North Lincoln - Lincoln, NE

The Giant Glacial Boulder, an interesting geological phenomenon just south of Superior Street, tells the story of this region's earliest history. The sandstone and quartzite boulder actually originated in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, area and was carried south to Nebraska by an Ice Age glacier. The Plains Indian tribes ceded the lands to European settlers in the mid-1800s, and in 1856, Lincoln — then known as Lancaster — was founded. It was renamed after the Civil War to honor the assassinated President Lincoln.

The northern Lincoln area has seen its development boom in the early 2000s, and as the former native salt marsh landscape became pavement and subdivisions, conservationists raised the alarm that a rare native insect, the Salt Creek Tiger Beetle, a predatory beetle important to the local ecosystem, was rapidly losing its last habitat. In 2014, the territory along the area's creeks was preserved for critical habitat.

Most restaurants in the area cluster along the main arteries of 27th Street or Superior Street. It isn't surprising to find fast food restaurants and chain sit-down places in newer suburban areas like this, but enterprising local businesses have edged in too.

One of the nicest places in these parts, the Beacon Hills Grill & Bar serves elegant dishes in an attractive Victorian-style brick building. Crab stars on the menu, which includes crab cakes, crab rangoon and even a crab cake flatbread pizza. For something a little more true to Midwestern, try the Burt County meatloaf, served with mashed potatoes and beef mushroom gravy, or the Iowa Pork Sandwich, a pork cutlet served on a ciabatta bun. Flatscreen TVs at the bar means no one misses a game.

Ninja Restaurant brings sushi and Japanese cuisine to Lincoln. Hibachi, bento boxes and well-priced lunch specials make this a popular day as well as night spot. Online ordering and delivery are available, although dishes like the fresh tempura and hibachi specials will be best eaten fresh from the kitchen. The friendly staff helps diners make good selections.

DaVinci's, a small, family-run Lincoln chain, has been cooking pizzas, subs and pastas designed to please local tastes since 1978. The national Italian chains maintain a presence in Lincoln, but people take pride in supporting the home-grown competition, and DaVinci's great service and flavors keep the competition at bay.

The most popular bar in the area, Heidelberg's Sports Bar, serves enthusiastic Cornhuskers fans a classic meat-and-potatoes bar menu and pours a variety of domestic and regional craft beers. Darts, pool and poker provide good non-gameday entertainment.

StarTran, Lincoln's bus service, runs two lines into the neighborhood. One follows Superior Street and turns south at Wal-Mart to head into the city. The other takes a loop around North Star High School before going downtown. These lines connect to the rest of the StarTran system to give riders access to the entire Lincoln area, but long ride times make most transfers impractical.

In the northern parts of the city, most people require a vehicle. Neighborhoods are not within walking distance of amenities and sidewalks remain rare outside of a few progressive developments. Bicycling is not bad at all here, though; in fact, Superior Street has a dedicated bike lane that links to other ones closer to downtown and the University area. Taxis can be called in as can Uber, but they aren't widely seen in this part of town. Most areas have free off-street parking here.

Salt Creek winds through the area, and this pretty waterway has a nice green buffer on both sides, inviting casual walks and exploration. Stonebridge Park, in the center of a residential development, has a playground and a little space for dog-walking and picnics. The Nebraska Parks Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center at Helen Boosalis Park puts the focus on hunting. Here, residents can test their shooting and archery skills at indoor and outdoor ranges. The Center offers classes for youth and new hunters.

Follow Little Salt Creek north of I-80 to the Frank Shoemaker Marsh. Here, on 160 acres of Eastern saline wetland, you can get a glimpse of what the Nebraska landscape looked like before agriculture remade the land. Open marshland, quiet waters and a system of trails, boardwalks and benches invite visitors to watch birds and take in the beauty of the prairie. Designated an Audubon Important Bird Area, one of Nebraska's rare bird species might get spotted with luck.

Rickman's Run Dog Park at Holmes Lake Dog Park, about 20 minutes south, offers an off-leash experience for dogs. A small creek running through the area gives dogs a place to play and cool down. Small and large dogs get separate play areas.

Gen-X writer Meghan Daum famously moved from New York City to Lincoln, citing its affordability as one of its many charms, and she wasn't wrong. The cost of living here, along with low unemployment and high quality of life, keeps people coming to the prairie.

You can rent a one-bedroom apartment for around $700 a month. Gas runs about 6 percent less than the national average. A domestic beer runs about $3 and Lincoln's own Empyrean Brewing Company pints are about $5 in most bars. Public transportation on StarTran will set you back $1.75 for one-way fare.

In the recently developed northern neighborhoods of Lincoln, it can be hard to find a business that isn't a chain or big box store. The family owned craft shop, Yarn Charm, holds off the competition by stocking a beautiful array of high-quality yarn and craft goods. Customers cite the exceptional service and warm, welcoming atmosphere, and classes help newcomers get started. Smoking Gun Jerky, a neat little shack with a red roof just off Superior Street, sells smoked meats with "Wild West Flavor." The shop also sells marinades and spices to help people make their own jerky - a popular pastime for game hunters in this area. Hy-Vee and Supercenter grocery stores provide the basics, but for something special, locals head to Fresh From Nebraska, where local meats, produce, cheeses and packaged goods elevate home cooking or make tasty gifts. The European Grocery Deli sells ready-made foods and deli meats and cheeses. On the west side of I-80, the Fallbrook Farmers Market sells Nebraska-fresh produce, meat, cheeses, eggs and hand-crafted gift items. Live music and special events make this an outing, not an errand.