Southeast Nebraska Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

University of Nebraska State Museum which includes a statue or sculpture
Lincoln featuring railway items
Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum showing military items and interior views
University of Nebraska State Museum which includes interior views
Sheldon Museum of Art featuring 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 showing 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
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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
Sunken Gardens showing 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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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
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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
New Victorian Suites

New Victorian Suites

3 out of 5
225 North 50th St. Lincoln NE
The price is NZ$125 per night from 18 Nov to 19 Nov
NZ$125
18 Nov - 19 Nov
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 ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,085 reviews)
It was great!

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2025

New Victorian Suites
Annabell Gardens

Annabell Gardens

3 out of 5
200 S 68th Place Lincoln NE
The price is NZ$228 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
NZ$228
1 Dec - 2 Dec
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 breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
Second time staying here because it’s a fabulous place to stay!

Reviewed on 11 Nov 2025

Annabell Gardens
Graduate by Hilton Lincoln

Graduate by Hilton Lincoln

4 out of 5
141 N 9th St Lincoln NE
The price is NZ$228 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
NZ$228
24 Nov - 25 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lincoln. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the bar and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,250 reviews)
Bar was well stocked parking was secure but unfortunately cost money.

Reviewed on 10 Nov 2025

Graduate by Hilton 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.
Modern & Private 15 min to Downtown Lincoln Pet Friendly

Modern & Private 15 min to Downtown Lincoln Pet Friendly

Lincoln NE
Stay at this holiday home in Lincoln. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and patios. Popular attractions Hyde Memorial Observatory and HiMark Golf Course are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (60 reviews)
The house was very clean. I would have liked to have seen more supplies in the kitchen like pot holders and dish cloth. The washcloths had that old musty smell to them but were clean and the toilet moved every time you sat down on it. Other than that it was a nice place to stay.

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2025

Modern & Private 15 min to Downtown Lincoln Pet Friendly
Boutique 1BR Condo – Walk to Memorial Stadium & Downtown - Parking - NEW

Boutique 1BR Condo – Walk to Memorial Stadium & Downtown - Parking - NEW

2 out of 5
Lincoln, NE
Stay at this condo in Lincoln. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Memorial Stadium and Pinnacle Bank Arena ...
10/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
This place exceeded my expectations. Very well decorated, smelled amazing. It was so clean and comfortable. I was hesitant initially judging from the outside because I have never seen a school transitioned to that magnitude. There are cameras everywhere on the outside so it helped with the low lighted ...

Reviewed on 12 Nov 2025

Boutique 1BR Condo – Walk to Memorial Stadium & Downtown - Parking - NEW
Atmosphere Lincoln

Atmosphere Lincoln

4 out of 5
909 Q Street, Lincoln, NE
Stay at this 4-star condo in Lincoln. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a pool table. Popular attractions Pinnacle Bank Arena and Memorial Stadium ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (5 reviews)
Right by all the action

Reviewed on 11 Sept 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