With the 2019 Tire Rack SCCA® Solo® Nationalsfast approaching, many are making their travel plans for the annual trip to Lincoln, Nebraska. And while we are all converging on the Cornhusker State capital for the very specific reason of Solo Nationals competition and comradery, it is always kind of fun to break off in groups, or as a family, and head into town to grab a bite to eat or do something slightly different. For those reasons, we have compiled a list to help you find those spots you might have missed or didn’t know existed to compliment your trip to the greatest show on concrete.
Bites:
Toast – A favorite amongst the locals, Toast is a slightly upscale take on the classic American Pub and Grill. The menu is as diverse as it is delicious. And the beer on tap, while not prolific in offerings, is diverse enough to have something for just about everyone. It is also just minutes from Lincoln AirPark, making it a perfect place for a nice bite for those staying on site.
Misty’s- What trip to Nebraska would be complete without a great steak? And no one does steak like Misty’s! Consider this theplace to go to have a true Nebraska steak experience. But steak isn’t all they do! From steak to seafood to the strawberry spinach salad, they are sure to have something for everyone! Located downtown, it is also close to many hotels, and within walking distance to the very popular Haymarket area.
Blue Sushi Saki Grill– While it might be odd to come to Lincoln, Nebraska to eat sushi, Blue does not disappoint. Combining creative ingredients, great vibes and premium cold sake, Blue gives you a fresh and fun new way to experience sushi. The South Pacific and Hawaiian are two of this writer’s personal favorites.
Brews:
Boiler – If you are a beer connoisseur and haven’t stepped foot in Boiler Brewery, you are missing out. One of Nebraska’s best breweries, Boiler specializes in “big, flavorful beers that are over center, leaving little to the imagination.” From Hazy IPA to Imperial Stouts to solid Gose’s, they should have a beer to agree with any palate.
White Elm- Another solid choice, offering a “modern take on rustic ales.” This is the spot for modern American and classic Belgian ales that focus on organic ingredients for an “unfiltered, unpasteurized, and uncompromised” beer. Their Key Lime IPA is amazing!
Zipline Brewing Co.– A mainstay for many years now, Zipline offers solid beers with an approach that “is clean, simple, and direct to help you focus your energy on enjoying Brave New Brews.” Overall, a solid choice with a plethora of beers for every palate.
Things to Do:
The Lincoln Children’s Zoo– For those with kids, or possibly just a kid at heart, the Children’s Zoo in Lincoln offers a nice break from the car craziness that is Solo Nationals. Located 8 minutes from downtown, the Zoo effectively blurs the lines between petting zoo and a normal zoo, and is designed specifically for children to have interactive and up-close encounters with the animals. From a train that goes around the exterior, to the Dino Dig, to the over 400 animals (including snow leopards, red pandas, Humboldt penguins, ring-tailed lemurs, camels and Galapagos tortoises), it is sure to be a great adventure for the whole family.
Sunken Gardens – Looking for that Zen moment? Or maybe just a nice stroll through nature? The Sunken Gardens just might be the place for you. Located 6 minutes from downtown, the Sunken Gardens are a Depression-Era project that contains sculptures, lawn space and lily ponds amid lush landscaping of over 30,000 annual plants, and is the only garden in Nebraska listed in the National Geographic Guide to Public Gardens 300 Best Gardens to Visit in the United States and Canada. Best news? It’s absolutely free, although donations are accepted.
SAC Museum – If you have a need, a need for speed, maybe a stop by the SAC Museum, located just off I-80 halfway between Lincoln and Omaha, should be on your list. From the B-17G Flying Fortress to the SR-71 Blackbird, the museum holds a large assortment of airplanes and helicopters. If you are the type that likes things that are a little more out of this world, there is also the Apollo Command Space Module, Atlantis Shuttle trainer and X-38 Crew Return Vehicle, amongst others on display. And if you are more the interactive type, the FS-VC “Dual System” flight simulators should keep you busy for a while!
