In Lancaster County, Wilderness Park brings together landscape, recreation and flood protection. The City of Lincoln, Lancaster County and the Salt-Wahoo Watershed District—now Lower Platte South NRD—worked together to set aside 1,470 acres as permanently publicly accessible open space. This combined area is called Wilderness Park and extends across the Salt Creek floodplain.
Nature Trails and Diverse Landscapes
The Red and Green Trails in Wilderness Park are open to all non-motorized users: cyclists, pedestrians, horseback riders and cross-country skiers. Here, different ways of traveling along paths through a river landscape meet.
Pioneers Park Nature Center offers a different natural setting. Visitors can explore 668 acres of tallgrass prairie, woodlands, wetlands and a tributary of Salt Creek. More than ten miles of trails pass through a variety of habitats. Along the way, the trails pass exhibits featuring non-releasable birds of prey and a small bison herd. Landscape, trails and wildlife viewing come together here.
The Sunken Gardens offer another distinctive perspective: each year, the Garden Artists create a new floral display. Rather than the expansive interplay of different habitats, the focus here is on a design that is renewed annually.
Museums and Cultural Discoveries
Several institutions each focus on a clearly defined subject. The Lentz Center for Asian Culture opened in 1986 to celebrate the diverse cultures of Asia and foster understanding between East and West. The National Museum of Roller Skating, which opened in 1982, focuses on the achievements and rich history of roller skating. The two founding dates mark different institutional beginnings; their subjects range from Asian cultures to the history of a sport.
The International Quilt Museum currently houses the world’s largest publicly accessible quilt collection. Visitors interested in textiles and their cultural significance will find a different perspective here than at institutions devoted to sports or cultural history. Because this kind of worldwide distinction can change over time, it is best understood as a current status.
The Germans from Russia Museum is dedicated to discovering, collecting, preserving and sharing the history, cultural heritage and genealogy of German-descended settlers in the Russian Empire and their descendants. Since 1927, Morrill Hall has welcomed curious visitors to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus. Together with museums that opened later, that date spans a longer period without conflating the institutions’ distinct subjects.
Pioneers Park also brings together natural and cultural history: the park is home to Pinewood Bowl Theater, and in 1993, Pioneers Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Sunken Gardens offer a contemporary, ever-changing contrast with their annual floral display.
Brick Streets, Local Produce and Visitor Information
The Historic Haymarket is distinguished by its charming brick streets and historic buildings. The Haymarket Farmers’ Market, by contrast, focuses on the direct sale of local produce: it gives Nebraska farmers the opportunity to sell fresh, high-quality products directly to consumers. Market rules can change, so check the latest information before visiting.
The Nebraska State Capitol offers free tours that begin at the north entrance on the second floor. Check current tour times before your visit. For information about parks and recreational activities in Lancaster County, contact the relevant parks and recreation department.
Discover more destinations: Lincoln, Panama, Cedar County, Garfield County, Blaine, Keith County, Cuming County, Buffalo County.
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