In the south-east of the state is its capital, Lincoln. Features of interest are the State Capitol, the State University with a Natural History Museum, Planetarium and the Sheldon Art Gallery of modern American art, designed by top architect Philip Johnson. Its most original museum however is the National Museum of Roller Skating tells the history of roller skating from 1700 to the present day.
Lincoln (pop. 225,000) is the second largest city in Nebraska by population.
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.
Hours:
1pm-4pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Sat
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
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.
Address: Lincoln Children's Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 1222 South 27th Street, Lincoln, NE 68502-1832, United States
Phone: 1 (402) 475-6741, Fax: 1 (402) 475-6742
Hours:
April 15 to May 30: 10am-5pm
June 1 to August 31: 10am-5pm; Wed:10am-8pm
September 1 to October 15: 10am-5pm
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides: Guided tour available as optional extra.
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service, Wheelchair loan or rental
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.
Hours:
am-am; Sun:1pm-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
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.
Address: Historic Haymarket District, 335 North 8th Street, Suite B , Lincoln, NE 68508, United States
Phone: 1 (402) 435-7496, Fax: 1 (402) 435-7535
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.
Tips: Because of financial constraints, the Lentz Center for Asian Culture will no longer have regular hours. The collection will stay in place and there will be occasional Asian exhibitions. For information after July 1, 2010 call the Great Plains Art Museum at
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.
Address: Museum of Nebraska History, Box 82554 , Lincoln, NE 68501-2554, United States
Phone: 1 (402) 471-4754, Fax: 1 (402) 471-3314
Hours:
9am-4:30pm; Sun:1pm-4:30pm; Sat:1pm-4:30pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Veteran's Day - USA (November 11), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
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.
Address: Roller Skating National Museum, 4730 South Street, Suite 2, Lincoln, NE 68506-1256, United States
Phone: 1 (402) 483-7551, Fax: 1 (402) 483-1465
Hours:
9am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
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.
Hours:
8:30am-5pm; Sun:12pm-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
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.
The modern State Capitol building in Lincoln.
The tower of the State Capitol building in Lincoln.
Hours:
8am-5pm; Sun:1pm-5pm; Sat:10am-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Tours Available on the Hour.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
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.
Address: University of Nebraska Museum, 307 Morrill Hall, Lincoln, NE 68508-0338, United States
Phone: 1 (402) 472-2642, Fax: 1 (402) 472-8899
Hours:
9:30am-4:30pm; Sun:1:30pm-4:30pm; Thu:9:30am-8pm
Always opened on: Martin Luther King's Birthday - USA (3rd Monday, January ), Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ), American Independance Day (July 4), Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Easter - Christian
Tips: Admission includes planetarium pricing. Museum only admission available. Planetarium show themes, fees and times are available at 402-472-2641.