On the banks of Salt Creek, you’ll find one of the jewels of the Midwest. Lincoln (Nebraska, not Lincoln, England!), the state’s capital, might not be on your radar—but I’m here to tell you, it really should be! If you’re in Nebraska, Lincoln is most definitely worth a visit.
So, what makes it worth it? What is Lincoln known for? What is Lincoln famous for?
Lincoln (Nebraska) is famous for Cornhuskers Football, the Sower, and the Runza sandwich. Lincoln is known as the Hartford of the West, the Star City, and the Steak Capital of the World. Lincoln is also known for the unique history of its name, quirky museums, and the Sunken Gardens.
Yes, Lincoln is known for its unique activities, intriguing food scene, and long history. It’s also known for its low unemployment rate, good schools, low cost of living, and overall livability! Lincoln is also famous for its sense of community and retains a small-town feel, despite its size (just under 300,00 at the last census).
But that’s not all that Lincoln has to offer. Read on for 17 (more) things Lincoln (Nebraska) is known for and famous for.
Table of Contents
1. Cornhuskers Football
Nebraska is a state that takes its sports seriously—especially football. They may not even have a national team, but the Cornhuskers have enough die-hard fans that they might as well start playing in the NFL.
The Cornhuskers, one of the most legendary teams in college football, first started in 1890. Fun fact: they didn’t get the moniker “Cornhuskers” until 1900, as they were originally called the “Old Gold Knights” and the “Bugeaters.”
The team was renamed “Cornhuskers” in honor of Nebraska’s number one crop (corn, of course) and to honor the hardy determination of Nebraska’s original settlers, who saw a flat, dry land and harnessed it into an agricultural powerhouse.
It could also be said that the UNL coaches saw a bunch of boys straight from the farm and harnessed them into a national football powerhouse… but I digress.
2. University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Those Cornhuskers, although so beloved and well-known, are actually a college team, not a professional team. They play for the University of Nebraska, in Lincoln (UNL).
UNL is Nebraska’s oldest university (since 1869) and is well-known for its strong research programs.
UNL makes up a large portion of Lincoln’s population and the students add a lively, happening vibe to Lincoln itself.
3. Memorial Stadium
The Cornhuskers play at the Memorial Stadium, also known as the “Sea of Red,” on the UNL campus. The stadium can hold up to 90,000 people, and on game days, all of the seats are filled. Nearly every seat has a fan wearing red, hence the “Sea of Red,” and Huskers fans are not quiet and unassuming: the roar when their team scores is unbelievable.
Thanks to the capacity of the stadium, when the Cornhuskers play, the stadium becomes the third most populous city in Nebraska (after Omaha and Lincoln, respectively).
Memorial Stadium has been the home of the Cornhuskers since 1923 when it was built to honor those lost in World War I (and expanded to include fallen soldiers from World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War).
The stadium has a sell-out record going back to 1962—so, the stadium has been a capacity for every single game for over 60 years. (When I say that Nebraskans love their football, I mean that they really really love it.)
4. Runza sandwich
When you think of Nebraska, you think of the Runza sandwich. (Well, you do if you’re from there, at least). Runza is a fast-food chain that opened in Lincoln in 1949.
Soon, it was all over the state, and today has over 80 locations (mostly in Nebraska, but also in Iowa, Wyoming, Colorado, and Kansas).
What is a Runza sandwich, you may be wondering? It’s a sandwich roll stuffed with beef, cabbage, and onions, inspired by immigrants from eastern Europe. When you get the chance, try it with cheese!
5. Archie the mammoth
The largest mammoth fossil in the world was found in Nebraska. If you have a hankering to see it, it’s currently on display— all 14 feet of it! —at the natural museum in Lincoln, Morrill Hall, on the University of Nebraska campus.
Right outside of the museum, you’ll also find a bronze statue of Archie (the name given to the fossil), which is a symbol of Lincoln, and a good luck charm. Students of the university will slap Archie’s front leg when they need a little extra good fortune.
6. Sunken Gardens
The Sunken Gardens in Lincoln, known as the most beautiful gardens in Nebraska, started out as the town dump. Then, in the 1930s, it was turned into a garden as a project for unemployed men during the Depression.
The Sunken Gardens, which have hundreds of flowers, koi ponds, waterfalls, and stone elements, also have a new theme every year. In 2025, the theme is “Enchanted Ocean,” so guests can immerse themselves in a fantastical world beneath the waves.
7. Nebraska State Capitol
The Nebraska State Capitol (known in some circles as the, ahem, Penis on the Plains) stands tall over the rest of Lincoln. Made of Indiana limestone, the Capitol building was finished in 1932.
The Capitol is the seat of Nebraska’s unicameral (single-chambered) legislature, which is the only of its kind in the United States (all of the other states, and the federal government, have two chambers, a House and a Senate).
Nebraska also has the only nonpartisan legislature in the country, which, let’s be real, sounds kind of unreal. Nonpartisan these days in America sounds like a fairy tale, am I right?
8. The Sower
Atop the dome of the Nebraska State Capitol is a bronze statue called “The Sower.” The Sower is a 19-foot statue depicting a figure hand sowing wheat.
This statue, which also doubles as a lightning rod for the Capitol building, symbolizes the long agricultural history of Nebraska. The Sower also embodies the idea of “sowing the seeds”, to harvest the future of Lincoln and Nebraska.
9. Historic Haymarket District
The original market square of Lincoln, from the mid-1800s, is now the historic Haymarket District. Nowadays, rather than wagons, hay, and industry, you’ll find historical landmarks, murals, art galleries, and the best restaurants in Lincoln.
Make sure to see the restored steam engine at Iron Horse Park, as well as the old water tower from the 1890s. And, appreciate the converted warehouses, cute coffee shops, and old railway station that is now a cafe and visitor’s center.
10. Backhanded tribute to Lincoln
Until 1869, Lincoln was known as Lancaster. 1869 was a pretty big year for this Nebraska town, as it got a new name and became the official state capital.
I’m sure you can guess that Lincoln was named after President Abraham Lincoln. However, not necessarily as an honor—but in a last-ditch attempt to keep the capital in Omaha, where it had been since Nebraska’s inception.
The main proponent of moving the capital away from Omaha was a former slave owner and not a fan of the recently deceased president. It was expected that he would withdraw his approval of moving the capital if it was to be named “Lincoln,” but instead, he endorsed the idea.
And that’s how Lancaster became Lincoln. In a backhanded tribute, if you will, to Honest Abe.
11. The Silicon Prairie
Oh, haven’t you heard? The Silicon Valley is out, and the Silicon Prairie is in!
Along with Nebraska’s other biggest city, Omaha, Lincoln is becoming known as the Silicon Prairie. Large companies and start-up technology companies are relocating to these two cities, attracted by affordable living, the central location, and plenty of open space.
12. MoPac Trail
Lincoln was once a great railroad hub, but as other forms of transpo have slowly replaced the railroads, Nebraska was left with miles of abandoned railways.
Enter the Rails-to-Trails project! This project turns abandoned railways into, you guessed it, trails. A section of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, formerly the Omaha Belt Line between Lincoln and Wabash, was turned into the MoPac Trail.
13. The Star City
Lincoln’s nickname is the Star City. This is because it’s the capital and therefore has a little star to pinpoint the location on maps—and also because no place shines brighter than Lincoln, Nebraska on a Huskers’ game day.
14. The Steak Capital of the World
Nebraskan beef is known all over the world for its pure deliciousness. And the best place to get a steak in Nebraska? Lincoln, aka the “Steak Capital of the World.”
Lincoln has a thriving foodie scene in general, but if you eat steak, you gotta try it here! Some of the best steaks in Lincoln can be found at DISH, Screamers Cabaret, LeadBelly, Misty’s Steakhouse, The Green Gateau, or Carmela’s Bistro.
15. Quirky museums
Sure, Lincoln has its standard museums like the Nebraska History Museum, an art museum, and a children’s museum, but Lincoln is also famous for its selection of seriously unique museums.
We’re talking Museum of American Speed, the International Quilt Museum, a tractor museum, and the National Museum of Roller Skating.
So, if you’ve ever wanted to see the largest collection of quilts in the world, the oldest roller skates ever made, and the biggest mammal fossil in the world…you know where to go! (Lincoln. Go to Lincoln).
16. Lincoln Children’s Zoo
Okay, so it has “children” in the title, but the Lincoln Children’s Zoo is actually fun for everyone. You can ride the scale model train, feed certain animals—like giraffes—or visit some of the 400 or so animals.
In addition to giraffes, you can see armadillos, owls, snakes, and more. You can even get up close and personal with an alligator at the Nature Encounters if that’s your thing. (More power to ya).
17. Pioneers Park Nature Center
For a peek into what the Great Plains were like before the westward migration, and before modern farming and ranching were established in Nebraska, head to the Pioneers Park Nature Center in Lincoln. With over 650 acres of wild land, traversed with trails, Pioneers Park is ideal for getting back to nature and spotting some native wildlife.
Pioneers Park is especially great for spotting American bison, elk, and white-tailed deer. To further your education, make sure to stop in the Nature Center, where you can get an up-close view of turtles and certain bird species.
Conclusion
Who knew that smack dab in middle America you could find a foodie haven that’s also a football lover’s paradise? Well, I did… and now you do, too!
Lincoln, Nebraska is, like the rest of Nebraska, unassuming at first (except for, uh, that whole penis-on-the-plains thing). Yet those cornfields and wheatfields and ranches all surround a liveable, entertaining city that certainly earns its moniker: the Star City.
So, whether you decide to visit for steak (at the Steak Capital), to catch a Huskers game (if you can get a ticket!), or to even move there (the houses! So nice and so affordable!) Lincoln won’t disappoint you.
If you’ve been to Lincoln, what is this list missing? Share in the comments below!
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