BoomerGirl Diary

I had a friend last week who wanted to take her grandkids on a weekend getaway as soon as school is out. Give her daughter a break and have some fun one-on-one with her grandsons, age 6 and 8.

“Where other than Kansas City could we all have some fun?” she asked. “Think budget,” she added.

I thought for a minute.

“Lincoln, Nebraska,” I said.

She looked unimpressed.

“We’ll see,” she said.

But I could tell she didn’t mean it.

Lincoln is a blast, especially in late spring and summer. It has one of the best farmer’s markets in the Midwest, with not only produce but diverse crafts reflecting a range of ethnicities. Located in the Haymarket, a completely renovated warehouse area along the river, the farmer’s market draws throngs of people and features music, demonstrations and tastes.

The Haymarket (also a hot nighttime gathering place) is filled with restaurants, coffee houses, trendy galleries and cute shops. I’ve spent pleasant afternoons sipping a latte, at an outdoor table at Mill Coffee.

If you have kids or grankids, then Ivanna Cone (701 P Street) is a must-stop. Flavors vary as they make all their ice cream from scratch, with ice and salt, the old-fashioned way. For dinner in the Haymarket, try FireWorks, where everything is cooked over a wood fire. Seasonal menu changes to make best use of fresh produce.

Lincoln is a Midwest mecca for refugees and immigrants, and has become more culturally rich and complex as a result. Their conveniently located Visitor’s Center, smack in the middle of the Haymarket (7th and P St.; 800-423-8212) will provide maps of the city and area, and point you in the right direction as far as the latest and most “hot” ethnic restaurants.

Kids love the Lincoln Children’s Museum (1420 P St.; 402-477-4000), a place that encourages and requires hands-on at every level. Lots of exhibits but more like a learning play experience.

The Folsom Children’s Zoo (1222 S. 27th St.; 402-475-6741) has many of their exhibits at kid eye level, a pet area staffed by volunteers or pony rides and kiddie train. Don’t miss the animal kingdom building where lots of critters have cardboards boxes, paper bags and toys in their cages … just like at home. There is a naked mole tunnel maze that is sure to make kids laugh.

Right next to the zoo is the Ager Play Center, an indoor play area that’s like a McDonald’s Playland only 10 times bigger with a track around the outside for trikes, etc.

Down the street from the zoo is Antelope Park (23rd and North to 33rd and Sheridan Blvd.), with a massive outdoor playground and comfortable benches for parents. The Sunken Gardens (SW corner of 27th at Capital Highway, across from zoo) is an oasis of quiet, with winding paths, reflecting pool, waterfalls and thousands of annual flowers. It has a calming effect on the most bouncy kids, and is the perfect spot to wind down. I can remember having each kid bring a book and having 30 minutes of “quiet time.” Ahhhh!

Hiking families will appreciate the 6 miles of trails through prairies, woodlands and wetlands, with bison, elk, deer, owls, hawks and more exhibited in natural habitats at Pioneers Park Nature Center. (3201 S. Coddington St., 402-441-7895). Check the schedule for evening entertainment at the amphitheater, and kid-friendly educational materials in the gift shop.

If your grandkids love trains, there is a special treat with the Lincoln Area Model Train Club and Museum (Industrial Arts Building, 2nd floor, State Fair Park; www.lamrcandm.org.) The train runs limited hours, so do call first to confirm when it's open. Model scenes are rich with detail, plus there's a “Thomas the Tank Engine” display, and more.

The Museum of Nebraska History (15th & P Streets, 402-471-4754) is downtown, right across the street from the Children’s Museum, and is much more interesting that it sounds. You can walk through a sod house and general store, and it covers Native American culture of the Great Plains, Euro-American settlers, and the Oregon Trail, as well as contemporary issues.

The University of Nebraska State Museum (on campus, just south of 14th & Vine) is a natural history museum (the giant bronze mammoth out front is the giveaway.) Exhibits cover natural history, cool stuffed animals and dioramas, elephant hall, with some interactive exhibits. The planetarium offers sky and laser shows.

The Nebraska State Capitol (15th an K St. 402-471-0448) is a masterpiece, with massive murals depicting prehistoric, Native American and pioneer life, plus exceptional mosaics and Venetian glass murals. It makes kids and grown-ups want to talk in hushed tones as if they were in a cathedral. The Supreme Court has an 8,000 piece coffered, suspended carved walnut ceiling and walls covered with hand woven tapestries. It oozes history! Take advantage of the concise, very informative brief tour … which is free! Tours leave every hour most days when the capitol is open.

There are lots of hotels, from the Embassy Suites right in the middle of downtown to budget hotels chains around the city. My personal kid favorite is the unique Settle Inn and Suites of Lincoln, out on 2800 Husker Circle (402-435-8100), which you will recognize by the knight in armor on a white horse next to the rock turrets in front. Go for a theme suite: Jungle, Medieval, Old West, Fab '50s, etc. Surprise them! The kids will remember it more than any "normal" hotel room. The hotel has a cute indoor pool, and offers deluxe continental breakfast daily.

Well, that’s enough to get started. Go to the Lincoln CVB at www.lincoln.org for more info or call 800-423-8212.