Lincoln Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Lincoln featuring a city and railway items
Sheldon Museum of Art showing interior views
Lincoln featuring railway items
Sunken Gardens showing wild flowers and flowers
Nebraska State Capitol showing 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 featuring 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 which includes 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
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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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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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Highlands

While visiting Highlands, you might make a stop by sights like Highlands Golf Course and Highland Village.

Highlands
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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"
New Victorian Suites

New Victorian Suites

3 out of 5
225 North 50th St., 50th & O Street, Lincoln, NE
The price is ₹6,143 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
₹6,143
₹7,140 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,079 reviews)
"No dislikes, the short time I stayed there was more than acceptable"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

New Victorian Suites
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln

Graduate by Hilton Lincoln

4 out of 5
141 N 9th St, Lincoln, NE
The price is ₹10,300 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹10,300
₹11,974 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the bar and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,276 reviews)
"We love the Graduate. Perfect for walking to the Haymarket area. Great food and drinks at the Single Barrel onsite. Makenna at the front desk was fantastic!"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
Hyatt Place Lincoln / Downtown - Haymarket

Hyatt Place Lincoln / Downtown - Haymarket

3.5 out of 5
600 Q Street, Lincoln, NE
The price is ₹9,842 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹9,842
₹11,441 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
"Spacious clean & comfy room. They had blackout shades and provided a pack n play for our baby. Good breakfast. Only complaint is the parking was kind of a hassle"

Reviewed on 20 Jul 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 Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a garden. Popular attractions Pinnacle Bank Arena and Memorial Stadium are located ...
7/10 Good! (14 reviews)
"Awesome way to stay out if town ! All the amenities of home."

Reviewed on 26 May 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 Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre 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
Family-friendly Lincoln Home w/ Sandbox & Grill!

Family-friendly Lincoln Home w/ Sandbox & Grill!

3 out of 5
Lincoln
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly cottage in Lincoln. Enjoy free parking and air conditioning. Popular attractions Memorial Stadium and Pinnacle Bank Arena ...
Family-friendly Lincoln Home w/ Sandbox & Grill!
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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