A Weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska

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 (closed due to Covid as of September 2021).

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).