The Nebraska State Capitol Building was designed to reflect the spirit of the state of Nebraska; its large square base represents the Plains and its 400-foot tower is meant to convey the dreams of the pioneers. Described as the nation's first state Capitol to be designed to depict the state's cultural heritage and development, the building features an interior enhanced with mosaics, paintings, and murals portraying the history of Nebraska. On the Capitol grounds is Daniel Chester French's sculpture of the seated Abraham Lincoln.
Folsom Children's Zoo and Botanical Gardens presents more than 300 exotic animals from around the world on 19 acres that are lined with 7,000 annual flowers and more than 30 varieties of trees. Antelope Park stretches throughout the city and contains the Sunken Gardens with thousands of flowers, lily pools, and a waterfall. Pioneers Park Nature Center focuses on animals and prairie grasses native to 1850s Nebraska; animal exhibits include deer, elk, red foxes, wild turkeys, and wild buffalo.
Historic houses on view in Lincoln include Kennard House, home of Nebraska's first U.S. secretary of state Thomas P. Kennard; Fairview, residence of William Jennings Bryan; and the governor's mansion, which features a collection of dolls depicting Nebraska's first ladies in their inaugural gowns.
Lincoln is highly rated for the quality of the cultural activities in a city its size. The Lincoln Symphony opens its season with a pops concert followed by a subscription series of classical music at Lied Center for Performing Arts, which also hosts performances by Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company. Other local music offerings include the Nebraska Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Abendmusik, and the Kimball Series at the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's Zoo Bar is one of the nation's oldest blues clubs booking touring blues bands and rock artists.
Designed by Phillip Johnson, the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery is located on the campus of the University of Nebraska and exhibits American art from the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries with an emphasis on the realist tradition and abstract expressionism.
The Museum of Nebraska History exhibits depict Nebraska from prehistoric times through the days of the Native American tribes of the Great Plains and on to pioneer days. The world's largest articulated fossil elephant is on display at the University of Nebraska State Museum's Elephant Hall, which is also home to Mueller Planetarium that offers laser shows. The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Museum traces the history and culture of this ethnic group that settled in Lincoln in the nineteenth century. Lincoln is also home to the National Museum of Roller Skating, Great Plains Art Collection, and the Lincoln Children's Museum.
Arts and Culture Information: Lincoln Arts Council, 920 O St., Lincoln, NE 68508; telephone (402)434-2787; fax (402)434-2788; email info@artscene.org
Held the third weekend in June is Haymarket Heydays, a celebration of the state's railroad heritage that features a street fair, Farmers Market Craft Fair, musical events, and activities for children. July starts off with the bang of Independence Day fireworks at Oak Lake Park after a day of food and fun; later in the month, the July Jamm brings jazz, fine artists, and restaurateurs from around the state for a three-day event. In August, the largest downtown event is the RibFest, sponsored by the Nebraska Pork Producers, which features four days of barbequing and live music. The Nebraska State Fair draws about 600,000 visitors for 10 days, ending on Labor Day; the fair features national performers of country and rock music, midway rides, livestock shows, and agricultural and industrial exhibits. The Christmas season begins with the parade of the Star City Holiday Festival, a colorful event with floats, giant balloon characters, and costumed participants, held on the first Saturday in December; meanwhile the downtown area is aglow in holiday lights and decorations.
When the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team plays home games at Lincoln's Memorial Stadium on fall Saturday afternoons, the crowd of nearly 74,000 fans becomes the state's third-largest "city." Nicknamed Big Red because of their bright red uniforms, the team competes in the Big Twelve conference and had won nine or more games each season and played in a bowl game each season since 1972 until the streak ended with the 2004 season. The University of Nebraska also fields competitive teams in wrestling, volleyball, track and field, and men's and women's basketball.
The Lincoln Capitols of the National Indoor Football League is a minor league team in the Pacific Conference. Playing 13 regular-season games from March through July with home games at the Pershing Center, the team fields players from most of the state colleges and draws talent from across the country. Lincoln is also home to the Lincoln Stars in the western division of the United States Hockey League (USHL) who play at the State Fair Park Coliseum (the "Ice Box"). After winning the championship in the debut season in 1996–1997, they remained one of the league's top teams despite not capturing the Clark Cup again until 2002–2003.
Lincoln is the site of the high school state championships in basketball, wrestling, volleyball, gymnastics, and swimming and diving. Thoroughbred horse racing with parimutuel betting permitted takes place at the State Fair Park.
For sports enthusiasts in Lincoln there are 106 parks on about 6,000 acres, more than 80 miles of bike paths and trails (most are paved), 11 golf courses, 11 outdoor pools, 8 recreation centers, about 65 tennis courts, and surrounding recreation areas totaling 15,000 acres with 10 lakes. Team and league sports for all age levels are also available. The Lincoln Track Club sponsors the Lincoln Marathon and Half Marathon each May. The Cornhusker State Games, attracting nearly 10,000 competitors, features sports such as badminton, biathlon, fencing, tae kwon do, archery, and wrestling. Wilderness Park, Lincoln's largest park, maintains bridle trails, jogging and exercise trails, and cross country ski trails. Holmes Lake and Park is available for non-motorized boating on its large lake; it also features the Hyde Memorial Observatory. The Pioneers Park Nature Center includes five miles of trails. Lincoln is surrounded by the seven Salt Valley Lakes with recreational areas providing opportunities for such pursuits as fishing, camping, and boating.
The nation's longest straight main street is Lincoln's O Street, which runs all the way through the city; a number of retail centers are located along the route. Antiques, art galleries, and specialty shops are the focus in the Central Business District and Historic Haymarket District, which features more than 100 restaurants and clubs. Westfield Shoppingtown Gateway Mall is the area's largest enclosed shopping center with five department stores and a children's "Playtown." SouthPointe Pavilions claims 50 stores in its outdoor mall and presents free concerts on Friday nights throughout the summer. Local dining specialties include succulent Nebraska beef, barbecue ribs, and chicken, served at Skeeter Barnes among others, as well as other traditional American fare and ethnic favorites. Many of the national chain restaurants are represented, such as Olive Garden and Red Lobster.
Visitor Information: Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1135 M St., Ste. 300, Lincoln, NE 68501; telephone (402)434-5335; toll-free (800)423-8212; fax (402)436-2360; email info@lincoln.org