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New Orleans is known for its music and food. Las Vegas is known for its shows and casinos. Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza and Cubs baseball. But Lincoln, NE? You might imagine acres of corn fields or cow pastures after cow pastures. Although these images aren’t wrong, there’s more to this state capital than farming. Let’s dive in and discuss five things to do in Lincoln, NE!
Where Is Lincoln, NE?
Lincoln, the state capital, is along I-80 in southeastern Nebraska. It’s about an hour southwest of Omaha, which is right on the Iowa border. I-80 veers in this direction from Lincoln and travels northeast through Iowa and onto Chicago.
Lincoln, NE, is north of the Kansas border, about 64 miles. Highway 77 travels directly to the state capital. Topeka is a little less than three hours away, and Kansas City is a little more than three hours away from Lincoln.
Pro Tip: If you’re making a trek out to the Midwest this summer, be sure to check out the Lincoln Highway!
What Is Lincoln, NE, Known For?
Lincoln, NE, isn’t known for anything other than as the state capital. This is why Nebraska is often called a “fly-over state.” The University of Nebraska is here, and college football fans flock to the Cornhuskers’ stadium every fall.
The city is part of the Midwest Silicon Prairie that stretches from Dallas to Chicago. This region has a high concentration of tech companies, thus earning a similar name to Silicon Valley.
Lincoln, NE, is one of the best places to earn a living, making multiple lists throughout the last decade. It ranked fourth on Forbes’s list of the Best Places for Business and Careers in 2013, first on NerdWallet’s Best Cities for Job Seekers in 2015, and second on SmartAsset’s Cities with the Best Work-life Balance in 2019.
5 Things To Do In Lincoln, NE
So, you may be wondering what there is to do in a Midwest city like Lincoln, NE, with very few claims to fame. If you’re looking for a hip downtown or a diverse cultural experience, we would certainly suggest other places. But if you’re traveling through America’s Heartland, don’t skip out on stopping in Lincoln for a couple of days. Here are our top suggestions of things to do in Lincoln, NE!
1. Stroll Through the Sunken Gardens
Address: South 27th St & Capitol Pkwy, Lincoln, NE 68502
Price: free
About: The Sunken Gardens is one of the top-rated things to do in Lincoln, NE. It’s a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Over 30,000 different annuals are featured in the 1.5-acre garden. Once you’ve spent a day exploring other parts of the city, this is an excellent place to unwind and enjoy quiet serenity while walking the pathways.
One visitor shared: “It’s absolutely gorgeous! There are so many flower beds…and the whole thing is taken care of by volunteers. There are sculptures and ponds with koi fish. It was one of my favorite places to visit…It’s so peaceful and everyone there is smiling because of the beauty of it all. I wish I lived closer I would be here everyday.”
2. Visit the Lincoln Children’s Zoo
Address: 1222 South 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68502
Price: $12.95-14.95
About: Head over to another top attraction in Lincoln, NE: the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Over 400 animals live here, including cheetahs, tigers, bald eagles, giant anteaters, red pandas, Humboldt penguins, bearded dragons, ring-tailed lemurs, camels, and Galapagos tortoises. The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3. Explore the Pioneers Park Nature Center
Address: 3201 S. Coddington Ave, Lincoln, NE 68508
Price: free
About: Another outdoor activity is the Pioneers Park Nature Center. It consists of 668 acres of tallgrass prairie, woodlands, and wetlands that are habitats for various wildlife. Ten miles of hiking trails take you through the prairie and forests, while the bird garden is an enchanting place to listen to the native birds. There’s also an herb garden, a natural play area, and multiple exhibits.
A visitor wrote: “Pioneers Park has activities for anyone. There are trails for horse riding, a playground, a sledding hill, opportunities to see wildlife, hiking and biking trails, and nature centers to learn about Nebraska ecosystems. Although the park is widely visited, it’s large enough that it never feels crowded.”
4. Visit the Museum of American Speed
Address: 599 Oakcreek Drive, Lincoln, NE 68528
Price: $5-15
About: All of our top things to do in Lincoln, NE, are outdoor activities except this one. The Museum of American Speed is an awesome place to learn more about the history of automotive racing engines and speed equipment development. It’s a must-see for any racing fan! The 150,000-square-foot museum is home to 600 engines and 150 vehicle displays. However, it’s only open on certain days and times, depending on the season. So, make sure to check out the website before heading over to the Museum of American Speed.
5. Catch A Game At Memorial Stadium
Address: One Memorial Stadium Drive, Lincoln, NE 68588
Price: varies
About: Finally, one of the only things Lincoln, NE, is known for is Cornhusker football. If you travel during the fall, get tickets to one of the home games at Memorial Stadium. With a capacity of 85,000, there are few places in the U.S. where you’ll have such an experience. Make sure to wear red and white! If you can’t catch a game, see if you can book a tour.
When Is the Best Time To Visit Lincoln, NE?
When considering the things to do in Lincoln, NE, you’ll want to visit when the weather is pleasant. With so many outdoor activities, you want to avoid the middle of the summer when temperatures can rise to 100 degrees. But you’ll also want to avoid the winter when they dip into the negatives.
May through August are also the wettest months of the year, so we suggest heading to Lincoln, NE, in the shoulder seasons. Spring is the perfect time to see the Sunken Gardens. And you can enjoy a football game in September at Memorial Stadium.
Enjoy Visiting the Cornhusker State With These Things To Do In Lincoln, NE!
Although Lincoln, NE, isn’t known for anything, it’s not without fun things to do. We were surprised at the number of outdoor activities we could enjoy. So, the next time you travel along I-80, don’t skip out on the Nebraska capital city. You might be surprised at what you’ll find!
Have you ever visited the Cornhusker State? What are your favorite things to do in Lincoln, NE?
