15 Best Things To Do In Lincoln NE You Shouldn’t Miss

If you’re planning a trip to Lincoln Nebraska, then you’ll want to check out this list full of the best things to do in Lincoln!

Lincoln is the capital city of Nebraska, so it has plenty of interesting things to see and do.

From unique museums and historic buildings to beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces, there is something for everyone in Lincoln NE.

One of the best things about the city is its variety of museums, including some fascinating hidden gems you won’t find anywhere else.

So, let’s take a look at the 15 best things to do in Lincoln NE that you absolutely shouldn’t miss!

While you’re exploring Lincoln, make sure to try one of the best restaurants in Lincoln too!

Things To Do In Lincoln NE At A Glance

Attraction	Best For
Sheldon Museum of Art	Art lovers and free exhibitions
Sunken Gardens	Beautiful flowers and photography
Nebraska State Capitol	Architecture, history and free tours
Nebraska History Museum	Nebraska history and culture
Pioneers Park Nature Center	Wildlife, bison and nature trails
International Quilt Museum	Textiles and unique collections
Holmes Lake Park	Walking, picnics and outdoor activities
University of Nebraska State Museum	Dinosaurs, fossils and families
National Museum of Roller Skating	Unusual museums and skating history
Wilderness Park	Hiking, cycling and nature
Nebraska State Holocaust Memorial	History and remembrance
Antelope Park	Families, playgrounds and gardens
Historic Haymarket District	Shopping, dining and local history
Great Plains Art Museum	Regional art and culture
Hazel Abel Park	Peaceful gardens and a quiet break

15 Best Things To Do In Lincoln NE You Shouldn’t Miss

Explore The Sheldon Museum Of Art

One of the many museums in Lincoln is the Sheldon Museum of Art. Like many of the Lincoln museums, you can find it on the University of Nebraska campus.

The Sheldon Museum of Art has been open since 1963 and has a collection of 19th and 20th-century artworks. With nearly 13,000 objects in their collection, they often rotate what they have on display.

Highlights of their collection include works by Norman Rockwell, Willem De Kooning, Ansel Adams, and John Henry.

With an outdoor sculpture garden and several galleries inside, plan to spend a good amount of time exploring the Sheldon Museum of Art.

Admission is free, making this one of the best free things to do in Lincoln NE.

Stroll Through The Sunken Gardens

The Sunken Gardens have been one of the top Lincoln attractions since they originally opened in the early 1930s.

The 1.5-acre garden was originally the site of one of Lincoln’s dumpsites but was cultivated into a beautiful communal space.

There are flower gardens, sculptures, a water feature, an expansive lawn, and even a garden pavilion.

Since opening it has continued to grow into a place where the entire community can come and relax, for free, and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings.

That’s one of the many reasons why National Geographic named it one of the ‘300 Best Gardens to Visit in the United States and Canada’. Every year the gardens have a different planting theme, with thousands of colorful flowers creating a new display for visitors to enjoy.

In the Spring, walk among the bright colorful tulips that turn into stunning annuals and perennials in summer.

As the perennials fade away, the Sunken Gardens become a beautiful fall landscape and a quiet refuge in Winter.

Learn State History At The Nebraska State Capitol Building

The Nebraska State Capitol Building is open weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm. On Saturdays and holidays, it’s open from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sundays from 1 to 5 pm.

If you are looking for free fun things to do in Lincoln, then I suggest taking one of the free public tours of the building. Free guided tours are offered throughout the day, although times vary depending on which day you visit. Check the official website for the latest schedule.

The Capitol Building also hosts several events in Lincoln Nebraska throughout the year, particularly around important historical dates and holidays.

It’s a fun way to learn a little bit about Lincoln and Nebraska in general, especially if this is your first time visiting.

The observation decks are currently closed for renovation work, so check the official website for updates before visiting.

If you’re planning to explore more of the state, take a look at my guide to the best things to do in Nebraska.

Continue Your Education At The Nebraska History Museum

The State Capitol Building tours focus primarily on the governmental history of Nebraska. So, if you want to learn more about the state itself, head to the Nebraska History Museum.

The Nebraska History Museum is one of the best museums in Lincoln for all ages. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm, so make sure to plan your visit accordingly.

There is a small fee to enter, but it helps the museum continue acquiring items for their collection and just operating in general.

There are both permanent and revolving exhibits that you can find in the museum. You can see archeological artifacts, historical photos, stories and displays of famous Nebraskans, and so much more.

They also have interactive exhibits and a selection of online-only exhibits that you can check out.

Exploring Pioneers Park And The Pioneers Park Nature Center Is One Of The Best Things To Do In Lincoln

Nestled in 668 acres of tall prairie grass, a stream, wetlands, and woodlands are the Pioneer Park and the Pioneer Park Nature Center.

The Nature Center has been open since 1963 and serves a few different purposes. Inside you’ll learn about the native animals of Nebraska through displays and educational programs.

The Nature Center is home to a variety of native animals, including birds of prey that cannot be released back into the wild. These animals help teach visitors about Nebraska’s wildlife and the importance of conservation.

The Pioneers Park Nature Center aims to protect, provide, and educate.

Outside the Nature Center, you can stroll through gardens with native flora, listen for the songbirds while you sit on a bench in the songbird garden, or go for hikes through the prairie and woodlands. You can even see a small herd of bison roaming the prairie, which is something you don’t often get to experience in a city park!

The Pioneers Park and Nature Center are an important part of the community that protects and teaches people of all ages about Nebraska’s wildlife. That makes it one of the best Lincoln attractions.

Admission is free, but keep in mind that pets aren’t allowed inside the Nature Center grounds.

Admire The Displays In The International Quilt Museum

One of the more unique museums in Lincoln is the International Quilt Museum.

You can find the International Quilt Museum, often just called the Quilt House, at the University of Nebraska campus.

There you can find the largest public collection of quilts in the world that also features quilts from around the world.

The museum has been open since 1997 but moved to its current more modern facility in 2008.

As you walk through the different galleries you’ll be able to admire quilts from around the world, with the collection representing 69 countries.

The oldest quilt in the collection dates back to the 1600s. There are also quilts in the collection that are barely a year old.

So there is a large variety of quilt designs to view, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to enjoy it.

Spend Some Time Outside At The Holmes Park And Lake

Holmes Park and Lake is not a natural feature in Lincoln’s landscape. It was actually built in 1962 and serves many purposes. The lake itself is a 110-acre reservoir that was built in order to aid in flood control.

Along with the reservoir, the city added a large park adjacent to the reservoir lake.

There are walking paths, an observatory, a public golf course, and plenty of green lawn space to play on. The Hyde Memorial Observatory is particularly worth visiting on Saturday evenings when you can enjoy free astronomy programs and look through powerful telescopes.

Bring a picnic lunch from one of Lincoln’s restaurants and enjoy the view as you relax on the lawn.

Throughout the year the park also hosts a variety of events in Lincoln that the entire community enjoys.

When you need a break from the city, Holmes Lake and Park is the best place to escape to.

Walk Around The University Of Nebraska State Museum

The University of Nebraska State Museum was established in 1871 and is located at Morrill Hall on the University of Nebraska campus. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, but the hours vary. So if you’d like to visit, make sure to check the schedule.

There is a small admission fee to enter and is based on age. But if you become a Museum Member, you can enter any day, any time, for free.

Inside you’ll find exhibits on Nebraska’s natural history. There are permanent exhibits dedicated to different archeological finds, Native American history, and more.

For those who are fans of dinosaurs, you’ll be able to see paleontology exhibits and fossils found in Nebraska from the Mesozoic period.

One of the highlights is Elephant Hall, where you can see an impressive collection of mammoth and mastodon fossils, including Archie, the world’s largest fully mounted Columbian mammoth fossil.

They also have a planetarium, interactive exhibits, and a gift shop. Planetarium shows require an additional ticket, so keep that in mind when planning your visit.

The National Musuem Of Roller Skating Is One Of The Best Things To Do In Lincoln Nebraska

The National Museum of Roller skating is easily the most unique of the museums in Lincoln.

You can visit this one-of-a-kind museum Tuesday through Friday and admission is free.

They are closed most weekends and all major holidays.

Inside you’ll find artifacts dating back to as early as 1819 from all over the world, all centered around the history of roller skating.

The museum has the largest collection of roller skating artifacts in the world.

There is also a free self-guided audio tour available, which is a great way to discover more about the exhibits as you explore the museum.

It’s a really fun thing to do in Lincoln that you truly can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Explore Wilderness Park

Believe it or not, there is a 1,472-acre park in the middle of Lincoln NE. Wilderness Park is in Southwest Lincoln and is easily the city’s biggest park.

It’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without having to leave city limits.

Inside the park you’ll also find protected flora and fauna, so please follow the rule of ‘leaving nature in nature’ when you visit the park.

There are parking lots at each trailhead, and at 7 of them, you can find an area with picnic tables.

With over 30 miles of trails, there is plenty of space for you to step into the wilderness of Lincoln Nebraska, and enjoy a good hike. Most of the trails are very easy dirt paths, but they can get pretty muddy. You can also bike the trails if you’d like.

The trails are shared with cyclists and, on certain routes, horseback riders, so be aware of other visitors while exploring the park.

Pay Your Repects At The Nebraska State Holocaust Memorial

In 2007 Nebraska’s Holocaust Memorial was officially dedicated. Located within Wyuka Cemetery, the memorial provides a place for remembrance, reflection, and learning about the Holocaust.

It took several years to raise funds for the memorial and was mainly sponsored by the Heartland Holocaust Education Fund.

There is a large sculptural area that features a Star of David, images relating to the rise of the Nazi Regime, and images of survivors who would come to call Nebraska home.

Throughout the park, there are also names of those who were murdered in the Holocaust that had family members from Nebraska.

There is a peaceful Butterfly Garden, a Sea of Stones representing the millions murdered during the Holocaust, and stories from survivors.

It is a poignant and beautiful memorial that aims to continue to teach Nebraskans the horrible history of the Holocaust.

It also gives those who had family members murdered a place to pay their respects.

When walking through the memorial park, please be respectful of the history and lives of those who were lost during the Holocaust.

The memorial is free to visit and is open daily from 8 am until dusk.

Take The Family To Antelope Park

The Sunken Gardens are actually part of the large Antelope Park in Lincoln.

Antelope Park consists of the Sunken Gardens, the Veterans Memorial Garden, the Hamann Rose and Strolling Garden, a golf course, a baseball field, and a massive playground.

Take the whole family to Antelope Park and spend the afternoon exploring the gardens. Or maybe get a group together to play a baseball game or try your hand at golf.

There is also a separate play area designed for younger children, making this a great place to visit with children of different ages.

Antelope Park is easily one of the most fun things to do in Lincoln for the whole family.

The Haymarket District Is One Of The Best Things To Do In Lincoln

One of the most popular Lincoln attractions is the Historic Haymarket District. The Historic Haymarket District is one of the original areas in Lincoln.

It has been a part of the city since Lincoln was named and made the capital of Nebraska in 1867.

The square area was originally the ‘Market Square’ and held the local Farmer’s Market.

There was also a campground for immigrants who were passing through or first arriving and was a general meeting place.

Today, the Historic Haymarket District has shops, restaurants, art galleries, and accommodations. If you’re visiting between May and October, don’t miss the Haymarket Farmers’ Market, held on Saturday mornings. You’ll find everything from fresh produce and baked goods to handmade crafts and local products.

It’s a really fun place to explore in Lincoln and is easily the most popular, so I highly suggest taking some time to check out the Historic Haymarket District.

Visit The Great Plains Art Museum

If you are a history lover, you’ll definitely want to visit the Great Plains Art Museum.

You can find the museum at the University of Nebraska, where it is part of the Center for Great Plains Studies, which was established in 1976.

The aim of the Center is to encourage an appreciation of the people, cultures, landscapes, and history of the Great Plains.

Inside the museum, you’ll find changing art exhibitions celebrating the region, with everything from historical artwork to contemporary pieces.

The Center also offers lectures and programs for those who are especially interested in the area’s history and culture.

Admission to the museum is free, and it’s open Tuesday through Saturday, although it closes on university holidays and home football game Saturdays.

It’s a really cool way to learn about the people and history of the Great Plains, especially in Nebraska.

The Hazel Abel Park Is One Of The Best Things To Do In Lincoln NE

The Hazel Abel Park is a true hidden gem of Lincoln. You can find the park at 18th and E street and was named after Hazel Abel, the first woman from Nebraska to be elected to the US Senate.

The park has a playground, pavilions, gazebos, picnic tables, and gardens. It is an absolutely stunning park no matter what time of year you visit.

It’s a lovely place to stop for a picnic, admire the gardens, or simply enjoy a peaceful break from exploring the city.

The park was created in her memory after her daughter donated the land, which once belonged to a historic mansion. It was officially dedicated in 1982.

It’s one of the best hidden gems in Lincoln Nebraska and you definitely want to take the time to visit it.

There are so many great things to do in Lincoln Nebraska!

From beautiful parks and gardens to unique museums and fascinating historical sites, there’s something for everyone in this Midwest city.

Don’t make the mistake of skipping over Lincoln when you plan your next vacation to the Midwest!

If you have a little more time, there are also some lovely small towns in Nebraska worth exploring, including Waverly, just outside Lincoln.

Packing List For A Trip To Lincoln Nebraska

If you will be traveling, either by plane or by car to the midwest, here are some tips on how to pack lightly.

A concealed travel pouch may be one of the most important items you bring along when visiting Lincoln Nebraska. It is always important to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere. This unisex RFID blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind. You can place it under your hiking clothes next to your body to carry your ID safely. If you have a pouch already that does not come with the RFID protection, as I do, these RFID sleeves are the perfect solution. This configuration comes with enough credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected. They are slim too, so they will easily fit into your pouch or wallet.

If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an external charging battery. This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips. It can be used on a variety of phones, not just an iPhone like I have. And wow is it fast!I like that it holds its charging capabilities for several uses so I do not have to worry about it while out and about, and if I forget to recharge it at night, it will still be good to go the next day.

My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use. It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking selfies when staying in one of the best Airbnbs in Illinois.

Hydration is so important when traveling. You want to remain hydrated throughout your travels to support your immune system which in turn will be stronger to fight off any germs you will encounter during your travels. You will want to bring your own refillable water bottle with you. I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for hiking and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack. When filled with water, it is not too heavy to carry. And the charcoal filter ensures fresh clean water whenever you fill the Bobble.

You will want a backpack or daypack with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc.. when hiking This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great. It is very affordable and is available in many color options for you to choose from. The fact that it folds down into a zippered pouch will make it easy to pack.