Lincoln Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Lincoln

Lincoln is the capital city of Nebraska and the county seat of Lancaster County, serving as the economic and cultural center of its surrounding metropolitan area. Covering roughly 104 square miles along Salt Creek, it is the second-most populous city in the state. Lincoln is widely recognized as the seat of Nebraska's state government, a major university town, and a key regional commerce hub within a growing Midwestern high-tech sector known as the Midwest Silicon Prairie.

Before modern settlement, the region was tallgrass prairie where bison roamed and indigenous Plains peoples hunted along Salt Creek. Pawnee tribes built villages along the Platte River, while the Great Sioux Nation utilized the area for hunting. Settlers established the village of Lancaster in 1856, attracted by the abundant natural salt marshes. After Nebraska attained statehood, the location was selected to become the state capital, renamed in honor of President Abraham Lincoln, and officially incorporated in 1869.

Lincoln grew rapidly as a major rail center starting in 1870, later becoming an important stop for early transcontinental driving routes like the Detroit-Lincoln-Denver Highway. Aviation also played a notable role in its development, evolving from early flight instruction centers—where Charles Lindbergh once studied—to a World War II army airfield that eventually became the city's main public airport. Among its architectural highlights is the Nebraska State Capitol, finished in 1932 to a design by Bertram G. Goodhue; it remains the second-tallest capitol building in the United States. Visitors can also see the 1869 Kennard House, the oldest surviving structure from the original city plan.

As a major employment center, Lincoln's economy is anchored by public administration, service industries, manufacturing plants—such as a facility opened by Kawasaki in 1974—and higher education. The University of Nebraska, founded in 1869, is the largest university in the state. Downtown Lincoln features prominent architectural works, including the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery designed by Philip Johnson, as well as civic structures designed by I.M. Pei. Designated as a refugee-friendly city in the 1970s, Lincoln is home to diverse international communities, including Vietnamese, Karen, Sudanese, Yazidi, and Afghan residents. This diverse cultural presence is particularly vibrant along the 27th Street corridor, which features a variety of international markets and restaurants.