If you’re in search of really, really good donuts, look no further than Hurts Donut Co. They’ve been sweetening mornings in Lincoln for years, along with nearly a dozen other locations across the midwest. Get your donut fix in the morning, afternoons, evenings, and any time in between, as Hurts Donut Co prides themselves on being open 25 hours a day, eight days a week. 

Choose from their selection of over 70 varieties of donuts, each of which they say is a love letter to their customers. Sink your teeth into classics like Bavarian cream or maple bacon, or satisfy your sweet tooth with unique donuts like the E.T. (topped with Reese’s pieces) or the S’mores (with a toasted marshmallow right on top).

Tavern on the Square is as cozy as they come, with exposed brick walls and rustic wood ceilings reminiscent of the 1800s. Their old-world spirit is fitting as the tavern is flanked by buildings built over 300 years ago, all of which make up Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket Square. Whether you belly up to the bar or catch some sun in the outdoor courtyard, Tavern on the Square is a place you can stay a while. 

Their daily specials change with the season, but what remains is local craft beer, inventive cocktails, and a neighborhood bar atmosphere you just can’t beat. 

Reading lists and staff recommendations can guide your way through Indigo Bridge. Though they do have shelves piled high with books modern and classic, they stay true to their “more than books” slogan by creating a space for Lincoln’s (and the nation’s) underrepresented voices.

Part bookstore, part community space, Indigo Bridge hosts special events like open mics, book readings, and other gatherings that create a safe space for artistry of all kinds.

When you think of Nebraska flora and fauna, you likely think corn fields—hence the Huskers. But what you’re missing is the Sunken Gardens, not only one of the best gardens in Nebraska but also among the most magnificent public gardens in the United States and Canada.

This 85-year-old annual display garden was actually once a neighborhood dump site. In 1930, waste was replaced with garden beds, creating one of Lincoln’s most memorable outdoor attractions. Meander the brick paths that wind through this 1.5 acre park past trees, shrubs, perennials, sculptures, and other garden displays.