Visit Lincoln to enjoy plenty of cultural and artistic attractions as well the scenic, natural beauty of the surrounding farms and grass-covered flat plains.
Before heading out into Lincoln’s popular outdoors, take some time to explore the city itself. Head to the Haymarket, a turn-of-the-20th-century warehouse district where wagons were once bought and sold. Today, the restored buildings feature boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, galleries and Nebraska’s first microbrewery. Buy fresh produce, flowers and homemade food stalls at the farmers market which is held every Saturday morning during the summer.
From the Haymarket, make the short walk to Iron Horse Park where you can see the brick mural that depicts the first locomotive crossing the prairie.
Lincoln was founded in 1856 and was originally a village called Lancaster. The name was changed to Lincoln a few years later as a tribute to the recently assassinated president.
The city is also home to one of the world’s largest collection of publicly owned quilts. Head to the International Quilt Study Center and Museum to see more than 3,500 quilts dating from the early 18th-century to the present day. Art is a big part of Lincoln’s cultural activities and many of the city’s galleries offer interactive activities for both children and adults.
Head outdoors and take a hike through the prairie grasses, woodlands and wetlands of the Pioneers Park Nature Center. Photograph the flowers in the Sunken Gardens at Antelope Park or visit Wilderness Park, the city’s largest park with more than 1,475 acres (596 hectares) of land.
Note that Lincoln can get rainy and windy from March to May, with possible tornados. It can be hot and humid in July and August, but outdoor pools offer reprieve. From December to February extremely chilly conditions are common. Whatever the weather is, however, this growing city has plenty of open spaces, nightlife and thriving arts to keep you entertained for days.
