Southeast Nebraska Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

University of Nebraska State Museum featuring a statue or sculpture
Lincoln featuring railway items
Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum which includes military items and interior views
University of Nebraska State Museum featuring interior views
Sheldon Museum of Art which includes outdoor art

Quaint rural towns, an exciting capital city and miles of rolling plains make this destination a must-visit for travellers looking to discover America’s heartland.

There is no place quite like Southeast Nebraska, a charming region on the banks of the Missouri River. Travel from rural farms to a busy cosmopolitan city in just a short drive. Taste locally produced wines along a winery trail, head to a barn dance for a night of fun and crane your neck towards impressive skyscrapers.

Lincoln is Nebraska’s state capital. Here you can gaze at the stars at the Mueller Planetarium, visit the towering State Capitol and embrace the local football culture by cheering for the University of Nebraska’s team, the Cornhuskers, at Memorial Stadium. Walk or cycle along the MoPac Trail to explore miles of Nebraskan scenery.

To the east of Lincoln is Plattsmouth, a historic town with antique shops. Visit the Cass County Historical Museum to learn about the town’s settlement and practice wildlife photography in the Schilling Wildlife Management Area. If you are interested in pioneering history, be sure to go to the meeting point of the Missouri River and Platte River to see where explorers Lewis and Clark would have passed on their journey west.

For a true rural America experience, head to Pawnee City or Lewiston. Stop at cafés to chat with the friendly locals. Don’t be surprised if everyone seems to know everyone else as many of these small towns have less than 1,000 residents.

Outdoor activities abound in Southeast Nebraska. Attend a music concert in Legion Memorial Park in Auburn, and catch trout, catfish and carp in Rotary Lake. Take the family to Coryell Park in Brock to play on the playground and visit the doll collection in the Treasure House. Adventurous travelers can go backcountry camping in the rugged terrain of Indian Cave State Park.

Fly into Lincoln Airport and use a taxi to get you on your way. If you plan to travel anywhere outside Lincoln, renting a car is highly recommended as public transportation is limited.

Spend time in Southeast Nebraska to experience both rural charm and bustling city life.

Where to stay in Southeast Nebraska

Lincoln featuring railway items

Downtown Lincoln

Downtown Lincoln is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Lied Center or Lincoln Children's Museum.

Downtown Lincoln
Sunken Gardens which includes bird life and zoo animals

Near South

While visiting Near South, you might make a stop by sights like Sunken Gardens and Museum of Nebraska History.

Near South
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Haymarket

Though Haymarket may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Pinnacle Bank Arena and Lincoln Children's Museum.

Haymarket
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West Lincoln

West Lincoln might not have many top sights, but Capitol Beach Lake and Haymarket Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

West Lincoln
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Highlands

While visiting Highlands, you might make a stop by sights like Highlands Golf Course and Highland Village.

Highlands
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South Salt Creek

While there might not be top attractions in South Salt Creek, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Nebraska State Capitol and Lincoln Children's Museum.

South Salt Creek
New Victorian Suites

New Victorian Suites

3 out of 5
225 North 50th St., 50th & O Street, Lincoln, NE
The price is Rp1.110.664 per night from 12 Aug to 13 Aug
Rp1.110.664
Rp1.291.151 total
12 Aug - 13 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,067 reviews)
"Quick check in. Fridge in room. Good AC. Friendly staff."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

New Victorian Suites
The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel

The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel

3.5 out of 5
333 S 13th St, Lincoln, NE
The price is Rp2.134.636 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
Rp2.134.636
Rp2.481.514 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the room ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
Friday stay
"Check in was great. Fourth floor ice machine not working. Sent me to 5th floor. Saturday when we left went to 5th floor and no ice. For the price your ice machines should work! No valet at night. Had to give night clerk keys. Departure was fine. Construction was heavy around hotel."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel
Hyatt Place Lincoln / Downtown - Haymarket

Hyatt Place Lincoln / Downtown - Haymarket

3.5 out of 5
600 Q Street, Lincoln, NE
The price is Rp1.849.456 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp1.849.456
Rp2.149.995 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,023 reviews)
"Great stay! Staff and location are great."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Hyatt Place Lincoln / Downtown - Haymarket
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Stay on M Street

Stay on M Street

2 out of 5
921 M St, Lincoln, NE
Stay at this apartment in Lincoln. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a garden. Popular attractions Pinnacle Bank Arena and Memorial Stadium are located ...
7/10 Good! (15 reviews)
"A security alarm was malfunctioning going off most of the time in the lobby area. Sheets werent clean and dishwasher was broken. But otherwise everything else was clean new and convinient. Overall I enjoyed my stay."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

Stay on M Street
Atmosphere Lincoln

Atmosphere Lincoln

4 out of 5
909 Q Street, Lincoln, NE
Stay at this 4-star condo in Lincoln. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a pool table. Popular attractions Pinnacle Bank Arena and Memorial Stadium ...
8/10 Very Good! (4 reviews)
"We liked the coffee bar in the morning. We didn’t like not being able to park in the basement. That would have made a difference. Communication was bad, it was very hard to get someone to speak with regarding all the issues that we had from the beginning of our stay."

Reviewed on 3 Jan 2025

Atmosphere Lincoln
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Southeast Nebraska