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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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
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South Salt Creek

While South Salt Creek isn't home to many top sights, Nebraska State Capitol and Lincoln Children's Museum are some notable places to visit nearby.

South Salt Creek
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
4 out of 5
141 N 9th St, Lincoln, NE
The price is P6,726 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P6,726
P7,819 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
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! (1,272 reviews)
"The parking garage elevator was terrible. It was 100° and the elevator was questionably operating. With the door barely opening. There was no fan or vent at all. It was very uncomfortable. And the price per vehicle for parking is ridiculous."

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Lincoln
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Lincoln
3 out of 5
4433 N 27th St, Lincoln, NE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P4,351 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
P4,351
P5,058 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly motel in Lincoln. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,236 reviews)
"We had a really late arrival and the man working the front desk was super nice and helpful. The beds were comfortable, and the breakfast was good."

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Lincoln
Hyatt Place Lincoln / Downtown - Haymarket
Hyatt Place Lincoln / Downtown - Haymarket
3.5 out of 5
600 Q Street, Lincoln, NE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P7,257 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
P7,257
P8,437 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Staff were very friendly and had great tips for dining options. Room was clean and updated, though was very humid even with air conditioner on."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Hyatt Place Lincoln / Downtown - Haymarket
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 a garden. Popular attractions Memorial Stadium and Lincoln Children's Museum are located ...
7/10 Good! (14 reviews)
"Awesome way to stay out if town ! All the amenities of home."

Reviewed on May 26, 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 Memorial Stadium and Lincoln Children's ...
"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
Fox Run Bungalow w/ Patio & Yard in Lincoln!
Fox Run Bungalow w/ Patio & Yard in Lincoln!
3 out of 5
Lincoln
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Lincoln. Enjoy free parking, patios, and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Memorial Stadium and Antelope Park are located ...
Fox Run Bungalow w/ Patio & Yard in 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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