4 Fun Things to Do in Lincoln for Free

nebraskanicana — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 18:51:45 +0000

Lincoln is a city that has plenty of offerings in store for its visitors. There’s much to do in the capital of Nebraska state if you venture out of your room. You might be concerned about your tight budget and this would make you stay indoors.

However, there are many activities in the city that’ll not cost you a cent! So, instead of watching television in your room, go out and indulge in some exciting activities. Whether it’s hearing some free music or learning the city’s history, you can truly enjoy many things for free.

1. Spend some time in nature

The concrete jungle of the city might feel suffocating at times. It would be a lot better to unwind amid pleasant natural surroundings of one of the city’s parks. They also give you the opportunity to escape the city’s hustle-bustle and enjoy the sounds of birds. Although these parks are mostly located at the city’s central parts, you’ll feel as if you’re somewhere far away.

One of these green areas is the Pioneers Park Nature Center. It is spread over a vast area of 668 acres. There are prairies, gardens, wooded trails, and exhibits to be explored in it. Some of the other green areas include Lincoln Wilderness Conservancy and Holmes Park & Lake.

2. Have fun at The Railyard

One of Nebraska’s popular entertainment district, The Railyard has an array of restaurants, shops, and apartments. Its main courtyard becomes a public open space in the warmer months. This gives residents as well as visitors the chance to spread out a picnic and take in the sights.

On some occasions, you may also be able to watch sporting events and films on a massive screen. It’s called the ‘Union Bank Cube’ and has been built into a building nearby. During winters, this place gets transformed into an outdoor skating rink. You’ll only have to pay for renting the skates and not for using the rink.

3. Visit the Nebraska State Capitol

The Nebraska State Capitol has a unique architecture. It is home to the only one-house non-partisan legislature in the United States. Most of the capitol buildings have a grand dome, but this building has a 400-foot tower instead.

This tower also has an observation deck that gives you some splendid views of the city. You can visit this building to learn some history, browse some stellar artworks, and get to its observation deck. After the tour of the building, you can relax in one of the courtyards of the capitol.

4. Explore a farmers’ market

You visit a farmers’ market usually to buy fresh vegetables, pastries, and knick-knacks. However, these markets are also excellent places to just take a walk around and savor the sights. You can either choose to buy some goodies or you can just have some pleasant conversations with the vendors.

If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to listen to a live musician. One of the popular farmer’s markets in the city is the one across the street in the Haymarket. It is open from May to October on Saturday mornings. Other favourites are the Fallbrook Farmers’ Market and the Old Cheney road Farmers’ Market.

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Top 4 Attractions in Lincoln – the must sees!

nebraskanicana — Thu, 20 May 2021 00:20:31 +0000

Spread across a total area of over 96,000 square miles, Lincoln is the capital of the US state, Nebraska. It was founded in the mid-19th century as the village of Lancaster. Later, it was renamed after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States of America. It was made the capital of the Nebraska state in 1869.

In 2016, Lincoln was ranked 3rd in Lonely Planet’s list of best destinations to see in the United States. Owing to its importance as the capital city, you’ll find museums and several other attractions in Lincoln. Here are some of the major attractions you must visit while getting around in the Nebraskan capital:

1. Nebraska State Capitol

The Nebraska State Capitol is certainly a must-see for its amazing limestone exterior. It depicts 3,000 years of democracy through ornate marble columns, carvings, murals, and mosaic floors. It took three attempts to construct this building so that it could last for a very long time.

When compared to the other state capitols, it doesn’t feature the traditional dome. Instead, it has a 400-foot tower with offices in it. Construction of this tower began in 1922 with a cost of $10 million and took 10 years to complete. On the top of this building is a 19-foot-tall figure made of bronze called ‘The Sower’.

2. Historic Haymarket District

When you’re in the Historic Haymarket District, you’ll get the chance to witness some historical structures. Among them are the beautifully renovated and restored brick warehouses from the late 19th century. You’ll also get to enjoy a pleasant stroll through the brick streets.

Some of the other things you’ll come across are a unique clock and a large water tower. This place in Lincoln has a lively vibe to it, as the students often visit its many buildings. The most notable building in this area is the Lincoln station, which was once a railway depot. Now, it houses a restaurant and a visitor center.

3. Sunken Gardens

Founded in 1930, this park is a point of Lincoln’s civic pride and houses three main gardens. One is the Healing Garden, which has plants that bloom white. Another one is the Annual Garden, which has over 30,000 plants. They are used every year to create new themes and designs.

The third one is called Perennial Garden. As these gardens cover only an area of less than two acres, they can be explored rather quickly. The Sunken Gardens had underwent renovations in 2004 and would be truly pleasing to your senses. It won’t be surprising if you end up spending more time in these gardens.

4. University of Nebraska State Museum

If you’re a fan of paleontology, a visit to this fascinating museum is highly recommended. The University of Nebraska State Museum is yet another must-see attraction in Lincoln. It houses the largest articulated mammoth in the world along with an exhibit of fossilized elephants.

Owing to this exhibit, this museum is often referred to as the ‘Elephant Hall’. You’ll have a wonderful experience in Mueller Planetarium, which is also a part of this museum. During your visit to this museum, you’ll also find other excellent collections associated with the natural history of Nebraska.

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