Lifelong Lincoln-ites already know the beauty of Antelope Park, but Trip Advisor and its reviewers confirm what we already knew:
“Wonderful walking path. Many relaxing stops along the way. Easy access points. Snow cleared. Beautiful landscaping.”
“Antelope Park has a lot to offer. There are monuments, a band shell, enclosed and unenclosed picnic areas, walking trails, a Veteran’s Memorial Garden, and a wonderful playground suitable for all ages. Auld Pavilion, within the park, holds local events including contra dancing on Saturday evenings. I like to go here to read, and my whole family likes to hunt Pokémon here. The playground at Antelope Park is my kids’ favorite in the city […]”
Even better, Trip Advisor gives Antelope Park a review of 4.5, meaning you can’t really go wrong.
Located at 23rd & N to 33rd & Sheridan Blvd on a 92.93 acres, there is more than enough room for kids to explore, burn off energy on the ample play equipment, dig in the sand, or take a break for a picnic snack. Antelope Park is even within walking distance of the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, making a day at the park more like an effortless staycation that will please the whole family.
The park offers shelters for renting. (Hey there, epic birthday parties and reunions!) Other features offered are a golf course (remember to reserve a tee time,) basketball and baseball areas, and a tennis court. It’s not too late to soak up some fall weather, so fill that picnic basket and head on out.
11/7 -11/8 Mon 8-5, Tues 8-noon Opportunity that Scales: Women Advancing the Future of Information Technology in Higher Education Nebraska Innovation Campus http://its.unl.edu/conference
It’s officially fall, and what better way to celebrate than to enjoy all that pumpkins have to offer. From visiting a pumpkin patch, to delicious treats, and even some decorating—there’s really no limit to what you can with a great pumpkin. We have a few ideas to get you started ringing in autumn.
Even if you don’t have small children, a pumpkin patch visit is practically a fall necessity. Luckily, there are plenty to choose from around Nebraska, and for every budget. Vala’s Pumpkin Patch is large and filled with live shows, a corn maze, shopping, and of course, plenty of pumpkins. Visit on a Monday thru Thursday for discounted ticket prices, otherwise pricing ranges from $13.99 to $17.99.
Roca Berry farm is a short and beautiful drive only 15 minutes from Lincoln. They even offer season passes for $23.99. If you love Halloween, you might want to splurge for the Sinister Circus Psychopath Haunted Manor tickets. They run $19.99, and it is sure to be memorable experience.
If you love pumpkins and you also love the honor system, then Nielsen Kids U-Pick Pumpkin Patch is definitely for you. You’ll enjoy the complete lack of sticker shock, and the acres of pumpkins and gourds in every variety and color. You’ll have to drive to Minden to get there, but a short road trip through Nebraska in the fall? It doesn’t get much better than that.
Food
MyRecipes.com Photographer: Alison Miksch
So you’ve stocked up on pumpkins, now what? If you’re the ambitious type, use a pie pumpkin for your recipes. But we love the ease of opening up a can of pumpkin, too. Whichever way you choose to enjoy the savory flavor, this Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisu is probably a must!
Decorate
ReadersDigest.com
Lining your front porch with jack-o-lanterns is a time-honored tradition. But don’t just stop there. There are plenty of creative—and simple—ways to decorate with pumpkins this season. Try starting out with this elegant and festive flower arrangement. You can browse Reader’s Digest for the rest of their crafty ideas.
The countdown is on, and September 3rd is fast approaching. It’s the date Husker fans have been counting down to since the end of last season: the first Husker football game of 2016. If you haven’t scored season tickets, you can relax and instead enjoy a season of football tradition. A tailgate is the next best thing to sitting in the stands, and we’ll tell you how to tailgate like the diehard fan that you are.
Head to the Action
Obviously, downtown is the place to be on Husker game days. Fans head to Haymarket park as early as 8 a.m. on game days to kick off their Husker rally. $25 dollars per car is all it takes to partake in the celebrations, and with food vendors surrounded in a sea of red you really can’t go wrong. For a more family and wallet-friendly option, the Husker Nation Pavilion is free to enter and has enough music and food to keep you going throughout the entire game. You can even arrive early for autograph sessions; just plan to be there three hours before game time. Take a peek at this handy downtown parking map beforehand to avoid traffic headaches.
Throw Your Own Tailgate
Downtown crowds aren’t for everyone. If you’re a comfort-seeking fan use your own driveway for a tailgate. Keep an eye out for a great deal on a sturdy, portable firepit, and use it to heat up comfort food snacks, like s’mores, or to keep friends and family warm during colder games. A big screen television is essential, and red decorations will bring Memorial Stadium to you. Tie a few red balloons within arms’ reach to cheer on that first touchdown, and some dollar store red silly string will make cheering even more exciting. And Husker temporary tattoos are a delight for adults and kids alike.
Cheer with a Full Belly
Eat like a champ and clean up like a pro by utilizing the magic of your slow cooker. Chili and cinnamon rolls are a Nebraska tradition, but don’t forget about the other football food staples like hot wings and chips and dip. Even your dessert can find a warm home in your slow cooker. This apple treat is absolutely perfect for autumn.
Toss around your own football to keep the game and energy going, but also try Frisbee golf, darts, and card games.
Most of all, get your most enthusiastic Husker friends at the party. Whether you choose to head downtown or keep the party in your own driveway, tailgating is a tradition that will get even those non-sports fans bleeding Husker red every game day.
9/1 5 p.m. Red Iron Revival The Railyard 350 Canopy St www.etix.com
9/2-9/5, 9/8-9/11 and 9/14-9/16/6 7:00 p.m. Flatwater Shakespeare Presents The Merchant of Venice 3600 O St, The Swan Theatre at Wyuka www.flatwatershakespearecompany.org
9/6 doors open 4:15 p.m., event starts 5:45 p.m. WWE Smack Down Pinnacle Bank Arena www.pinnaclebankarena.com
9/8 3:30 p.m. FREE and open to the public Glenn Korff Day Kimball Recital Hall www.music.unl.edu
9/8 7:30 p.m. NE Jazz Orchestra presents Live from New York featuring Rich Perry Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel http://www.artsincorporated.org/njo/
9/8-9/9 Take What You Want and Pay What You Can Sale Bridges to Hope 3107 S 6th St, #107 http://bridgestohopene.org/
9/10 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Art in the Garden Sunken Gardens 27th & D St
Lincoln is full of fun and festive parks to spend an afternoon, but none are quite as diverse as the Pioneers Park Nature Center. In their own words, Pioneers Park has “668 acres of tallgrass prairie, woodlands, wetlands and a stream.” Protected grasslands, Nebraska native wildlife, and natural beauty expand as far as the eye can see. Consider just a few of the wonderful perks this fascinating park has to offer.
The Nature Center Trails: The Pioneers Park Nature Center has been adding acres upon acres of grassland and trails to its park since 1963. Tour guides are happy to take you through the various trails and point out the wildlife along the way. An adventurous bridge offers a lovely view of the Pioneer’s Park stream, and beyond that there are seemingly endless trails that could easily fill an entire afternoon, either alone or with friends and family. You can also admire the rehabilitated animals, like owls, hawks, and various birds, all safely housed in cages.
Buffalo Wildlife: Who isn’t completely enamored with the gentle beast that is the Nebraska buffalo? Not gentle enough to feed or pet, but you can spend quite a bit of time just enjoying their majestic presence. Elk are housed nearby, and even if you aren’t a self-proclaimed animal lover, it’s hard not to be fascinated with these creatures. If you’d like to get a little more up close and personal, head on over to the water fowl feeding area. Geese are anxious for a good meal provided by you, and if you’re lucky a painted turtle or snapping turtle might enjoy your snack as well.
Pinewood Bowl: Whichever sort of arts you enjoy, the Pinewood Bowl has you covered. Comedians, artists, shows, and musicians frequent this outdoor amphitheater during the summer for a relaxing atmosphere and great entertainment. All you need is a comfy blanket and some great company to enjoy the evening, entertaining, and the beauty of a Nebraska evening.
Play Equipment: Of course, every park needs a slide. Pioneers Park offers a large play area with slides, swings, and various play equipment for all ages. Best of all? You can wrap up the playground fun with a quick hike over to the iconic Native American Statue. It’s a small hill to climb, but totally worth the historical art at the top.
Rental Areas for Parties: Rent a picnic area for your next birthday party or family reunion and enjoy everything Pioneers Park has to offer. Grills, covered picnic tables, and every perk of this 668 park makes for an epic get-together. Just make sure to call ahead for a reservation.
Day Camps: Pioneers Park preschools and day camps are “a place where it’s ok to get a little dirty.” And there’s no harm in a little dirt. Little ones love to be immersed in nature, but with the Pioneers Park children’s program, they’re also immersed in knowledge. Take a look at the different programs offered, and find the right one for your child to follow their passion.
So we’ve all survived the majority of summer, and if you’re like us, you may be running just a little low on fun activities to do before school starts again. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to fake a really great vacation nearby, or turn your own home into a fascinating world of super simple projects.
Start with a stay-cation: Staycations have all of the joy of a real vacation, but without the stress of long drives, bathroom breaks, and the constant “are we there yet?” questions. Use your yard as your very own oasis. Water balloons, squirt guns, sprinklers, bubbles, a giant bucket of chalk (don’t forget the sunscreen) are just as thrilling for kids as a beach trip – without the crowds and endless driving.
Playing at home during the summer doesn’t mean life lessons are lost on you. Set up a simple lemonade stand to teach your kids about marketing and money management – bonus if your neighborhood is filled with thirsty construction workers repairing recent storm damage. Help the kids allocate money; some to save, some to spend, and some to donate or invest in affordable stock.
Omaha is a simple location that anyone can get to without any major meltdowns from the back seat. Local restaurants and chain food establishments seem like a vacation, and anything you can’t normally eat at home counts! Slap on a plastic bib from Joe’s Crab Shack and hit up the Cheesecake factory when you’re done for a delectable dessert. If time allows, don’t forget the award winning Henry Doorly zoo. With or without kids, this is an inspiring place to spend a day.
Maybe even the drive to Omaha seems a little too daunting. Make a pit stop in Gretna for some epic shopping in the newly renovated outlet mall. Shopping is fantastic, but shopping at outlet prices is the absolute best.
Love the outdoors? You’re in luck. Mahoney state parks offers every imaginable activity, plus a fantastic restaurant to recharge your energy. Climb the viewing tower, go one a hike, swim; you simply can’t get bored. Also, consider the Izaak Walton League of America. Archery, gun range, and catch and release fishing specifically for the kids will make you feel like you’ve nailed summer fun. http://lincolnikes.com/
Another idea is to participate in the age-old experiment of baking soda volcanoes. Furthermore, if you don’t mind the mess and cleanup, this magical potato mud is mind-blowing for kids and grownups a like. Follow the directions closely and you’ll end up with a cornstarch like bit of magic that is incredibly satisfying to play with. Kids, good luck saying “I’m bored” after you’re playing with this goop between your fingers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0J4dRqg7CE
8/25-/27 gates open at 5 p.m. show begins at 7:00 p.m. 9th & D, The Colonel Mustard Amateur Attic Theatre Company presents Wanted: Robyn Hood (And Her Merry Men & Women) https://www.facebook.com/events/1557919641180923/
8/1-8/17 Sundays, Mondays & Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Kids Dream Summer at Marcus Theatres participating Marcus Theatre location-check the website for updates. http://marcustheatres.com/
7/3-8/17 Sundays, Mondays & Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Kids Dream Summer at Marcus Theatres participating Marcus Theatre location-check the website for updates. http://marcustheatres.com/
Lifelong Lincoln-ites already know the beauty of Antelope Park, but Trip Advisor and its reviewers confirm what we already knew:
Located at 23rd & N to 33rd & Sheridan Blvd on a 92.93 acres, there is more than enough room for kids to explore, burn off energy on the ample play equipment, dig in the sand, or take a break for a picnic snack. Antelope Park is even within walking distance of the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, making a day at the park more like an effortless staycation that will please the whole family.
