1. Art class at LUX Center for the Arts
From ceramic painting to drawing, there’s art to be made at the LUX Center for the Arts! Located in the historic University Place Neighborhood, the critically-acclaimed LUX Center for the Arts is Lincoln’s community art center and offers gallery exhibitions free to the public, featuring work from local and regional artists in all mediums.
2. Green Vietnamese waffle at Bahnwich
Featuring over 17 styles of sandwiches including Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Thai and more, Banhwich Café also offers bubble tea and frozen yogurt. Plus, their Green Padan Waffle is the perfect dessert to compliment the variety of delicious creations. Their extensive menu will have you coming back for more once you’ve finished your first (or second, or third) order!
3. Participate in Lincoln Craft Beer Week or Lincoln Coffee Week
All corners of Lincoln are bursting with quaint cafés, intriguing craft breweries and spots to enjoy a tasty beverage or two. Lincoln Craft Beer Week and Lincoln Coffee Week encourage you to try as many local spots as you can as they showcase what they’re all about. Who knows, you might even win a prize or two if you rack up the visits and participate in the fun for either week!
4. Take a cooking class at Art & Soul
From baking bread to tantalizing appetizers and more, the cooking classes at Art & Soul run the gamut of culinary offerings and techniques. Whether it’s a group outing, couples event, bridal shower or dinner party, Art & Soul offers hands-on experiences and interactive classes that will expand your horizons and palate at the same time.
5. Enjoy coffee and toast flights at Zen Coffee
Nebraska’s home for coffee and toast flights, Zen Coffee does not disappoint in the heart of downtown Lincoln. With an atmosphere to match their tasty creations, the flights at Zen Coffee will have you sampling everything from Americanos to Belgian Waffle Lattes, homemade pop tarts, Monkey Bred Muffins and more.
6. Stand up Paddle Board with Lincoln Paddle Company
Area lakes are a true gem and what better way to see and experience them than with some time on the water? Lincoln Paddle Company offers kayak and paddle board rentals as you take your adventures to the water. Relax and unwind as solo or group paddle events and classes are there to enjoy throughout the year.
7. Golf the Backwoods Course at Adventure Golf Center
A long-time Lincoln staple, Adventure Golf Center has some of the finest mini golf around and their Backwoods Course will certainly challenge even the best of putters. Designed to look and feel like a traditional golf course, Backwoods is an 18-hole, par 72 course that perfectly compliments the red and blue courses at Adventure Golf Center.
8. Glamp at The Woods by Camp A Way
Have your own treehouse experience just outside of downtown Lincoln at Camp A Way! You’ll be “roughing it” in their brand-new glamping retreat where the luxuries of modern comfort blend with the serenity of nature. The glamping tent features a large, elevated deck and is furnished with all the amenities you could ever want while you’re relaxing in style.
9. Have a rooftop drink at Bierhaus Maisschaler
The patio at Bierhaus Maisschaler is ideal for group gatherings or laid back solo time as you enjoy a delicious beverage or snack with views of the Haymarket below. Whether it’s a Snow Beast Winter Ale from Kinkaider Brewing or Old Fashioned featuring Sideshow Spirits’ rye whiskey, a rooftop just makes everything taste better and more enjoyable!
10. Take a Historic Haymarket Walking Tour
Offered through the Lincoln Visitors Center, the Historic Haymarket Walking Tour is the perfect way to soak up the treasured history and surroundings of this iconic area. Want to know why the Haymarket has been a magnet for visitors to Lincoln for years on end? Check out these free tours and sample the beautiful architecture, sights and sounds throughout the Haymarket.
11. Experience the Candle Lab at Wax Buffalo
With hand-poured soy candles and clean scents to fill the air, Wax Buffalo’s Candle Lab allows you the experience to build your own candle to transform any space. Reservations are encouraged but not required as you check out their space in the College View Neighborhood, which is filled with vibrant local shops and experiences.
12. Visit the new red panda triplets at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo
Spruce, Cedar and Juniper were born in August 2024 and now call the Lincoln Children’s Zoo home. Featured in the zoo’s Red Panda Habitat, they are hoping you can stop by and say hello! Open year round, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo has indoor and outdoor exhibits that will have you seeing some of the most unique and beautiful creatures on our planet. You’ll want to feed the giraffes—trust us!
13. Check out Joel Sartore’s new internationally-acclaimed Photo Ark project at Morrill Hall
World-renowned photographer Joel Sartore is on a quest to raise awareness to save endangered species on our planet. The Photo Ark project features the work of Sartore, a National Geographic photographer and Nebraska-native through digital displays, videos and interactive components. We live in a truly stunning world and this display will certainly prove it!
14. Tour the winding tunnels of Robber’s Cave
The checkered past and mysterious tunnels of Robber’s Cave have visitors from all over the world flocking to see what the stories are all about. Lincoln’s oldest tourist destination does not disappoint as tales of the James Gang, French explorers and more have intrigued visitors for years. With event space and tours available year round, it is the perfect place to see something incredible and unique.
15. Enjoy an entree from a James Beard nominated chef at DISH
A modern American restaurant in the heart of downtown Lincoln, DISH emphasizes local and sustainable ingredients. Executive chef Rachel McGill, nominated for a James Beard award in 2022, brings incredible culinary creations to your plate with an ever-changing menu that’s full of flavor, imagination and more.
16. Discover the “window to the universe” at Branched Oak Observatory
Just minutes northwest of Lincoln, the Branched Oak Observatory is an astronomical observation site that is perfect for nighttime viewing of the cosmos. With a variety of telescopes and an Astronomy Education Classroom, visitors can see the cosmic ballet for themselves in stunning beauty with a side of celestial education.
17. Take a half marathon or marathon training class with Lincoln Running Company or Fleet Feet
The running boom is here again and what better way to celebrate and challenge your love for running than with a half marathon or marathon? The Lincoln Running Company and Fleet Feet both have training courses throughout the year that will take you the full 13.1 or 26.2 miles as you conquer the Lincoln Marathon or Good Life Halfsy in 2025. You’ll never run alone, so lace up the shoes and have fun!
18. Enjoy brunch on the patio at Hub Café
Overlooking the scenic Antelope Valley Trail near downtown Lincoln, Hub Café is the perfect place to enjoy fresh, farm-to-fork meals with local ingredients with views to match their impressive creations. Situated at the intersection of Lincoln’s bike trails, their outdoor seating is the perfect place to unwind after a nice bike ride or run, a trailhead at the Jayne Snyder Trails Center.
19. Make wonderful glass creations at Architectural Glassarts
From stained glass to mosaic, glass fusing and beadmaking, Architectural Glassarts offers a variety of classes to help you make wonderful and stunning creations. Perfect for birthday parties, group outings and more, they offer classes throughout the year for beginners and experienced glass makers alike.
20. Watch baseball and softball at the Sandhills Global Youth Complex
An all-inclusive atmosphere awaits at the brand-new Sandhills Global Youth Complex as the first games will take place in spring 2025. The soon-to-be home of Nebraska Wesleyan University’s baseball and softball programs, the complex boasts all-turfed fields and is designed to be a space for youth of all backgrounds, abilities and ages to come together and play their best just north of downtown Lincoln.
21. Take in the sights and sounds of the Lincoln Veterans Day Parade
Paying tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for our country, the Lincoln Veterans Day parade honors veterans each November with a parade by the state capitol through the streets of Lincoln. Local high school marching bands, organizations and others participate in the parade, celebrating the contributions made to celebrate veterans in Lincoln and beyond.
22. Check out live music at Stransky Park’s Summer Concert series
Held each summer, KZUM’s Summer Concert series typically consists of concerts on Thursday evenings at Stransky Park. Folk, blues, soul and other sweet sounds fill the air for these free concerts, a staple in the Irvingdale Neighborhood. Come hungry as food trucks and other vendors will have delicious fare to enjoy as guitars, soaring vocals and more have you tapping your feet and soaking up some sweet tunes.
23. Sail the Gravel Seas at Gravel Worlds Championships
Lincoln and Lancaster County host over 2,000 bicycle racers each summer for the Gravel Worlds Championships. Featuring events ranging from 35 miles all the way up to 300 miles, competitors “sail the gravel seas” on the gravel roads throughout the area with scenic views throughout. Running events are also featured, bringing in competitors from across the world to Lincoln and the surrounding area.
24. Grab a corndog at the Lancaster County Superfair
Ending July and beginning August, the Lancaster County Super Fair is back this year with great music, entertainment and of course, fair food! Animal exhibits are a popular draw, as are the rides and various competitions in the grandstand area. With ten days of fun, you’re sure to find something interesting at the Super Fair.
25. Watch a movie at the Lincoln Airport’s Outdoor Movie Series
Featuring children’s favorites and other family-friendly movies, the Lincoln Airport is the place to be for an outside big screen viewing under the stars. Held at the airport’s green space, food trucks, entertainment and the featured movie greet visitors multiple times throughout the summer. From Shark Tale to Finding Nemo and much more, the silver screen looks great in the moonlight!
