As the capital city of Nebraska, Lincoln is mostly known for being the home of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Memorial Stadium. However, as we’ve spent some time here with our pets, it’s evident that Lincoln is somewhat of a hidden gem of a pet-friendly town. When we were here, we never ran out of fun pet-friendly activities to do, shops, and restaurants to visit, and pet stores to choose from. Our favorite place to spend time was the Historic Haymarket District for some window shopping and food tasting. The Sunken Garden was also an excellent spot you don’t want to miss out. Moreover, there were so many pet friendly hotels in Lincoln NE, to choose from and they were all fantastic. Nevertheless, we’ve managed to pick the best ones for your next trip to Lincoln with your furry buddies.
Table of contents
- The Kindler Hotel
- Hampton Inn Lincoln Airport
- Super 8 by Wyndham Lincoln North
- Annabell Gardens
- Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites
- Hyatt Place Lincoln/Downtown-Haymarket
- The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel
- New Victorian Inn & Suites Lincoln
- Embassy Suites Lincoln
- The Scarlet, Lincoln, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
- Graduate Lincoln
- Our Verdict!
- Where To Stay in Lincoln, NE with Your Pet
- Pet-Friendly Restaurants / Bars in Lincoln, NE
- Pet-Friendly Activities In Lincoln, NE
- Best Pet Stores In Lincoln, NE
The Kindler Hotel
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Most Luxurious Pet-Friendly Hotel. If you have a medium-sized pooch, like us, then you’ve got to check out The Kindler Hotel. It’s the pinnacle of distinctive, refined, and personalized hospitality. Walking into the hotel building, a stylish lobby welcomed us, and the professional staff was quick to make us feel at home. They also warmed up to our dog and gave him treats before assisting us to our room.
As for the pet policy, they welcome dogs under 50 lbs, with a pet fee of $50 per dog per night and a $150 refundable cleaning fee. While the pet fee might be on the pricier side, it accounts for the quality of services we had. For starters, the hotel itself is a feast to the eyes. They pride themselves on the art pieces that decorate the hotel’s walls. And not to mention our designer room complete with fancy amenities made us feel extra bougie. Our dog loved how plushy the bed was, and we thoroughly enjoyed the comfort of high-end furniture.
Furthermore, while the hotel’s lounge, the Boitano’s, makes a nice place to indulge in delectable cocktails, the hotel’s location beckons us to explore the town. It was especially nice to walk around with our dog since we were in the heart of Lincoln with shopping centers and tourist spots like the Heldon Art Museum just around the corner.
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Hampton Inn Lincoln Airport
10
Best Pet-Friendly Hotel For Feline. Not only is staying at the Hampton Inn Lincoln Airport super convenient for guests traveling with airplanes, but it also makes a great pet-friendly hotel. When we stayed here, we were delighted by how great the services were. We especially loved how good the staff were with pets. They knew enough not to bother our cats too much and just let them settle in their crates while we checked in. Furthermore, the pet policy was inclusive of cats and dogs of any size. The pet fee was quite affordable: $50 for up to 4 night stay, and $75 for longer.
As for the hotel itself, we were confident that we would get nothing less than world-renowned hospitality and facilities. Our room, for instance, was a spacious suite that came with a kitchenette, and a seating area. It was clean and tidy, and most importantly, it had plenty of sunlight for our cat to bask in. The hotel also had facilities ranging from an indoor pool to a business center, and an on-site minimarket. Moreover, we especially appreciate the numerous freebies we were offered: free breakfast, free parking, and a free airport shuttle.
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Super 8 by Wyndham Lincoln North
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For a supposedly “budget hotel” we were pleasantly surprised by how well-maintained and modern the Super 8 by Wyndham Lincoln North was. The hotel grounds had ample green areas and plenty of free parking spaces. The services here were also no joke. The staff was warm and friendly to us and our pup. After check-in, we were quickly escorted to our room, which was clean and tidy with comfy beds and amenities including a microwave and a mini-fridge.
If that wasn’t great enough, the hotel has pet-friendly features that would benefit any pet parents. The accommodating pet policy, for starters, welcomes cats and dogs regardless of size and breed. Plus, we got a good deal out of the pet fee: only $20 per pet per night. In exchange, our dog got to stay with us while we explored Lincoln together. Granted, there weren’t many pet amenities, but we came prepared by checking out the 13 Best Collapsible Dog Bowls For Travel before coming here.
Lastly, while the hotel wasn’t located in downtown Lincoln per se, we were just off I-80, making traveling anywhere by car a breeze. Also, popular pet-friendly spots like Haymarket Park and Oak Lake Park are just an 8-minute drive away.
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Annabell Gardens
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Best Pet-Friendly Hotel For Extended Stay. Unlike the other pet friendly hotels in Lincoln NE, Annabell Gardens somehow managed to offer us a secluded home away from home experience while still being in central Lincoln. The lodging is comfortably surrounded by gardens and well-manicured green lawns, creating the perfect backdrop to make our pets happy. We especially enjoyed lazing around the canopies and sunbathing by the outdoor pool, while our dog napped under the shades.
“The Annabell Gardens strikes the perfect balance between familiar and elevated, making us feel at home, only with our every needs catered to us.”
WOW Travel
The hotel itself couldn’t be more perfect. While we only stayed with one dog, we’d definitely recommend a family getaway here. The rooms at Annabell Garden range from a studio suite to a two-bedroom suite that can house up to 11 guests. Plus, every room also comes with a fully-equipped kitchen and washing and drying machine for extra convenience.
To top it off, we couldn’t have asked for a better pet policy. For starters, there’s no size restriction for dogs and cats. The pet fee is only $20 per pet per night, and pets are allowed unattended in the room. That way we were able to get a quick grab around the hotel and even check out the nearby Getaway Mall.
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Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites
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Located in Northern Lincoln along the I-80, the Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites quickly became a pet-parent favorite for offering a convenient location and outstanding pet-friendly hospitality. Our experience staying here was filled with pet-loving staff, fantastic services, a pristine guestroom, and excellent facilities.
We genuinely appreciated how accommodating the staff was. From the moment we checked in they never failed to make us and our dogs feel comfortable. Before we headed to our room, the staff even high-fived our dogs and gave us some waste bags. As for our guestroom, we were met with a clean space with enough room for an extra two dogs to be comfortable. Now, while our dogs weren’t allowed unattended in the room, we still managed to enjoy some of the hotel’s facilities like taking a dip at the pool after a workout session at the fitness center.
That aside, while we had a satisfactory stay with our dogs, cats are only permitted in the hotel after a prior inspection. Plus, there’s also an 80 lbs weight limit, and we had to pay a $30 pet fee per dog per night. Beyond these, everything was picture-perfect for us.
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Hyatt Place Lincoln/Downtown-Haymarket
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Our last experience at the pet-friendly Hyatt Place Lincoln Downtown Haymarket was nothing short of fantastic. Located in the heart of the revitalized Haymarket Entertainment District, the hotel is steps away from a vibrant array of restaurants, theaters, art galleries, shops, and live music venues, making it an ideal spot for any traveler.
Thanks to their pet-friendly policy allowing two dogs up to 50 lbs, staying here with our dogs was a breeze. It was extra convenient that pet-friendly rooms were on the ground floor near the exit for easier potty time. We also appreciated that we could leave our dogs unattended in the room as long as we informed the front desk, making city exploration so much easier. All these features came with a $75 pet fee for our 6-night stay, though longer stays incur a $175 fee.
Furthermore, our room was modern and comfortable, featuring a plush bed and a sitting area with a sofa bed that our dogs loved to lounge on. The facilities were also top-notch, including an indoor pool, a fitness center, and complimentary breakfast each morning.
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The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel
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At luxurious pet friendly hotels in Lincoln Nebraska, such as The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel, an enjoyable stay is practically guaranteed. With the hotel providing all sorts of facilities and world-renowned hospitality, we only have high praise for them. The attentive staff was also one of the highlights of our stay. Right from the get-go they ensured that all of our needs were taken care of, and helped us have a smooth check-in. Extra amenities like the pool, fitness center, and free airport shuttle were nice additions.
The hotel itself was outstanding. Our days began in our lovely guest room, enjoying the view and ensuring our pup had a good night’s sleep, followed by a comforting cup of tea. For an extra treat, we’d often indulge in Starbucks goodies available in the hotel lobby. Afterward, we’d savor the complimentary breakfast before heading out to explore Lincoln.
Now we wouldn’t gush about this hotel so much if it wasn’t for their accommodating pet policy. Guests were allowed a maximum of two dogs per room with a 50 lbs combined weight for a $75 pet fee per stay. All in all, for such a high-end hotel, we didn’t expect the pet fee to be so affordable.
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New Victorian Inn & Suites Lincoln
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The New Victorian Inn & Suites Lincoln may not be the fanciest but it does its job as a pet-friendly hotel well. As long as they can provide us with a clean and tidy pet-friendly room then that’s already one-third of our non-negotiable. The other two are a green area to take our dog to potty, and a nice staff who loves pets, which the hotel also provided us with. As an extra touch, we were also given waste bags for our dog.
That aside, our room was actually excellent and was honestly more than we expected. The color scheme may need a little work, but the room was spacious, complete with a sofabed and amenities like a mini-fridge, a microwave, and other necessities. If that wasn’t great enough, we were also offered tons of freebies such as free breakfast and free parking.
Furthermore, the perks of staying here continue with getting access to their heated indoor pool and fitness center. We were also lucky that the location was also quite strategic. It’s located along O Street and can take us straight to downtown Lincoln in under 10 minutes. As for their pet policy, the hotel opens its doors to well-behaved pet dogs (maximum 2) up to 50 lbs for an additional fee of $25 per night. Unfortunately, cats aren’t permitted.
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Embassy Suites Lincoln
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As part of the Hilton Hotel group, we could at least expect excellent facilities, modern amenities, and plenty of perks from the Embassy Suites Lincoln. That’s why we were so stocked when our high expectations were met with even more benefits from the hotel and its staff. Not only were the services and hospitality exemplary, but the pet policy couldn’t suit us any better. Plus, the downtown location was the cherry on top for us.
That said, for the pet policy, the hotel allows a maximum of two pets (dogs/cats) weighing up to 50 lbs for a $125 pet fee per stay, which was fair enough considering the hotel’s quality. As for us, we were happy to pay as long as our pups got to comfortably stay with us without a hassle.
Furthermore, in terms of the hotel itself, we were offered a spacious suite with a separate seating area, a kitchenette, and a plush bed. The room was so cozy and our dogs had ample space to be comfortable, and not feel stuffy. On top of it, we also got perks including free cooked-to-order breakfast, access to the pool and fitness center, and free beverages during the hotel’s evening reception time.
Lastly, our days staying here were mostly spent strolling around the area since being in downtown Lincoln makes so many places walkable to us. For example, the University of Nebraska and Memorial Stadium are just a few blocks away. Although, for us, the Haymarket District was more of our go-to.
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The Scarlet, Lincoln, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
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As the name suggests, The Scarlet, Lincoln, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, showcases all the good qualities Lincoln has to offer. Designed with unique local touches and staying true to Nebraska’s motto, the hotel offered us a taste of “the good life.” Every wall was adorned with portraits and artworks honoring local towns and homegrown heroes of Nebraska. The stylish lobby and the adjoining restaurant and bar served some of the best Lincoln specialties.
As the hotel celebrated Nebraska. they also celebrated us and our puppy with their generous pet-friendly policy and top-notch hospitality. While we only stayed with one dog, the hotel accommodates up to two dogs per room, each weighing under 50 lbs, for a $50 pet fee per pet per night. Our dog was showered with affection and received a goody bag at check-in.
Furthermore, our high praise of the hotel doesn’t end there. For our guest room, it was sleek, with dark wood and cool-tone furnishings, and a convenient wooden floor. The room also included amenities like a TV with Netflix and a coffee machine. While we enjoyed the hotel and the many facilities that came with it, its ideal downtown location made us eager to explore Lincoln.
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Graduate Lincoln
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It’s safe to say that Graduate Lincoln is one of the most popular pet friendly hotels in Lincoln NE. Many pet parents flock to this hotel to experience its unique but professional hospitality. When we first arrived, we were greeted with quirky, colorful, and youthful decor, instantly setting a happy vibe for our stay.
And accompanying the immaculate interior taste were friendly staff who ensured we had a hassle-free check-in. Thanks to their straightforward pet policy, our dog quickly became one of the hotel’s favorite guests. That said the hotel pet policy accounts for welcoming a max of two pets (dog or cats) with no size restriction for a fee of $75 per pet, per stay.
Beyond that, the hotel’s other perks include free breakfast, a free airport shuttle, and free access to the pool and fitness center. We stayed in a well-lit, tastefully designed guest room with neat amenities. The bed was especially fluffy, our dog loved lounging on the sofa, and the cable TV and minibar were nice additional touches. When we weren’t relaxing in the room, we enjoyed playing with the hotel’s retro arcade machine. Mostly, though, we were out and about, shopping in the Haymarket District with our dog.
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Our Verdict!
Graduate Lincoln won our hearts as the Overall Best pet-friendly hotel in Lincoln for its unique and youthful theme, not to mention their outstanding pet policy. Its convenient location in downtown Lincoln also made strolling around town with our pets a breeze, and the onslaught of friendly staff and exemplary hospitality sealed the deal for us. Nevertheless, there are other hotels on this list that stood out to us for features you might be interested in.
- Most Luxurious Pet-Friendly Hotel: The Kindler Hotel
- Best Pet-Friendly Hotel For Extended Stay: Annabell Gardens
- Best Pet-Friendly Hotel For Feline: Hampton Inn Lincoln Airport
Where To Stay in Lincoln, NE with Your Pet
Choosing the best area to stay in a new town with your pets depends on two key factors: your travel itinerary and the pet-friendliness of the area. Though in Lincoln, we found staying in the downtown area to be ideal (to the surprise of no one).
It’s just that the convenience of staying in downtown Lincoln is unbeatable. Since we were with pets, we’d often love just walking around and finding pet-friendly shops/cafes as we go along. And with the downtown area being mostly walkable, we got to explore the neighborhood without getting into a car. Granted, sometimes we do need transportation to make the most of our trip so we don’t miss out on spots like the Sunken Garden and the historic State Capitol. While we weren’t able to catch any game at the Memorial Stadium, we were able to spend hours in the Haymarket District just walking around with our pets.
That said, on this list, we still include some pet friendly motels in Lincoln Nebraska that aren’t solely located in the downtown area. There are ones located near the airport and ones in a more residential area. All in all, you can rest assured that we’ve accounted for your possible needs and preferences.
Now, if you want to explore more cities in Nebraska, why not start by checking out the Top 11 Pet-Friendly Hotels in Omaha as well as these 11 Best Hotel Pools In Omaha?
Pet-Friendly Restaurants / Bars in Lincoln, NE
- Buzzard Billy’s – If you’re a fan of people-watching while enjoying some good American, Cajun, and Creole food, with a side of local brews, then you’ll love Buzzard Billy’s. Their spacious patio overlooks the busy Haymarket district, and our dog got to chill with us while we indulge ourselves.
- LeadBelly – The LeadBelly isn’t only famous for their killer pub-classics with a twist, but also for their pet-loving space and staff. When we arrived with our dog, the staff quickly set a table on the patio for us and brought a water bowl for our dog. Plus, we weren’t the only ones who got to feast on their delectable menu, but thanks to their secret dog menu, our pup got to have some of the restaurant’s specialty, too.
Pet-Friendly Activities In Lincoln, NE
- Haymarket Farmers’ Market – The Haymarket district is hands down one of our favorite places to take a stroll with our pets in Lincoln, and if we time our visit right, we can catch the Farmer’s Market that opens from May to October. It’s a great place to experience Lincoln in one place as we can find all sorts of local goods at the Haymarket Farmer’s Market.
- Urban Hound Dog Park & Bar – Imagine an outdoor bar where you can bring your dogs to play and mingle, while you enjoy some cold beer. Well, imagine no more because that’s exactly what the Urban Hound Dog Park & Bar is.
Best Pet Stores In Lincoln, NE
- Arnie’s Pet Food Store – We can always rely on local pet stores like Arnie’s Pet Food Store to carry high-quality pet products. From healthy, all-natural pet food and treats, to tactical pet accessories and enriching pet toys, the store got them all. To make it better our pets can shop and browse the aisles alongside us.
- Long Dog Fat Cat Glynoaks – While their extensive pet products are impressive, it’s their fresh baked goods that had our dogs drooling during our browsing time. Other than picking up some treats and toys, our dog also went home with a doggy donut and a new haircut courtesy of the store’s grooming area.