Itinerary: Hub & Spoke Lincoln

Check out a walking tour of Lincoln and see the best that UNL has to offer. This three-day trip also explores the southeast corner of the state, including stops at the SAC Museum near Ashland and Arbor Lodge in Nebraska City. 

Nebraska State Capitol

Local's Tip

Want to experience the city and the calm, beautiful scenery outside the city? Fall in Lincoln and southeast Nebraska is as good as it gets with stops at iconic and local Nebraska staples. 

Day 1
The Mill

800 P Street #100
Lincoln, NE
United States

Start your morning off by visiting The Mill for a grab-n-go or sit-n-stay coffee and pastry.  

Shop the Historic Haymarket

8th and P Street
Lincoln, NE
United States

Stroll along the beautiful brick streets of the Historic Haymarket and shop the area’s many niche gift shops and boutiques like Licorice International, From Nebraska Gift Shop, KD Designs and more.

Round the Bend Steakhouse

30801 East Park Highway
Ashland, NE
United States

Round the Bend Steakhouse is one of the premier steakhouses in Nebraska, featuring a 10,000 sq. ft. ballroom and outside beer garden. Located in the rolling hills of the Platte River Valley, Round the Bend Steakhouse serves up hand-cut, cooked-to-perfection ribeye, sirloin and filet mignon.

Tip: Plan a visit over Father’s Day weekend to experience the famous “Testicle Festival” and maybe even enter the “Ball Eating Contest” for a chance to win ironic bragging rights and esteem amongst Nebraskans. 

SAC Museum

28210 W Park Highway
Ashland, NE
United States

The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is home to the largest collection of Cold War aircraft and artifacts in the United States. Explore the history of the Strategic Air Command with historically restored air- and spacecraft, educational exhibits and a unique experience for visitors of all ages.

Baker's Candies

831 S Baker Street PO Box 88
Greenwood, NE
United States

If your childhood dream was to live in a chocolate house, this may be as close as you’ll ever get. Baker’s Candies is a world-renowned Nebraska staple, creating gourmet sweet treats for generations. Make sure to pick up a bag of Baker’s smooth chocolate meltaways on your visit, and maybe an extra one for the road. 

Screamer's Dining & Cabaret

803 Q Street
Lincoln, NE
United States

Named for UNL’s iconic show choir “The Scarlet and Cream Singers” (a.k.a. “Screamers”), Screamers Dining and Cabaret boasts a mouth-watering, diverse menu coupled with live entertainment and exceptional customer service. 

Hilton Garden Inn

801 R Street
Lincoln, NE
United States

Turn in for the evening at the Hilton Garden Inn, and enjoy newly refurbished guest rooms, a range of amenities and a stunning outdoor patio to relax.

Historic Haymarket Lincoln
Day 2
Green Gateau

330 S 10th Street
Lincoln, NE
United States

You know what they say, food is fuel for the day, and the upper-scale food served at Green Gateau is a great start to any morning. 

Nebraska State Capitol

1445 K Street
Lincoln, NE
United States

The Nebraska State Capitol is the acting seat of government for the state of Nebraska. The building itself took over 10 years to design and construct, and is considered one of the nation’s first “vernacular state capitols.” Take a guided tour or meander through the beautiful mosaics and limestone hallways of this historic building.

International Quilt Museum

1523 N 33rd Street
Lincoln, NE
United States

The International Quilt Museum is home to the world's largest public collection of quilts and home to over 4,000 artifacts originating from more than 55 countries. The International Quilt Museum has been leading the way in world-class exhibitions and conservation research.  

Fun Fact: Upon your visit, take note of the architectural design of the building. You may notice the building is uniquely shaped to resemble the appearance of a large quilt. 

HF Crave

4800 Holdrege Street #100
Lincoln, NE
United States

By now, you’re probably “Craving” a tasty meal and refreshing drink, H.F. Crave has lunch covered. The chefs pride themselves on using local beef from Hollenbeck Farms and even growing a large portion of the seasonal produce available on their menu. 

Larson Tractor Museum

35th and Fair Street
Lincoln, NE
United States

Roll on over to your next destination, the Laron Tractor Museum, located on UNL’s East Campus. Learn how tractor testing and performance data continues to contribute to more successful uses of tractors in agriculture. Nebraska's tractor tests established power and performance standards, and have proved invaluable in solving problems in agriculture worldwide. 

UNL Dairy Store

114 Food Industry Complex
Lincoln, NE
United States

Take a short walk across East Campus and find yourself at the UNL Dairy Store. The Dairy Store has been providing premium quality dairy products for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 1917. The Dairy Store sells popular, handmade ice creams, meats, and cheeses, and featuring new flavors daily.

James Arthur Vineyards

2001 W Raymond Road
Raymond, NE
United States

Hop in the car and head about 20 miles north of Lincoln to the rolling hills and serene countryside that are home to James Arthur Vineyards. These award-winning wines are grown and produced right here in Nebraska and range from sweet white wines to aromatic dark reds. Explore the vineyard’s picturesque grounds, sit back and relax in the tasting room and sample the wide variety of wines at James Arthur.  

Hilton Garden Inn

801 R Street
Lincoln, NE
United States

End the night at the Hilton Garden Inn, and maybe enjoy a cocktail or two on the patio before bed. 

International Quilt Museum
Day 3
Greenfield's Cafe & Restaurant

7900 S 87th Street
Lincoln, NE
United States

Whether you’re an early riser or feel like eating breakfast at 1 p.m., Greenfield’s will have mimosas and fluffy buttermilk pancakes ready for you.  

Kregel Windmill Factory Museum

1416 Central Avenue
Nebraska City, NE
United States

Road trip an hour southeast of Lincoln and step back in time with a factory from the Industrial Revolution. The Kregel Museum houses over one million artifacts and contains all the original equipment used in the production of the "ELI" windmills. Once inside, you’ll feel as though you’ve walked right into the working windmill factory as it was in 1939. 

Timbers at Lied Lodge

2700 Sylvan Road
Nebraska City, NE
United States

Grab a quick bite to eat at Timbers in the beautiful Lied Lodge. This award-winning restaurant serves an extensive menu alongside breathtaking views of Arbor Day Farm. 

J. Sterling Morton Mansion

2600 Arbor Avenue
Nebraska City, NE
United States

Arbor Lodge is the original estate of J. Sterling Morton – who founded Arbor Day, the tree planter's holiday, in 1872. What started as a four-room home evolved into the 52-room mansion that still stands today. The home is filled with authentic furnishings and historical artifacts from the Morton family's life. 

Arbor Day Farm

2611 Arbor Avenue
Nebraska City, NE
United States

Spend the afternoon exploring all 260 acres of Arbor Day Farm. Hike the farm’s many wooded trails, climb from tree-to-tree in the Treetop Village or hop on the Discovery Ride to delve deeper into the forest for an up-close look at the beautiful natural environment of southeastern Nebraska. 

Dinty Moore's Lunch Room

108 S 8th Street
Nebraska City, NE
United States

End your trip with a visit to one of southeast Nebraska’s oldest eateries, a 100-year-old restaurant serving up comforting food and fast service. Chow down on one of Dinty Moore’s famed classic shredded beef sandwiches. 

Kregel Windmill Factory