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Capital of Nebraska, United States
Photo: Hanyou23, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Lincoln is the capital and second largest city of Nebraska, U.S. As the state capital, it offers several historical sites, as well as museums, art galleries, and other cultural venues.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Home to Nebraska's unicameral government. Completed in 1932 in an Art Deco style and the state's third capitol building. The observation deck on the 14th floor provides views of the entire city. Free guided tours are offered 5 times a day. The interior artwork tells the story of the history of Nebraska.
Fairview
Built in 1902 in a combination of Classical Revival and Queen Anne Victorian style. Home of William Jennings Bryan, a prominent politician at the turn of the 20th century. Call at least 48 hours in advance to schedule a guided tour.
Large permanent collection as well as traveling exhibits. Collection is primarily American modernist, but the Sheldon's exhibitions and acquisitions are of contemporary art. When it was built during 1961-1963, it was rumored to be the most expensive building in the U.S. on a square-foot basis. Backpacks must be left in the lobby.
Pride and joy of citizens since its completion in 1931. Feature a waterfall, several fish ponds and terraces of flora and fauna. Listed in the "300 Best Gardens to Visit in the U.S. and Canada" in the National Geographic Guide to Public Gardens.
The idea for the zoo began in 1959 with Arnott Folsom, who wanted to create a place for children to interact with nature. The zoo was opened in 1965, and today is home to over 350 animals, more than 40 of which are endangered. Nearly 200,000 people attend the zoo each year, making it the third most attended arts and science attraction in Nebraska.
Morrill Hall
Established 1871 as the state's natural history museum. Containing fossils and archeological finds and special exhibits dedicated to the indigenous tribes of Nebraska.
The largest public collection of quilts in the world.
Eclectic representation of music from different cultures.
Has hiking trails, and some nature centers which are great for kids.
Hosts the Nebraska Cornhuskers (University of Nebraska) baseball team and an independent minor league team known as the Saltdogs. Tickets are typically no problem to obtain. University games are family-friendly. UNL students get free admission to regular season university games.
The Sea of Red
The town practically shuts down on game days, and the stadium (which seats over 90,000) becomes the 3rd largest "city" in the entire state.
PBA, The Vault
Also part of the Haymarket District, this is the city's main venue for indoor sports and major concerts. Most notably, it's home to Cornhuskers men's and women's basketball.
Tour of brewing operations in historic Grand Manse building with beer sampling at the end.
Axe, Hatchet or Tomahawk Throwing
A destination for axe-throwing, tomahawk, and hatchet enthusiasts. Craft beverages are available. Groups and parties welcome. Experts will guide you through axe-throwing, ensuring a safe and entertaining experience for all skill levels.
This is a great place for bowling, nightlife, arcade, and more. Parties are welcome, as well as groups. Arcade requires a game card, which can be cheap for a card with lesser points, but expensive for a card with more points.
Cajun style food. Thursday is "Crappy Beer Night" with $1.50 pints or $1.25 cans and discounted appetizers. Try the chicken quesadilla.
Wood-fired cooking. BBQ brisket sandwich and they have an open WiFi AP.
Try the soup. They also have gourmet macaroni and cheese and sandwiches.
Menu varies between burgers and steaks. Lavosh, a thin, cracker-crust, pizza-like appetizer proper for 3-4 people. A choice of toppings goes on top of melted cheese, chicken, bacon, green peppers, and mushrooms are excellent choices. Associated with the Empyrean Brewing Company so they always have excellent microbrews.
Voted Lincoln's Best pizza for over 20 years. A known Nebraska pizzeria and buffet for over 50 years.
The Hole
Famed to have the "best wings in town", serves up a variety of traditional bar food on top of their wings. Those willing to wait a little longer should order their wings grilled. Check the specials board as some days wings are $0.33.
Buy a pizza or order by the slice with some of the most original toppings you'll find in the state. Atmosphere, hip music, and a truly enormous bottled beer selection. 2 pool tables are also available in the back.
D'Leon's has grown from one Lincoln location to 6 (West 22nd & West O, 27th & Orchard, 48th & Y, 13th & South, 27th & F, 14th & Pine Lake) entirely from word of mouth, which should give you an idea of how good their food is. Authentic Mexican, fairly cheap, fairly fast. Try the beef tacos, Chile Relleno burrito (vegetarian), Green chile burrito, Carnitas burrito, and of course the Lincoln burrito (breakfast burrito).
Casual. Big meals for good deals, and an endless supply of chips and dip.
Consistently voted the best Mexican restaurant in town by listeners of KFOR radio. Typically quite busy on the weekends.
Variety of Mexican food. Try the "tacos al pastor" (seasoned pork).
Thai food with a few nontraditional creations. Atmosphere and cocktails.
Eclectic, creative food (South American, Pan-Asian, Med influences) and wine list. Chef/owner-run. There's some serious craftsmanship in the back of the house.
Made fresh daily, showing up early is a must to get the more popular flavors before the run out.
A downtown classic started in neighboring Omaha, serves Indian cuisine in a cozy, candle-lit atmosphere. Sunday nights has live music. The Oven has a second location in east Lincoln at the northeast corner of 70th and Pioneers.
Try the Vietnamese Noodle Soup.
A popular college bar. Known for a nice outdoor area and a late last call.
A little bit off the beaten path, offers a more sophisticated place for a drink. Great atmosphere, directly behind the stage of the Rococo theatre, a bit of a speakeasy with the old theatrical fly system still abound. Serves a variety of martinis and has a nice decor with incredibly high ceilings.
Regional beers on tap. Has a beer garden and a stage. Fish bowls are great to share with friends. Their stage has been graced by acts from Nirvana to 311. Popular on St. Patrick's Day. Free amateur comedy workshop on Monday nights.
College bar where on Monday nights one can pick an NFL team they think will win, and awarded free shots each time that team scores. Attached to the back is a small cocktail bar, Voda, which serves specialty martinis.
Jake's features beer taps and a large selection of fine whiskey, scotch and bourbon. Specializing in fine beers and liquors, Jake's has a selection of 18 draught local and regional, micro, and import brews that you cannot find anywhere else in town on tap. Also a smoke shop and a cigar bar, you can buy tobacco, cigars, and offsale beer and liquor, and smoke cigars inside the bar.
Big frat and sorority crowd. Drink specials every night.
Live blues almost every day, jazz on Wednesdays.
Local bar and event venue that has dozens of local breweries on tap. Board games and video games are available. Also a patio area with backyard games.
Voted one of the best college bars by Playboy magazine a while back, this bar is usually full of football players and sorority girls. Great place to go if you are dressed up and want to go dancing.
Popular among college students for country dancing on Sunday nights.
Considered a hippie bar. Good music and laid-back atmosphere.
A hole-in-the-wall that has the latest last call in town.
Dark hideaway, 1950s theme. A great place to go for a unique drink.
Upscale accommodations to the MarketPlace district.
Lincoln's treasured store for rare and out-of-print books. Featuring the company of Padric & Eddy - the store's feline staff - who will escort browsers through the bookshelves.
Find Dillard's and JCPenney department stores, more than 10 restaurants, and 100 stores in Gateway Mall.
By plane
It is often cheaper to fly into Eppley Airfield Airport (OMA) in Omaha, and hop onto a shuttle from there to Lincoln where it makes stops at some of the major hotels.
By train
Amtrak serves Lincoln on its daily California Zephyr route between Chicago and the West Coast. Westbound train stops around midnight; eastbound train stops around 3:30AM.
By bus
Two bus companies serve Lincoln: Arrow Stage Lines and Burlington Trailways. Lincoln's intercity bus station is southeast of 11th St and Cornhusker Hwy.
By shuttle
By car
Lincoln does not have any crosstown freeways or expressways. The city is laid out in a grid pattern; a handful of diagonal streets exist.
By bus
StarTran service runs on weekdays and Saturdays (but only until 6:30PM).25. Monthly passes are $45; various discounts are available.
By bicycle
Lincoln's trail system extends throughout the city. A cyclist can travel across the city in an hour or less.
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Lincoln · Regional · LNK
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