South 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. 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.

In South Lincoln, diners find restaurants near Highway 2 and along Old Cheney Road. The low- to mid-priced options include everything from bagels and baklava to steak and gluten-free Chinese food.

When locals walk into Daffodil Mediterranean Cuisine and Catering, they feel as if they've walked into their grandmas' homes. The owner of the establishment treats guests like her own children and urges them to try all her recently made treats. For something special, try the dolmades, spicy chicken, rice, chicken salad, and hummus followed by some baklava and macaroons.

For authentic Chinese food, check out Shen Cafe. At this restaurant, you craft your own meal by choosing the protein, sauce, and veggies you want in your dish. It has a clean modern interior and a solid reputation for not cross-contaminating its gluten-free fare.

Stauffer's Cafe & Pie Shoppe serves classic Midwestern fare. Start your day with a cup of coffee, a pecan roll, and a stack of pancakes, or come in for dinner and enjoy the liver and gizzards or sausage and sauerkraut.

For evening entertainment, Misty's Steakhouse and Brewery draws the steak-eating and craft-beer-loving crowd. This brewpub serves classic steakhouse fare with nods to the most recent culinary fads, from truffle-drizzled fries to fried green tomatoes. It brews its own craft beer as well, offering options ranging from pale ale to porter.

If you want to dance the night away at a club, head to the Railyard district of Lincoln. There, Rule G Night Club has all the flashing lights, upbeat DJs, and large crowds you could want.

In South Lincoln, drivers easily find free spots to park their cars. Residential roads rarely if ever require permits for parking, and large parking lots flank all area businesses.

Drivers can reach downtown easily and quickly via Highway-2, which runs conveniently through this area. Unfortunately, although Lincoln has a public transit system, it doesn't provide bus service connecting South and the downtown area. Instead, residents use cabs or Uber drivers. Cabs can't be hailed in the streets of South Lincoln, but they pick up fares if called or contacted through the Uber app.

Bicyclists have access to safe bike lanes and dedicated trails including Rock Island Trail, which links downtown and South Lincoln. Walkers find safety but not convenience in South Lincoln, and it can't claim to be a "walkable" community.

For fun in and around the lake, South Lincoln residents head to Holmes Lake Park. Here, you can work out, take a jog around the lake, play Frisbee with friends in the grass or hit the water with your kayak. Kids enjoy the park's playgrounds as well.

South Lincoln residents often have large yards, making the existence of dog parks in the area irrelevant for many dog owners. Because of this, residents use unofficial dog parks in neighborhood tennis courts, or they drive to central Lincoln to use the Oak Park Dog Run.

The Stransky Park hosts an outdoor concert series in the summer, and free jazz plays on the University of Nebraska Lincoln campus during Jazz in June.

In Lincoln, the average one-bedroom apartment rents for $581 per month, but in South Lincoln, residents pay an average of $671 per month for the same setup. Although South Lincoln apartments rent for more than the metro average, other living costs lie commensurate with the metro area norm.

In South Lincoln, drivers pay an average of 9 percent less than the national average for a gallon of gas. In neighborhood pubs, microbrews start at $2 and rarely cost more than $6. Taking the bus anywhere in town costs less than $2, and students ride free.

Regardless of your passions, plenty of shops fill your needs within this neighborhood. Discover stores that sell music, books and yarn alongside big-box stores. If you love fashion, find off-the-rack outfits at chain stores in South Lincoln. You might have to dig a little harder locate specialty boutiques.

Brides shop at Blush Bridal Boutique. This shop has a carefully curated selection of beautiful bridal gowns. Enjoy the assistance of personal shoppers to help you find the perfect dress for your perfect day.

Gary Michael's Clothiers has served the area for more than 30 years. The shop specializes in tailored men's clothing whether you need formal wear, sportswear, accessories or even designer furnishings. The shop even stocks leather and handbags for women who love high-end, sophisticated looks. Find what you need for that high-powered business meeting, wedding or a day on the links at Gary Michael's Clothiers.

Discover your favorite brands of cereal, inexpensive pasta and other conventional groceries at Hy-Vee. If you prefer coconut oil, bulk spices, gluten-free noodles, sugar-free cupcakes, and high-end organics, shop at Trader Joe's. Seafood lovers even find fresh seafood in this landlocked city at the Surf and Turf Food Co. For fresh fruit and farmed fare, journey to Old Cheney Road Farmers' Market.