Lincoln

The Lincoln Children’s Zoo

This zoo is the perfect size for young children. There are some very cool things to do like feeding the giraffes, watching the penguin feeding, and watching a cheetah run. They do have a train too. On weekends and some other days they usually have some volunteers with animals out to pet near the goats and sometimes in the bug building. There is a butterfly building too and a big tortoise area. 

Farmer’s Markets

Lincoln has a few Farmer’s Markets on different days. This link has them and each one says when it starts and ends each year and their hours. https://www.lincoln.org/things-to-do/shopping/farmers-markets/ 

UNL Marching Band Exhibition

It’s only once per year, but if you happen to be in Lincoln right before school starts in August it’s free and fun. The marching band spends a week at band camp and then puts on a show of what they have learned, including their pre-game show that they perform at each home game.

Go to a Husker football game (or volley ball or basketball or any other sporting event)

Friday Night Pep Bands

If you’re in town for a Husker football game there are usually pep bands playing on Friday nights before home games. They post where and when here. https://band.unl.edu/fan-information/ 

See a show

Lincoln has many places to see a live performance. 

The Pinnacle Bank Arena 

The Lied Center

Jazz in June https://www.liedcenter.org/jazz-june-2025 (free! But only in June)

Pinewood Bowl (in Pioneers Park)

The Children’s Museum

This is kind of pricey, but if you have small kids and need an indoor activity, they do have 3 floors of things for kids. 

Go Swimming (Summer)

Lincoln has quite a few pools https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks-Facilities/Public-Pools 

So do some nearby towns:

Wilber https://cityofwilber.com/wilber-swimming-pool/  

I liked the Wilber pool because it had diving boards, water slides and a  zero entry. I could see the whole pool from the zero entry too. And with 3 kids that is important!

Waverly https://www.citywaverly.com/vnews/display.v/ART/61d4c75b9ea0a (I haven’t been here, but it looks nice)

Morrill Hall (UNL City Campus)

This is a museum that has animal bones and such. They also have a planetarium-see their website for times/shows.   https://museum.unl.edu/ 

Biking

If you have your bike with you; Lincoln has quite a few bike trails. https://www.lincoln.org/things-to-do/outdoors/bike-trails/ 

Pioneers Park

This park has some trails, the Pinewood Bowl Theater, playgrounds, bison, at least one pond, columns and such. Do check the hours of the trail you choose. We tried to go on a hike there on a Sunday morning and the one we wanted (the one with a suspension bridge) was locked up and wasn’t open Sunday mornings. We did a different trail. I can’t say the one we did was very pretty. I have heard the one with the suspension bridge is better; but I haven’t personally done it.

Laser Tag & Bowling at Sun Valley Lanes

This is a bowling alley that also has laser tag. It is best to reserve bowling lanes online ahead of time. Any time we’ve played laser tag though we haven’t needed to book ahead.

Prehistoric Putt

This is an indoor mini golf course. It has two sets of 18 holes. It didn’t take very long to do one set of 18. They do have fun obstacles and fake dinosaurs throughout.

Urban Air

This is a trampoline place that has things like rock walls, an up high course, and a zipline ride. It is pricey if you want to do everything; but there are ticket options where you just do trampolines that are cheaper.

Outdoor Putt Putt Golf at Adventure Golf Center

They have 2 different courses that are each pretty fun.

Wine Tasting

There are a few vineyards around Lincoln that do tastings. We’ve been to these and enjoyed them. There are others too.

From Nebraska Shop (downtown)

They have James Arthur Vineyards wines

James Arthur Vineyards (near Raymond)

Glacial Till 

Cellar 426

Escape Rooms

Lincoln has a few escape rooms. We’ve been to these and had fun.

Escape Lincoln

They have escape rooms & they do murder mystery game nights as well where you dress up and play a character. 

Entrap Escape Rooms

Sunken Gardens

This garden is free & pretty in the spring and summer. You go down steps to get to it.

Tomahawks Axe Throwing (downtown)

This was both harder and more fun than I thought it would be.

Tour the Capital Building

This is free. The website lists days and times the tours run.