Lincoln, NE Attractions

Antelope Park in Lincoln is a 143-acre park with a swimming pool, playground, junior golf course and sport fields. It is the location of a Rose Gardens and the Folsom Children's Zoo. The Cascade Fountain is dedicated to Nebraska's retired teachers. Sunken Gardens is a terraced garden with plants, a reflecting pool and waterfall.

Fairview, in Lincoln, was the home of William Jennings Bryan, who served as a U.S. congressman and as secretary of state in the early 20th C. The home has been restored to its 1908 appearance. Bryan is famous for his participation in the Scopes "Monkey" Trial. The lower level contains the Bryan Museum with historic artifacts.

The Lincoln Children's Zoo features more than 300 animals including Amur Leopards, Harbor Seals, Bactrian Camels, Gelada Baboons, River Otters, Eagles, Crocodiles, Reindeer, Naked Mole Rats, and New Guinea singing dogs. The animals live among the botanical gardens featuring annuals, perennials, herbs and 50 types of trees.

Frank H. Woods, Sr. founded the Lincoln Telephone Company in 1903. The museum features the history of the telephone industry, especially The Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Company and its founder.

The Historic Haymarket District of Lincoln is a restored turn-of-the-century warehouse district that includes restaurants, antique shops, specialty shops, and art galleries. The highlight of nearby Iron Horse Park is the "Iron Horse" Legacy, a brick mural showing the first locomotive to cross the prairie.

The Lentz Center for Asian Culture is located on the University of Nebraska campus in Lincoln. The museum is dedicated to Asian art and culture. The collections include musical instruments, textiles, ceramics, paintings, bronzes, jade and ivory carvings and prints.

The Lincoln Children's Museum features hands-on exhibits. Highlights include a three-story apple tree, an airplane, a water exhibit, Prairie Dog Town, Lunar Lander, Artist Studio, Hot Air Balloon, Pets Vet, Construction Zone, Country Acres, Bank, Supermarket, Medical Center, Police and Fire Department.

The Museum of Nebraska History in Lincoln features exhibits about the prehistoric and historic Native American cultures of the Great Plains, and the lives of the pioneer settlers.

The National Museum of Roller Skating in Lincoln features a collection of roller skates. The museum has a display showing the evolution of the roller skate wheel from 1860 to 1998. Other exhibits feature medals, costumes, artwork and videotapes.

The Nature Center in Lincoln features 6mi/9km of walking trails through native Nebraska prairie grasses, woodlands and wetlands. Animals such as bison, elk, deer, wild turkey, and birds of prey are shown in their natural habitat. Pinewood Bowl, a natural amphitheater, hosts performing events.

The Nebraska State Capitol is an excellent example of modern architecture featuring mosaics and sculptures inside and out that represent the natural, social and political development of the state. An elevator ride to the 14th floor observation deck allows for an excellent view of Lincoln.

Thomas P Kennard was the first secretary of state for Nebraska. His house in Lincoln has been restored and furnished in its 1870s décor.

The University of Nebraska State Museum in Lincoln features Elephant Hall with fossil elephants and with a mural of the ice-age mammoths. Other exhibits include Explore Evolution, which looks at current evolutionary science; the Hall of Nebraska Wildlife, a gallery of 16 dioramas in interactive exhibits, the Mesozoic Gallery, which depicts ancient underwater Nebraska; the Toren Gallery of Ancient Life; the Jurassic Dinosaur Gallery; and Nomads of the Ancient Plains, which displays the traditional cultures of the Plains Indians through rare and beautiful artifacts. Other galleries at the University of Nebraska State Museum display ancient weapons, African artifacts, rocks, and minerals. The Marx Science Discovery Center offers hands-on natural wonders for visitors of all ages. Mueller Planetarium's multi-media shows explore discoveries in planetary science and astronomy, making use of an immersive fulldome projection system with 360-degree views.