Lincoln is at the top spot among the healthiest and happiest US cities. The city has plethora of things to do for all ages and tastes, ranging from museums and art galleries to gardens and parks, historic and natural sites. Here’s a guide to how you can spend 48 hours in Lincoln, Nebraska!
Partake of Breakfast at 9:00am!
Start your day with breakfast at Toast. Toast has delicious food options to please every palate. Relish the delectable food like sugar-glazed meatloaf with fresh seasonal vegetables and mashed potatoes, and the range of sandwiches, burgers and salads at this eatery.
Address: 570 Fallbrook Blvd #105, Lincoln, NE 68521, United States
Phone: 1 402-261-8859
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 9:00am-11:00pm; Friday & Saturday: 9:00am-12:00am; Sunday: 9:00am-10:00pm
Nebraska State Capitol at 10:00am!
Start your day of exploring the Star City with a visit to Nebraska State Capitol, an architectural masterpiece. It is the highest vantage point in the city offering 360 degree vistas of Lincoln. Learn about the history of Nebraska at this spot. The capitol has magnificent interiors that have murals and paintings featuring the Native American heritage, and limestone exteriors featuring over 3,000 years of democracy.
Address: 1445 K Street, Lincoln, NE 68509, United States
Phone: 1 402-471-0448
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm; Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Distance from Toast: 5.6miles or 9minutes drive
Lincoln Children’s Museum at 11:00am!
Next, head off to the Lincoln Children’s Museum that features educational and fun programs for kids. Take part in science-related hands-on exhibits at the museum. Try out the different types of jobs from doctor to radio personality to scientist to pizza maker and many more, play with the science, learn about the culture, and indulge in the other playful activities at the museum.
Address: 1420 P Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, United States
Phone: 1 402-477-4000
Opening hours: Tuesday & Wednesday: 9:30am-5:00pm; Thursday: 9:30am-7:30pm; Friday & Saturday: 9:30am-5:00pm; Sunday: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Distance from State Capitol: 0.8miles or 3minutes drive
Sheldon Museum of Art at 12:00pm!
Appreciate the art at the Sheldon Museum of Arts. It features over 12,000 pieces of art spanning different media, ranging from nineteenth century to the present times. Check out the work of art by notable artists like Robert Motherwell, Marsden Hartley, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Mary Cassatt, Edward Hopper, and many more.
Address: R Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, United States
Phone: 1 402-472-2461
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Distance from Lincoln Children’s Museum: 0.7miles or 3minutes drive
Out to Lunch at 1:00pm!
Head over to the Misty’s Steakhouse & Brewery (200 N 11th St) that serves up American fare. Craving for Chinese cuisine, step into the Dat’s Cuisine (1209 Q St). For some sushi and Japanese fare, head to the Blue Sushi Sake Grill (808 R St. STE 200). For Spanish or Mediterranean cuisine, drop by the Sebastian’s Table (126 N. 14th Street).
Museum of American Speed at 2:00pm!
Racing enthusiast, Museum of American Speed is your spot! The museum houses an extensive display of race cars, hot rods, and many antique engines from earlier days of racing to the modern times. Connoisseurs will enjoy the displays of engines and other components related to auto racing.
Address: 599 Oakcreek Dr, Lincoln, NE 68528, United States
Phone: 1 402-323-3166
Opening hours: May through September- Monday to Friday: 12:00pm-4:30pm; October through April-Friday: 12:00pm-4:30pm
University of Nebraska State Museum at 3:00pm!
Stroll through the halls of the University of Nebraska State Museum that features the world’s largest collection of elephant fossils, Nebraska natural history, Native America wildlife, minerals, gemstones, earth’s evolution, history and cultures, and also houses an innovative Mueller Planetarium.
Address: 645 N 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
Phone: 1 402-472-2642
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday: 9:00am-4:30pm; Thursday: 9:00am-8:00pm; Friday & Saturday: 9:00am-4:30pm; Sunday: 1:30pm-4:30pm
Distance from Museum of American Speed: 2.9miles or 8minutes drive
Lincoln Children’s Zoo at 4:00pm!
Head off to the Lincoln Children’s Zoo that has several animal and brds species to keep you entertained. Feed and interact with the animals from across the world. Get up close to diverse animals, like giant tortoises, penguins, monkeys, red panda, and birds. It also has pony rides, train rides and play spaces for kids.
Address: 1222 S 27th Street, Lincoln, NE 68502, United States
Phone: 1 402-475-6741
Distance from University of Nebraska State Museum: 2.7miles or 9minutes drive
Go Shopping at 5:00pm!
Head off to the Gateway Mall that comprises of five department stores- Sears, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Forever 21, and Younkers, plus over 100 stores. Some of the specialty stores housed in the mall are H&M, Victoria’s Secret, The Buckle, Bath & Body Works, and many more.
Address: 6100 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68505, United States
Phone: 1 402-464-3196
Opening hours: Monday & Tuesday: 10:00am-9:00pm; Wednesday: 10:00am-6:00pm; Thursday to Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Distance from Lincoln Children’s Museum: 3.6miles or 9minutes drive
Indulge in some more shopping at the Vintage Village Antique Mall that has more than 50 dealers and offers great selection of vintage items at reasonable price. Shop for antiques and collectibles at this mall!
Address: 2425 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68510, United States
Phone: (402) 742-0063
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
Distance from Gateway Mall: 2.5miles or 5minutes drive
Catch a game at 7:00pm!
Head off to the Memorial Stadium to catch a Nebraska College football game. The stadium is worth a visit for its surroundings and architecture. It is home field of Cornhuskers.
Address: One Stadium Dr, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
Distance from Vintage Valley Antique Mall: 1.6miles or 5minutes drive
Dinner at 9:00pm!
Craving for some Indian cuisine, swing by The Oven (201 N 8th St Ste 117). For American fare, head off to the Leadbelly (301 N 8th St Suite 100). Visit the Green Gateau (330 S 10th St Suite 110) that serves up delicious American and French cuisine, or step into the Blue Orchid (129 N. 10th St) that serves Thai food.
Party, dance and drink at 10:00pm!
Swing by the Rule G Nightclub, a high-energy spot to party after dark. The DJs spins the hottest music ranging from Top 40s to Techno and hip-hop remixes keeping everyone on their toes. This spot comes alive with the DJs spinning, with the sound of music and the lights all over the place. A great spot to get your groove on after the sun goes down!
Address: 350 Canopy Street #300, Lincoln, NE 68501, United States
Phone: 1 402-904-4126
Opening hours: Friday & Saturday: 4:00pm-2:00am
Day 2 in the Star City!
Breakfast at 9:00am!
Kick start your day with a scrumptious American breakfast at the Engine House Cafe. Sit back, relax and enjoy the hearty American fare in a fire house themed spot.
Address: 6028 Havelock Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68507, United States
Phone: 1 402-467-2880
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 6:00am-2:00pm; Sunday: 7:00am-2:00pm
International Quilt Study Center & Museum at 10:00am!
Visit the International Quilt Study Center & Museum that features quilting history from the early 1700s to the present day through 3,500 items from over thirty countries. It also houses traveling textile exhibitions.
Address: 1523 N 33rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68503, United States
Phone: 1 402-472-6549
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm; Sunday: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Distance from Engine House Cafe: 3.2miles or 8 minutes drive
National Museum of Roller Skating at 11:00am!
Step into to the National Museum of Roller Skating that chronicles the history of roller skating from the 19th century to the modern roller derby. It features historical skates’ exhibits, artwork, competition videos, films, awards, costumes and several other skating memorabilia.
Address: 4730 South Street, Lincoln, NE 68506, United States
Phone: 1 402-483-7551
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Distance from International Quilt Museum: 3.3miles or 9minutes drive
Sunken Gardens at 12:00pm!
Soak in the beauty of nature at the Sunken Gardens. The Garden has more than 30,000 colorful bright blooms. It houses multiple gardens- a Perennial garden, a themed annual garden and a healing garden. It has fish-filled ponds, an array of a scenic landscape, a waterfall and florissant greenery that will soothe and refresh your senses!
Address: S 27th Street, Lincoln, NE 68502, United States
Phone: 1 402-441-8258
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:00am-11:00pm
Lunch at 2:00pm!
It’s lunch time! Visit the Green Gateau (330 S 10th St Suite 110) that serves up delicious American and French cuisine. Craving for some Indian cuisine, swing by The Oven (201 N 8th St Ste 117). Or go to Henry’s On South (2110 Winthrop Rd.) that dishes out delectable American fare. For Spanish or Mediterranean cuisine, drop by the Sebastian’s Table (126 N. 14th Street). Head off to the Dish (1100 O Street) if hankering for New American cuisine.
Pioneers Park Nature Center at 3:00pm!
Bond with the nature at the Pioneer Park Nature Center! It is a 668-acres nature center that offers over seven miles of hiking and biking trails, a tallgrass prairie, wetlands, public art, picnic spots, a golf course, an outdoor amphitheatre and a sled run. Herd of white-tailed deer, elk and bison can also be spotted here.
Address: 3201 S Coddington Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68522, United States
Phone: 1 402-441-7895
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:30am-5:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-5:00pm
Haymarket/Downtown at 5:00pm!
Go shopping at the Haymarket/Downtown. This spot has plenty of unique specialty shops, antique shops, apparel and gift shops, and art galleries. Browse for artworks and antiques, shop for clothing and accessories, or a perfect piece of furniture or any other home decor items at this shopping spot.
Address: 335 N 8th Street, Suite B, Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 435-7496
Drinks at 7:00pm!
Head over to the Barrymore’s for drinks. This is a quaint and charming nightspot that serves a variety of martinis and other cocktails. Sample their impressive drinks that are both innovative and classic.
Address: 124 N 13th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, United States
Phone: 1 402-476-6494
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 3:00pm-1:00am; Friday: 3:00pm-2:00am; Saturday: 5:00pm-2:00am
Distance from Haymarket: 0.5miles or 3minutes drive
Dinner at 8:00pm!
It’s dinner time! Step into the Dish (1100 E O Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, United States) that serves up delicious New American cuisine. If craving for Italian food, head over to the Vincenzo’s Ristorante (808 P Street #100, Lincoln, NE 68508, United States), the finest Italian restaurant in Lincoln. Or go to JTK (201 N 7th Street #107, Lincoln, NE 68508, United States) for New American fare.
Party all night long at 10:00pm!
Party and dance all night long with great music offered by the DJs, throw a few games of darts, sip a few drinks, or play a game of bowling at The Brass Rail.
Address: 1436 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, United States
Phone: 1 402-474-5741
Or
Step into The Zoo Bar, a famous spot for live Blues music in Lincoln. Blues artists from across the world perform at this bar. This is a great spot to dance, mingle with locals, and enjoy Blues and Jazz music while sipping drinks.
Address: 136 N 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, United States
Phone: 1 402-435-8754
Day 2- Lincoln Map Guide
