Sunken Gardens — Attraction in Lincoln

my most favorite piece of this capital city, my hometown and where i came home to take care of myself, my stepfather who suffered from Lewy body dementia, and a year after he passed my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and i was able to be her primary caregiver while she had chemotherapy treatments and her wish was to stay at the home she & my father built when she was pregnant with my only sibling, my big brother, and then raised him & i there on our own lil 1.51 acres. both my father and mother were born and raised on farms, mom in Dixon county, on the Hutchings family farm since circa 1917. my father was born just outside the majestic city of Budapest 🇭🇺Hungary, where all of the fresh foods for the people who lived in the city were grown and cultivated. i have my own personal favorite memories of Sunken Gardens were from my days at Lincoln Highschool and as things go, the last place my mother and i were able to visit before she became too sick to leave our home. i have pictures i took of her when we were there together and i know firsthand how horrible she felt because of the chemo and the suffering from the pain of her cancer but this place was magic and she was truly smiling at me in my photographs with the countless beautiful things behind her in the background. she has been gone a long time now but i swear it feels like just yesterday she left this world for a better place and i kissed her forehead after her last breath and whispered i love you mom. last night was a long time coming and it was a very good but difficult time just sitting here and there and looking at all of the beauty that surrounded me and i believe that she was so happy that i was there and thinking of her and our family’s lives. if you haven’t already visited Sunken Gardens i implore you to put it on your must do list and i promise you that you will never forget your own time there. if you are familiar with Sunken Gardens then you already know what i know and what my mom knew… it really doesn’t get much better than spending time with the ones you love all together at such a special place. thank you 🙏🏼 to everyone who makes all of this possible and happen year after...

Sunken Gardens is a hidden gem that feels like stepping into a tropical oasis in the heart of the city. Whether you're a nature lover, a photographer, or just looking for a peaceful stroll, this historic botanical garden offers a beautifully curated escape from the noise of everyday life.

The gardens are immaculately maintained, with winding paths that lead you through lush greenery, vibrant flowers, cascading waterfalls, and even a few surprises—like flamingos and koi ponds. Each turn reveals something new, and there’s a calming, almost meditative atmosphere that makes it easy to lose track of time.

One of the standout features is how intimate the space feels despite being in an urban area. It’s not overwhelming in size, so you can explore everything at a leisurely pace in about 1–2 hours. Educational signs are sprinkled throughout, giving insight into the exotic plants and their history.

Staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and the gift shop had some lovely souvenirs and locally inspired items. Entry prices were reasonable, especially considering the care that clearly goes into maintaining the gardens.

Pro tips:

Go early in the morning to avoid crowds and heat.

Bring a camera—this place is incredibly photogenic.

Don’t rush—slow down and enjoy the little details.

Overall, Sunken Gardens is a perfect blend of nature, history, and tranquility. Highly recommended for families, couples, solo travelers, and anyone looking for a...

I enjoy the layout of these gardens; the terraces, the architecture, and most of all the flora and fauna. I come from the East Coast and we have very beautiful gardens there and the Sunken Gardens in Lincoln represents a small portion of those back home to me. I take photos as often as I can of new and interesting things I find there. The only drawbacks are the enormous amount of hostas taking up residence and the lack of information provided for each type of plant. There are so many different species that could grow well where the hostas are planted, it's a shame so much space is dedicated to them alone. There are many gorgeous flowers and plants despite the plethora of hostas and having placards that identify them would be a terrific way to engage people's interest further in what the Gardens offer. Outside of those two things, I love to stroll along the pathways and gaze into the koi ponds. If I had more leisure time than I do currently, I would definitely spend much...