Fall is a magical season in Lincoln — especially for Huskers® fans. The leaves aren’t the only things turning red this time of year, as swarms of Huskers® fans crowd the streets pretty much every weekend throughout the months of September, October and November.
Whether you’re a die-hard football fanatic or simply looking for a weekend getaway, we’ve curated the perfect itinerary for your Huskers®-focused adventure in Lincoln. That way, if you’re visiting from Omaha or another nearby town, or you live in the Lincoln area, you can maximize your weekend and experience the best of Lincoln while you’re here.
From delicious dining experiences to exploring historic sites, here’s how to make the most of your Huskers® weekend this fall!
Huskers® Home Games 2023 (See Schedule):
September 16: vs. Northern Illinois
September 23: vs. Louisiana Tech
September 30: vs. Michigan
October 21: vs. Northwestern | 100-Year Anniversary of Memorial Stadium!
October 28: vs. Purdue | Homecoming!
November 11: vs. Maryland | Military Appreciation
November 24: vs. Iowa | Heroes Game
FRIDAY
5 p.m. Drive to Lincoln
If you’re lucky enough to live in Omaha, you are only about an hour away from Lincoln, which means you can easily drive there for a weekend getaway after work — and still make it in time for dinner! If you’re coming from further away, plan your drive accordingly or simply skip ahead to Saturday to account for your travels.
6:30 p.m. Dinner at DISH
If you come into town the night before, we recommend starting your Lincoln trip with dinner at DISH, a modern American restaurant situated in the heart of downtown. DISH offers a fresh and diverse menu, clever handcrafted cocktails, and an upscale atmosphere. Their seasonally driven, locally sourced menu changes frequently, so you’re in for a surprise when you sit down! But you can check out their sample menu to get an understanding of their style and philosophy. No matter what you order, you won’t be disappointed!
8:30 p.m. Grab a Beer at Boiler Brewing Company
Photo Courtesy of Boiler Brewing Company
After dinner, take a leisurely stroll to Boiler Brewing Company, which is only about a block (or a 3-minute walk) away from DISH. The brewery is located in the basement of the historic Grand Manse building, which contains exposed brick, open ceilings, and industrial lighting. In this cool, rustic atmosphere, sip on any of their small-batch beers, which rotate on a regular basis. They should have the perfect fall drink for the occasion!
SATURDAY
9 a.m. Brunch at Piedmont Bistro
Start the big day with brunch at Piedmont Bistro, which is one of our favorite brunch spots in town. Available Friday-Sunday starting at 8 a.m., their chef-inspired brunch menu features delicious options like buttermilk pancakes, brioche French toast, Eggs Benedict, farmers’ hash, biscuits and gravy, burgers, sandwiches, salads and more. Whether you’re craving sweet or savory, breakfast or lunch food, Piedmont provides the perfect modern setting to get some fuel for the busy day ahead.
10:30 a.m. Explore the Haymarket
The Haymarket can be traced back to Lincoln’s first decade as a town. In 1867, at the very beginning of Lincoln’s history, “Market Square” was a designated space between O and P Streets and featured an open-air market for produce and livestock, as well as a camping ground for immigrants. In 1874, the city and state donated the original “Market Square” and moved the market two blocks north, creating “Haymarket Square,” where scales were provided for weighing hay, cattle and produce. Today, the charming area is full of great restaurants, unique shopping and fun nightspots located among restored turn-of-the-century warehouses that are so much fun to explore in the fall.
While you’re here, make sure to stop by Best of Big Red, your one-stop shop for everything Huskers® related. More than 5,000 Huskers®-themed items cover the shelves, from sweatshirts to beanies and foam fingers to koozies. This is the perfect place to stock up for the game today!
12 p.m. Eat Lunch at Gate 25
Also located in the heart of activity, Gate 25 is the perfect place to stop for lunch — especially on game day! This airy, industrial hotspot will be buzzing with activity, as fellow Huskers® fans fuel up for the many hours of tailgating ahead. Gate 25 has an excellent selection of elevated pub fare, including nachos, wings, flatbreads, quesadillas, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and much more. Plus, they have an incredible selection of cocktails, beer, and even wine!
2 p.m. Visit a Museum or the Capitol Building
If you need a little break from the chillier temperatures, step inside a museum for a couple of hours. Thankfully, there are plenty to choose from in this bustling city! If you’re looking for art, head to the Sheldon Museum of Art, if you’re a history buff, visit the Nebraska History Museum, and if you have little ones, they’ll love the Lincoln Children’s Museum. And if you’re looking for something a little more out of the box, don’t miss the Museum of American Speed, the International Quilt Museum or the National Museum of Roller Skating. But of course, if you haven’t visited the state capitol building before, now’s your chance! The Nebraska State Capitol building is open to the public from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturdays and free guided tours begin at the north entrance on the second floor on the hour, each hour until 4 p.m.
4 p.m. Go Tailgating
It wouldn’t be a Huskers® weekend without a proper tailgating experience! Tailgating at the Pinnacle Bank Arena parking lot usually begins about four hours before kickoff, and is no doubt the most popular tailgating destination for the Huskers®. Fans book their parking spaces months in advance, and the festival area fills with fans socializing with a brat and a beer in hand. Learn more about the tailgating festivities at the Pinnacle Bank Arena here.
7 p.m. Go to the Game
Bobak Ha’Eri, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
And finally — the highlight of your weekend has arrived! Make your way to Memorial Stadium and join the roaring crowd as you cheer on the Huskers®. Immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of college football, and be sure to fuel up with delicious food and a refreshing drink if you haven’t already. Purchase tickets in advance here.
SUNDAY
9 a.m. Grab Coffee at The Mill Coffee & Tea
Photo Courtesy of The Mill Coffee & Tea
Ease into your Sunday with a delightful cup of coffee from The Mill, a local favorite since 1975. They have five locations in town, but head to the one in the Telegraph District at 330 South 21st Street, so you’re positioned near the next stop on the itinerary! This small-batch craft coffee roaster, espresso bar and tea house offers a cozy atmosphere with exposed brick walls and vintage furniture and a variety of artisanal coffees and teas — plus some breakfast sandwiches and pastries to accompany your drink of choice.
9:30 a.m. Stroll Through the Sunken Gardens
Make the short drive to Sunken Gardens for a peaceful start to your morning. Formerly used as a neighborhood dumpsite, the 1.5-acre public garden was first developed in 1930 and has since been used as a backdrop for many memorable occasions — and a beloved treasure for Lincoln residents and visitors alike. You’ll find more than 30,000 different annuals of all different shapes, sizes and colors — and a variety of park features throughout the well-maintained gardens, including a waterfall and two man-made ponds. The best part? Admission to Sunken Gardens is completely free! There are also restrooms on-site open from April to October.
11 a.m. Pick Your Own Pumpkins and Apples at Martin’s Hillside Orchard
It wouldn’t be fall without a visit to a local pumpkin patch or an apple orchard! Get the best of both worlds with a visit to Martin’s Hillside Orchard, which is located about 20 minutes north of Lincoln. Here, you can enjoy a variety of fall activities from a kid-sized corn maze, a gourd maze, a straw tower, a tire mountain, a climbing fort and much more. But the biggest draw to Martin’s is, of course, their you-pick apples and pumpkins. Check out their 2023 you-pick schedule, which will tell you exactly when your favorite apple varieties will be ripe and ready to pick this season! And pumpkins will be available all season long starting mid-September.
1 p.m. Enjoy a Picnic
After all that picking, you may have worked up an appetite! Don’t worry — Martin’s allows you to bring your own food and drinks to sit down for a leisurely lunch at one of their picnic tables. And if you didn’t come prepared, you can simply order a $4 meal deal, which includes a hot dog, chips and a drink. What better setting than an orchard to enjoy a meal?
However, you could instead choose to eat your lunch at Platte River State Park if you’re ready for a change of scenery! Simply head that way when your group is getting hungry. There are plenty of picnic tables scattered throughout this massive 453-acre park.
2 p.m. See Fall Foliage at Platte River State Park
Located perfectly between Lincoln and Omaha, Platte River State Park is known for its magnificent waterfall, scenic hiking and biking trails, and dual observation towers featuring views of the Platte River Basin. You could spend all day exploring this popular park, but we recommend the Platte River State Park Loop, which takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete, and will feature stunning fall colors along the way. But if you just want a quick sightseeing opportunity, make the short trek to Stone Creek Falls and turn back after you’ve taken the perfect group photo!
5 p.m. Drive Home
Whenever you’re done exploring the park, make your way home — wherever that may be! If it’s Omaha, you’ll only be about 40 minutes away. You can rest easy knowing you made the most of this jam-packed weekend, savoring delicious food and drinks, cheering for your favorite team, learning something new, and getting immersed in nature.
Until Next Season!
Go Big Red Now, all that’s left to do is start planning your trip for next season!