More than the Midwest: An Art & Culture Journey
by Visit Lincoln Team
Day 1
Awaken the creative spirit within you and enjoy the galleries, makerspaces and theaters that comprise the fine arts of Lincoln. Fill your day with a colorful palette of activities, starting with breakfast at the community themed Hub Café followed by a stop at Constellation Studios and learn the creative art of relief etching, papermaking, letterpress, printmaking and bookmaking activities.
Enjoy a colorful array of cuisines, featuring Caribbean and West African flavors at Stur 22 Lounge, before exploring the Sheldon Museum of Art and the Burkholder Project, where artistic surprises await around every corner of the multi-level gallery - a creative experience you won’t want to miss!
Not all art is contained within gallery walls. Grab a map from the helpful staff at the Lincoln Visitors Center and enjoy a self-guided tour of the Historic Haymarket District and live like a local for the afternoon. Take in the beauty of the historic buildings and enjoy the unique shops, restaurants and breweries within! Conclude your focus on the finer things with an exquisite dinner at The Oven Cellar and enjoy a sampling of one of their 1,800 bottles of wine from across the globe.
Recommendations from locals: Hub Café, Stur 22 Lounge, Burkholder Project, Kiechel Fine Art Gallery,
Sheldon Museum of Art, Historic Haymarket District and The Oven Cellar.
Day 2
Step into a fairytale for breakfast at a whimsical, local bakery before visiting the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Museum where you will spend the morning learning about the fascinating German-Russian history and its people.
Your trip to Lincoln would not be complete without experiencing the world-famous Runza sandwich for lunch, a true Lincoln legend! Enjoy a drive through the unique corners and historical pockets of the city that showcase the distinct architecture and styles that make the Capital City what it is. From stately homes to public art, fall more in love with Lincoln with every turn. End your drive at the International Quilt Museum and prepare to be amazed by the world’s largest collection of quilts dating back to the early 1600s.
Art and espresso await at The Bay, a unique 20,000 square-foot warehouse space that houses a public indoor skate park, a digital arts lab, an all-ages music venue and a third wave coffee bar and pastry shop. Recap your eventful day over a delicious award-winning authentic Italian feast at Lincoln’s favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant.
Recommendations from locals: The Rabbit Hole Bakery, Germans from Russia Museum, Runza Restaurant, International Quilt Museum, The Bay and Vincenzo’s Ristorante.
Day 3
For a moment, forget you are in the Midwest, as you enjoy breakfast in a restaurant so quaint, it will have you convinced you are on a European vacation! Spend the rest of your morning exploring the Museum of American Speed, a museum that is not only famous for their expansive car collection, but also their collection of tin lunch boxes, guitars, pedal cars and much more.
Speedway Museum of American Speed
A museum dedicated to the history of roller skating? Yes, you read that right! Discover the colorful past of the popular sport at the National Museum of Roller Skating – the only museum of its kind in the country. Next, spend the afternoon browsing the unique shops that line the streets of downtown Lincoln and discover why Misty’s Steakhouse has been a Lincoln favorite for over 50 years with the best prime rib you have ever had! End your trip to Lincoln on a high note with a local act or national show at one of the city’s popular performing arts theaters.
Lied Center for Performing Arts
Recommendations from locals: Green Gateau, Museum of American Speed, National Museum of Roller Skating, Misty’s Steakhouse, Rococo Theatre and the Lied Center
for Performing Arts.