Lincoln

Travel Guide

Lincoln featuring railway items and a city
Sheldon Museum of Art showing interior views
Lincoln showing railway items
Sunken Gardens showing wildflowers and flowers
Nebraska State Capitol featuring 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 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 known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Lied Center and Lincoln Children's Museum while in the area.

Downtown Lincoln
Sunken Gardens showing 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
Some very nice Indian food tonight in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska. 
#lincolnnebraska #nebraska #indianfood #traveler #travelphotography

Haymarket

While Haymarket isn't home to many top sights, Pinnacle Bank Arena and Lincoln Children's Museum are some notable places to visit nearby.

Haymarket
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40th and "A"

40th and "A" might not have many top sights, but Lincoln Children's Zoo and Sunken Gardens are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

40th and "A"
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West Lincoln

Though West Lincoln might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Capitol Beach Lake and Haymarket Park.

West Lincoln
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Highlands

If you're spending some time in Highlands, Highlands Golf Course and Highland Village are top sights worth seeing.

Highlands
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
4 out of 5
141 N 9th St, Lincoln, NE
The price is P7,603 per night from 4 May to 5 May
P7,603
P8,838 total
includes taxes & fees
May 4 - May 5
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! (1,304 reviews)
"The hotel is always clean and the staff always friendly. Location is perfect for the Haymarket. Everything is close and within a short walking distance."

Reviewed on Apr 26, 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 P8,319 per night from 10 May to 11 May
P8,319
P9,670 total
includes taxes & fees
May 10 - May 11
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! (1,001 reviews)
"Great to have access to a Starbucks on the property!"

Reviewed on Apr 17, 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 P5,400 per night from 26 May to 27 May
P5,400
P6,278 total
includes taxes & fees
May 26 - May 27
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! (629 reviews)
"I was a very nice and clean establishment. Very enjoyable stay."

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln Downtown by IHG
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 ...
7/10 Good! (11 reviews)
"This is a student housing building, where apartments are being rented via an external company based in the UK; there is no lobby or person to ask for help on the premises. You have to pick up a key from a lockbox with a code, etc, which is an additional step. Also, the company requires you to share ..."

Reviewed on Apr 23, 2025

Stay on M Street
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 Jan 3, 2025

Atmosphere 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.

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