Tourism in Lincoln, Nebraska facts for kids

Lincoln, Nebraska is a super cool city! It's the capital of Nebraska, which means it's where the state government does its work. It's also home to the University of Nebraska, a big college. Lincoln has a long history, going back to the mid-1800s, and there are tons of fun and interesting places to explore here.

Nebraska State Capitol

Fairview

Love Library

International Quilt Study Center & Museum

Pinnacle Bank Arena

Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery

Green Spaces and Gardens

Lincoln has many beautiful places where you can enjoy nature. These spots are perfect for a walk or just relaxing outdoors.

Amazing Gardens to Explore

• Alice Abel Arboretum: A special place with many different kinds of trees and plants.
• Hamann Rose Garden: A lovely garden filled with beautiful roses.
• Joshua C. Turner Arboretum: Another great spot to see a variety of trees.
• Maxwell Arboretum: A peaceful area with lots of plants to discover.
• Sunken Gardens: A famous and colorful garden with waterfalls and sculptures.

Fun Places to Visit

There are many exciting attractions in Lincoln for everyone to enjoy. From city centers to unique experiences, you'll find something cool to do.

Top City Attractions

• Centennial Mall: A long, open park area that leads right to the State Capitol building.
• Downtown Lincoln: The busy heart of the city, full of shops, restaurants, and entertainment.
• Deer Springs Winery: A place where grapes are grown and wine is made.
• Governor's Mansion: The official home of Nebraska's governor.
• Historic Haymarket and West Haymarket: An old market area that's now a lively spot with cool shops and places to eat.
• Hyde Observatory: A great place to look at the stars and learn about space.
• James Arthur Vineyards: Another local vineyard where you can learn about winemaking.
• Lincoln Children's Zoo: A fun zoo where you can see many different animals up close.
• Lux Center for the Arts: A place to see and create amazing art.
• Nebraska State Capitol: The impressive building where Nebraska's laws are made.
• P Street District: A lively area with lots of places to hang out.

Places for Events and Sports

Lincoln has several big venues where you can watch sports, concerts, or other exciting events.

Major Event Venues

• John Breslow Ice Hockey Center: A place where you can watch or play ice hockey.
• Haymarket Park: Home to baseball games, where you can cheer on local teams.
• Ice Box: Another arena used for ice sports and events.
• Lancaster Event Center: A large place that hosts many different kinds of shows and gatherings.
• Lincoln Community Playhouse: A theater where you can watch live plays and performances.
• Pinewood Bowl Theater (in Pioneers Park): An outdoor theater for concerts and shows.
• Pinnacle Bank Arena: A huge arena where big concerts, basketball games, and other major events happen.

Historic Places

Step back in time and explore some of Lincoln's important historic sites. These places tell stories about the past.

Sites with a Rich History

• Fairview: This was the home of William Jennings Bryan, a very famous politician from Nebraska.
• Robber's Cave: A cool, mysterious cave with a lot of local legends.
• Thomas P. Kennard House: An old, beautiful house that shows how people lived long ago.
• Wyuka Cemetery: A historic cemetery with interesting old monuments and stories.

Museums to Explore

Lincoln has many museums where you can learn about history, art, and unique collections.

Discovering Knowledge in Museums

• American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Museum: Learn about the history and culture of Germans from Russia.
• Lincoln Children's Museum: A hands-on museum designed for kids to learn and play.
• Midwestern African Museum of Art, Culture & Resource Center: Explore African art and culture.
• Museum of American Speed: See a fantastic collection of racing cars and engines.
• Museum of Nebraska History: Learn all about the history of Nebraska, from ancient times to today.
• National Museum of Roller Skating: Discover the history of roller skating and see cool roller skates!
• Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame: Celebrate the achievements of high school athletes in Nebraska.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus is not just for students! It has many cool places that are open to the public, from museums to performance halls.

Campus Highlights and Attractions

• Bob Devaney Sports Center: A major sports venue for college athletics.
• Eisentrager Howard Gallery: An art gallery on campus.
• Great Plains Art Museum: Features art inspired by the Great Plains region.
• International Quilt Study Center & Museum: See an amazing collection of quilts from all over the world.
• Kawasaki Reading Room: A quiet place for study and reading.
• Kimball Recital Hall: A beautiful hall for music performances.
• The Kruger Collection in the College of Architecture: A special collection related to architecture.
• Lentz Collection for Asian Culture: Explore art and artifacts from Asian cultures.
• Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test & Power Museum: See many different kinds of tractors and learn how they work.
• Lied Center for Performing Arts and Johnny Carson Theater: A top spot for plays, concerts, and other live shows.
• Love Library: The main library on campus, a huge building filled with books.
• Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, a.k.a. The Ross: A cinema that shows independent and international films.
• Memorial Stadium: This is the famous home of the Cornhuskers football team, built way back in 1923!
• The Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery: Features exhibits on textiles and clothing.
• Sheldon Museum of Art: A modern art museum designed by a famous architect, Philip Johnson.
• UNL Botanical Garden & Arboretum (City Campus): A green space on the main campus.
• UNL Botanical Garden & Arboretum (East Campus): Another beautiful garden area on the university's east campus.
• UNL Dairy Store: A popular spot to get delicious ice cream and cheese made by the university.
• University of Nebraska State Museum (Morrill Hall) and Mueller Planetarium: See dinosaur fossils, natural history exhibits, and explore the stars in Nebraska's only digital planetarium.