<p>Ok so we are scheduled to attend Big Red Days on the 22nd of April. Since it is an 8 hour drive for us from Chicago, we are going to leave very early on that Thursday and get to campus around 2 or 3pm.</p>
<p>What and where do you suggest that we go to get a feel of the area surrounding campus? Someplace 'traditional' to eat? Where can we walk around and soak up the culture and see people? I figure we will have 5 hours on campus the next day, to absorb the campus feel, want to get a feel of Lincoln the campus town area around campus.</p>
<p>Can anyone help? Where should we eat? How about shopping? Where to wander?</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>This is lobbing a softball at me. Grew up in Lincoln, went to NU, lived on campus. Where to start. I’ll leave the “on campus” stuff for you. You’ll see it all. You “may” not see East Campus, or what they used to call “Ag campus”. It’s a few miles to the east. No real need to go see it unless your S or D is taking ag/horticulture/agribusiness etc types of things. It’s very nice a little more spread out. Nebraska ETV (public TV) is there too…great facility. the School of Mass Comm and Journalism is on main campus but many intern out at NETV, and or a class or two there (at least used to).</p>
<p>Shopping main drag is “O” St. (why don’t people live on O street? Cuz they have to walk a block to “P”…sorry old joke). A rectangle between “N” street “R” st…and then 9th st and about 16th street is most of the downtown shopping/dining area. Very nice. Make sure you walk or drive to the Haymarket Square area. Approx. 8th/9th and P St. Old railroad depot…restaurants…shops…kind of like an old market area in many cities.<br>
Immediately adjacent to campus is R st. on the south, and 16th st (more or less) on the east. Those two streets form an “L” and comprise Greek row. If your S or D is considering the Greek system at least do the drive in the L shape. It’s a very strong Greek system. I’ve remained in touch, and still sounds like they are not too “exclusive”. They sure weren’t when i was there. And i mean that in a good way. A kid can find a house and a group of kids they like and relate too. At NU out of state kids are treated like royalty…esp in the Greek system. “oh that’s so and so, he’s from Chicago”. We had kids from DC, and from rural Missouri and from the San Francisco area…not high percentage…but not loners at all. And again, highly sought after as acquintances, friends etc. A couple of “mall” areas maybe 10-15 minutes by car…one is straight south, and the other straight east (Gateway). Lots of shops etc downtown for clothing, bars, restaurants, banks, offices etc. Plenty of on campus religious communities including houses of worship, if that’s important to you. FB stadium right on campus. Tons of intramurals, music groups etc. I’m a bit out of it on exactly which restaurants are hot right now…but you really can’t go wrong close to campus. Esp in haymarket area. Novelty fast food is called a “runza”. There’s a Runza hut I think on about 15th and O st. a Runza is kind of like a Perogi, or Peroshki that you might see in Chicago. That is a baked dough crust filled with seasoned hamburger, and cabbage…some with cheese etc. May sound weird, but they are AWESOME! They even sell them at the football stadium. Lots of old Czech and German heritage in Nebraska…I guess it found its way to campus.
Have fun. I’m envious. My D has been there many times…and got a 1/2 ride there…but wanted to experience another part of the country…so won’t go to NU. Good luck!</p>
<p>Oh Shoot!!! You HAVE to at least drive by the State Capitol building. It’s directly south of campus by about 5-6 blocks. You can’t miss it…it’s a skyscraper. The first skyscraper capitol. If you have 1/2 hour…walk in and at least look at the rotunda and dome from the inside. Really impressive. If you don’t have the time…at least drive around it. Nebraskans are very proud of it. At the top is a statue called “the sower” a farmer sowing grain by hand. b.t.w. Omaha’s about 50 minutes away…if there’s a need for a kid to find some retail thing not aviailable in Lincoln…likely will find in Omaha. That said, it’s usually not worth the drive or hassle. Most college kids at NU never venture to Omaha unless for some kind of sporting event or concert. NU brings in a lot of ent. to campus though…so not much need there either.</p>
<p>Hi, busymom. My son will be starting his freshman year at UNL this fall. We visited twice (flew into Omaha once and Lincoln once) but I have to admit that we didn’t travel very far beyond the campus - eating at Yia Yia’s Pizza was about it. However, we’re visiting again in June for New Student Enrollment and we plan to drive out this time, take the bikes, and see the sights of Lincoln and Nebraska. (I even bought the book “Nebraska Off the Beaten Path”. 
) We are not into organized sports at all, so depending on your interests I might not be any help to you, but if you have other questions after reading my post, feel free to PM me. </p>
<p>Some of the places we either visited or hope to visit include:</p>
<p>Sheldon Museum of Art on campus (nice, for a small museum): [Sheldon</a> Museum of Art | Facebook](<a href=“Facebook”>Sheldon Museum of Art)</p>
<p>The Haymarket District:
[Lincoln’s</a> Historic Haymarket District (LHDC) | Facebook](<a href=“http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lincolns-Historic-Haymarket-District-LHDC/132310669690]Lincoln’s”>Redirecting...)</p>
<p>Red Mango frozen yogurt - [Red</a> Mango - University of Nebraska - Lincoln | Facebook](<a href=“Facebook”>Facebook)</p>
<p>Mountain biking on Wilderness Trail - [Wilderness</a> Trail, Lincoln, Nebraska | Btrails by Bikemag](<a href=“http://www.btrails.com/trails/wilderness-trail-lincoln-nebraska#/files/imagecache/342x513/trail_photos/Wilderness_Trail_Mitch_Kline.jpg]Wilderness”>http://www.btrails.com/trails/wilderness-trail-lincoln-nebraska#/files/imagecache/342x513/trail_photos/Wilderness_Trail_Mitch_Kline.jpg)</p>
<p>We also plan to eat at Maggie’s Vegetarian Wraps (they serve breakfast and lunch - we are vegetarian), The Cup (cafe & patisserie), and definitely Dish Downtown.</p>
<p>Have a great visit!</p>
<p>Wow, Mitch, thanks! I’m sure your posts will help busymom, and I definitely got some ideas too. I had noticed the Capitol Building as I was creating my google map for the trip, and wondered if we should visit. I just added it to my list… :-)</p>
<p>Edit - just wanted to mention, in case it wasn’t obvious before, that we are from out of state.</p>
<p>Husker mom…good for you! We were in Calif for 10 yrs and now Minnesota the past 12 yrs. Lincoln is a well kept secret…and great value in public universities. I’m biased of course. They have a great school of journalism and mass comm. Good biz school, engineering, architecture and several others. Also prep a fair number for med school in Omaha. Big specialty in internal medicine.</p>
<p>Thanks (again)! My son will be attending the Raikes School (computer science and business - he’s a comp sci major). I agree completely about Lincoln - the more I find out, the better I like it. I have a feeling my son will feel the same way after getting to know it - but I do hope he decides to come back “home” after he graduates. ;-)</p>
<p>Also…with NU joining the Big 10…it elevates prestige a bit. All including Nebr are AAU members, which is the best research universities in the country. Plus…if your son is into any sports…Nebr will be playing at Northwestern from time to time…and therefore a bit of home coming to Chicago. Even if he’s not…he’ll have fun with the atmosphere around the games at Lincoln. Some kids who diss DI athletics…still have fun at the Nebr games because the town just turns “red” on Saturdays. Have him at least be open to it.</p>
<p>I agree about both the Big 10 research connection and football. Our son will be getting season football tickets even though the only game our family watches each year is the Super Bowl. Maybe DH and I will also try to get tix for the game with Ohio State - since he and I are OSU alumni and we can wear a (plain!) red t-shirt that will show our allegiance to both teams. ;-)</p>
<p>Husker Mom and Mitch you guys are awesome!! I am pretty excited about heading over to Lincon and I am glad that we have the time to do some sightseeing. </p>
<p>Husker Mom…where are you from if you don’t mind me asking? We are from Chicago and 2 years ago one of the swim kids went to Nebraska…I am trying to reach out to the mom to see how it is going.</p>
<p>It’s a good 7 hour drive from here, but Southwest flies into Omaha which is good in a pinch. Glad to hear about the Greek system…that is important to my DD.</p>
<p>I am hoping that they will be generous with non need based aid. DD has a 4.3 gpa and lots of extra’s. </p>
<p>anyone know about their Inter murals? DD is currently one of the top keepers (soccer) in the nation…but she does not want to play in college other than at the IM level. I think she is just burned out and done, which is fine.</p>
<p>I will take any other info you have if you think of anything. Mitch I am going to hunt down and find a shop that sells those Runza’s!! YUM!!</p>
<p>Again thank you so much for taking the time…I really appreciate it.
j</p>
<p>I posted a visit report here that might be helpful: [University</a> of Nebraska-Lincoln Visit - noimagination](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/vibe/university-of-nebraska-lincoln/2465923.html]University”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/vibe/university-of-nebraska-lincoln/2465923.html)</p>
<p>I think the intramural sports are good at UNL. The athletic facilities were certainly nice. I can’t say for sure, but they might use their indoor turf field for winter soccer, which would be a plus.</p>
<p>noimagination…nice tour summary. Agree with nearly all. On the campus beauty part…I’d agree not a stunner like Lawrence or Michigan State. But crushes the U of Minn. campus and dinkytown. What a dump that is. My daughter really liked USC’s campus because she said it reminded her of taking NU’s campus and plopping it in the middle of LA. Compact, nice quad, FB stadium right there…and nowhere was more than a 15 minute walk, or 3 minute bike ride. Go figure. I loved KU’s campus and would have given an eye tooth to go there. But my D wanted convenience, and school spirit. You’ll get that at NU. Laslo’s is good. But Valentino’s Pizza is GREAT! Like no other.</p>
<p>
Lincoln is much more attractive than Dinkytown for sure. But I’m not sure what part of the UMN campus you were on that was aesthetically “crushed” by UNL - I can’t really think of anywhere. Though maybe it depends on the time of year…?</p>
<p>Oh well - I suppose there’s no arguing taste :)</p>
<p>True enough. I’ve just never felt like U of M’s campus had a central “hang out” area…and every campi needs that. At NU you’ve got the area behind the student union, broyhill fountain, Selleck Quadrangle…and Love Library. Quintessential! Then the walk over to Bessey and Andrews all…the best. I’m biased for sure. </p>
<p>b.t.w. to you parents that have kids starting at NU…it’s “NU”. Never UN, and only as a last resort should you EVER use UNL. There is only one university of Nebraska…and it’s in Lincoln. UNO, and UN-K (Kearny) simply can’t be referenced without the O, or the K. Whereas NU is well Nebraska. The purists among us…talk this way. And you’ll want son or daughter to learn that early. "UNL while perhaps technically correct as a campus identifier is degrading. It would be like calling the U of Alabama “UAT” (Tuscaloosa). No one does it…and no one asks why.</p>
<p>^ Eh, I feel like I heard “UNL” at least once on campus. Maybe not.</p>
<p>@buzymom: Is your daughter a junior? If so, did she take the PSAT? The NMF award is excellent.</p>
<p>Huskermom2015 - I sent you a PM</p>
<p>She did take the PSAT…not NMF, but her ACT is a 30 and we are hoping that it will bring some merit $.</p>
<p>We are back from our tour last weekend. I will post a visit report later. But I did have a question regarding the food. It seemed very processed with no real choices for healthy eating. Grilled cheese, fried shrimp, fried fajitas, beef stew. Salad bar was really small with iceberg lettuce. I was very surprised. When I mentioned it to our tour guide, she said that the athletes have the ‘good healthy’ food. That they eat at their own cafeteria and have options like grilled chicken breast, etc…Have to say that it sort of bothered my DD that regular students could not get healthy food.</p>
<p>Other than that…we were impressed with the athletic facilities. On our first day we had a great tour by the head of the department and he took us out onto the field, walked the red road (?) sorry if the name is wrong. Training facilities are top notch. On the organized tour on our second day we went into a number of buildings and the classrooms, etc were great. DD was disappointed that we did not get to see any sorority houses, but we may make a second trip.</p>
<p>Loved loved the dorms. Loved that they each have their own heating and A/C controls. Nice size with good closet space. Common areas are very nice indeed! The rec center was truly amazing. No excuse for freshman 15 here!</p>
<p>Can anyone comment on the food? It really bothers DD.
BTW we had a Runza! That was great and we had in the student union so we got to people watch too. ;)</p>
<p>Hi buzymom,</p>
<p>Thanks for the “mini-report” on your visit! I had been wondering how it went. </p>
<p>As for the food, it’d be great to get some current students’ opinions but here’s my guess. I wonder if the fact that you visited on Good Friday (correct?) made a difference. Some of the dining halls were closed that day, and it might be that the open halls were serving a limited menu because some of the staff were off due to the holiday? Also, on weekends (we were there once on a weekday and once on a Saturday) since they are serving brunch instead of lunch, they seem to have a restricted selection of everything since they are serving a bit of breakfast and a bit of lunch. We have the Droid app “What’s for Lunch?”, which lets you quickly search the menus at all the UNL Dining Halls, and it lists romaine, spinach, as well as “green lettuce” (which I suppose is iceberg) being available at the Selleck salad bar every day at lunch. (I think this info is also available on the UNL website here [UNL</a> | Housing | Dining Services](<a href=“http://housing.unl.edu/dining/]UNL”>http://housing.unl.edu/dining/) but the Droid app lets you save your favorite menu items and then find it at ANY dining hall.) My son uses the UNL ClubRed site (rarely) and someone in the Vegetarian Student Group commented on how great she thinks the salad bar is. (Of course, we don’t know what she normally sees at her high school! ;-)) I suggest emailing Dining Services and asking them about it. We are vegetarian and I’ve exchanged a couple emails with them to investigate the options at the various dining halls (mainly to see if one hall serves healthier/more vegetarian items than another) and they’ve been very responsive and friendly.</p>
<p>As for dorms - yes they are great, aren’t they?! My son doesn’t enjoy hot weather, so I specifically looked at the colleges he was considering to find out which, if any, had air conditioning. NU was the only university I found with universal (or nearly universal?) air conditioning in its dorms. (I didn’t even think to ask about individual controls. Sweet!) Of course, you know that means NU needs to have A/C in its dorms, it gets fairly hot there as summer approaches, but heck, even Massachusetts gets hot and the college we visited there does not have A/C (except in upperclassmen’s university apartments).</p>
<p>@buzymom3: I’m wondering where you ate. The dining facility I tried when we visited had a pretty good selection of healthy food. I think huskermom might be right about the date/time you visited.</p>
<p>Hi There
Yup you are probably right, it was Good Friday. I was sort of disappointed that they only offered grilled cheese and fried shrimp for meatless options. Salad bar had iceburg lettuce only, w/ few add in’s. Definitely no healthy options. Tour guide ate with us and she did not mention that it was a brunch or reduced menu. Place was packed w/ kids…it looked like they had classes in session so it was not a day off.</p>
<p>I have seen a few blogs about the food. DD is at Iowa State and their food is amazing. We have eaten there numerous times over the past year and I am always impressed. </p>
<p>I think that we ate at Selleck…three big dorms surrounding it right down the street from the big rec center. </p>
<p>LOVED the individual controls in the rooms. Food can be a plus or a minus but not the whole decision. We will visit again early next year…</p>
<p>We have some things that she really liked; the program her major is in, the dorm rooms, pretty campus, reputation.
The not liked: Food and the whole athletes eat better thing, Budget cuts are going to hit campus hard next year with a continuing deficit in the state. And now the loss of AAU status, which means a further loss of grants and govt money mostly in sciences area. Merit money might be tougher to get.</p>
<p>My feelng…I’d love to see a game!! lol</p>
![http://www.btrails.com/trails/wilderness-trail-lincoln-nebraska#/files/imagecache/342x513/trail_photos/Wilderness_Trail_Mitch_Kline.jpg]Wilderness](http://www.btrails.com/trails/wilderness-trail-lincoln-nebraska#/files/imagecache/342x513/trail_photos/Wilderness_Trail_Mitch_Kline.jpg%5DWilderness){kind=link}
