- (402) 476-2282
- 200 Campers Circle, Lincoln, NE
Camp A Way puts you in the perfect spot to experience one of the Midwest’s most underrated cities. Lincoln is bigger and more vibrant than most people expect — a lively college town that doubles as the state capital, packed with free museums, iconic architecture, great food, and genuinely weird and wonderful hidden gems. Most of what’s worth doing is less than 15 minutes from your site.
Convenient doesn’t have to mean boring. Lincoln punches well above its weight for a city this size — here’s what’s worth your time.
Known as “The Tower on the Plains,” the Capitol rises 400 feet above the city and can be seen for nearly 20 miles in every direction. The Art Deco mosaics and murals inside are stunning — and tours are completely free. Climb to the observation deck for sweeping views of the prairie stretching out in every direction. It’s a genuine architectural treasure hiding in plain sight.
Tip: Free guided tours run on the hour. The observation deck is worth the climb — best views in Lincoln.
Lincoln’s most beloved neighborhood — a grid of restored brick warehouses turned into boutique shops, brewpubs, coffee shops, galleries, and some of the best restaurants in the state. An easy place to spend a few hours wandering, eating, and people-watching. On Saturdays from May through October, the Lincoln Farmers Market fills the streets.
Tip: Come hungry. Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill and Honest Abe’s Burgers are local favorites worth the stop.
Older than the city of Lincoln itself, this underground sandstone cave was discovered in 1869 and has served as a brewery, a hideout, and a party venue over the decades. Today it’s the only show cave in Nebraska offering guided tours — knowledgeable guides bring the history to life with stories and photos as you walk through illuminated passages with 10–14 foot ceilings.
Tip: Book ahead — spots fill up, especially on weekends. Tours run about an hour.
Built on the site of a former landfill in 1930, this beloved botanical garden is one of Lincoln’s most beautiful free attractions. Over 30,000 individual plants are arranged in rotating seasonal displays, surrounded by water features and walking paths. It’s peaceful, colorful, and completely free to visit — hard to believe it’s in the middle of the city.
Tip: Peak bloom is late June through August. Parking nearby is also free.
Consistently ranked among the best children’s zoos in the country — and the reviews back it up. Over 400 animals, a giraffe feeding station, a butterfly pavilion, interactive play areas, a miniature train, and pony rides for little ones. It’s modern, spacious, and clearly built with both kids and animals in mind. Even adults without children come away impressed.
Tip: Budget 2–3 hours minimum. The giraffe feeding station is a highlight for all ages.
One of the most impressive privately assembled collections in the country, right here in Lincoln. The Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed houses an extraordinary array of racing cars, engines, vintage toys, and motorsports memorabilia spanning over a century of American racing history. A must for car enthusiasts — but genuinely fascinating for everyone.
Tip: Allow at least 2 hours. The collection is far larger than it looks from outside.
A 900-acre slice of native Nebraska prairie right on the edge of the city — bison, elk, white-tailed deer, and more than 50 species of birds in their natural habitat. Hiking trails wind through prairie and woodland, and the nature center has interpretive exhibits for all ages. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why the Great Plains are worth exploring.
Tip: Free admission. Dogs on leash are welcome on the trails. Great sunrise or sunset walk.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus is worth a walk-through on its own. The Sheldon Museum of Art (free admission) holds a remarkable collection of American art with works by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Jackson Pollock. While you’re there, make the short drive to the Dairy Store on East Campus for Nebraska-sourced ice cream that draws devoted lines of locals.
Tip: Both are free or very affordable. Combine them into a 2–3 hour afternoon easily.
If your visit lines up with a Nebraska Cornhuskers home football game, you’re in for something special. Memorial Stadium holds over 90,000 fans and has sold out every single home game since 1962 — one of the longest active sellout streaks in college football history. Game day in Lincoln is a genuine cultural experience, and the energy is unlike anything else in the Midwest.
Check the schedule when you book your stay and plan accordingly.
We don’t usually recommend anything an hour away — but this one is different. Henry Doorly is consistently ranked among the top zoos in the world, and it genuinely earns it. The indoor rainforest is the largest in North America. The aquarium features a walk-through underwater tunnel. There’s a nocturnal exhibit, a free-flight aviary, a desert dome, and one of the best big-cat habitats you’ll ever see. Plan a full day. It is absolutely worth the drive.
