Day One
Brick warehouses from the 1800s anchor the scene, but today’s historic Haymarket District (lincolnhaymarket.org) brims with freshness: coffeehouses, bookstores and novel boutiques.
Guides at the state capitol (capitol.nebraska.gov) reveal the stories behind the unusual Art Deco architecture, including the 15-story domed tower, marble mosaics and a 19-foot bronze statue called The Sower.
Nebraska State Capitol. Photo by Jay Wilde.
Near Haymarket, The Railyard (canopyst.com) amplifies downtown with clubs, concerts and THE CUBE: a massive wraparound video art screen.
Haymarket. Photo courtesy of Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Day Two
Family attractions abound around town. The Lincoln Children’s Zoo (lincolnzoo.org) specializes in up-close connections for kids—even a peek at a dwarf croc. The 1930s Sunken Gardens (lincoln.ne.gov) enchants with winding flowerbeds, lily ponds and reflecting pavilions.
Sunken Gardens. Photo by Jay Wilde.
Science and crafts turn learning into a fun adventure at the Lincoln Children’s Museum (lincolnchildrensmuseum.org), with displays including a 3-story cuckoo clock that implodes (don’t worry, it’s foam). Finish at the University of Nebraska State Museum (museum.unl.edu) for paleontology and weaponry exhibits, and a “nightcap” of a star-studded display at Mueller Planetarium (spacelaser.com).
A Walk in the Park
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Water gushes and sprays at the water park amid shouts of delight. Trails disappear into the trees. Balls rattle into mini-golf cups. Fishing reels buzz as kids fight fish. It’s the best of both worlds: an action-packed family park near Ashland (24 miles northeast of Lincoln) with the Platte River bluffs as the stage (outdoornebraska.gov).
Go Huskers! Get an inside look at the University of Nebraska football phenomenon (games have been sold out since 1962) with self-guided tours on nongame days (huskers.com).