As the capital city of Nebraska, Lincoln has plenty to offer visitors beyond government and politics. This Midwest city combines small town charm with an energetic urban vibe. Outdoor recreation, family fun, nature sites, and cultural attractions give travelers many ways to experience Lincoln.

Attraction	Description
University of Nebraska State Museum	Showcases regional environment and peoples, famous for mammoth fossils.
Sunken Gardens	A 100-acre public botanical garden with a waterfall and vibrant florals.
Pioneers Park Nature Center	Offers immersive nature experiences with trails and wildlife exhibits.
Lincoln Children’s Zoo	Features hands-on animal encounters and family-friendly activities.
Nebraska State Capitol	A historic building with tours highlighting its architecture and history.
Sheldon Museum of Art	Home to a diverse art collection with over 12,000 works.
Hyde Memorial Observatory	Public observatory for stargazing and astronomy education.
Pinewood Bowl Theater	An outdoor amphitheater hosting various musical genres.
Mueller Planetarium	Offers immersive shows exploring space and astronomy.
Wilderness Park	A large green space with trails for outdoor activities.
Lincoln Haymarket District	A vibrant area for dining, nightlife, and local culture.
Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center	A habitat for birdwatching and nature exploration.

The difficult part is narrowing down the options in this vibrant capital. To help guide your exploration, here are 12 of the top attractions and activities that showcase the best of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Table of Content

University of Nebraska State Museum

Name and Location: University of Nebraska State Museum, 645 N 14th St, Lincoln, NE

History and Significance: Founded in 1871, features exhibits on Nebraska history, paleontology, anthropology and more.

What to Expect: See Morrill Hall’s elephant and mammoth fossil mounts, Native American artifacts, and rotating exhibits.

Visitor Information: Free general admission. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Thursday until 8pm.

History and natural history take the spotlight at the University of Nebraska State Museum. This extensive museum complex houses nine halls focusing on different aspects of the region’s environment and peoples. It provides an in-depth look at native prairie ecosystems along with the culture of Native American tribes from the Great Plains.

Don’t miss seeing the museum’s famous mammoth fossil exhibits, which include giant mammoth tusks. Other highlights include a towering mosasaur fossil, meteorites collection, and artifacts from pioneer settlers. Family programs, lectures, and seasonal events make this an engaging learning experience for all ages. With both indoor and outdoor viewing areas, the State Museum offers an insightful glimpse into Nebraska’s past.

Sunken Gardens

Name and Location: Sunken Gardens, 27th and Capitol Parkway, Lincoln, NE

History and Significance: These formal public gardens have welcomed visitors since 1930.

What to Expect: Stroll through several themed garden spaces with fountains, flowers, and tranquil ponds.

Visitor Information: Free admission. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

For natural beauty right in town, Sunken Gardens is a must-see. Also known as Lincoln Municipal Garden, this public botanical garden spans 100 acres right near downtown. The centerpiece is a cascading waterfall and sunken garden featuring vibrant floral displays. Meandering paths let you take in rose gardens, lily pond, and serene Japanese garden on peaceful strolls.

Two greenhouses and an education center offer gardening workshops and exhibits to inspire home gardeners. Seasonal lighting events around the winter holidays add extra magic. For an urban oasis that showcases the best of Nebraska’s horticulture, Sunken Gardens is a refreshing break from the city.

Pioneers Park Nature Center

Name and Location: Pioneers Park Nature Center, 3201 S Coddington Ave, Lincoln, NE

History and Significance: Nature preserve with trails, exhibits and education programs since 1965.

What to Expect: Walking trails, treehouse, interactive exhibits on wildlife and ecology. Nature programs and events.

Visitor Information: Free admission. Open Tuesday-Saturday, hours vary seasonally.

Pioneers Park Nature Center allows you to step into Nebraska’s prairie landscapes and get an up-close look at plants and wildlife. Located within the expansive Pioneers Park, the Nature Center has habitats for rescued raptors along with indoor exhibits. Outdoor trails wind through native grasslands, ponds and woodlands.

Lincoln Children’s Zoo

Name and Location: Lincoln Children’s Zoo, 1222 S 27th St, Lincoln, NE

History and Significance: Zoo designed for interactivity and hands-on animal encounters.

What to Expect: Feed and touch animals in the petting zoo, watch prairie dog town, experience indoor rides.

Visitor Information: Admission fee. Open daily year-round. Check website for hours.

For family fun, Lincoln Children’s Zoo packs lots of hands-on encounters with animals into its compact space. One of the zoo’s hallmarks is the underwater viewing tunnel where kids can see river otters swimming above their heads. The Scales and Tails area lets guests get up close with reptiles like tortoises and snakes.

Kids can also pet cows, goats, and sheep in the barnyard petting zoo. Special events like Zoolio music nights and bug festivals provide interactive learning. Rides like the ZOOperstars Carousel and Reptile Racers add amusement park-style fun. With interactive exhibits tailored for kids, Lincoln Children’s Zoo promises engaging entertainment for young visitors.

Nebraska State Capitol

Name and Location: Nebraska State Capitol, 1445 K St, Lincoln, NE

History and Significance: Grand state capitol building completed in 1932. Towering 400 feet, it is nicknamed the “Tower on the Plains.”

What to Expect: Guided tours of the capitol’s interior featuring mosaics, architectural details, legislative chambers.

Visitor Information: Free guided tours daily. Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, weekends 10am-5pm.

History buffs will appreciate touring the impressive Nebraska State Capitol building. The architectural landmark was completed in 1932 and is crowned by a 400-foot tower that dominates Lincoln’s skyline. Guided tours provide interesting insights on the Art Deco details and symbolic design elements throughout the building.

Inside, the Warner Legislative Chamber provides a look at where the state’s lawmakers meet. The ornate Warner Hearing Room boasts stunning murals depicting Nebraska history. Other highlights include the outdoor Sower statue atop the building and expansive views from 14th floor observation decks. Exploring this stately capitol helps you learn about Nebraska government and architecture.

Sheldon Museum of Art

Name and Location: Sheldon Museum of Art, 12th and R Streets, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

History and Significance: Premier collection of 20th century American art. Part of University of Nebraska.

What to Expect: View collections of paintings, photographs, sculptures. Attend concerts and programs.

Visitor Information: Free admission. Closed Mondays, open Tues-Sat 10am-4pm, Thurs until 8pm.

As the state’s premier art museum, the Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska is a must-see. This extensive collection features over 12,000 works spanning a diversity of artists and movements. The core collection focuses on 20th century American art with notable pieces by Thomas Hart Benton, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Georgia O’Keeffe.

Along with paintings, the museum displays sculpture, drawings, prints, photographs and more across 24 galleries. Special exhibitions highlight contemporary and emerging artists. Frequent public programs and lectures make the Sheldon Museum an engaging venue for encountering provocative art.

Hyde Memorial Observatory

Name and Location: Hyde Memorial Observatory, 3701 S 70th St, Lincoln, NE

History and Significance: Amateur astronomy group operating since 1975, with telescopes open for public viewing.

What to Expect: Look through telescopes on scheduled nights to see planets, nebulae, galaxies and more.

Visitor Information: Free public viewing hours vary seasonally. Check website for schedule.

For some stellar stargazing, spend an evening at Hyde Memorial Observatory. Run by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Physics and Astronomy Department, the observatory opens on scheduled nights for public viewings through its powerful telescope. Gaze in awe at celestial objects like nebulas, star clusters, galaxies, and planets revealed in closer detail.

Knowledgeable staff provide insights about the objects being viewed and astronomy basics. Indoor exhibits feature meteorite samples that visitors can touch. By providing access to world-class telescopes, the Hyde Observatory makes the wonder of the cosmos up close and personal. Don’t miss this opportunity to look deeper into the night sky.

Pinewood Bowl Theater

Name and Location: Pinewood Bowl Theater, Pioneers Park, 3201 S Coddington Ave, Lincoln, NE

History and Significance: Outdoor amphitheater hosting performances since 1939. Seats over 7,000.

What to Expect: Concerts, plays, musicals performed June-August. Bring or rent chairs and blankets.

Visitor Information: Ticket prices vary by event. Some events are free.

Nestled in Pioneers Park, the outdoor Pinewood Bowl Theater provides a beautiful setting for concerts under the stars. The natural amphitheater can seat over 7000 people. Music acts covering genres like pop, country, classical, and rock take the stage every summer.

Patrons can purchase reserved seats in the covered amphitheater or general admission lawn spots where picnicking is welcome. Food and drink vendors are on site. With its lush, wooded surroundings and quality acoustics, Pinewood Bowl offers an idyllic concert experience for all ages.

Mueller Planetarium

Name and Location: Mueller Planetarium, 645 N 14th St, Lincoln, NE

History and Significance: Part of the University of Nebraska State Museum since 1958.

What to Expect: Educational star shows explaining constellations, space science and exploration.

Visitor Information: Admission fee for shows. Open various hours, check website for schedule.

The Mueller Planetarium at UNL invites visitors to explore the cosmos through immersive shows projected on its massive dome screen. Using state-of-the-art visual technology, the planetarium’s programs transport audiences through space and time. Kids and adults will be dazzled by journeys to faraway nebulas, rollercoaster rides through the Solar System, and dramatic fly-throughs of the known universe.

In addition to stellar entertainment, the planetarium aims to educate audiences on astronomy through informative shows explaining cosmic phenomena. A visit to the Mueller Planetarium truly brings the miraculous universe to life right before your eyes. Don’t miss this engaging opportunity to travel through the galaxy via the power of multimedia.

Wilderness Park

Name and Location: Wilderness Park, 1228 S Coddington Ave, Lincoln, NE

History and Significance: Sprawling conserved area with trails along Salt Creek.

What to Expect: Hiking, biking, horseback riding through prairie, wetlands and woodlands. Spot wildlife.

Visitor Information: Free admission. Open daily 5am-11pm. Some areas closed seasonally.

Lincoln boasts an impressive network of green space, with the expansive Wilderness Park as a crown jewel. Its 1,472 acres include meadows, woodlands, wetlands, and creeks just on the city’s western edge. Over 14 miles of multi-use trails provide plenty of room for hiking, running and horseback riding. The park’s observe-only areas protect sensitive habitats for viewing flora and fauna.

Keep an eye out for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and waterfowl as you explore the peaceful trails. Picnic areas make perfect pitstops. For an easy nature escape, Wilderness Park’s size and variety guarantee memorable outdoor experiences minutes from downtown Lincoln.

Lincoln Haymarket District

Name and Location: Downtown Lincoln surrounding P and Q Streets

History and Significance: Historic area with shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and a public market.

What to Expect: Boutiques, eateries, coffee shops, street performers, the Lincoln Farmers Market on Saturdays.

Visitor Information: Free to walk around. Street parking available. Farmers Market open Saturday 7am-12pm.

Lincoln’s historic Haymarket District is the place to be for dining, nightlife, and local culture. The pedestrian-friendly urban neighborhood features restaurants, bars, boutiques, and galleries in preserved 19th century warehouses. On weekends, an expansive farmer’s market brings additional vibrance.

Cultural institutions like the Lincoln Children’s Museum line the streets. Festivals like Art in the Haymarket celebrate the area’s creative community. With its lively ambiance and blend of historical preservation and modern hotspots, the Haymarket District is Lincoln’s uniquely eclectic gathering place.

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center

Name and Location: Spring Creek Prairie, 11700 SW 100th St, Denton, NE

History and Significance: 850-acre tallgrass prairie nature preserve and education center.

What to Expect: Hike trails to spot birds, wildlife and native grasses. Attend conservation programs and events.

Visitor Information: Free admission to trails. Center open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm.

Birdwatchers and nature lovers will find an inviting habitat at the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center just southwest of the city. This restored prairie encompasses 850 acres of native grasses, wildflowers, and wetlands. An interpretive center has exhibits identifying regional plants and animals along with viewing areas for spotting local wildlife.

Over 12 miles of trails provide opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing in the serene prairie environment. Guided birding walks are available along with other nature programs. Spring Creek Prairie gives a glimpse at Nebraska’s prairie landscape while preserving vital habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Conclusion

Lincoln provides the perfect combination of Midwestern hospitality and dynamic city experiences. Museums, performing arts, historic neighborhoods, and an impressive university campus give visitors plenty to do in Nebraska’s capital. The city’s extensive parklands and natural areas offer refreshing outdoor escapes.

From the State Capitol’s impressive architecture to the starry skies over Hyde Observatory, Lincoln’s attractions enlighten and inspire. When traveling to the heartland, make sure to spend some time exploring the Cornhusker State’s thriving capital city.

Top 12 Attractions in Lincoln, Nebraska