See the Sights

by Aja Martin 

Lincoln is filled with places to explore no matter where your interests lie. Lincoln Today features articles on multiple beloved institutions. Here is a quicker rundown on plenty of other great options!

Historic Haymarket n This is an entire destination in its own right. There are art galleries, restaurants plus multiple dessert options, and shopping fit for the whole family. This gem is nestled next to downtown Lincoln between 6th and 9th streets, stretching from N to R streets. There are parking garages scattered throughout to make getting to any, or many, destinations easy.

Art n Noyes Art, 119 S. 9th Street, Burkholder Art Studio & Gallery, 719 P Street, Jonlovesart Gallery, 701 P Street, and Gallery 9, 124 S. 9th Street are all in the Haymarket. There are also several outside art fixtures if you’re up for a walk—the alley alongside Arch Rival, 720 O Street, has a mural and a light installation and the Jun Kaneko Head Sculptures are on the corner of 8th and R streets. Ironhorse Park has a wall sculpture and kid’s iron climbing structure shaped like one of the trains that used to come through this area.

For art museums, like the Sheldon Museum of Art, and the Great Plains Art Museum, see page 21 and for the International Quilt Museum see page 45.

Food n Blue Sushi, 808 R Street and Hiro 88, 601 R Street, are two popular sushi spots that vie for the people’s favorite spot. If you have the time, you can try them both so you can add to the growing debate.

The Oven, 201 N. 8th Street, is a regularly chosen ‘Best Of’ restaurant. Their upscale
dining features Northern Indian Cuisine and has a winery below.

Come to Buzzard Billy’s, 247 N. 8th Street, for the Cajun-Creole food and stay to keep finding interesting visuals throughout this kitschy restaurant. There’s Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill, 210 N. 7th Street—a Lincoln staple featuring American style comfort foods alongside the best of beers from their own brewery.

Screamers Dining & Cabaret, 803 Q Street, has great food, singing staff, and a fun atmosphere. Hit the mainstage for both dinner and a show. More restaurants, including those outside of the Haymarket, are on page 82.

Dessert n Ivanna Cone Ice Cream, 701 P Street, is bright, cheerful, and in the same building as both the Jonlovesart Gallery and George + Maeve children’s boutique. This is a great place to start, take a break during, and end a Haymarket adventure. At The Rabbit Hole Bakery, 800 Q Street, you’ll have to jump down the rabbit hole (walk down several steps) to reach this small batch bakery that focuses on cakes, pastries, and whimsy. Then there is our own Licorice International at 230 N. 7th Street. While not quite a dessert, you can still satisfy your sweet tooth within the largest licorice shipping store in the United States.

Shopping n Burlington Antiques is in the Haymarket at 201 N. 7th Street. You’ll find two floors of handpicked antique treasures every time you stop in.

For local football lovers there is Best of Big Red, 321 N. 8th Street. Get all your shopping done for Huskers fans; clothing, car swag, and more. and for even more local items and local wine, visit the From Nebraska Gift Shop at 803 Q Street. Here you’ll find all things Nebraska (other than the Husker gear you’ll have to get at Best of Big Red). 

George + Maeve, 701 P Street has handmade and vintage inspired clothing and children’s products that are lovingly shelved for you and your family to take home. Fair trade retailer Ten Thousand Villages at 140 N. 8th Street offers home décor and gift items from artisan groups around the world.

Government n The third Nebraska State Capitol, 1445 K Street, was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue and was completed in 1932 after a decade of construction. Artists of various mediums are featured heavily throughout the building and guided tours are available daily. See page 47 for more about the capitol.

The Governor’s Mansion at 1425 H Street is across from the State Capitol building, and public tours are available on Thursdays by appointment only. For more information go to governor.nebraska.gov/governors-residence.

If you are already in that area, plan for a little extra time to see two nearby houses that are prime examples of the architecture of their time. 

Kennard House, 1627 H Street, is the oldest surviving building in Lincoln and is located near the Capitol and Governor’s Mansion. It was built by Nebraska’s first Secretary of State, Thomas P Kennard. It is currently closed to tours but the building itself is beautiful. For more information go to history.nebraska.gov/visit/thomas-p-kennard-state-historic-site.

Ferguson House, 700 S 16th St, was built between 1909-1911. It is credited as Nebraska’s best example of the Second Renaissance Revival style. Like Kennard House, tours are not available at this time, but the architecture is worth the extra short walk.

Museums n William Jennings Bryan’s Home, Fairview, at 4900 Sumner Street was built 13 years after Kennard House. Bryan’s home has been restored and now houses a museum on its ground level floor. It is part of the Bryan East Medical Campus complex and requires tours be scheduled 48 hours in advance. Hope it’s the only part of Bryan you’ll need to visit.

University of Nebraska State Museum – Morrill Hall at 645 N. 14th Street, is very popular in Nebraska. For a small admissions fee, you can see full time exhibits: Nebraska Wildlife, Paleontology of Nebraska, First Peoples of the Plains and Cherish Nebraska. You can also check their website to find out about rotating and temporary exhibits. There are frequently interactive activities and fun events as well! For more information go to page 56 or visit www.museum.unl.edu

The Nebraska History Museum, 131 Centennial Mall North, concentrates more on the people and historic events of Nebraska specifically. This difference makes it well worth visiting also. Go to history.nebraska.gov/museum for more information or to see their online only exhibits.

Lincoln is also home to the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia at 631 D Street. More than just a museum, this is the international headquarters of the international Society of Germans from Russia. Lincoln has been a relocation hub for hundreds of immigrants and this celebrates one of the influential groups that came here. Visit ahsgr.org for more information.

Lincoln even has the National Museum of Roller Skating at 4730 South Street. This collection includes interactive exhibits that highlight the more than 200 years old history of the roller skate. Go to rollerskatingmuseum.org for more.

If you love cars, the Museum of American Speed, 599 Oakcreek Drive, is a must.

While Alliance, Nebraska’s Carhenge might be Nebraska’s most famous car destination, the Museum of American Speed is both in town and fascinating. You’ll find three stories of racing, engine, and build history. They are also planning a $10 million, 90,000 square foot expansion. Visit www.museumofamericanspeed.com for more.

The Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test & Power Museum, 1925 N. 37th Street, is currently celebrating one hundred years of tractor testing, and counting, in Nebraska. It is located within the first tractor test laboratory in the world. Visit tractormuseum.unl.edu for more.

About to reach their 40th anniversary, the Lincoln Fire & Rescue Museum, 1801 Q Street, was built at Fire Station #1 in 1982. Learn about Lincoln’s transition from an all-volunteer based department to the career firefighters we see today. It showcases the 1911 American LaFrance, which was the first motorized fire engine in Lincoln and is the last working piece in the United States. Go to lincoln.ne.gov/city/departments/fire/lfr-museum for more.

Midwestern African Museum of Art, Culture and Resource Center, 1935 Q Street, is the first established African museum in the Midwest. Their motto is Visit Africa Without a Passport! As Nebraska is a relocation hub, immigrants from all over Africa have made their home here. This museum is also a resource center.

While Hyde Memorial Observatory, 3701 S. 70th Street is not actually a museum, the observatory has information on it’s history and is educational enough that it earned an honorable mention. See hydeobservatory.info for more.

Child Friendly n  Lincoln Children’s Museum, 1420 P Street, is part museum, part play place, and part adventure. The Lincoln Children’s Museum truly has something fun for the whole family. Plan to spend several hours exploring and pack a towel. You never know when one of the exhibits is going to have a splash zone! Go to lincolnchildrensmuseum.org for more.

While Omaha’s Henry Doorley Zoo is award winning, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, 1222 S 27th Street, is a great option if you want to avoid a long drive. At this child focused zoo you can get a taste of the fun, or say goodbye after a long day, with a train ride that circles the entire zoo. For more information go to lincolnzoo.org

Creative n  Paint Yourself Silly has two locations—1501 Pine Lake Road and 4101 Pioneer Woods Drive. Each location features paint your own pottery projects where you pick out a piece, paint it with their glazes, and then return after it’s been fired in their kiln. The Pine Lake location offers clay to create your own pieces and the Pioneer Woods location offers glass fusion. See Paintyoureselfsilly.net for more.

At Makit Takit—Lincoln’s Craft Studio, 4750 Normal Boulevard, you can craft on location or buy kits to take home. The options are endless as they offer a splatter paint room, sewing projects and classes, resin art, wooden art pieces plus wood burning, and so much more. Check their website, makittakit.com, to find out about classes and clubs! 

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