Best place to stay in Lincoln, Nebraska for game day
Plan the perfect game day stay in Lincoln, Nebraska, for fun, food, and football.
By Cassandra Brooklyn | July 24, 2025
Cassandra Brooklyn
Cassandra Brooklyn is a freelance writer and guidebook author specializing in travel, accessibility, sustainability, and all things outdoors. Originally hailing from the Midwest, she now lives in New York City but escapes to adventures around the world as often as possible. She's the author of the cycling guidebook, Cuba By Bike, has contributed to multiple guidebooks about Egypt, Portugal, and the United States, and she has bylines in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Forbes, The Daily Beast, and Lonely Planet, among others.
On autumn Saturdays in Lincoln, Nebraska, the city doesn’t just host a football game — it embodies the spirit of this American pastime. A sea of red floods the streets, the scent of sizzling bratwurst drifts from backyard grills, and the echo of marching bands builds a collective heartbeat that pulses through Memorial Stadium. But Lincoln isn’t just a college football destination. Here’s how to turn a Huskers game into a whole weekend of sports tradition, small-town hospitality, and mouthwatering cuisine.
A winning location
Lincoln is where you can high-five Herbie Husker, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln mascot, indulge in college-town eats and craft brews, and take part in the longest sellout streak in college football history (403 home games and counting). To be in the heart of the action on game day, Graduate by Hilton Lincoln is hard to beat. Just an 11-minute walk from Memorial Stadium, this stylish stay blends comfort with character, making it easy to be part of the pregame energy without worrying about parking or traffic. Inside you’ll find a hotel that’s a love letter to Lincoln’s legacy, featuring nods to local legends and Husker history, plus playful retro designs channeling Midwestern nostalgia. Add an indoor pool, fitness center, and vintage arcade games, and everyone stays entertained long after the final whistle.
Dine and unwind
While you’ll undoubtedly enjoy the city’s fine dining restaurants and globally inspired eateries, Lincoln is as Midwestern as it gets, so it’s a great place to fill up on chicken fried steaks, gravy, and casseroles. Graduate by Hilton Lincoln’s on-site bar and restaurant, Single Barrel, is a central hub for meals on football weekends, where you can wash down prime steaks with over 200 varieties of bourbons and whiskies from around the world. The surrounding Historic Haymarket District is full of fan-favorite bars and restaurants that are within walking distance of the hotel, along with an array of shops and boutiques for post- or pre-game shopping. Barry’s Bar & Grill is one go-to for Husker game days thanks to its big screen TVs and rooftop patio, while Brewsky’s is known for its burgers, wings, dueling pianos, and lively game day crowds.
The highlights:
- Best time to visit Lincoln: Spring and fall
- Don’t miss: Nebraska State Capitol, International Quilt Museum, Sheldon Museum of Art, Sunken Gardens
- Home to: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Where to stay: Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
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