Great Things to Do in Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska, known as one of the major metropolitan areas of the state. The city has a robust culture with many food and restaurant options. The city is fairly easy to navigate and remains within driving distance of Omaha Nebraska, which is about an hour away.
Lincoln is very compact, especially around the downtown area. It’s easy to walk from place to place, especially in the spring and summer when the weather is nice. The winters a bit harsh due to high winds and heavy snows. The most walkable part of the city is called the Haymarket District.
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Advice When Visiting
The route from Dallas, Texas to Colombia, Missouri follows Interstate 75, Highway 69 and Interstate 44. This route is a toll route but it does accept Dallas Toll Tags (ZipCash). The route is extremely flat and easy to navigate, but heavy rains sometimes flood the countryside.
Winter weather advisories in Nebraska may require extra time spent in shelter until snow plows can fully clear and salt the roads.
6 Great Points of Interest in Lincoln, Nebraska
Tiru Ethiopian Restaurant – An excellent restaurant in Lincoln which serves Ethiopian fares
Robber’s Cave – An odd time capsule cavern made from carved sandstone. It has served as Lincoln’s first brewery, a robber hideaway and currently a tourism site. There are layers of carvings within the naturally formed cavern
University of Nebraska State Museum – An excellent museum located on University campus. The museum covers the natural history of many ancient creatures. Entrance is $9.50 USD per adult
Lincoln Station – Located in the Historic Haymarket District, this station is a rail station converted into a restaurant and historical café. The Haymarket District is likewise pleasant to walk around
Sunken Garden – A notoriously small and beautiful garden located near the downtown area
Pioneers Park Nature Center – A large park area slightly outside of the city used to demonstrate the natural prairies of the Midwest before the advent of farming
Tiru Ethiopian Restaurant
This restaurant is a personal favorite, a popular venue serving traditional Ethiopian dishes. The traditional sponge-bread, lamb, slow-cooked meat and veggie platters are all excellent.
Robber’s Cave
A naturally formed subterranean lair, Robber’s Cave is a historic cave system carved into soft, sandstone walls. The cavern system was an infamous hangout, serving as a brothel, Native American retreat, smuggling den, brewery and party hub. The caves sandstone walls are covered in carvings etched by Native Americans and pioneers. The carvings are excellent to behold, depicting graffiti, Greek Letters, band names, odd symbols, dates and initials.
University of Nebraska State Museum
also known as Morrill Hall, this museum of natural history includes a large planetarium feature and enormous skeletons of fossilized elephants. The museum covers a wide range of subjects, including evolution, ancient tools, fallen meteorites, prehistoric sea monsters and Native American culture. Admission for adults is $9.50 dollars. Children can enter for $5.50 dollars.
Lincoln Station
The Haymarket District of Lincoln Nebraska is a historic section of the downtown area. It’s home to many interesting historic markers, walking routes, city tours and shops. But the most interesting attraction is Lincoln Station. The great hall portion of the station has been converted into a combination of a historical café, shopping area and historical landmark.
Sunken Garden
A quaint, small and award-winning garden hidden in the Lincoln area. It’s a relaxing and beautiful green space with various species of plants, lily pools and decorative domed awnings.
Pioneers Park Nature Center
This is a free-entry historic-recreation village. The Pioneers Park Nature Center is filled with demonstrations of life on the Great Plains prior to the arrival of settlers and farming. The open space has many sculptures, tallgrass prairie fields, woodlands, wetlands and a stream.