Location: Lincoln
Top Things to do in Lincoln
10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Lincoln That You Shouldn't Miss
Named after Abraham Lincoln, this state capital is a great place for children, history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts. Soak in the panoramic view of the city from the observation tower of the 400-foot high capitol building, whose white stone Art Deco spire can be seen from miles around. Then take a tour of the building and its grounds, where you'll find a Lincoln monument created by the same artist who sculpted the famous Lincoln statue in Washington, D.C. While you're on a history roll, visit the Governor's Mansion, whose Georgian Colonial exterior belies the varied architectural styles inside, and be sure to see the collection of dolls representing the state's first ladies dressed in their inaugural gowns. Kids will love the Folsom Children's Zoo & Botanical Gardens, where they can circle the zoo in a miniature train and see over 300 animals living among spectacular gardens. For some outdoor fun, head to one of the city's beautiful parks, the largest of which is Wilderness Park, whose hiking, biking and equestrian trails will keep you on the move for hours.
Restaurants in Lincoln
1. Museum of American Speed
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 453 reviews
Reviewed By millerhispeedheadco
Last week, my wife and I were treated to a comprehensive tour of the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed. What an amazing place! This museum, founded by Bill and Joyce Smith in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1992, commemorates the history of auto racing, technology, and period memorabilia. It contains everything from the history of the racing engine, to a collection of race cars, sprints, drags, land speed and hot rods; engines of every type, as well as period after-market accessories for the enthusiast. An entire room was devoted to Harry Miller outlining his accomplishments and history in bringing auto racing to the fore during his lifetime. He truly was the “Father of Speed”! We were impressed with the volume and variety of items on display. Also included in the collection were period pedal cars, lunch boxes, auto related record albums, children’s toys, and cookie jars which Joyce loved to collect. There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy at this outstanding museum!
2. Escape Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 149 reviews
The Lincoln Escape Room is a physical adventure game in which people are locked in a room with friends, family, or complete strangers and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within a set time limit.
Reviewed By Jessaveryy
Was a great time with friends! We had an absolute blast. Fun, challenging, not overwhelming. A good time for all!
3. Craft Axe Throwing- Lincoln
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 124 reviews
Craft Axe Throwing is a game that anyone can play (and win). Score points by throwing axes at a giant dartboard-like target. The closer you get to the bullseye, the more points earned. We conduct casual and competitive axe throwing events for social, corporate, and league groups. All of our events are staffed with trained instructors, helping groups nail the bullseye.
Reviewed By Susan0514 - Olive Branch, United States
It was my 57th birthday bash weekend & our 35th wedding anniversary and Ax Throwing was one of our activities we planned. Y’all Made it great and we had a blast !!!
4. Holmes Park & Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
The center of outdoor activity in the heart of Lincoln including a lake for boating and fishing, plus picnic grounds and hiking trails.
Reviewed By kdschielke - Austin, United States
Nice park, large grassy areas and paved, shady walkway around lake. Lots of people fishing. Dogs on leash welcome. Free parking and entry.
5. Lincoln Children's Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 352 reviews
Lincoln Children's Zoo is rated among the best zoos for children by Parent Magazine and is home to over 400 animals, including the world's smallest monkeys (pygmy marmosets), ring-tailed lemurs, dromedary camels, red pandas, meerkats, and more!. Over 40 of our animals are endangered, including the Humboldt Penguin, Amur leopard and Matschie's tree kangaroo. Featuring interactive Zoofari stations with Larry the Cable Guy, up-close animal encounters and the historic ZO&O Railroad, the Zoo is the perfect destination for the entire family. Lincoln Children's Zoo's mission is "to enrich lives through firsthand interaction with living things."
Reviewed By Charrigo - Chicago, United States
This was the perfect thing to do for myself and two teen girls after visit the UNL campus. We were looking for something fun to do that was not college related and this fit the bill. Close to downtown (about a 10 minute drive) and just the right size for a few hours fun. Don’t leave without feeding the giraffes, and look for the peacocks, penguins and flamingos! They also have some goats, camels, turkeys, snow leopards, an anteater, and lots of monkeys!
6. Lied Center for the Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
A musical and theatrical center.
7. Group Therapy Bike Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Whatever is going on in your life, pedal it out with Group Therapy - Lincoln's first and only 14-passenger, pedal-powered bike tour around the city. From celebrations to work events to "what else do I have to do?", you're guaranteed to have fun. And you'll leave your Group Therapy session feeling happier, revived and ready to take on the craziness of the world. At least until your next session.
8. Nebraska State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 834 reviews
Beautiful mosaic ceilings and floors, paintings and sculptures inside the 400-foot high capitol building are as impressive as its marble, bronze and gold leaf exterior and white tower topped by a bronze statue. Free guided tours are available.
Reviewed By matthewmX8701PV - Kearney, United States
This building is without equal. I strongly recommend getting there and spending a few hours, including taking a tour with the Docent. Nebraska history is rich and much of it is on display in this building and its grounds. From the rotunda to the legislative chambers, from the Supreme Court room to simply roaming the halls, you will feel that it is a hallowed place. Understanding the murals, floors and even the doors will make this place even more special for you. This is a don't miss attraction in Lincoln, NE!
9. Lincoln Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 263 reviews
The Lincoln Children's Museum invites families to create, discover and learn through the power of play. Offering three floors and 23,300 square feet of hands-on exhibits and imaginative programs that allow children and adults to discover the adventure of learning through play together.
Reviewed By NEVenturer - Alexandria, United States
The options seem endless. We bought a grandparents package with the zoo so we could enjoy these with our grandson who is almost 3. He loved it all. He could have spent every day of the week there. He loved dressing up like a firefighter and hitting the buttons for the sirens (which weren’t too loud). He crawled around in the prairie dog hills and celebrated his rise to the top!!! The trains and cars were such a hit. It was all tremendously fun! I love this and have since our kids were little. How wonderful to now enjoy it with our grandson.
10. University of Nebraska State Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
One of the Midwest's premier natural history museums, we are home to the world's largest complete mounted mammoth skeleton. Archie, our mascot in bronze out front, is based on this mammoth fossil. Touch his foot for good luck! Our newest exhibit, Cherish Nebraska opened in February 2019. It examines Nebraska past and present with digital interactives, collections displays, hands-on activities and a visible lab to watch our scientists at work. Other exhibits include Bizarre Beasts, Weapons Throughout Time, First People of the Plains, Paleontology, Geology, and the Hall of Nebraska wildlife. Our Marx Discovery Center (currently closed due to covid precautions) has tons of activities for kids, including a fossil dig pit, reading nook, discovery tables, dinosaurs, coloring sheets and more. Advance tickets available online.
Reviewed By nebraskasteve87 - Lemont, United States
I imagine some may not find this to be the flashiest museum in the USA, but it contains a wealth of unique exhibits, as well as some unique research focuses. As might be expected, it contains the best Nebraska geography and wildlife dioramas in the world. It contains a world-class woolly mammoth exhibit - possibly the world’s best (including the world’s largest mounted mammoth - “Archie”). And they just spent over $10m redoing just the 4th floor to focus on Great Plains ecology, climate change, geography, biology, zoology, archeology, etc. It’s very impressive.
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