Exploring Lincoln with Visit Nebraska
The last stop on our tour of Nebraska was the state’s capital, Lincoln! Named after Abraham Lincoln, the city who bears his name shares his important historical significance for the state of Nebraska. Lincoln is home to the Nebraska State Capitol building, which is the seat government for the state. Unsurprisingly, the people of Lincoln, like most Nebraskans, were so very welcoming and charming.
The Capitol building is the true heart of Lincoln. Standing taller than all other buildings, and located directly in the middle of the city, the beautiful building can be seen from most everywhere in town. Perfectly and flat and perfectly trimmed fields of grass surround the building. The open space and rich green color, make the perfect backdrop for the strong stone capital.
There is plenty to do while walking around in the city and even some fun to be had underneath the city! Hidden below the streets of Lincoln, Robbers Cave was blocked off to the public for many years, but is now available to tour! This mysterious underground attraction is older than the town itself, and boats a history as rich and beautiful as the rocky tunnels themselves. The cave has its share of historically significant visitors, including Jesse James and the Central Plains Indians, and was even the home of Lincoln’s first brewery.
We were lucky to have Joel Green, the foremost expert on the Robbers Cave, as our guide. Joel Green’s book “Robber’s Cave: Truths, Legends, Recollections” tells the full storied history of the cave, and is filled with interesting characters and events. The rich past of the cave made the tour even more enjoyable, like walking through an underground time machine.
Our fantastic host for our stay was the Graduate Lincoln Hotel. This funky and fancy hotel is dressed in the classic colors and vibes of Lincoln, with a twist of modern vibrancy. The pulse of the Graduate hotel hits you from the moment you check in at the rainbow colored counter, and fully kicks in right about when you realize that the bathroom wallpaper is all corn! Fun, is an often overused word, but fits just perfect Graduate Lincoln. With thoughtful amenities like their pool, gym, and even complimentary bikes, Graduate Hotel is comfortable and convenient, as it is delightful.
To celebrate the end of our successful tour of Nebraska, we met up with the girls from Visit Nebraska at Muchachos! Known for its New Mexican style BBQ, Muchachos started as a food truck and has upgraded to a brick and mortar location in Lincoln (but they kept the truck too!). The Pulled Pork Nachos I ordered were perfection, and the perfect pair for some Margaritas.
Lincoln was the perfect end to our wonderful trip to Nebraska. Each town offered a glimpse into the spirit of Nebraska and Nebraskans. A place where peace can be found on a highway cornfield drive, most anywhere. Where a genuine warmth can be found in the hearts of the people, and rich history gives the land itself an old soul feel. I hope to find myself in the great state of Nebraska again sometime soon. If you want to discover Lincoln for yourself check out https://visitnebraska.com/ to find out more.
Happy traveling!
