Discover LIncoln’s Unique Attractions & Tours

by Sriyani Tidball • photos by Tom Tidball

From Underground Legends to Skating Lore and Art-Filled Streets, Lincoln Offers More Than Meets the Eye

Lincoln, Nebraska, is a city that loves to surprise. Beyond its friendly vibe and university-town energy, it’s home to attractions that span cultures, eras, and interests. Whether you’re a history buff, art lover, sports fan, or just curious to explore something new, Lincoln has something waiting for you, often just steps from downtown or wherever you live.

Robber’s Cave — Lincoln’s Hidden Gem

Lincoln’s only underground attraction is now legally open to the public. Robber’s Cave, tucked beneath the sandstone hills just south of downtown, is one of Nebraska’s most fascinating places to explore. Once shrouded in mystery and rumor, the cave’s history predates the city itself. Native tribes, Lincoln’s first brewery, 19th-century beer makers, and even the Ku Klux Klan left their marks here — including a dance floor installed during Prohibition.

Today, local historian, teacher, and author Joel Green leads captivating tours through the winding tunnels, weaving together legend, geology, and remarkable true stories. These tours even won Nebraska’s Outstanding Tourism Attraction award. Along the cave walls, visitors discover carvings, symbols, and names etched over the past 160 years — a living time capsule of Nebraska history.

Tours last 45 to 60 minutes, depending on how many questions guests ask (and there are usually plenty!). Robber’s Cave was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, cementing its importance as a landmark worth preserving.

Whether you’re visiting Lincoln for the first time, reliving childhood memories, or simply looking for something extraordinary to do close to home, a Robber’s Cave tour offers an unforgettable journey into the city’s past.

Pre-booked tours are available year-round. For details or reservations, visit www.robberscavetours.com or contact Joel Green at (402) 975-0598 or greenyj4@icloud.com.

Emerge LNK Murals – University Place

North Lincoln’s University Place neighborhood has become a living canvas thanks to the Emerge LNK: Mural + Street Art initiative. Led by the LUX Center for the Arts, this project has transformed neighborhood walls and alleyways into an outdoor gallery featuring bold, colorful murals by local, national, and international artists. Each piece tells a story of resilience, diversity, and hope, reflecting Lincoln’s creative spirit in a post-pandemic world.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour using maps provided by the LUX or join a guided mural walk on the second Saturday of each month. Along the route, you’ll discover whimsical rainbow-filled scenes, thought-provoking portraits, and works inspired by immigrant communities and neighborhood children.

According to Katelyn Farneth, exhibition and gallery shop director at the LUX, the goal was simple: to make public art accessible and inspiring. “We wanted everyone who did the mural tour to find something they connected with,” she explained.

By turning blank walls into masterpieces, Emerge LNK has revitalized University Place, supported small businesses, and created a destination that invites conversation, creativity, and community pride. Grab a coffee nearby, stroll the streets, and watch art come alive.

Memorial Stadium — “The Sea of Red”

Memorial Stadium, affectionately called “The Sea of Red”, is one of Lincoln’s most iconic landmarks and a powerful symbol of Husker pride. Since 1923, this legendary stadium has been home to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, hosting sellout crowds of more than 85,000 fans and creating one of the most electrifying game-day atmospheres in all of college football. On Saturdays in the fall, Lincoln becomes the third-largest “city” in Nebraska as fans dressed in red pack the stands to cheer on their team.

Visitors can experience the magic year-round through guided and self-guided tours. Guided tours are free and offered Monday through Saturday (excluding home game weekends) but must be scheduled online at least two weeks in advance at www.huskers.com/tours

American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR)

At the AHSGR Museum — one of the world’s largest repositories of Germans from Russia artifacts — visitors step into a vivid story of survival, migration, and community. Quilts, wedding gowns, musical instruments, and domestic items bring the everyday lives of these settlers to life. At the same time, outdoor replicas — summer kitchens, blacksmith shops, and churches — offer a walkable view of 19th-century village life. Archival treasures include immigration records, letters, and documents detailing the Volga famine and U.S. relief efforts. It’s a must-visit for genealogy enthusiasts and cultural historians alike.

National Museum of Roller Skating

Don’t let the size fool you — this one-of-a-kind museum offers a fascinating look at the history of roller skating, from its earliest days to today’s roller derby and rink culture. Vintage skates, costumes, medals, posters, and memorabilia celebrate the speed, style, and sheer fun of the sport. Admission is free, and the nostalgia is guaranteed to bring a smile.

Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum

Housed in the original 1919 Nebraska Tractor Test Lab on UNL’s East Campus, this museum tells a uniquely Nebraskan story of agricultural innovation. In 1920, Nebraska became the first state to require testing of all tractors sold — a practice that continues today. Visitors can explore vintage tractors, engine displays, and even take an optional tour of the current test lab (pending engineer availability).

Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Phone: (402) 472-8389

Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame

If you’re seeking a unique experience and want a free look into Nebraska’s rich athletic heritage, visit the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame exhibit hall. Situated in the Nebraska School Activities Association building just north of Haymarket Park, the hall celebrates the state’s sports legends. True to its motto, “Honoring the past to inspire the future,” it’s a place where history comes alive.

Located at 500 Charleston Street, Suite 3, Lincoln, NE 68508, the office is open Wednesday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. Call 402-476-4767 or email for information to: nhshofff@gmail.com.

Architectural Icons: State Capitol & Historic Homes

No visit to Lincoln is complete without seeing the Nebraska State Capitol. A 400-foot Art Deco masterpiece designed by Bertram Goodhue, it stands out for its unique American vernacular style.

Inside, marble halls, mosaic floors, and symbolic carvings tell the story of Nebraska’s people, land, and government. Don’t miss the 14th-floor observation deck for panoramic city views. Free guided tours depart hourly.

Just blocks away, several historic homes invite further exploration:

• Kennard House (1627 H Street): Built in 1869 by Nebraska’s first Secretary of State; Italianate style.

• Ferguson House (700 S 16th Street): A Second Renaissance Revival gem, built 1909–11, often featured in seasonal ghost tours.

• Hurlbut-Yates House (720 S 16th Street): A Queen Anne showpiece with a sweeping wrap-around porch, built in 1891.

• Nebraska Governor’s Mansion (1425 H Street): Public tours by appointment on Thursdays. Visit governor.nebraska.gov/governors-residence for details.

• William Jennings Bryan House – Fairview (4900 Sumner Street): This stunning Classical Revival–Queen Anne hybrid now hosts a museum and the Bryan Institute.

Already Covered Elsewhere in the Magazine

To round out your Lincoln experience, don’t miss these attractions featured in other entries:

• Museum of American Speed

• International Quilt Study Center & Museum

• Art Galleries

• Lincoln’s Gardens

• Morrill Hall – University of Nebraska State Museum

• Lincoln Children’s Zoo

• Lincoln Children’s Museum

Whether you’re exploring colorful murals, venturing underground, stepping inside Husker history, or tracing the lives of early settlers, Lincoln’s attractions offer something for every age and interest — all woven together by a rich sense of place and pride.