Lincoln

Travel Guide

Lincoln showing a city and railway items
Sheldon Museum of Art showing interior views
Lincoln featuring railway items
Sunken Gardens featuring flowers and wild flowers
Nebraska State Capitol which includes a statue or sculpture and heritage architecture

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 Centre 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 Centre. 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 which includes 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
Sunken Gardens featuring zoo animals and bird life

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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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
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40th and "A"

When in 40th and "A", you can plan a visit to Lincoln Children's Zoo and Woods Tennis Center, 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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South Salt Creek

While there might not be top attractions in South Salt Creek, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Nebraska State Capitol and Lincoln Children's Museum.

South Salt Creek
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln

Graduate by Hilton Lincoln

4 out of 5
141 N 9th St, Lincoln, NE
The price is €110 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€110
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,262 reviews)
"This hotel is awesome. The staff are friendly and were a joy to be around. The decor is full on corn husker. :o) Fabulous location- everything is walking distance."

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel

The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel

3.5 out of 5
333 S 13th St, Lincoln, NE
The price is €137 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
€137
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,003 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, NE. The staff were very kind and professional. We had one small issue with our room, but a staff member arrived within 20 minutes to fix it. The hotel's location is excellent and the daily parking was reasonable. We'll stay at this hotel next ..."

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel
Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites

Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites

2.5 out of 5
2201 Wildcat Circle, Lincoln, NE
The price is €91 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
€91
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,044 reviews)
"We had a great stay and breakfast before moving our son into UNL"

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025

Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites
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.
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! (54 reviews)
"It was a great experience and I would recommend this rental."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Modern & Private 15 min to Downtown Lincoln Pet Friendly
Atmosphere Lincoln

Atmosphere Lincoln

4 out of 5
909 Q Street, Lincoln, NE
Stay at this 4-star condo in Lincoln. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a pool table. Popular attractions Pinnacle Bank Arena and Memorial Stadium ...
8/10 Very Good! (4 reviews)
"We liked the coffee bar in the morning. We didn’t like not being able to park in the basement. That would have made a difference. Communication was bad, it was very hard to get someone to speak with regarding all the issues that we had from the beginning of our stay."

Reviewed on 3 Jan 2025

Atmosphere Lincoln
Private Suite at Sisley Inn-10 Minutes to Downtown!

Private Suite at Sisley Inn-10 Minutes to Downtown!

Lincoln
Stay at this aparthotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Memorial Stadium and Pinnacle Bank Arena are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (20 reviews)
"Very nice! Enjoyed our stay! Will be back someday!"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Private Suite at Sisley Inn-10 Minutes to Downtown!
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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