Lincoln has a lot to offer for family vacations

By Kylene Orebaugh

From history to shopping to fun sights for the kids, Lincoln, Neb., has more than enough activities for the whole family.

Great Plains Art Museum

Like art? Why not stop by the Great Plains Art Museum and enjoy the grandeur of bronzes by Frederic Remington or various other pieces from artists and photographers of the West and the Great Plains. A number of changing exhibitions fill the museum during the course of a year, and exhibits are typically rotated every two months and include artwork from the permanent collection, guest curated exhibitions, and traveling exhibits.

The Museum opened in 1981, after a generous donation from Dr. John and Elizabeth Christlieb of Bellevue, Neb. Their collection of Western art and a library of Western Americana serve as the foundation of the museum's permanent collection. Other donations have helped to expand the collection since the 80s.

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays; 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., on Sundays. Closed on Mondays, major holidays, between semesters and between exhibits. There is no admission fee. The museum is located at 1155 Q Street, Lincoln, Neb.

For more information, call 402-472-6220 or visit www.unl.edu/plains.

Historic Haymarket District

There are a number of things that greet visitors to the Historic Haymarket District--smells from the numerous restaurants, artwork in the form of turn-of-the century restored warehouses, as well as the overall atmosphere of the district. And at night, clubs and nightspots turn it into a whole different place.

According to the city of Lincoln website, www.lincoln.org, the Historic Haymarket name comes from the original market square of 1867 where wagons, camping equipment and hay were bought and sold. In 1874, the city shifted the area a few blocks west and north and renamed it "Haymarket."

Located within the district are: antique and specialty shops, art galleries, businesses, a farmers' market, hotels and housing. The Haymarket Farmers' Market is Nebraska's largest farmers' market. In 2007, there were nearly 200 vendor stalls during the peak season from mid-June to mid-August. The market runs from 8 a.m. to noon, rain or shine.

Open year round, the district is located between 7th and 9th Streets from O to R Streets. For more information visit www.historichaymarket.info or www.downtownlincoln.org.

Lincoln Children's Zoo

Let the kids "ooh and aww" over all the wildlife at the zoo. Open from April 15 to Oct. 15, the Lincoln Children's Zoo features more than 300 animals from around the world. Guided tours can also be arranged to focus on a certain part of the zoo for those visitors who so desire.

The zoo also hosts birthday parties, special events, train and pony rides, and Wild Wednesdays.

Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the zoo is located between Capital Parkway and A Street. The official address is 1222 S. 27th Street, Lincoln, Neb. Admission prices range from $6.50 to free for children under two. Zoo members have special admission rates.

For more information call 402-475-6741 or visit www.lincolnzoo.org.

Lincoln Children's Museum

Hands-on exhibits covering three floors welcome kids to the museum. In a single visit, kids can be a whole range of occupations--from a pilot to a construction worker to a veterinarian--there's something to spark all imaginations. The programs as well as exhibits help children and adults to learn through playing.

Located at 1420 P Street, the museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on major holidays. Admission is $6 for children and adults, and $5.50 for senior citizens.

For more information call 402-477-0128 or visit www.lincolnchildrensmuseum.org.

Nebraska State Historical Society's Museum of Nebraska History

Ten thousand years of history greets visitors to the Nebraska State Historical Society's Museum of Nebraska History. According to www.lincoln.org, the museum has artifacts, beaded leather and fabric quilts, a Pawnee earth lodge, a WWII living room, automotive and aviation displays. New in 2008 is an exhibit that recognizes the contributions of the soldiers of the Nebraska National Guard, as well as a new rotation of Quilts A to Z.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays; and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays. Self guided tours are available during museum hours and notice for guided tours (in groups of 15 to 100) is required. A $2 donation is encouraged.

For more information call 402-471-4754 or visit www.nebraskahistory.org.

Nebraska Capitol Building

Nebraska's State Capitol building is the third in a series of buildings. According to www.capitol.org, the first territorial Capitol was a modest two story brick structure provided by the Omaha business community. The second territorial Capitol was a large brick structure in the "Federal Style" of architecture.

The first State Capitol constructed in Lincoln in 1867, was a two story building with a central cupola, made of native limestone. This first State Capitol soon began to crumble, the result of poor construction and inferior building stone.

In 1881 the first wing of a second State Capitol was completed and the entire building finished in 1888. This second Capitol suffered the fate of poor construction and was settling structurally when talk began of building a third State Capitol in 1915. In 1919, the Legislature passed a bill to provide for the construction of a new Capitol, including provisions for a Capitol Commission to oversee construction.

The Nebraska State Capitol, was the product of a nationwide design competition won by New York Architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue in 1920. The present building, the third to be erected on this site, was the nation's first statehouse design to radically depart from the prototypical form of the nation's Capitol and to use an office tower. Constructed in four phases from 1922-1932, the building, with furnishings and landscaping, was completed at a cost just under the $10 million budget and was paid for when finished.

Thirty-minute tours are available, and traverse the length of the building. The Capitol is located between 15th and K Streets; and for more information call 402-471-0448 or visit www.capitol.org.

State Fair Park

Want to take in some horse racing? During the summer months at Nebraska's State Fair Park, there is live horse racing from May 9 to July 13. Post times on Thursdays and Fridays is 6 p.m., while Saturdays, Sundays and holidays is 2 p.m.

For more information, visit www.statefair.org or call 402-474-5371.

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

Located between Lincoln and Omaha on I-80, Mahoney State Park has a variety to offer the whole family. The ultra-modern park has lodging, group meeting facilities, an aquatic park, mini golf, driving range, sports facilities, horseback riding trails, fishing, picnicking, hiking, a nature conservatory, a theater, biking trail, marina and a waterway.

The park is located at 28500 West Park Hwy., Ashland, Neb. For more information, call 402-944-2523, e-mail Mahoney@ngpc.ne.gov, or visit www.ngpc.state.ne.us.

Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum

If agriculture and power are two of your favorite things, why not visit the Tractor Test and Power Museum located on the University of Nebraska campus. The display features antique tractors, ag tools from the 1700s to present, research materials and a collection of tractor tests.

The museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A $3 donation is suggested.

For more information, call 402-472-8389 or visit www.tractormuseum.unl.edu.

International Quilt Study Center

Recently celebrating its grand opening, the quilt center is home to centuries old quilts from around the world, as well as a unique academic program and resource that attracts scholars from across the globe. It has state of the art exhibits, digital galleries and stunning architecture, according to its website, www.quiltstudy.org.

Located at 1523 N. 33rd Street, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays; Sundays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed on holidays. There is a gift shop and guided tours are available.

Kylene Orebaugh can be reached by phone at 620-227-1804 or by e-mail at kscott@hpj.com.

Date: 5/8/08

	Web hpj.com

Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2012.  High Plains Publishers, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com