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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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
The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel

The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel

3.5 out of 5
333 S 13th St, Lincoln, NE
The price is ฿4,180 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
฿4,180
฿4,859 total
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the room ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Well kept. Can tell it's an older bldg but love full service restaurant, Starbucks, pool and gym. Needs a spa for us old people, lol"

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel
Hyatt Place Lincoln / Downtown - Haymarket

Hyatt Place Lincoln / Downtown - Haymarket

3.5 out of 5
600 Q Street, Lincoln, NE
The price is ฿3,622 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
฿3,622
฿4,210 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
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! (1,000 reviews)
"Great stay! Staff and location are great."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Hyatt Place Lincoln / Downtown - Haymarket
BridgePointe Inn & Suites by BPhotels, Lincoln I-80/27th St

BridgePointe Inn & Suites by BPhotels, Lincoln I-80/27th St

2.5 out of 5
6750 Wildcat Drive, Lincoln, NE
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
"Cat friendly. Amazing beds and friendly staff. Would recommend"

Reviewed on 8 Aug 2025

BridgePointe Inn & Suites by BPhotels, Lincoln I-80/27th St
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.
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
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! (15 reviews)
"A security alarm was malfunctioning going off most of the time in the lobby area. Sheets werent clean and dishwasher was broken. But otherwise everything else was clean new and convinient. Overall I enjoyed my stay."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

Stay on M Street
Walk to UNL Campus: Dtwn Lincoln Loft Apt!

Walk to UNL Campus: Dtwn Lincoln Loft Apt!

3.5 out of 5
Lincoln, NE
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Lincoln. Enjoy an in-room coffee maker, in-room fireplaces and air conditioning. Popular attractions Pinnacle Bank Arena and ...
Walk to UNL Campus: Dtwn Lincoln Loft Apt!
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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