Lincoln Nebraska Attractions

Our What to Do in Lincoln, Nebraska

Favorite 5 "Must See" Attractions List

Our top five favorite Lincoln Nebraska attractions are listed here, along with a description of each + location, hours, fee information, and the minimum time needed to visit or tour the attraction.

If you are just visiting, we hope you enjoy your stay in our beautiful Eastern Nebraska city. If you live in Lincoln, Nebraska and you haven’t yet seen these favorite Attraction sights, you’ve been missing out.

Nebraska Capitol Rotunda Gold Dome

  

Nebraska State Capitol Building
Lincoln, NE Rotunda Gold Dome
-- a Lincoln, Nebraska "Must See"

Top Pick # 1:  The Nebraska State Capitol Building

The Nebraska State Capitol Building is a beautiful piece of architecture completed in 1932. The Lincoln, NE skyscraper is covered by a golden dome and topped with a sculpture of a farmer sewing grain.

Paintings and murals inside the building depict the Native American heritage of the area, along with the history of pioneers that settled Nebraska.

The Nebraska Capitol building is the second tallest of U.S. state capitols and the tallest building in Lincoln, NE, making it really easy to find.

An observation deck at 250 feet offers an aerial view of the rest of the city. The location is 1445 K Street.

Construction began on this Nebraska Capitol Building in Lincoln on April 15, 1922. The construction on this Capitol Building took 10 years. The tower is 400 feet tall and made of limestone.

This is actually the third State Capitol building in Lincoln, Nebraska. The first two, built in 1867 and 1882, ended up having structural problems and ended up unsafe for use.

Guided tours of the Nebraska Capitol building are available every hour except noon Monday thru Sunday during regular operating hours. Minimum time needed if you do not go up to the observation viewing deck, 2-3 hours.

Nebraska State Capitol Golden Dome with 19 Feet Tall "The Sower" Statue

More Info at the . Take time to take some pictures of the interesting Nebraska State Capitol Building and the beautiful gold rotunda dome. To .

See this Photo Album for a few Nebraska High Res Photo Downloads + some Non-Watermarked , USA Scenic Attractions, and Historic US Lighthouses.

Top Pick # 2: The Lincoln Children’s Museum and the Lincoln Children's Zoo

If you’re wondering what to do in Lincoln, Nebraska and you have kids, the Lincoln Children’s Museum is fun, entertaining and educational. With daily events and special programs, there is always something interesting to do. Also see the Lincoln Children's Zoo Info below.

The Children’s Museum is located at 1420 P Street and is open every day except Mondays. Children under the age of 1 get in for free. Both the Kids and the Adults will enjoy the Lincoln Children’s Museum! Minimum time needed, 3-4 hours.

More Info at the . Take your camera so you can take lots of pictures of your Kids and Grandkids having fun!

If you have Kids, the Lincoln Children's Zoo at 1222 S 27th St. is also a top rated Fun and Educational Attraction. The popular Lincoln Children's Zoo has won some National Awards! There are many fun and educational "Up Close and Personal" experiences for Kids with the animals. They also have some educational and fun Summer Camp Options. . See Lincoln Children's Zoo current hours, admission and ride prices, plus other Zoo Info Links .

Top Pick # 3: The Lincoln Sunken Gardens

Lincoln Sunken Gardens - Peaceful Fish pond with tiered viewing walkways and a wide variety of Flowers & Plants

The Lincoln Sunken Gardens is listed in National Geographic’s Guide to Public Gardens as one of the 300 best gardens to visit in the U.S. and Canada. It is open every day from 6 in the morning until 11 at night. Admission is free, although donations are accepted for park maintenance and renovations.

The 1.5 acre Sunken Gardens Plot was first developed in 1930 and was recently renovated in 2004.

The Sunken Gardens Park boasts hundreds of species of colorful plants

Colorful Lincoln Sunken Gardens with many species of flowers + Gazebo

and shrubs, numerous outdoor sculptures, several ponds and a new waterfall. It is a beautiful place for a pleasant stroll or a picnic lunch. The Lincoln Sunken Gardens is located on the SW corner of South 27th and Capital Parkway. The Entrance is at South 26th and "D" Streets. This Link has regulations Info. Minimum time needed to view the Lincoln Sunken Gardens Park, 2-3 hours.

More Info at the . Outdoors, so it is easy to take a few colorful Lincoln, Nebraska Attraction Picture memories.

Check out more Lincoln Sunken Gardens and Lincoln Nebraska State Capitol Building Pictures and Info on our Pinterest "Board" page.


Top Pick # 4: The University of Nebraska State Museum

The University of Nebraska State Museum is sometimes called the Elephant Hall because of the University’s vast collection of fossil elephants. Thousands of other Nebraska fossils are housed in the natural history museum, as well as displays covering Native American history, wildlife and gemstones.

The museum is located on the University of Nebraska campus, just south of 14th and Vine Streets in Lincoln. Minimum time needed, 3-4 hours.

You can also check out the fairly new Marx Science Discovery Center for Kids addition -- also called the Encounter Center. (There is a page on it on the + a Info page on the Mueller Planetarium on the State Museum Web Site below.)

More Info at the . Photos are not allowed in most parts of the Museum. They can be purchased.


Top Pick # 5:  TIE -- The Museum of American Speed and The International Quilt Study Center and Museum

The Bill Smith Museum of American Speed

Generally, this one will be more for the Guys (Gene would probably Rank this Top Attraction #4). The "Speedy" Bill Smith huge collection of Historic automotive artifacts including Vintage Speed Equipment, Exotic Racing Engines, Racing Cars, Toy cars and Kids pedal cars, plus various historic cars and one-of-a-kind auto memorabilia. This very well done and well kept museum gets rave revieiws -- including Gene's!

More Info, Tour times and Location Info, plus some pictures under the "Collections" Tab at: The Museum of American Speed also sponsors some Automotive Events in Lincoln, which you can read about under the "Events" Tab at the link above.

The International Quilt Study Center and Museum

Generally, this one will be more for the Gals. If you’re wondering what to do in Lincoln, Nebraska and you love quilts or art, you should visit the International Quilt Study Center and Museum located at 1523 N. 33rd Street in Lincoln. (My Wife is a Quilter, so the International Quilt Study Center would be at or near the Top on her Top Attractions in Lincoln List!)

The museum has regular exhibits of quilts created by a variety of artists. The museum is open 10-4 Tuesday through Saturday and on Sunday from 1-4pm. Minimum time needed, 2-3 hours. Flash pictures of the now Historic Quilts are not allowed.

More Info on The .


An "extra" July & August Lincoln Nebraska attraction - Free Lincoln Municipal Band Concerts in Antelope Park

 Lincoln Municipal Band Summer Concert at the Bandshell in Antelope Park

If you happen to be in Lincoln on a Sunday Evening at 7pm in July or August, and you enjoy top quality -- and free -- outdoor Band Concerts, check out the Lincoln Municipal Band Summer Concerts Series at the Bandshell in Antelope Park. The entrance to the Park and Bandshell Parking is on "A" St. about 3 blocks East of S. 27th Street at the Memorial Drive turn in on the south side -- which is just west of Normal Blvd. (See Map photo Link below)

 Lincoln Municipal Band Summer Concert + the Cornhusker Model A Car Club in Antelope Park - July 19, 2015

 You can see Info on upcoming Lincoln Municipal Band Concerts at this as well as download a Seasons Events and Info Flyer pdf.
-- Also, you can see the Band Concerts John Shildneck Bandshell Location in the park on our modified Google Map screenshot with added text showing the Bandshell and free parking locations at this map photo Link, which also shows some other near downtown Lincoln, NE Attractions. (This is not an interactive Map link)

Other Lincoln Nebraska attractions

Other Lincoln, NE attractions include the Governor’s mansion, Haymarket Park and the Maxwell Arboretum. You might run out of time before you see everything that the city of Lincoln has to offer.


Check out User Reviews and Rankings of Lincoln, Nebraska Hotels --


The list of the Nebraska Travel and Nebraska Vacations pages here now with descriptions and links is below.

"Tips to help you Plan & Save + Pictures to help you Dream"  

• Sandhill Crane Migration - Pictures, With new Viewing Location Tips, Crane Links, & Maps + Video of thousands of Cranes flying in to roost for the night on the Platte River at Sunset and their unusual sounds! Near Grand Island and Kearney, NE
  
  
• Nebraska Maps - Interactive and Printable - for Nebraska Road Trips and Attraction Areas
  
  
• The Western Nebraska Road Trip - the Nebraska Sandhills and Panhandle Road Trip Via the Scenic non-Interstate Route - Includes Nebraska National Forest and Scottsbluff area Attractions + Others. MANY great Pictures!!!
  
  
• Toadstool Geologic Park in the Chadron, NE "Badlands" area northwest of the Western Nebraska Sandhills -- plus Hiking Trail Info and Photo Gallery (High Resolution Photo Download Versions are now also available.)
  
  
• Lincoln Nebraska Attractions -- 5 Top Picks for What to do in Lincoln, Nebraska -- Our 5 favorite Top Pick Lincoln Nebraska attractions. This page
  
  
• Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center - prize-winning author - "Nebraska's Story Teller" - Exhibit on Chadron State College Campus in Chadron, NE
  
  
• Colorful Nebraska Sunsets Photo Gallery + Nebraska Midwest Rural Country Sunrises & Free Screensaver or Wallpaper Pictures - with High Resolution Photo Download Links
  
  
• Deer Running Video - Herd of 10 Deer Running in Back Yard of an Acreage in Eastern, Nebraska + popular Deer "Fight" Video Movie Clip and Pictures
  
  
• Smith Falls Waterfall & Niobrara River Pictures - Tallest Waterfall in Nebraska Pictures + Waterfall Video and Smith Falls State Park Info & Pictures - a Nebraska Sandhills "Must See"
  
  
• Scottsbluff NE area Attractions and Points of Interest - including Chimney Rock and Scottsbluff National Monument Nebraska Travel Sites
  
  
• Scottsbluff, NE Map with the local area Attractions labeled and briefly described. A very handy printable Scottsbluff Nebraska map.
  
  
• Wild Turkeys in back yard Pictures and Video - Eating and flying up to perch on gym set
  
  
• Nebraska Travels is now on Facebook at
  
  
• NebraskaTravels.com Site Map with Categorized Page Descriptions
  
  

Come back and watch our growth -- and check for our our new Nebraska Sandhills and other Nebraska Travels Attraction pictures and video clip postings!

      Gene Seecann

   Traveler to / Builder of:  NebraskaTravels.com
   Your Insider "Picture Enhanced" Affordable Nebraska Vacations Guide

Plus

You can also check out our Sister "Picture Enhanced" Affordable US Beach Vacations Guide Site at:   

-- and our US Mountain Fall Vacations Site
at:
Our Newest US Vacation Guide Site: - Affordable Scenic Rocky Mountain Road Trips, Trip Driving Maps, & Tips


- links and descriptions for all 4 of our "Picture Enhanced" US Vacation Sites Plus our many Picture / Screensaver pages & High Resolution Photos
-- easy to remember to come back to any of our US Vacation & Travel Sites!

See these for over 30 popular non-watermarked high resolution photos from all 4 of our "Picture Enhanced" US Vacation Sites. Includes Image Viewer stats. Free "Comp" downloads are available.

Thanks for dropping by -- come back and visit us soon to plan your next Affordable Nebraska Travels -- or to check out our latest Picture or Video additions!


Contact Us - Gene Seecann - Send your suggestions or comments for this or any of Gene's US Vacation Web Sites on this - or share your own Nebraska Travel and Nebraska Sandhills favorites or pictures. Please mention which page(s) you are commenting on -- or send your comments on the Nebraska Travels Site in general. We appreciate your feedback! We will not share, sell, or spam your email address! - Promise! - We hate Spam too!