As one of the most underrated cities in the United States, it stands to reason that Lincoln would be home to its fair share of hidden gems. While Lincoln is, of course, home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln along with several amazing breweries—the city is so much more than that.
To prove it to you, we rounded up a few restaurants, speakeasies, shopping destinations and tourist attractions that you may not know about. From incredible breakfast cafes to hidden tunnels and licorice shops, these are just a few Lincoln stops that we think deserve way more recognition. Enjoy!
Please note: the goal of this post is to showcase some of our favorite businesses in Lincoln that we think deserve extra love. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we encourage you to stay home as much as possible. If you do venture out, please be sure to wear a mask and social distance.
Restaurants & Bars
Tina’s Cafe
This auto-motive themed diner is perfect for those who are looking for a simple, tasty and quick breakfast any day of the week. Their extensive menu is full of delicious breakfast items like signature omelets, biscuits and gravy, French toast, oatmeal, and so much more to help you fuel up during your pitstop. If you have room in your stomach (and even if you don’t) definitely don’t leave without trying one of their massive cinnamon rolls!
El Potrero
El Potrero has five locations across Nebraska—with a brand new one off of Village Drive in Lincoln—each with raving Yelp reviews, so you know it’s good. This spot may not seem like a hidden gem, but you may have overlooked it before. We don’t think we’ll ever stop shouting praises for their incredible fajitas, burritos, margaritas and affordable prices. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they are offering some amazing curbside pick-up specials like street tacos and margaritas to-go. Click here to see their specials and to place your order!
The Other Room
Photo courtesy of The Other Room
Open until 1 a.m. almost every night (depending on COVID-19 policies), this secretive speakeasy in Haymarket is a must-visit in Lincoln. From the outside, it’s very easy to miss—all you’ll see is a red brick wall with a wrought-iron gate. On the other side of that gate, you’ll find a massive door and a light above it. If the light is green, you’re free to enter. If it’s red, that means the small space is at capacity and you’ll have to check back a little later, but we promise it’s worth the wait. Inside, you’ll be greeted with a cozy, prohibition-style speakeasy offering delicious drinks and friendly service.
Phat Jack’s
For the best BBQ in Nebraska, don’t miss Phat Jack’s! This often-overlooked spot has a menu full of beautifully smoked meats that will make your mouth water just by reading about them. Brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, BBQ nachos, loaded baked potatoes—you name it and Phat Jack’s does it best. If you have a vegetarian in the family, they’ll also find something here with The Veggie Way, a bun topped with coleslaw, tomato, red onion, olives, provolone cheese and drizzled with sauce. Click here to explore their whole menu and to order online for take-out.
Asian Taste Thai Restaurant
If we could, we would keep Asian Taste Thai Restaurant a total secret. That way we could enjoy their world-class samosas, spring rolls, Pad Kra Pow and Drunken Noodles all by ourselves. But because Asian Taste is so good, we just have to spread the word. This Lincoln spot has a bursting menu full of Thai favorites along with some Japanese, Korean and Chinese selections. Click here to view their whole menu.
Shopping
Toys From the Past
Photo courtesy of Toys From the Past
Toys From the Past has been filling Lincolnites with nostalgia for more than six years when they opened their doors in Indian Village. Today, they have two locations in the area for you to explore, packed full of blasts from the past like G.I. Joes, Hot Wheels, Barbies, Transformers, Disney toys, Marx toys and so much more! This hidden gem will have you “Ooo”ing and “Ahhh”ing for hours on end. If you’d rather stay home and shop, click here to peruse their online store.
Badger’s Bookshop
Will Lock, a Lincoln local, has had a love of reading his entire life. So when it came time to retire, he decided to open a bookshop, stocking it with stacks from his own vast book collection. He opened the shop in a small, rented property across town and named it Badger’s Bookshop. Today, it’s stuffed full of lightly used books that Lincolnites and visitors are welcome to explore and purchase.
Licorice International
Photo courtesy of Licorice International
Licorice International, located in Lincoln’s Haymarket district, offers the world’s largest selection of licorice in the United States both online and in their shop. From sweet to salty to red to black, there are so many types of licorice we bet you haven’t tried.
Lincoln Mediterranian Market
Adorable and unassuming, we promise you’ve passed right by Lincoln Mediterranean Market without realizing how amazing it is inside! This family-owned, family-operated grocery store downtown offers ethnic groceries, household products and other items that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the area.
Interesting Sights
The National Museum of Roller Skating
The National Museum of Roller Skating offers a glimpse into history (much like other museums), but not in the traditional way. Roller skating is a shared passion and pastime of many Americans but has also been a quintessential element of sport and business throughout the years. This exciting museum aims to broaden our understanding of roller skating and to see exactly how it fits into our past. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are currently closed. You can follow them on Facebook for reopening information.
Pioneers Park
Nestled on the outskirts of Lincoln, Pioneers Park is a 668-acre nature preserve operated by the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department. Because of its size, it isn’t usually very busy, giving you and your family the chance to hike, explore and play in peace! If you have the chance, don’t miss the iconic Pioneers Park pillars, which came to Lincoln from the Treasury Department in Washington D.C. after the building was renovated and the pillars were removed. Incredibly old-looking and covered in a century’s worth of grime, these pillars look like something out of ancient Greece and are the perfect background to a picture or walking destination.
Ruins of Prairie Peace Park
Just seven miles west of Lincoln, you’ll find the ruins of Prairie Peace Park, an old sanctuary for world peace that fell into disrepair several years ago. This quirky spot was created in 1994 when the United States created several public world peace sanctuaries across the country. But due to changing hands and the “War on Terror”, it has become a mere shadow of what it used to be. While it may look a little rough around the edges, two beautiful art pieces still remain—the World Peace Mural and the “The Dance of Children” metal sculpture. Stop by the outside of the park and see the artwork for yourself the next time you get the chance!
Museum of American Speed
Founded in 1992 by “Speedy” Bill and Joyce Smith, the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed is dedicated to preserving, interpreting and displaying physical items significant in racing and automotive history. Due to COVID-19, they are closed to the public until further notice, but you can follow them on Facebook for reopening information and fun facts about automotives throughout history!
Robber’s Cave
Photo courtesy of Robber’s Cave
Did you know that there is a cave hidden beneath Lincoln? It’s called Robber’s Cave and is a 5,000 square-foot, hand-dug cave that was used to store grain and barrels for a brewery in the 1800s. In 2016, the cave officially opened for guided tours, which you can still take today, even in the midst of a global pandemic! Click here for more information on how to book a socially-distanced tour of Lincoln’s oldest (and arguably coolest) tourist attraction.
What gems in Lincoln did we miss?
Let us know in the comments below!