Museums & Culture

There are dozens of options for museums and other cultural landmarks in the city for a fun, relaxing and sometimes educational afternoon.

Several museums and landmarks have free admission, including the State Capitol building which also offers free tours every hour except noon. The tour covers a brief history of the state, its residents and also explains its unique system of government. The tour also explores the architectural and artistic value of the building itself. A great source of additional information about the state and local government is readily available in the Nebraska Blue Book.

There are several museums in the city, and of the more popular museums, three offer free admission.

• Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery
• The Nebraska History Museum
• The Great Plains Art Gallery

The most popular attraction in Lincoln is the Children’s Zoo. Lincoln’s zoo is unique, claiming to be one of just five in the nation that caters specifically to children. The zoo has several educational opportunities for children, and encourages them to interact with many of the animals on display.

Another popular attraction is the Nebraska State Museum located on the University of Nebraska campus. The State Museum focuses on the natural history of Nebraska, featuring the largest exhibited elephant skeleton in the world—a 14-foot mammoth. The museum also exhibits examples of current and pre-historic life in Nebraska, including relics from native American tribes who lived in the region.

The State Museum also houses the Mueller Planetarium, an 80-seat theater that shows movies about space, the planets and other scientific topics.

What's Going On?

Looking for something to do?

Check the events calendar or the "Things To Do" section of the Lincoln Visitor’s Bureau website.