Lincoln offers travelers a range of things to explore: public art and classically designed buildings in the historic downtown, as well as Auburn Ravine and McBean Park in the heart of the city. A walking tour focuses on art and buildings, while nature and park activities offer a different direction for your trip. Which aspects you prioritize depends on whether you are more interested in public art, city history, or outdoor activities.
Murals and History Downtown
The Art in Public Places program includes murals in the downtown business district. A digital mural map guides you through the historic downtown to visit the artworks. You can also see many classically designed buildings on a walking tour there. This lets you take in both the public art and the buildings themselves as you explore downtown.
The Lincoln Area Archives Museum is dedicated to the cultural history of Lincoln and its surroundings. It acquires, preserves, interprets, and displays artifacts and information on this subject. Private and group tours are available by appointment only, so arrange a visit in advance if you plan to take a tour. The museum offers a distinct way to explore the city’s history, while the murals and buildings shape a walking tour of downtown.
Auburn Ravine and McBean Park
The nearly 34-mile-long Auburn Ravine stream flows from the foothills and valley area of Auburn through Ophir and Newcastle and on through Lincoln. A map for Auburn Ravine shows parking options and access to the trail. If you are planning a visit to the trail, you can use this parking and access information to find your way. The length refers to the stream as it passes through several places, not to the distance of a single walk.
McBean Park covers 24 acres of facilities and is located in the heart of Lincoln. A separate, distinct location is McBean Stadium, home stadium of the Lincoln Potters Baseball Club. Lincoln also has numerous bike routes and bike lanes throughout the city. These are different in scale: a centrally located park, a named baseball home stadium, and a citywide cycling network.
Maps, Trails, and Getting Around
Visitor maps and guides for Lincoln include cycling and hiking maps, campground and restaurant locations, and road maps of the surrounding area. The different types of maps answer different navigation questions: cycling and hiking maps cover trails, while road maps show the wider area. Campground and restaurant locations are also part of the visitor information. For your planning, choose the maps and information that suit your intended focus.
Culture and Events
Beerman Plaza is in downtown Lincoln. It hosts an annual holiday tree-lighting ceremony, concerts in the plaza, and other annual activities. If you are traveling for a particular event, check the exact date in advance. This helps distinguish a recurring event from a fixed program item available on any given travel day.
The murals, museum, and annual activities at Beerman Plaza make up a cultural focus distinct from the city’s nature and park attractions. You can plan your trip accordingly around a walking tour, a museum visit by appointment, time at Auburn Ravine, or an event date.
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For the broader travel overview: Placer.
