If you’re looking for a starting point to explore the city, think of downtown Lincoln. The downtown area is packed with things to do in Lincoln. The city is only a short drive from several scenic destinations.

Some of the best things to do in Lincoln include:

• Touring The Nebraska State Capitol, the tallest building in the city
• Exploring the Sunken Gardens, a verdant park built in 1930
• Touring the Sheldon Art Museum, featuring works from the 19th and 20th centuries
• Visiting the Haymarket District, a historic neighborhood filled with gram-worthy shops and restaurants
• Watching the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers play football at Memorial Stadium

Lincoln, Nebraska may not have the name recognition of Chicago or New York City, but it still has plenty of activities for both tourists and visitors.

A few popular attractions near Lincoln include:

• The National Museum of Roller Skating, the biggest museum of its kind in the world
• The Hyde Memorial Observatory, one of the top observatories in the state
• The Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum, featuring more than 40 historic tractors
• The International Quilt Study Center & Museum, home to the largest collection of quilts in the world
• The Museum of American Speed, an educational facility dedicated to cars and racing

Lincoln is home to several fun activities and interesting places that can help you change up your daily routine.

Get to know the city’s local cuisine and cultural flavor with a few of these Lincoln things to do:

• Sing your heart out during karaoke night at Grata Bar & Lounge
• Take a Nacho Ride, a weekly bike tour that ends with nachos and mexican food
• Stop by Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill for a classic cheeseburger and fries
• Treat your tastebuds at Blue Orchid, a trendy Thai food restaurant in the Grand Manse building
• Try a new kind of sandwich at Bánhwich, a popular Vietnamese fusion restaurant in north Lincoln

As a quintessential college town, Lincoln is no stranger to nightlife. The downtown area is filled with fun things to do in Lincoln tonight. Between 12th and 16th, is the perfect place for a bar crawl.

A few other nighttime activities near Lincoln include:

• Listening to live music at Barrymore’s, a downtown bar that specializes in martinis
• Sipping a strong drink and watching the big game at Jake’s Cigars
• Playing pool at Duffy’s Tavern, a local favorite that serves fish bowl-sized cocktails
• Dancing the night away at Rule G Night Club, a sleek club with a rooftop patio
• Visiting The Starlight Lounge, a vintage bar underneath Buzzard Billy's Armadillo Bar 'N' Grillo

Lincoln is home to a healthy selection of kid-friendly stores, activities, and museums, so it’s easy to plan outings for the whole family.

A few of the best family-friendly things to do include:

• Sun Valley Lanes, a kid-friendly bowling alley with a full-service bar and grill
• The Lincoln Children’s Zoo, home to more than 40 endangered species
• Toys from the Past, a vintage toy store that specializes in action figures
• Rocket Fizz, a local sweets shop with a huge assortment of candies
• The Lincoln Children’s Museum, an educational facility with interactive exhibits about nature and science

During the winter, Lincoln Nebraska can be one of the coldest cities in the country. As such, this midwestern town has plenty of charming places to warm up.

A few of the best indoor activities include:

• Taking a hot yoga class at the Lincoln Yoga Center
• Receiving a deep tissue massage from Bella Skin Care & Massage Therapy
• Sipping a vanilla latte from the Coffee House, a locally owned bakery and café
• Learning about the cosmos in the Mueller Planetarium
• Tasting both red and white wines at the Deer Springs Winery

Located in the heart of the Midwest, Lincoln is home to several green spaces and more than 120 miles of hiking trails.

Some outdoor activities and things to see in Lincoln include:

• Hiking from Lincoln to Omaha on the Mopac Trail
• Hosting a family barbeque next to Pawnee Lake
• Exploring the sculptures and plant displays in the Sunken Gardens
• Riding a bike from downtown Lincoln to Holmes Lake Park on the Billy Wolff Trail
• Practicing archery at the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center