Need some help planning first trip

S

Saz

New member
Sorry about double posting but I think Ill stand a better chance of gettting a reply here than in the planit board (last post there was in december) Id welcome feedback and information.

Original Post

So my wife just agreed to letting me plan my first trip ever to a husker football game. We will be coming from columbus ohio. Im planning on trying to get tickets for the sep 4th game against western ky. Ive never been to lincoln before, Im originally from the Kearney area but really grew up elsewhere.....anyhow the closest Ive ever gotten to lincoln is seeing it from I80 driving across the state to visit family.

So long story short, I was looking at staying at the Cornhusker Marriott hotel downtown, and was wondering if that is a good location and within walking distance to the stadium. Also what is the best place to grab tickets. Ive noticed in some of the places like stubhub they are to my amazement cheaper than osu tickets (no im not a buckeye fan). Are there better areas in the stadium than others...hate to use an ohio state reference but there are certain areas in B deck where you sit behind pillars, and C deck makes you feel like you are one sneaze away from falling to your death.

I feel like a little kid getting to plan this...Im all giddy, knowing that Ill finally get to go to a game....Ive been waiting for this since I was a little kid....only took a little over 30 years

I want to experience the full game day that other people and friends have told me about, so any help would be very much welcomed.

 
I personally actually try to avoid the first 25 or so rows, because it's pretty flat, and a lots of times you'll be craning your neck and shifting around trying to get a good view. I'd shoot for west stadium tickets as well, that way you don't have to stare into the sun (if the game is an afternoon game, that is.) As for tickets, it's quite often a crap shoot for some people. Being a current student, I don't really have to worry too much about that, but before I had that luxury I would usually just find someone I knew to get the hookup. And if you don't mind paying 15-25 dollars more than face value, there's always craiglist.

Hope you found that helpful, moreover, hope you have a great trip, and most importantly, GO BIG RED!!!

 
Cornhusker is within walking distance as it is downtown. The closest hotel, which is also pretty nice is the Embassy Suites (I stayed here my wedding night before we left for the honeymoon :leghump: ). Or there is the Holiday Inn downtown which isn't to bad either. Those are the three closest hotels. Just so you know game weekends they will be a lot more expensive and will be packed so book early. Like the next month or two. Plus being that close you can easily head to the tailgates before hand (Embassy Suites has one on their loading dock).

As far as tickets go I have sat in every stadium anywhere from about 10th row to the tip top. I would agree with GMoose that West stadium is good because no sun, but if you are ok with the sun east stadium is great too. The sun is never really in your eyes because the sky box blocks it before it gets there, but if it is an afternoon game you will be in the sun pretty much the whole time. However I disagree with GMoose about the first 25 rows. In North and South stadium the best seats are the first couple of rows. In east and west you want to get to about row 15 and you can see over the players just fine.

I really like sitting in East stadium just barely under the balcony (rows in the low-mid 30's). That way you are blocked from the sun partially, if it rains your covered, and you still see the Jumbo Screen. Of course if you accidently get to high you could be behind pillars. You want to stay row 38 or lower. My parents have row 38 seats and sit right next to a column so I know thats as high as you want to be there. Other than behind the columns the only bad seats are in the corners of North and South stadium. Avoid sections 12, 20, 32, 40 and 41. The corners of east and west are fine, but the corners of North and South (sections I just listed) are blocked partially by east and west. Really you would only miss a corner of the field, but for your first trip get some good east/west tickets.

As far as other game day stuff. Be sure to walk around under the 10th street viaduct (just west of the stadium) there is some great tailgating under there and if you find a good group of people sometimes they will let you join. Same can be said of the East side tailgating in the Stadium U, but some of those tailgaters can be less welcoming (they have more money and know it). Also the track right by the stadium has some great events and booths set up, plus there is a big screen showing the biggest game/games of the day before kick off. Some people love to walk around and tailgate, but others like to go watch the teams warm up, its up to you, but definately get in for the last 30 min or so too see the starting line ups announced, the band, and of course the tunnel walk.

Have fun, it is a great experience.

 
Great advice. I was planning on booking the hotel and airfare now and then getting the tickets as gameday gets closer. Anyone know the avg taxi cost from the lincoln airport to downtown? Or would it be better to rent a car?

Thanks for the info on seats, it sounds like memorial and the shoe are alot more alike than i thought. Do they still allow walk throughs of the stadium on fridays? Whats a good place to eat downtown? We wont be bringing our little one on this trip so we can enjoy the fun a little more :)

My wife wants to make sure she can find a place to pick up one of the "Pelini" style Nebraska hoodies (she is a youngstown/cleveland) native.

 
Saz said:
Great advice. I was planning on booking the hotel and airfare now and then getting the tickets as gameday gets closer. Anyone know the avg taxi cost from the lincoln airport to downtown? Or would it be better to rent a car?

Thanks for the info on seats, it sounds like memorial and the shoe are alot more alike than i thought. Do they still allow walk throughs of the stadium on fridays? Whats a good place to eat downtown? We wont be bringing our little one on this trip so we can enjoy the fun a little more :)

My wife wants to make sure she can find a place to pick up one of the "Pelini" style Nebraska hoodies (she is a youngstown/cleveland) native.
Click to expand...
Misty's has got the best prime rib you'll find in Nebraska. I believe it's at 11th and Q, but I would mapquest it just to be sure.

Also, you can get all the gear the coaches wear including the hoodies at Husker Authentic just across the street from the stadium on stadium drive.

Again, good luck!

 
GMoose said:
Saz said:
Great advice. I was planning on booking the hotel and airfare now and then getting the tickets as gameday gets closer. Anyone know the avg taxi cost from the lincoln airport to downtown? Or would it be better to rent a car?

Thanks for the info on seats, it sounds like memorial and the shoe are alot more alike than i thought. Do they still allow walk throughs of the stadium on fridays? Whats a good place to eat downtown? We wont be bringing our little one on this trip so we can enjoy the fun a little more :)

My wife wants to make sure she can find a place to pick up one of the "Pelini" style Nebraska hoodies (she is a youngstown/cleveland) native.
Click to expand...
Misty's has got the best prime rib you'll find in Nebraska. I believe it's at 11th and Q, but I would mapquest it just to be sure.

Also, you can get all the gear the coaches wear including the hoodies at Husker Authentic just across the street from the stadium on stadium drive.

Again, good luck!
Click to expand...
I would agree Misty's is great. Also if you are there awhile try Lazlo's in the Haymarket. If you like Mexican go hit La Paz (its not downtown though so you would have to drive).

GMoose is right on the gear. Husker Authentic has what you want.

I don't know the taxi prices, I've never had to ride a taxi in Lincoln.

You can do a stadium tour almost any day of the week if you just go down there. They have a self guided tour that you get a brochure and just walk around or guided tours by appointment. LINK

One last note, Cornhusker starts at $189 per night on a football weekend and Embassy suites is $249. I would still do the Embassy suites if it was me because it is closer and they do more with the football stuff, but its an extra $120 for 2 nights so its up to you.

 
its about $15-20 from the airport to downtown. 2.75 start-up, 2.75 per mile, and .60 per waiting minute are the lincoln taxi rates, regardless of carrier. if you shop around online, you can find an econobox rental for around $40 a day, maybe less. if youre staying downtown, youre hotel more than likely will have a shuttle, so you might not need to worry about any of this.

as far as tickets, there really isnt a 'bad seat' in the house, although i do recommend west stadium somewhere in the middle third. even row 90 in the corners is still a great time, and when the weathers nice, i almost prefer being up high, you can see all of lincoln. if you find some you like, buy them. early season games, its truly not difficult to wait until a couple hours before gametime and buy good seats outside the stadium for face or near-face value. you might feel more comfortable having them in had before the trip, but in all honesty, if push came to shove, you'd have no problems getting them gameday with a little walking around, which youll be doing anyways. there are plenty of threads here describing the different things you should check out on gameday. i particulary recommend walking thru the coliseum where you can see the volleyball court/trophys, and can walk out into the old cook indoor practice facility. its also a great bathroom spot to use before gametime, and its right next to the track where they have the big tv, a live band, footballs flying through the air, food vendors, and usually basketball/volleyball/whatever teams signing autographs and such.

 
mmmtodd said:
its about $15-20 from the airport to downtown. 2.75 start-up, 2.75 per mile, and .60 per waiting minute are the lincoln taxi rates, regardless of carrier. if you shop around online, you can find an econobox rental for around $40 a day, maybe less. if youre staying downtown, youre hotel more than likely will have a shuttle, so you might not need to worry about any of this.

as far as tickets, there really isnt a 'bad seat' in the house, although i do recommend west stadium somewhere in the middle third. even row 90 in the corners is still a great time, and when the weathers nice, i almost prefer being up high, you can see all of lincoln. if you find some you like, buy them. early season games, its truly not difficult to wait until a couple hours before gametime and buy good seats outside the stadium for face or near-face value. you might feel more comfortable having them in had before the trip, but in all honesty, if push came to shove, you'd have no problems getting them gameday with a little walking around, which youll be doing anyways. there are plenty of threads here describing the different things you should check out on gameday. i particulary recommend walking thru the coliseum where you can see the volleyball court/trophys, and can walk out into the old cook indoor practice facility. its also a great bathroom spot to use before gametime, and its right next to the track where they have the big tv, a live band, footballs flying through the air, food vendors, and usually basketball/volleyball/whatever teams signing autographs and such.
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do you think that will still be true if NU is top 10? and is that/will that still be true for non-UT conference games (Mizzou/KU).

 
sd said:
mmmtodd said:
its about $15-20 from the airport to downtown. 2.75 start-up, 2.75 per mile, and .60 per waiting minute are the lincoln taxi rates, regardless of carrier. if you shop around online, you can find an econobox rental for around $40 a day, maybe less. if youre staying downtown, youre hotel more than likely will have a shuttle, so you might not need to worry about any of this.

as far as tickets, there really isnt a 'bad seat' in the house, although i do recommend west stadium somewhere in the middle third. even row 90 in the corners is still a great time, and when the weathers nice, i almost prefer being up high, you can see all of lincoln. if you find some you like, buy them. early season games, its truly not difficult to wait until a couple hours before gametime and buy good seats outside the stadium for face or near-face value. you might feel more comfortable having them in had before the trip, but in all honesty, if push came to shove, you'd have no problems getting them gameday with a little walking around, which youll be doing anyways. there are plenty of threads here describing the different things you should check out on gameday. i particulary recommend walking thru the coliseum where you can see the volleyball court/trophys, and can walk out into the old cook indoor practice facility. its also a great bathroom spot to use before gametime, and its right next to the track where they have the big tv, a live band, footballs flying through the air, food vendors, and usually basketball/volleyball/whatever teams signing autographs and such.
Click to expand...
do you think that will still be true if NU is top 10? and is that/will that still be true for non-UT conference games (Mizzou/KU).
Click to expand...

yes. Mizzou/KU, it'll be tougher to find them for face value, but they'll still be out there. People are ALWAYS selling tickets on gameday outside the stadium, and with a little walking, talking, and finagling, Ive never paid more than $20 over face for ANY game, and 9/10 times its face value or below even. Its all personal preference in the end though. Some people sleep better buying them on ebay for double face and $20 shipping. To each their own.

Texas this year, they'll be for sale outside the stadium...but will be in a different price category for sure.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
mmmtodd said:
sd said:
mmmtodd said:
its about $15-20 from the airport to downtown. 2.75 start-up, 2.75 per mile, and .60 per waiting minute are the lincoln taxi rates, regardless of carrier. if you shop around online, you can find an econobox rental for around $40 a day, maybe less. if youre staying downtown, youre hotel more than likely will have a shuttle, so you might not need to worry about any of this.

as far as tickets, there really isnt a 'bad seat' in the house, although i do recommend west stadium somewhere in the middle third. even row 90 in the corners is still a great time, and when the weathers nice, i almost prefer being up high, you can see all of lincoln. if you find some you like, buy them. early season games, its truly not difficult to wait until a couple hours before gametime and buy good seats outside the stadium for face or near-face value. you might feel more comfortable having them in had before the trip, but in all honesty, if push came to shove, you'd have no problems getting them gameday with a little walking around, which youll be doing anyways. there are plenty of threads here describing the different things you should check out on gameday. i particulary recommend walking thru the coliseum where you can see the volleyball court/trophys, and can walk out into the old cook indoor practice facility. its also a great bathroom spot to use before gametime, and its right next to the track where they have the big tv, a live band, footballs flying through the air, food vendors, and usually basketball/volleyball/whatever teams signing autographs and such.
Click to expand...
do you think that will still be true if NU is top 10? and is that/will that still be true for non-UT conference games (Mizzou/KU).
Click to expand...

yes. Mizzou/KU, it'll be tougher to find them for face value, but they'll still be out there. People are ALWAYS selling tickets on gameday outside the stadium, and with a little walking, talking, and finagling, Ive never paid more than $20 over face for ANY game, and 9/10 times its face value or below even. Its all personal preference in the end though. Some people sleep better buying them on ebay for double face and $20 shipping. To each their own.

Texas this year, they'll be fore sale outside the stadium...but will be in a different price category for sure.
Click to expand...
that's good to know. and worst comes to worst, hanging out downtown lincoln and gameday ain't that bad either.

 
Hey thanks all for all the info. I got the plane tickets booked. United actually had 235 per person round trip from cbus to lincoln. Ive never see ticket prices that low for lincoln, so Im glad I dont have to worry about flying into omaha and then driving. I switched from marriot to the holiday inn due to some advice Ive received. I didnt go embassy cause I have points with both marriott and holiday inn, so I can get alot better rates.

Now that ive got the hard part out of the way, i can take my time looking for a good deal on tickets. I am so stoked for this trip. I havent been to my home state in about 5 years. If you see a guy walking around all giddy like a little school girl thats probably me :) I think this trip may trump going to the world cup in germany 4 years ago to see the US play.

 
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