Lincoln, Nebraska

Named after one of America’s most famous presidents, Nebraska’s capital city has worn many hats. Occupied by indigenous cultures and their descendants for thousands of years, the area that would become Lincoln first drew white settlers with its salt flats. Later, Lincoln became a rail center, one of the stops on westward rail journeys. But when railways had passed their heyday and the salt mines in Kansas drew that business away from Lincoln, Nebraska’s capital city faced a crisis of identity. Businesses abandoned downtown Lincoln and moved to the suburbs, leaving the urban areas to decay.

Fortunately, the citizens of Lincoln and their representatives vowed to restore their city. Revitalization began in 1969, and its effects can be seen everywhere. Today, Lincoln still wears many hats. It boasts an eclectic array of cultural and tourist attractions, including the second tallest capitol building in the United States, a natural history museum, a sports stadium, a race-car museum, a roller skating museum, a quilt museum, a museum of art, and a children’s zoo.

Worth Checking Out:

• The Historic Haymarket District
• University of Nebraska State Museum
• Museum of American Speed