If you’re looking for a culture-rich getaway with a laid-back Midwest feel, let me steer you toward Lincoln—I’ve been more than once, and I always leave impressed. Nebraska’s capital has this cool mix of small-town friendliness and college-town buzz. Whether you’re walking trails, discovering art, or cheering with Husker fans, there’s this grounded, welcoming energy I think you’ll love. It’s one of those cities where you can pack your days full—or just let the charm come to you slowly.
Lincoln, NE Highlights:
- Feeling adventurous? I recommend starting with the MoPac Trail. I’ve biked it on sunny afternoons—miles of quiet, tree-lined path just minutes from downtown. It’s a great way to mix nature with a touch of city skyline.
- Into history? Don’t miss the Nebraska State Capitol. I’ve taken the tour and even climbed up to the observation deck—the view is worth every step. Plus, Nebraska’s unicameral legislature makes this place one-of-a-kind in U.S. history.
- Ready to shop or snack? The Historic Haymarket District is where I always end up. You’ll find art galleries, boutique shops, and a lively farmers market if you time it right. I usually grab coffee, people-watch, and leave with something handmade.
- On a romantic trip? I suggest heading out to James Arthur Vineyards. It’s just north of the city and feels like a peaceful countryside escape. I’ve done a tasting here with friends, and it’s relaxing, scenic, and delicious—just what you want for a slow afternoon.
- With kids in tow? I always recommend the Lincoln Children’s Museum. It’s hands-on, creative, and one of those places where the hours fly by. Every family I’ve sent here has come back with big smiles (and tired little ones).
Best Time to Visit Lincoln, NE
May through September is the window I always suggest. I’ve visited during outdoor festivals and football season, and that’s when Lincoln really lights up. The weather is warm, the energy is high, and you’ll get a full taste of both local culture and community spirit. If you love college-town vibes, fall game days are especially fun.
How to Get to Lincoln, NE
- By Car: I’ve driven in along I-80—it’s super easy. Lincoln’s about an hour west of Omaha and around 3 hours north of Kansas City. A road trip here is scenic and smooth.
- Flying? I usually check Lincoln Airport (LNK) first—it has direct flights to a few major hubs. If you need more options, Eppley Airfield in Omaha is just an hour away and has a lot more connections.
- By Train: Amtrak’s California Zephyr stops in nearby Omaha. From there, I’ve used shuttle and ride-share services to reach Lincoln without a problem.
Where to Stay in Lincoln, NE
- For families? You’ll love the Graduate Lincoln. I’ve stayed there—it’s retro, fun, and full of playful design. The game room and pool make it especially great with kids in tow.
- For couples? The Kindler Hotel is my pick. It’s modern, elegant, and right near restaurants and theaters. I’ve recommended it to friends celebrating anniversaries, and they’ve raved about it.
- For a stylish stay near campus? Try The Scarlet Hotel. I was impressed by the local touches and thoughtful design. It’s trendy but grounded, just like the city itself.
Best Things to Do in Lincoln, NE
Nebraska State Capitol
I started here on my first day because the Nebraska State Capitol is right downtown and you can't miss it. It is the seat of the government for the U.S. State of Nebraska. Designed by New York architect Bertram Goodhue and constructed between 1922 and 1932, the capitol features a three-story, 437-foot tower in which the primary executive and judicial offices of Nebraska are housed and can be seen from as far away as 20 miles. Also referred to as the “Tower of the Plains,” the Nebraska State Capitol was the first state capitol to incorporate a functional tower into its design. The base of the tower houses offices most frequently visited by the public, and tours of the building are available every hour throughout the year.
Nebraska State Capitol, 1445 K Street, Lincoln, Nebraska
University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln
The University of Nebraska State Museum, also known as Elephant Hall, is a natural history museum dedicated to the biodiversity, paleontology, and cultural diversity of Nebraska. Founded in 1871, the University of Nebraska State Museum features the world's most impressive collection of fossil elephants, along with other displays of ancient weapons, minerals and meteorites, bizarre beasts, monsters of the ancient seas, dinosaurs, and African and Native American cultures. The museum also features interactive wildlife dioramas, the hands-on Marx Science Discovery Center, a rock shop, and a gift shop selling a variety of museum-related items.
Morrill Hall, 645 North 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68588, Phone: 402-472-2642
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
Great Plains Art Museum
The Great Plains Art Museum is a fine arts museum dedicated to the arts of the Great Plains in the United States. Established in 1981 on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the museum was founded with the Christlieb Collection of paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures and has since grown to become one of the city’s top art museums. Today, the museum's collections include works by renowned artists such as Charles M. Russell, Albert Bierstadt, Robert Fletcher Gilder, Frederic Remington, and Willian Henry Jackson as well as new acquisitions by Ray Ellis, Chuck Guildner, and Michael Forsberg. Exhibits are rotated several times per year and include artwork from the permanent collection, traveling exhibits, and guest-curated exhibitions. The Great Plains Art Museum is free and open to the public.
Hewit Place, 1155 Q St, Lincoln, NE 68508, Phone: 402-472-6220
Group Therapy Bike Tours
Explore Lincoln in a unique and fun way with Group Therapy Bike Tours. Tours are conducted on multi-pedal trolley bikes, which can seat up to 15 people in total including the guide. All tours start from Lazlo's in the Haymarket and are led by professional, knowledgeable, and friendly guides who share their passion for the city with interesting snippets of information along the way. Standard tours last about 2 hours, stopping at local pubs and restaurants and other famous landmarks, however, they can be tailormade to guests’ needs and bikes can be booked for private tours or special celebrations.
329 S 11th St, Lincoln, NE 68508, Phone: 402-968-2305
Honest Abe's Burgers & Freedom
Honest Abe's Burgers & Freedom is a casual chain with three locations around the city that serves reinvented all-American such as burgers and fries with gourmet toppings in a relaxed and laidback environment. With locations in Meadowland, Downtown, and North 27, Honest Abe's Burgers & Freedom offers a menu of classic and gourmet burgers, fresh salads and sides, rotating weekly specials, over 21 kinds of handcrafted milkshakes, and a variety of sodas. Honest Abe's Burgers & Freedom is open Monday through Sunday for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Downtown: 840 N 70th St, Lincoln, NE 68505, Phone: 402-261-9860
International Quilt Study Center & Museum
Located on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the International Quilt Study Center & Museum is the home of the most significant known public collection of quilts in the world. Founded in 1997 with a selection of nearly 950 quilts donated to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln by native Nebraskans Ardis and Robert James, the museum now houses the world’s largest quilt collection, which is exhibited in custom-crafted galleries and state-of-the-art research space in a new green building designed Robert A.M. Stern Architects. The collection features quilts from early examples of American and European quilts to contemporary studio and international quilts, with over 4,000 pieces from 24 countries.
1523 N 33rd St, Lincoln, NE 68503, Phone: 402-472-6549
Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum
The Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum is a historical facility situated on the East Campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln that is dedicated to preserving the history of Nebraska’s tractor test law. Established in 1980, the museum is the only tractor testing museum in the world with the only complete tractor test laboratory that tests tractors for safety. The Lester F. Larsen Power Museum features a collection of more than 40 antique and unique tractors, including a Heider C, a Ford 8-16, an Allis-Chalmers G, a Waterloo Boy N, a Moline Universal D, a Fordson 1920, a Ford-Ferguson 2N, and a John Deere 820. The Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum are open to the public from Tuesday through Friday, year round.
N 35th St & Fair St, Lincoln, NE 68583, Phone: 402-472-8389
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
Lincoln Children's Museum
The Lincoln Children's Museum is an interactive, immersive, and educational space where children can create, discover, explore, and learn through the power of play. Boasting 23,300 square feet and three floors of hands-on exhibits and imaginative programs, the museum encourages visitors to build, climb, create, dance, sing, laugh, and play as a form of learning. Over 40 interactive exhibits and displays can be explored across all three floors of the museum as well as a gift shop and toy store and a casual café where snacks and drinks are served. The museum also provides a range of educational programs and workshops for children of all ages as well as field trips for groups.
1420 P St, Lincoln, NE 68508, Phone: 402-477-4000
Lincoln Children's Zoo
The Lincoln Children's Zoo offers a fun and friendly place for children to interact, experience, and learn more about the animal kingdom and the creatures that live within it. Designed specifically for children to enjoy up-close encounters with all of the zoo’s animals, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo features 10 acres of well-maintained habitats for more than 400 animals, of which over 40 are endangered, including the Amur leopard and Matschie’s tree-kangaroo. In addition to providing one-of-a-kind interactive experiences for children of all ages to enjoy, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo also offers a variety of educational programs, conservation-focused classes and workshops, and summer camps throughout the year.
1222 S 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68502, Phone: 402-475-6741
Lincoln Saltdogs Minor League Baseball
The Lincoln Saltdogs Minor League Baseball is a professional baseball team based in Lincoln and the defending champions of the Central Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. Situated at Haymarket Park, which they share with the Nebraska Cornhuskers college baseball team, the Lincoln Saltdogs are loyally supported by their hometown, who flock to the stadium to enjoy the game. Haymarket Park, also known as The Ol’ Ballpark, is located just north of the Historic Haymarket area and creates a visually appealing gateway to the Star City with pedestrian walkways connecting the stadium complex to both the Haymarket and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campuses. The park-within-a-park sports complex features a modern design, yet still embraces the time-honored traditions of baseball and the proud heritage of the Haymarket and Lincoln itself.
Haymarket Park: 403 Line Drive Circle, Ste. A Lincoln, NE 68508, Phone: 402-474-2255
Jump to a Spot...
- • Nebraska State Capitol
- • University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln
- • Great Plains Art Museum
- • Group Therapy Bike Tours
- • Honest Abe's Burgers & Freedom
- • International Quilt Study Center & Museum
- • Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum
- • Lincoln Children's Museum
- • Lincoln Children's Zoo
- • Lincoln Saltdogs Minor League Baseball