| Orientation - How to Get There - Where to Stay - Where to Eat - Where to Drink - Where to Golf - Where
to Shop
Orientation
Numerical streets in central Lincoln run North to South, increasing as you
go East. Lettered streets in central Lincoln run East to West, with
letters progressing as you go North. From
Interstate I-80 take the 9th Street/Downtown exit (I-180). I-180 will take you right
past the stadium, dropping you off onto 9th Street at about "Q" Street.
Once downtown you should be able to get around knowing only the alphabet. Downtown
Lincoln is roughly located from 7th to 17th Streets and "L" and Vine
("V") Streets. Campus takes up the Northern half of that space.
Memorial Stadium is located at 9th and Vine Streets. Its the big gray bowl, you
can't miss it.
Lincoln is a friendly city, so you should feel
safe there as long as you take normal precautions. The downtown area is well-lit and
popular enough to be safe at night. It is well patrolled by both bicycle police and
police cruisers. On campus, security stations have been installed everywhere.
Look for the blue lights to locate one closest to you. They connect you to the
University operator, and can be used for non-emergencies as well. Don't be afraid to
ask the locals for directions, as Lincolnites take pride in being excellent hosts,
especially for visiting football fans.
NOTE: The City
of Lincoln now forbids smoking inside bars, restaurants, and other
businesses. Hotels are allowed to have only a certain percentage of
rooms available for smoking. Many bars and restaurants have modified
their exteriors to feature patios or beer gardens to accommodate smoking
customers. If you smoke you may have to plan accordingly
The telephone area code for Lincoln is 402.
How to
Get There
Interstate 80 slows down before home games so you should give yourself extra
time to get into town on Saturday mornings. The I-180/Downtown exit
dumps your right onto 9th Street in front of the Stadium, which tends to get
severely clogged an hour before game time. Use
Google Maps to find your way. I-180 intersects Cornhusker
Hwy, so you could exit there and take 14th or 27th to get near campus.
The 27th Street exit on I-80 isn't too bad, except that 27th has a lot of
stop lights near campus and becomes a traffic jam before/after games.
Other exits (like 56th Street) might be a better solution if you are
familiar with Lincoln. You could take 56th to Cornhusker, Vine, or "O"
Street and get to campus that way.
There are signs on both the Interstate and Cornhusker Highway (Hwy 6)
pointing you there.
A lot of
construction has been going on around the north
side of campus. The stadium expansion project has closed Avery Avenue
and the parking lot north of the stadium. There is also an elevated
roadway, railroad bridge construction, new dorm construction, and a new
flood control waterway. All of this has turned campus upside-down, and
it is not going to get any better during the 2005 football season.
Check the
Antelope Valley Project web site for construction updates.
Parking isn't too bad depending on what you are doing before/after the game. If you
don't care about pre/post game festivities, you can park at several locations around town
and ride the shuttle (see the StarTran map information four paragraphs below). It
leaves from several popular areas around town, like Wal-Mart (27th and Superior), Gateway
Mall (66th and "O" Street), Holmes Lake (70th and Van Dorn), etc. The
express shuttle takes you right to the stadium. After the game, shuttles run for an
hour or so back to your parking lot.
All of the University surface parking lots are assigned to booster clubs, so you can't
park in them unless you are a member. There is still a ton of parking available
fairly close to the stadium. On the North side of campus, near the state
fairgrounds, there are many large lots you can park in for $5 - $10. There's nothing
around those lots as far as restaurants/bars, except for tailgaters. Downtown has a
half-dozen large parking garages close to campus, which are available if you are around
early enough for $5 or so. They are close to the restaurants/bars downtown and about
a 3-6 block walk to the stadium. The garage on 12th and "Q" or so (across
from the Lied Center) is large, close to the stadium, and only $5.
Personally, I park East of campus and walk. There is plenty of street parking from
18th to 21st Street North of "O" Street. The walk is longer, but takes you
through campus. It doesn't cost you anything, and gives you
some exit options when the game is over. If you have smaller children its probably
too long of a walk (unless you want them tired for the drive home). Traffic is a
mess right after games. Instead of sitting in your car, you
might as well find a place to eat/drink/shop/socialize.
You can find a Campus Map
on the UNL home page. From there you can zoom in to the
city campus area and even closer to the
area around Memorial Stadium. The
Parking & Transit Services site has
helpful shuttle and parking
information as well as additional maps of campus in PDF format.
Remember that most if not all of the University-owned parking lots are dedicated to
booster clubs on game days. If you are not a member of the booster club, you cannot
park there.
StarTran (Lincoln
Transit Authority) Map
Under "Special Service" you will find football shuttle information. The
city runs express shuttle service to Memorial Stadium from several locations across the
city. Its a nice service that takes you right to the steps of the stadium fairly
quickly. After the game, many busses are there to take you home. Its only
$2.00 for a round-trip ticket.
Map of Memorial
Stadium
The scalper says they're 50-yard-line seats? Make sure with this map of Memorial
Stadium.
Flying in, and need transportation to the
stadium? Try these numbers:
Capital Cab: 477-6074
Husker Cab: 477-4111
Yellow Cab: 477-4111 (same as Husker Cab, obviously)
A1 Ambassador Limo Service: 475-5466
Abbott Transportation Inc. (14 persons minimum): 877-868-7662
Lincoln Limousine Service: 475-5466
Avis Rent-a-car (airport): 474-1202
Budget Rent-a-car (airport): 474-2800
Hertz Rent-a-car (airport): 474-4079
National Car Rental (airport): 474-4301
Where to
Stay
The Cornhusker - 13th and "L"
Streets, 474-7474. Lincoln's premier hotel. Within walking distance of
Memorial Stadium. Is connected to other downtown Lincoln buildings by skywalks.
A nice place to host alumni gatherings because of their convention center meeting
rooms and catering.
Holiday
Inn - 9th and "O" Streets, 475-4011. Located a stone's throw from
Memorial Stadium, at the edge of the Haymarket area. Close to everything.
Reservations for Husker Saturdays are made a year in advance.
Embassy
Suites - 11th and "Q" Streets, 474-1111. This hotel opened right
before the 2000 Husker football season. It features a sports bar on the ground
level, and is close to everything (including Memorial Stadium) downtown.
Residence
Inn - 200 S. 68th Street, 483-4900. Located several miles from Memorial Stadium
at 68th and "O" Streets. Not a bad area for dinner or shopping, though.
There are many other smaller hotels in the
city. Here's a quick list for your amusement:
1st Inn Motel and Lounge - I-80 at Airport Exit, 475-4400
Airport Inn Best Western - I-80 at Airport Exit, 475-9541
Ameristar Casino Hotel (Council Bluffs, IA, across the river from Omaha, NE),
712-328-8888
Baymont Inn - 3939 N. 26th Street, 477-1100
Chase Suites - 200 South 58th Place, 483-4900
Congress Inn - 2001 West "O" Street, 477-4488
Days Inn South - 1140 Calvert St., 423-7111
Fairfield Inn - 4221 Industrial Ave., 476-6000
Hampton Inn - 800-426-7866
Hawthorne Suites - 216 North 48th Street, 464-4400
Holiday Inn Express - 1010 W. Bond, 474-1417
Holiday Inn Express - 11th Street & Cornhusker Hwy., 435-0200
Howard Johnson - 5250 Cornhusker Hwy., 464-3171
Microtel Inns & Suites - 2505 Fairfield, 476-2591
Ramada Limited - 4433 N. 27th, 476-2222
Ramada Limited South - 1511 Centerpark Road, 423-3131
Starlite Motel - 5200 Cornhusker Hwy., 466-1902
Staybridge Suites - 2701 Fletcher Ave., 438-7829
Super 8 Motel - 2545 Cornhusker Hwy., 467-4488
Super 8 Motel - 2635 West "O" Street, 476-8887
Town House Mini-Suites Motel - 1744 M. Street, 475-3000
University of Nebraska Hotel and Conference Center - 33rd & Holdrege Street,
472-3435
Villager Courtyard and Gardens - 5200 "O" Street, 464-9111
Welcome Home Inn & Suites - 2231 West "O" Street, 474-7666
Woodward Inn & Suites - Interstate 80 & Cornhusker Hwy, 475-9000
Where
to Eat
A local ISP (my provider, in fact) has an extensive list of Lincoln restaurants.
Check it out for more ideas. Here's my list of restaurants you may want to
look into for a slice of Lincoln.
Bob's Gridiron
Grille - 4200 South 27th Street (north of ShopKo at 27th & HWY 2), 423-0166
BOB'S HAS CLOSED!
The greatest collector of Husker memorabilia has created a great bar and
grill, with loads of Big Red history packed in every nook and cranny.
When the Western Heritage Museum in Omaha had the big Husker display last
year, it was only a piece of this collection that filled the entire
building.
Misty's Original - 63rd & Havelock Ave., 466-8424
The quintessential Husker hangout the night before home games. Its
worth the trip just to see the Husker memorabilia hanging in the bar.
Frequented by television personalities and coaches alike. Excellent
prime rib and pretty much anything else. Arrive early. From downtown
take 9th or 14th to Cornhusker Hwy. Follow Cornhusker Hwy. a few miles
(48th is last major intersection before Havelock) until you see a sign
welcoming you to Havelock. The Havelock turn takes you onto Havelock
Avenue. There's a new location downtown where Crane River used to be
(12th and "Q" Street) but it doesn't have the charm of the old location.
P.O. Pears - 322 South 9th
Street (9th and "M"), 476-8551
A Lincoln landmark for nearly 25
years. Long before TGI Fridays and other national chains had
junk-lined walls and big burgers, there was P.O. Pears. There are sand
volleyball courts on the north side, and they often have live music on the
back stage. Check the web site for schedules.
The Steak
House - 34th & Cornhusker Hwy, 466-2472
An interesting little steak house. Dark and comfortable. Great steaks. Has
a great "home town" feel to it. They put a basket of crackers on the
table for some reason. Great service, too. Look for the stuffed
Jakelope on the wall near the cash register. Located on Cornhusker Hwy.
Lee's Chicken - South Coddington & Van Dorn
Street, 477-4339
One of my favorite restaurants in the area. Very home-town. Excellent chicken
and more. Its like stepping into a time machine. Near Pioneer's Park on the
West edge of the city.
Merle's
Restaurant - 8250 West "O" Street (Emerald, NE), 474-6435
If you go west on "O" Street long enough you'll end up at Merle's.
It's a small-town dive that happens to serve really great food for not much
money. This is a place for steak and potatoes, not bird food.
Valentino's
Pizza - Multiple Locations
"Val's" Pizza is a local favorite and a must for any visitor to Lincoln.
The popular buffet is the best way to sample all of the pizza, plus the excellent
pastas and salads. Other carry-out locations exist if you'd rather take it back to
the house. The pizza is also sold at Husker games, so you can enjoy a slice while
watching the Huskers.
Val's Downtown Food Court - 13th &
"Q" Street, 475-1501
The downtown location is easy to get to from the area hotels. This location
no longer serves the Grand Italian Buffet, and features a food court design with basically
carry out service and a dining room.
Val's North Grand Italian Buffet - 35th &
Holdrege, 467-3611
The original location. Close to UNL's East Campus if you're interested in seeing
that area. From city campus take 14th Street to Holdrege, then go East past 33rd
Street. Has space for parties.
Val's Southwest Grant Italian Buffet - 27th &
Hwy 2, 423-3113
Shoehorned in a strip mall SE of downtown. An alternative if you're in that area.
Take 9th Street until it turns into Hwy. 2 and turn left on 27th.
Val's South Grand Italian Buffet - 70th and Van
Dorn, 483-2811
This location is out in the 'burbs, but may fit your schedule on the way out of
town (for those traveling southeast).
Runza Restaurant
- Multiple Locations
The Runza is a Lincoln classic. Beef and cabbage inside of fresh-baked
bread. Pure heaven from the cookbook of our German ancestors. These unique
sandwiches have been staples of Memorial Stadium eats for years. Runza's stay hot in
your hands forever and are good on a cold day. The Runza variations and homemade
hamburgers are also excellent.
Runza - 1240 West "O" Street, 476-1189
Runza location on West "O" for those of you in that area.
Rock'N Roll Runza - 14th & P Streets, 474-2030
The Elvis impersonation of a classic Runza restaurant. They offer the full Runza
menu, plus highway diner food as well.
Lazlo's Brewery & Grill - 710 "P"
Street, 434-5636
Great appetizers, food, and homemade brew. Located in the Haymarket, right downtown.
I've never had a bad experience there. The place fills up early so you might
want to call ahead. Bring an appetite.
Lazlo's South - 5900 Old Cheney Street, 323-8500
Located in the former Stackwood's location, this restaurant offers the same food and beer
as the downtown location, in an lush and noisy atmosphere. I was not impressed with
it when I went there, so make the downtown location your choice if possible.
Old Chicago - 826 "P" Street, 477-2277
Pizza and more in the Haymarket. Many many beers to choose from. Like all
other restaurants in the Haymarket area, it fills up pretty early on Friday evenings and
Saturdays.
Vincenzo's - Suite 100, 808 "P" Street,
435-3889
Excellent Italian cuisine without being too expensive. Not a place for grungy
sweatshirts and pre-game beer chugging. Located in the Haymarket.
Spaghetti Works - 228 N. 12th, 475-0900
Your typical spaghetti feed. Last year it was remodeled to bring it up
from the basement to the first floor. The old delivery truck salad bar
is still there. Bring the
family and pig out on all-you-can-eat. Not quaint, private, or quiet.
Lazzari's Pizza - 1434 "O" Street,
475-5556
Located between Iguana's and the Brass Rail, this pizza joint is popular with the
athletes. The many signed jerseys and posters are evidence to its famous customers.
Good food, especially after a night of drinking at the nearby bars.
BW-3 - 1328 "P" Street, 475-2999
Buffalo Wings and beer. Several large screen TV's with obstructed views.
Red Fox - 1339 West "O" Street, 438-3300
Dive of a sports bar that is much more appealing inside than out. Serves a
surprisingly good steak, with good prices on specials during the week.
La Paz - 321 North Cotner Blvd., 466-9111
An excellent Mexican restaurant with very good margaritas. Great service.
Affordable. Cotner Blvd. intersects with "O" Street at about 56th.
Turn North on Cotner and go about three blocks.
Where to
Drink
Lincoln has a variety of sports bars and dives like any other town. For
most visitors, "O" Street will be the destination of choice. There are a
ton of bars from 9th to 16th Streets, with a little dead spot in the middle. The
block between 14th and 15th Streets alone has at least nine popular bars. Because
there aren't large parking lots for tailgating, the Lincoln tradition instead is to warm
up to one of the local pubs and socialize there. It is a college town, so drinks are
cheap. This is a short list of bars I think stand out a little bit for some reason:
Sidetrack Tavern - 935 "O" Street,
438-7776
At one time this was the bar to visit on Friday nights before a game.
Live emcees Joyce and Paul tell jokes
and sing raunchy songs for all to enjoy. Visiting fans welcome for some good-natured
ribbing. Stay alert for free shots. Arrive reasonably early if you don't want
to stand in line.
Barry's - 235 N. 9th Street, 476-6511
In another time Barry's was the only place to be before the game on Saturday.
The closing of the beer garden across the street to make way for a parking
garage has stolen some of its luster. The cavernous back room has a
wall-sized projection TV. Fight songs from either team's fans may
break out at any time. Located about four blocks from Memorial Stadium
on 9th Street.
Sandy's - 1401 "O" Street, 475-2418
A nice bar located in the heart of the "O" Street corridor. Buy a pitcher
of Elk Creek to keep you warm through the game. A popular spot for Huskers and
visitor alike. Just recently remodeled a bit with flat plasma TV's all
around. Look for women in the men's bathroom.
Brother's Bar &
Grill - 14th and "O" Street
Part of a chain of college-town sports bars, Brother's arrived in Lincoln
just in time for the 2004 football season. For that reason I blame
them for the Huskers' losing record last year. It is fairly nice
inside, and as the flavor-of-the-month it is usually packed with college
students. The menu and staff was not up to speed during the season
last year, so it lost points with me, but I'm sure it is being run much more
smoothly now.
The Watering Hole - 1321 "O" Street,
438-3054
A smaller bar with great bar food and tough waitresses. Usually fills up right after
the Husker game ends.
Doc's Place -
140 N 8th Street, 476-3232
A friendly bar down in the historic Haymarket area.
The Brass Rail - 1436 "O" Street,
474-5741
Somehow made Playboy's list of greatest college bars. Whatever. A smoky dive
that catches the overflow of the more popular Iguana's nearby. The men's bathroom
didn't have a light bulb in it for several years. The beer garden in the back is
nice and they often have live performers there. The athletes who couldn't get into
Iguana's may be seen here.
Duffy's - 1412 "O" Street, 474-3543
The regulars here probably won't even know there was a game going on. Enjoy a
fishbowl of "anything but beer." Not cheap but sure to get you and your
friends sucking long straws to get all the alcohol at the bottom. Known for the many
famous and not-so-famous bands who have graced their stage. Has a beer garden in the
back and Gyro counter as well. Can buy cigarettes one at a time for you social
smokers.
O'Rourkes - 1329 "O" Street, 435-8052
The overflow from Duffy's ends up at O'Rourkes. Save pitcher coupons to get your 6th
for free. Use the chalkboard over the urinals to leave messages for those after you.
The popcorn is kept in a garbage can. Keep a close eye on the pool table
queue because the regulars have no respect for the non-urinal pool table chalk board.
Iguana's Pub - 1426 "O" Street, 476-8850
A reasonably nice college bar frequented by the Greek scene. Use the house drink
"Iggy Juice" to get your date really drunk. A good place to see athletes.
Overflow from Iguana's fills up the Brass Rail later in the evening.
Cliff's - 140 N. 12th, 476-0119
A great little piece of Lincoln. Next to Cliff's smoke shop. Christmas never
ends in this dark and smoky bar. Smoking is not only permitted but encouraged.
Bring an Iron Lung. Happy Hour means free Valentino's Pizza for all.
Barrymore's - 124 N. 13th, 476-6494
Located in the stage area of Lincoln's old vaudeville theater. Probably a little too
swanky for the average football fan. Enter through the alley from 13th Street
between "O" and "N" Streets. May be closed while entire theater
is rennovated, though I don't think it is.
W.C.'s - 1228 "P" Street, 477-4006
Head upstairs for a decent selection of pool tables and dart boards. Live music.
Yia Yia's - 1423 "O" Street, 477-9166
A swanky place to enjoy dark beers on tap. Good thin crust pizza. Dance to
house/techno music with live D.J. in the adjoined club 1427 (now independent of Yia Yia's)
on Thursday and Saturday nights. Billiard tables by the hour.
Knickerbockers - 901 "O" Street,
476-6865
A decent little bar 4 blocks from the stadium. The small grill in back offers $0.25
tacos on game days. The back room expansion now offers a better stage for the
frequent live music. The two owners are fellow East High School alums.
The Zoo Bar - 136 N. 14th Street, 435-8754
Home to the best Blues/Jazz for hundreds of miles. Has a who's who list of
performers who have graced its stage. Small and dark. Fills up early.
Frequent live music. For you too young to get in, the alley in back is a good place
to hang out and listen.
Brewsky's Food & Spirits - multiple locations
Classic sports-bar design with good food and many available televisions.
----201 North 8th Street, former location of Fox & Hound, 328-2739
----1602 South Street, tucked neatly inside strip mall, 438-2739
----2662 Cornhusker Hwy, behind Union Bank, 466-2739
----2840 South 70th Street, located in strip mall, 483-2739
Libations - 317 S. 11th, 477-3880
A little martini and cigar hangout. The South location is more hip with the Yuppies.
Libations, Too - Suite 1, 5310 S. 56th Street,
420-6494
Very hip place to sip a martini and smoke a cigar. Dress to be seen.
The Mill - 800 "P" Street, 475-5522
For those of you into beans, not hops, try the Mill. Find a table on the porch for
people-watching. A wide selection of coffees and such. In the Haymarket.
The Coffee House - 1324 "P" Street,
477-6611
An artsy, depressing coffee house frequented by college students. Probably not well
suited for post-game gatherings. Good for sitting with a cup o' Joe listening to
poetry recitations.
Adult Establishments
The Night Before - 1035 "M" Street, 475-4107
Probably the best of the not-so-great topless bars in Lincoln. No cover
charge.
Foxy Lady - 1823 "O" Street, 435-5943
Scary topless dive close to my old apartment. No cover, but expect pressure
to buy overpriced beer in cans.
Royal Grove - 340 W. Cornhusker Hwy, 474-2332
Dancing only at select times, including amateur contests, otherwise it's a haven
for live music.
Shaker's - 11900 Hwy 6, Waverly, 435-4141
The Lincoln area's first all-nude juice bar. Has cover charge unlike downtown
topless bars, with no alcohol.
Where to Golf
Lincoln has quite a few public
courses for the size of the city. You should be able to get tee times pretty easily at
most of them. Here's a list of public courses with a little commentary (Lincoln's area
code is 402):
Public Courses in Lincoln:
Crooked Creek - East "O" Street and 134th - 489-7899 - I haven't played
this course.
Hidden Valley - 10501 Pine Lake Road - 483-2532 - Newer course with few trees.
Highlands Golf Course - 5501 NW 12th - 441-6081 - Newer course with few trees.
Himark Golf Course - 8901 Augusta Drive (Near 84th and Pioneers) - 488-7888 -
Decent design with some trees.
Holmes Park - 3701 South 70th - 441-8960 - 1960's-era big course with trees, water
hazards, long hills.
Mahoney - 7900 Adams - 441-8969 - Older public course with windswept, treeless
hills.
North Forty - 8101 Adams - 466-4653 - 10-year-old short-ish course that has
improved as trees have filled in. Pioneers Golf Course - 3403 West Van Dorn - 441-8966 -
Granddaddy of Lincoln public courses, circa 1940.
Jim Ager Memorial - 3761 Normal Blvd. - 441-8963 - Par 3, 9-hole junior course.
Private Courses in Lincoln:
The Lincoln Country Club - 3200 South 24th Street - 423-2271 - Par
72, 18-hole course built in 1923.
Firethorn - 9301 Firethorn Lane - 488-2071 - An award-winning course design using
native prairie grasses.
The Knolls - 2201 Old Cheney Road - 423-1776 - Shorter 18-hole Par 54 course
constructed in 1961.
Hillcrest - 8901 "O" Street - 489-8181 - Par 72, 18-hole course
constructed in 1925.
Yankee Hill Country Club - 7600 San Mateo Lane - 421-1700 - Par 72, 18-hole course
built in 1998.
I have no suggestion how you can play private
courses in Lincoln. You will have to make your own arrangements.
Notable Courses Near Lincoln:
Iron Horse Golf Club - Ashland, Nebraska - 944-9800 - New course halfway between
Lincoln and Omaha.
Quarry Oaks - Mahoney State Park - 944-6000 - Championship 18 hole course with
native grasses.
Woodland Hills - 6000 Woodland Hills Drive, Eagle - 475-4653 - Rated #1 Public
Course in NE by Golf Digest.
There are many more courses in surrounding areas.
If, for some reason, visitors would like to explore a little bit, they'll just have
to check a phone book. I'm not an avid golfer, so you may want to consult a golf guide
before determining the quality of each course. In general the public courses here are in
good shape, not overplayed.
Where to Shop
Westfield Gateway Mall - 61st and "O"
Streets - 464-3196 - Four anchor stores and 90 specialty shops plus food court. This
was Lincoln's main shopping mall for years. It has undergone some recent expansion
and renovation to lessen the crappy 1960's look and feel. Surrounded by tons of
additional retail and restaurants.
SouthPointe
Pavilions - 27th and Pine Lake Road - 421-2114 - New mall with open design, featuring
a little more hip selection of stores. Standout store is Scheels All Sports, a
gigantic sporting goods store. More retail and restaurants surround area.
North 27th Street Area - Major grocery and big-box
retailers such as Food-4-Less, Super K-Mart, ShopKo, and Menards starting at the
intersection with Cornhusker Highway and continuing to Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, etc. at
Superior Street. Many smaller retailers and restaurants line 27th Street from Vine
Street north to the Interstate.
48th and "O" Street Area - Retail area
anchored by Super Saver grocery, Target Store and Best Buy to the north. Many other
small retail stores and restaurants surround the area from "O" Street north to
Adams. |
