TripOfALifetime

Thanks everyone for all the tips and recommendations. We will be coming into Gretna about 6:00 or so and possibly heading to Lincoln for the evening. If not, we're probably going to be spending all day on Saturday in Lincoln.

Pretty much everything was booked in Lincoln or more than 2 times the price of what we are paying in Gretna. Gretna is only 30 minutes away and last year we stayed over 1 hour away from State College, PA in Johnstown, PA so we're already doing better this year. Post game - do people leave the lots right away, or do they sit around and have a couple beers waiting for the lots to thin out and possibly fire up the grill again.

Earlier. Like 7am at the latest. A lot of folks come to the game from Omaha. I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but the interstate between Lincoln and Omaha is under construction (widening), so that's the biggest factor in my recommendation to leave early. Since you're staying at the Super 8 next to the outlet malls, you could just take a right as you leave the outlet mall complex and take the very next left, and take Highway 6 into Lincoln. It'll add maybe 10 minutes onto your drive, but you'll drive through a couple of small towns and get the feel of more rural Nebraska - if you're into that kind of thing. I'd be all for avoiding the traffic and taking a scenic route. Thanks! And thanks for the dinner invitations, we'll politely decline, but thank you. I'm looking forward to the trip now because everyone on here seems willing to help an out of state visitor have a good time.

Thanks for the summary of everything being said so far....we're not a pizza bunch, but we are meat / potatoes / bar food / bbq type of people. If it's an 11:00 kickoff, would you say be on the road by 8:00? Earlier?

Question about Nebraska in general - what time is bar time and what time can you buy beer until at liquor stores / grocery stores. Also, what are the main grocery stores in Nebraska? Kroger's? Hy-Vee? Other? We'll be sure to add red cups to our grocery list.

What is the Hay Market?

Didn't meant to start a fight over fast food in Nebraska! We love BBQ and trying new BBQ, may have to try out. For the record, we're staying at the Super 8 in Gretna, from checking out Google Streets, it looks like it's right next to Nebraska Crossing Factory Stores. Everyone has been a great help so far....we are really looking forward to the trip.

Because we want to be at the heart of the action. Is Gretna a happening place?

Is there an "official beer" of Nebraska that isn't a Budweiser or Miller / Coors product?

It's an oven baked stuffed sandwich basically. Runza resturants are basically fast food joints that actually serve good food. It's a must if you're going to be in Nebraska. Their burgers are also really good. I prefer the swiss mushroom runzas. We'll give them a shot...we had Sheetz in Pennsylvania last year and they weren't too bad. It sounds like a good time - hopefully we'll be able to get in and have a good cut of beef. I don't think any of us has had Runzas or Vanentinos, but one member of our group has been to Omaha for the NCAA World Series so he may have tried both. Will we be able to find tickets on game day or should we start looking at Stub Hub or Craigslist or another ticket outlet? I would recommend looking for tickets now. NU has sold out 315 (about to be 316) straight home games and tickets are pretty hard to come by...especially against a good MSU team. Runza is a great place to eat...definately recommend it. Misty's is great too. Valentino's should be one of your last list items...it's not all that IMO. Parker's BBQ in Ashland (between Gretna and Lincoln) is good. Tailgating in Lincoln is probably more fun that going into the game. Find 1620 the Zone radio station and you've hit the pinnacle of tailgating in Lincoln....also underneath the interstate via duct is pretty fun. TONS of folks...the city / game day experience is right up there with the best of them. Love your trip idea. I am going to suggest this to my buddies tomorrow night. We might steal your idea. Thanks for the tailgating tips...if you do start the trip, make sure you get the committment from everyone for the entire trip. We had 8 the first year and it dropped to 4 the second year and 4 is a really good number.

It sounds like a good time - hopefully we'll be able to get in and have a good cut of beef. I don't think any of us has had Runzas or Vanentinos, but one member of our group has been to Omaha for the NCAA World Series so he may have tried both. Will we be able to find tickets on game day or should we start looking at Stub Hub or Craigslist or another ticket outlet?

What is a Runza? Yes, we do plan on wearing red.

Huskers Fans, My friends and I are currently on what started as a 12 year trip, now a 13 year trip, to attend a football game at every Big 10 school, plus Notre Dame. So far we have visited Northwestern, Notre Dame, Purdue and Penn State. Our random drawing this year is bringing us to Lincoln to see the Nebraska vs. Michigan State game on October 29. I'm hoping the Nebraska fans can help us out. When we take our trip, we like to have the whole game weekend experience. So, we are looking for suggestions as to how we can fully enjoy the weekend. What are the places to stop at on Friday night / Saturday before the game / Saturday after the game? Sights? Bars? Campus spots? Are there any must eat restaurants or foods? On game day, is there good tailgating or are the parking lots just a place to park your car? Laugh if you must at the last question, but the only good tailgating we've found so far was Penn State. We are staying in Gretna, but we are expecting to be in Lincoln most of the time we are there - unless someone mentions a must stop in Omaha. For your information, we are fans of the home team when we travel. The only exception will probably be when we choose Ohio State. Any help / suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advanced.