Downtown Lincoln - Lincoln, NE

Lincoln was founded in 1856 and was first known as the village of Lancaster. When the capital city moved away from Omaha in 1859, the destination chosen for the capital was to be south of the river and Lancaster was selected. Government members in Omaha were not pleased about this, and they attempted to halt the move by renaming the area after the assassinated Abraham Lincoln. This caused a stir among those south of the river who were sympathetic to the confederates during the Civil War, although Lincoln would ultimately still be chosen as the state’s capital city.

To learn more about the area you can visit the Nebraska Museum of History. The museum shows over 10,000 years of history with exhibits ranging from the first Nebraskans to Civil War legends. Lincoln also hosts several annual events throughout the year including Jazz in June and Uncle Sam’s Jam every July 3.

The downtown area has lots of great restaurants serving a wide range of ethnic cuisines including Indian, Italian, Greek and, of course, many American favorites. Restaurants sit all over town, but the biggest concentration is on O Street and the surrounding cross streets from North 7th Street to North 14th Street.

For the pizza and beer fans, you’re in luck because Yia Yia’s has some of the most authentic New York-style pie anywhere outside of New York. Locals here love this place and rave about its famous Pacific pizza, which comes with cream cheese, ham, pineapple and bell peppers. It also has a huge stock of beer for the beer lovers, carrying anything from standard domestics to local craft brews and even many different imports.

The Oven also is a popular spot to eat downtown serving fresh and authentic Indian recipes. It serves all different types of naan bread, Indian soups and main dishes and even has a huge wine and beer list. Be sure to try the fantastic naan, and for the spicy food fanatics, the chicken vindaloo won’t disappoint.

If you’re looking for a breakfast spot or a place to grab some great brunch, head to Green Gateau. The French bistro serves an interesting array of menu items including duck, frog legs and lobster, while also serving many American favorites such as beef tenderloin, crab sliders and burgers. Best known for its brunch, be sure to stop into Green Gateau on a weekend morning for some of the famous pancake sandwiches and freshly made crepes.

Lincoln has a lot of different places to go out at night and have a good time, and Zoo Bar has been one of the locals' favorite places to go since 1973. The bar has a tavern-style feel and serves great food but is known for the jazz and blues music played almost every night of the week. Harry's Wonder Bar on O Street also has a popular nightlife scene. There you can just relax and play some of your favorite tunes on the jukebox while enjoying the bar's signature mixed drinks, always both strong and cheap.

Both walking and biking can be done throughout the downtown area, as it features many sidewalks as well as bike lanes. For getting around using public transportation here, StarTran buses serve the area, with 62 full-size buses and 13 Handi-Vans. Amtrak also operates here with a station in Lincoln, and has very affordable rates and can take you as far west as Emeryville, California, and as far east as Chicago, Illinois.

Uber also operates in Lincoln, with rides that can be hailed with a a few taps on your smartphone. For commuting in or out of the area yourself, Interstate 80 runs through town making the commute in or out of the city simple. Parking in the city usually won’t be too difficult, but if you can’t find a spot, the downtown area also has three parking garages.

The downtown area has several free parks close by in Woods Park and Bethany Park. Woods Park has some of the best recreational options here with a baseball field, several tennis courts and a full-size swimming pool. The park also has walking trails and a multipurpose field that can be used for anything from Frisbee to taking the dog for a walk. Bethany Park has several sporting options as well with an open field and a volleyball court. The park also has a picnic area and a playground to entertain the children.

The cost of living here makes downtown Lincoln very attractive, as costs actually sit on average about 9 percent below the rest of the city of Lincoln; although the rent downtown will be slightly more expensive, as the median one-bedroom apartment costs on average $730 in downtown compared to $700 in other areas of Lincoln. To get across downtown, you can hop on a bus for as little as $1.75. Gas here typically sits about 1 to 2 percent higher than in the rest of Lincoln and about 3 percent below the national average. To grab a beer from a bar around here, luckily you have to pay an arm and a leg. Due to the University of Nebraska being close by, bars here won’t be as expensive, and beers typically only cost between $3 and $5.

Downtown Lincoln has many places to shop with one of the largest and most popular being the Gateway mall. The mall includes over 100 stores with favorites Charlotte Russe, Buckle, and Forever 21.

Lincoln also has several little boutique and clothing shops, also in the main area on O Street and the surrounding cross streets with most of the restaurants. Blu Velvet Boutique in the area has one of the most popular spots for women's clothing, offering shoes, bags, tops and accessories. The boutique also has a large selection of designer denim from brands Silver and Big Star.

Known for its great selection, Stella Clothing lures in shoppers with its well-curated but affordable pieces. The small boutique also carries a lot of original and handmade jewelry and clothing from local Lincoln artisans.

The area also has several great spots to stock up on some groceries for yourself or for the family. For healthy and organic options, Natural Grocers carries many organic foods and products. The area also has a large number of ethnic groceries, including Harvest European Market, Oriental Market and Suji's Indian Grocery. If you're looking for some fresh produce, head down to the Old Cheney Road Farmers Market. The market sells produce as well fresh meats, breads, cheeses, and even homemade jams. Larger chain grocers, such as Hy-Vee and Super Saver, are also available nearby.