Location: Lincoln
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The 10 Best Museums in Lincoln, Nebraska (NE)
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. Noyes Fine Art Gallery & Studios
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
2. Center for Great Plains Studies
3. 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!
4. LUX Center for the Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
LUX Center for the Arts is a non-profit community art center that offers free art exhibitions form local, regional and national artists, with new exhibits each month. Join us on the 'First Friday' of each month for free openings. Our gallery shop sells fine art, ceramics, jewelry and other mediums to suit a wide range of interests and tastes. We also teach art classes for youth and adults in pottery, printmaking, painting, jewelry, glass, and fibers. Classes are held at the center or taken off-site with our Art Van de LUX program.
Reviewed By BfromMD - Bethesda, United States
Lovely gallery in an old firehouse in University Place near Wesleyan University in Lincoln. Very nice gift shop. An exhibit in the main gallery was Females, Fibers and Finesse which I thought was fantastic. I visit Lincoln every year or so and try to visit the Lux gallery, check out the website, the back history of Gladys Lux is inspiring.
5. Sheldon Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
An art collection of international distinction housed in a landmark Philip Johnson building at the University of Nebraska. Admission to Sheldon Museum of Art is free, and its public programs and events are free unless otherwise specified.
Reviewed By BfromMD - Bethesda, United States
I have to review Sheldon again (I had a glowing review March 2018). The current exhibit on Portraits and Portraiture is not to be missed. Showing u til July 2020 For a FREE entrance, you will see gems showcased in the National Gallery of Art. Diane Arbus, Kehinde Wiley (who did President Obama’s portrait), Cindy Sherman, the list goes on and on. Plus, ask for a map of the out door sculptures and take your own tour of the 30+ sculptures.
6. 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.
7. American Historical Society of Germans From Russia Museum and Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
8. Eisentrager-Howard Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Eisentrager-Howard Gallery presents student, faculty, and guest artist exhibitions from late August through May during the academic year.
9. National Museum of Roller Skating
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.
