Karen Lynne’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Small enough to be manageable, but big enough to be interesting. Feed the giraffes from the elevated feeding deck, meander through the exhibits, or take a train ride around the grounds to take it all in! This zoo is great place to spend the day and create family memories.
84 locals recommend
Lincoln Children's Zoo
1222 S 27th StSmall enough to be manageable, but big enough to be interesting. Feed the giraffes from the elevated feeding deck, meander through the exhibits, or take a train ride around the grounds to take it all in! This zoo is great place to spend the day and create family memories.
A college football game at Memorial Stadium should be on everyone’s bucket list! There are tours available led by local volunteers--they are very interesting and highly recommended.
71 locals recommend
Memorial Stadium
One Memorial Stadium DriveA college football game at Memorial Stadium should be on everyone’s bucket list! There are tours available led by local volunteers--they are very interesting and highly recommended.
Only 6 blocks away, you’ll be transported to a beautiful escape in the middle of the city. Stunning flowers and plants coupled with beautiful paths and stairways make this feel like a slice of heaven. Fountains and benches are found as you meander through the gardens. Don’t miss it!
77 locals recommend
Sunken Gardens
2600 D StOnly 6 blocks away, you’ll be transported to a beautiful escape in the middle of the city. Stunning flowers and plants coupled with beautiful paths and stairways make this feel like a slice of heaven. Fountains and benches are found as you meander through the gardens. Don’t miss it!
This great historic part of downtown is fun, eclectic, and still maintains a small town feel. It’s hopping on game days, and there are a variety of different restaurants and bars where you can tailgate or watch the game on the outdoor huge screen at the Railyard!
40 locals recommend
Historic Haymarket
335 N 8th StThis great historic part of downtown is fun, eclectic, and still maintains a small town feel. It’s hopping on game days, and there are a variety of different restaurants and bars where you can tailgate or watch the game on the outdoor huge screen at the Railyard!
Nebraska is home to one of the most beautiful and unique capitol buildings in the country. The Nebraska State Capitol is the seat of government for the U.S. State of Nebraska and is located in downtown Lincoln. It was designed by New York architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue in 1920 and was constructed of Indiana limestone from 1922 to 1932. The capitol houses the primary executive and judicial offices of Nebraska and is home to the Nebraska Legislature—the only unicameral state legislature in the United States.
BUILDING HOURS
Monday ‐ Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday ⁄ Holidays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.
Tour Office: (402) 471-0448
Guided Tours Begin at the North Entrance Second Floor Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except at noon; Saturday/Holidays 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except at noon; Sunday 1 - 4 p.m.
Open every day except Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
53 locals recommend
Nebraska State Capitol
1445 K StNebraska is home to one of the most beautiful and unique capitol buildings in the country. The Nebraska State Capitol is the seat of government for the U.S. State of Nebraska and is located in downtown Lincoln. It was designed by New York architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue in 1920 and was constructed of Indiana limestone from 1922 to 1932. The capitol houses the primary executive and judicial offices of Nebraska and is home to the Nebraska Legislature—the only unicameral state legislature in the United States.
BUILDING HOURS
Monday ‐ Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday ⁄ Holidays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.
Tour Office: (402) 471-0448
Guided Tours Begin at the North Entrance Second Floor Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except at noon; Saturday/Holidays 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except at noon; Sunday 1 - 4 p.m.
Open every day except Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
There is always something fantastic happening at the Lied! From Broadway shows to musical performances, lectures or dance, check out the calendar and see what is going on during your stay.
For current events and tickets: https://www.liedcenter.org/
24 locals recommend
Lied Center for Performing Arts
301 N 12th StThere is always something fantastic happening at the Lied! From Broadway shows to musical performances, lectures or dance, check out the calendar and see what is going on during your stay.
For current events and tickets: https://www.liedcenter.org/
The International Quilt Museum is home to the world's largest publicly held quilt collection. With objects from more than 65 countries and dating from the 1600s to today, we aim to collect and exhibit works that represent quilts and quiltmaking traditions from around the world and throughout history.
19 locals recommend
International Quilt Museum
Holdrege StreetThe International Quilt Museum is home to the world's largest publicly held quilt collection. With objects from more than 65 countries and dating from the 1600s to today, we aim to collect and exhibit works that represent quilts and quiltmaking traditions from around the world and throughout history.
Pirrello’s jetpack skates are just a sample of what the National Museum of Roller Skating has to offer. Preserving the history through display and education, the recreation, sport and business aspects of roller skating are demonstrated through exhibits demonstrating all genres, from hockey to derby to inline. Pop culture at its finest, the photos of Scott Baio on skates and clippings from news stories about roller skate-related murders are reason enough to make it your business to stop in for a visit.
11 locals recommend
National Museum of Rollerskating
4730 South StPirrello’s jetpack skates are just a sample of what the National Museum of Roller Skating has to offer. Preserving the history through display and education, the recreation, sport and business aspects of roller skating are demonstrated through exhibits demonstrating all genres, from hockey to derby to inline. Pop culture at its finest, the photos of Scott Baio on skates and clippings from news stories about roller skate-related murders are reason enough to make it your business to stop in for a visit.
Embark on your next outdoor adventure at Wildlife Safari Park, a four mile, drive-through North American wildlife experience in Ashland, Nebraska. Social distancing measures are in place, so visitors can explore outside of their vehicles. Stretch your legs with a hike to one of our overlooks to view bears, wolves, elk, bison, pelicans and other waterfowl, or step inside the Eagle Aviary to see eagles and whooping cranes. The Visitor Center is open with a capacity restriction of 25 guests at a time. The Pawnee Creek food trailer is also open for snacks. Face masks are strongly encouraged.
25 locals recommend
Wildlife Safari Park
16406 292nd StEmbark on your next outdoor adventure at Wildlife Safari Park, a four mile, drive-through North American wildlife experience in Ashland, Nebraska. Social distancing measures are in place, so visitors can explore outside of their vehicles. Stretch your legs with a hike to one of our overlooks to view bears, wolves, elk, bison, pelicans and other waterfowl, or step inside the Eagle Aviary to see eagles and whooping cranes. The Visitor Center is open with a capacity restriction of 25 guests at a time. The Pawnee Creek food trailer is also open for snacks. Face masks are strongly encouraged.
Many of you may have noticed this beautiful shrine in Gretna, just off Interstate 80 between Omaha and Lincoln. Although not yet able to hold Saturday morning masses or reserve the facilities for any events, the Holy Family Shrine is open Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Please continue to check the website for any updates.
All visitors are asked comply with social distancing directives and wear masks. Hand sanitizer will be set out for your use.
7 locals recommend
Holy Family Shrine
23132 Pflug RdMany of you may have noticed this beautiful shrine in Gretna, just off Interstate 80 between Omaha and Lincoln. Although not yet able to hold Saturday morning masses or reserve the facilities for any events, the Holy Family Shrine is open Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Please continue to check the website for any updates.
All visitors are asked comply with social distancing directives and wear masks. Hand sanitizer will be set out for your use.
Anyone fascinated with the military, history, planes, aircraft and spacecraft and their restoration will enjoy the vast exhibits.
Public tours of the SAC Aerospace Museum are given daily. They begin at 11 a.m. and are conducted by a volunteer staff member of the museum. Allow two hours for a full tour.
Flight simulators, children’s learning center, a gift shop, and a cafe are also available on site.
53 locals recommend
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
28210 W Park HwyAnyone fascinated with the military, history, planes, aircraft and spacecraft and their restoration will enjoy the vast exhibits.
Public tours of the SAC Aerospace Museum are given daily. They begin at 11 a.m. and are conducted by a volunteer staff member of the museum. Allow two hours for a full tour.
Flight simulators, children’s learning center, a gift shop, and a cafe are also available on site.
The Henry Doorly Zoo is one of the top zoos in the country. It's 160 acres of unique habitats and features a Desert Dome, the enclosed Leid Jungle (the world's largest indoor rainforest), the largest aquarium in a zoo, and an African Grasslands exhibit.
438 locals recommend
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
3701 S 10th StThe Henry Doorly Zoo is one of the top zoos in the country. It's 160 acres of unique habitats and features a Desert Dome, the enclosed Leid Jungle (the world's largest indoor rainforest), the largest aquarium in a zoo, and an African Grasslands exhibit.
Food scene
This great historic part of downtown is fun, eclectic, and still maintains a small town feel. It’s hopping on game days, and there are a variety of restaurants and bars where you can tailgate or watch the game on the outdoor huge screen at the Railyard!
40 locals recommend
Historic Haymarket
335 N 8th StThis great historic part of downtown is fun, eclectic, and still maintains a small town feel. It’s hopping on game days, and there are a variety of restaurants and bars where you can tailgate or watch the game on the outdoor huge screen at the Railyard!
Located in the historic Haymarket area, Screamers is a one of a kind Lincoln experience! The Screamers concept was conceived by Kevin Witcher, a long-time veteran of the music and entertainment industry. Both the name and the concept is a tribute to the Scarlet and Cream Singers (University of Nebraska’s show choir, of which Kevin was a member) and its founding musical director Ray Miller.
Not only is the menu diverse, the food amazing (the steaks and crab cakes are fantastic) , but your servers jump up on stage throughout the night to entertain you with show tunes, classic songs and other performances. Screamers is an experience for the whole family.
14 locals recommend
Screamers Dining and Cabaret: A Family Restaurant
803 Q StreetLocated in the historic Haymarket area, Screamers is a one of a kind Lincoln experience! The Screamers concept was conceived by Kevin Witcher, a long-time veteran of the music and entertainment industry. Both the name and the concept is a tribute to the Scarlet and Cream Singers (University of Nebraska’s show choir, of which Kevin was a member) and its founding musical director Ray Miller.
Not only is the menu diverse, the food amazing (the steaks and crab cakes are fantastic) , but your servers jump up on stage throughout the night to entertain you with show tunes, classic songs and other performances. Screamers is an experience for the whole family.
Lazlo’s is a local gem! Lazlo’s features signature burgers, flame-grilled steaks, chicken and fresh seafood. The menu features a delicious and unique selection of homemade appetizers, salads and sandwiches, all complemented with made-from-scratch soups, side dishes and desserts. Also a microbrewery, you likely will not be disappointed with their selection of hand-crafted beer.
Lazlo's has locations in both the Haymarket and in South Lincoln.
46 locals recommend
Lazlo's Brewery & Grill - Haymarket
210 N 7th StLazlo’s is a local gem! Lazlo’s features signature burgers, flame-grilled steaks, chicken and fresh seafood. The menu features a delicious and unique selection of homemade appetizers, salads and sandwiches, all complemented with made-from-scratch soups, side dishes and desserts. Also a microbrewery, you likely will not be disappointed with their selection of hand-crafted beer.
Lazlo's has locations in both the Haymarket and in South Lincoln.
Honest Abe's has incredible burgers with a rotating menu of specialty flavor options. Here, you'll find the most unique combinations of toppings on burgers, and they are all uniquely delicious. There is also a selection of salads available.
There are 4 locations in Lincoln, including the nearby Downtown location.
54 locals recommend
Honest Abe's Burgers & Freedom
126 N 14th StHonest Abe's has incredible burgers with a rotating menu of specialty flavor options. Here, you'll find the most unique combinations of toppings on burgers, and they are all uniquely delicious. There is also a selection of salads available.
There are 4 locations in Lincoln, including the nearby Downtown location.
Piezano's is a delightful neighborhood Italian restaurant. Great pizza (try the pepperoni and cream cheese), lasagna, seafood, and more. It's only a few blocks away, so you can swing by, walk over, or have it delivered.
16 locals recommend
Piezano's
2740 South StPiezano's is a delightful neighborhood Italian restaurant. Great pizza (try the pepperoni and cream cheese), lasagna, seafood, and more. It's only a few blocks away, so you can swing by, walk over, or have it delivered.
Zesto is a fun neighborhood ice cream stand that also serves burgers and other quick eats! Their soft serve is iconic (I recommend the lemon 🍋 roughly from Easter to Memorial Day), and you can get a cone, waffle cone, mix in, bars, or sandwiches! (Be sure to try a dip and/or some Krunch Kote on your soft serve!)
Zesto
1100 South StZesto is a fun neighborhood ice cream stand that also serves burgers and other quick eats! Their soft serve is iconic (I recommend the lemon 🍋 roughly from Easter to Memorial Day), and you can get a cone, waffle cone, mix in, bars, or sandwiches! (Be sure to try a dip and/or some Krunch Kote on your soft serve!)