoln, NE
The price is NZ$199 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
NZ$199
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (596 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln Downtown by IHG
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
4 out of 5
141 N 9th St, Lincoln, NE
The price is NZ$240 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
NZ$240
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the bar and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,317 reviews)
Best ever
"The check in staff were amazing. The room was perfect for our needs."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2025

Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Stay on M Street
Stay on M Street
2 out of 5
921 M St, Lincoln, NE
Stay at this apartment in Lincoln. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and concierge services. Popular attractions Pinnacle Bank Arena and Memorial Stadium are ...
6.8/10 (8 reviews)
"This is a perfect location for a Husker weekend in the Haymarket area. Very nice apartment and easy to walk to everything downtown. Only negatives were there was a lot of street noise at night and the beds are not the most comfortable. Other than that, it’s an exceptional value for the location and ..."

Reviewed on 17 Sep. 2024

Stay on M Street
Modern & Private 15 min to Downtown Lincoln Pet Friendly
Modern & Private 15 min to Downtown Lincoln Pet Friendly
Lincoln
Stay at this vacation home in Lincoln. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Memorial Stadium and Pinnacle Bank Arena are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (37 reviews)
Good place to hang out
"We just needed a place to sleep while visiting relatives. This fits the bill. It was clean, quiet, and comfy."

Reviewed on 16 Mar. 2025

Modern & Private 15 min to Downtown Lincoln Pet Friendly
Comfortable home in SW Lincoln. Close to downtown! Self Check In, sleeps 8
Comfortable home in SW Lincoln. Close to downtown! Self Check In, sleeps 8
Lincoln
Stay at this vacation home in Lincoln. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Pinnacle Bank Arena and Memorial Stadium are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (42 reviews)
Overnight say
"This house was perfect for an overnight stay. Close to campus where we needed to be. Very clean and easy to access."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2025

Comfortable home in SW Lincoln. Close to downtown! Self Check In, sleeps 8
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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