1. All Nebraskans Want To Be Your Best Friend
In Nebraska, there’s no such thing as a stranger: even if you’ve just met someone, they’ll be the friendliest person you’ve ever met. Strangers will talk to you like they’ve known you forever and start up conversations with you in the street, grocery store, or while waiting in line for movie tickets.
This is just the Midwestern way, so get used to the love.
2. Fried Nutella at Nebraska State Fair Is The Best Thing Ever
First of all, the Nebraska State Fair is awesome. Nebraskans have a ton of pride in their state, and so a fair that celebrates the traditions, talents, and products of the people of Nebraska is definitely their thing.
Besides the entertainment, rides, farming expos, and crafts, the best part about the fair is the food. Fried. Everything. If you’ve never tried fried Nutella, get ready for one of the best parts about living in the state.
3. You Will Say The Following Three Words, A Lot: “Go Big Red!”
Nebraska Cornhuskers football is the most important thing to any Nebraskan. Memorial Stadium gets filled to the brim when 90,000 fans come to see them play. Seriously. 90,000 people.
The Cornhuskers have had more than 320 consecutive sold out games, making their fan-base one of the most intense fan-bases in sports history.
4. In Nebraska Tomatoes Are For Your Beer, Not Your Pasta Sauce
Nebraskans love to put tomato juice in their beer. So all newcomers to Nebraska have to get over whatever weirdness there may be and quit knocking it until they try it.
What can we say? Nebraskans love all things red (for the Cornhuskers, and for their beer!) So get some cheap domestic brew and add that tomato juice and you’ll be sure to fit right in.
5. Runza Makes Nebraskan’s World Go Round
To Nebraskans, Runza sandwiches are the greatest thing since tomato juice in their beer. These bread pockets stuffed with beef, onion, and cabbage are an important part of the Nebraskan food pyramid.
So be ready to enjoy a Runza sandwich at least once a week.
6. A Fairbury Hotdog At A Huskers Game Will Always Bring A Smile To A Nebraskan’s Face
There isn’t a Nebraskan who doesn’t associate Memorial Stadium with Fairbury hot dogs and the “Der Viener Schlinger,” a pressurized cannon that shoots hot dogs into the stands at the Huskers games.
These delectable treats were voted one of the best stadium foods in the country and are a huge part of any Nebraskan’s sports-going experience.
7. In Nebraska, You Don’t Serve Chili Without A Side Of Cinnamon Rolls
The spiciness of the chili, the sweetness of the cinnamon roll—to a Nebraskan, this is the best combination around.
Nebraskan children grow up having this as part of their lunch menu at public school. When the lunch lady says its chili and cinnamon roll day, the screams of joy ensue.
If you just moved to Nebraska, you’ll try this delicious combo and instantly be envious of the kids who grew up having it at least once a week as kids. It’s that good.
8. Omaha Steak Is Even Better Than You’ve Heard
Omaha Steaks literally melt in your mouth—the cows here are probably fed angel tears and rainbows, because the steak is out of this world, heavenly, delicious.
And, yes, while Omaha Steaks get (and deserve!) all the attention, remember that your local butcher will have some great beef too—it’s the nature of the state.
9. And, Naturally, The Best Hamburger Pizza Is In Nebraska
So we’ve already established Nebraska knows what’s up when it comes to cows. The number of cows in the state actually outnumber the residents 3.5-1. This explains why people in Nebraska find excuses to put beef in everything.
Wait until you try the hamburger pizza at La Casa’s or—better yet—the bacon cheeseburger pizza at Valentino’s. You’ll never want to eat anything else.
10. Dorothy Lynch Dressing Should Be Put On Everything You Eat
This dressing is the bomb.com and it’s made exclusively in Duncan, Neb.
These delicious, spiced dressing is truly the definition of an all-purpose condiment. It’s not just for salad, but for dips, marinades, and probably belongs on every single sandwich you make.
Oh, and P.S… Learn quickly that fat-free Dorothy lynch is a crime. Really. Don’t eat it.
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11. To Nebraskans Everything Is Better With A Lil Sweet Corn
Sweet corn is a huge part of Nebraskan lifestyle and so, naturally, they put it in everything. Even the ice cream.
Ted and Wally’s in Omaha has great corn-based ice cream flavors that are so delicious, angels weep. OK, well maybe not. But you’ll learn quickly living in Nebraska to appreciate corn—its more than a vegetable, it’s a way of life.
12. Sunsets In Nebraska Will Make Your Heart Melt
This is just a fact. Everyone knows there’s absolutely nothing better than a Nebraska sunset over the prairies. As the colors burn bright reds, oranges, and yellows, a peace will come over you that nothing but a Nebraskan sunset could ever make you feel. It truly is breathtaking.
13. And Thunderstorms Aren’t Scary, They’re Breathtaking
If there’s one thing the Midwest is known for, its thunderstorms. Severe thunderstorm warnings are so common that Nebraskans have become a bit numb to the fear, and instead view them as entertainment: a beautiful show to be watched in the sky.
Once you see your first thunderstorm roll in over the prairies, you’ll understand why they feel this way. Their awesome in the truest sense of the word, so grab some popcorn (which is delicious in Nebraska, duh) and watch the clouds roll in because these storms are downright beautiful.
14. Everyone Loves Johnny Carson
Even though Carson was born in Iowa, he was raised in Nebraska and attended UNL (University of Nebraska-Lincoln). And Nebraskans are proud to claim this great American comedian one of their own.
So, when you live in Nebraska you learn really quickly to say, “You’re welcome, America, for Carson!”
15. Nebraskans Are Massively Proud of Their Gorgeous Prairies
The prairies of Nebraska are a point of pride. While Nebraskans will often tell you that its annoying to only be known for prairies and tumbleweeds, the reality is that Nebraskans are also really proud of their prairieland and deeply appreciate their simplicity and beauty.
Even the universities get their own prairies, like UNL’s 9 Mile Prairie, a 230-acre tallgrass prairie owned by the University of Nebraska.
16. You Can Thank Nebraska For The McRib
Prairies aren’t the only thing that the University of Nebraska can be proud of. Roger Mandingo, a professor at UNL, is the creator of the famous McDonald’s sandwich, the McRib.
Mandingo was even inducted into the Meat Hall of Fame (yes, there’s a meat hall of fame) for his incredibly popular invention.
17. When Living In Nebraska, You Learn To Spell It Backwards
People in Nebraska love to name things Aksarben, which is Nebraska spelled backwards. The first to do so were the Knights of Aksarben, a Omaha based philanthropic organization.
However, now you’ll see it as the name for movie theaters, sports teams, and restaurants all over the state. It’s kind of a Nebraska thing. So learn to spell it quickly by heart.
Oh, and pronounce it correctly! It’s “ex-AR-bun”.
18. Chimney Rock Is A Magnificent Wonder Of Nature
This 300 feet landmark is a symbol for Nebraska. Despite the fact that it has been shrinking due to erosion and lightning strikes (cue the sound of Nebraskan’s hearts breaking), this natural monument is still a breathtaking sight to behold and a frequented spot by Nebraskans and non-Nebraskans alike.
When a Nebraskan sees it, they’re instantly reminded of home.
19. The Weather Channel Is Freakin’ Useless Here
There is absolutely no reason to ever watch the weather channel because, regardless of what the weatherman says, you’re bound to get every type of weather in one day, and there’s zero way to really predict what you’ll get and when.
Nebraskans are used to hanging out in shorts and flip-flops one day and then putting their full snow gear on the next. The temp can span from 30 degrees to 70 degrees in the same day.
20. When A Nebraskan Gives You The One Finger Wave It’s A Good Thing
Friendly Nebraskans say hello to you in one way when they’re driving: The 1 finger wave. Sometimes followed by a nod of the head.
This is the way Nebraskans say hello to you when they drive past you. Yeah, Nebraskans are so friendly they need to address your presence even while driving passed you. Anything else would be rude.
21. Duh, Stonehenge Is Made Out Of Cars, Not Stones…
Every Nebraskan will tell you that Stonehenge is made out of used cars, not stones. Well at least Carhenge in Nebraska is.
This attraction is a staple of any tourist visit to Nebraska, but in all reality local Nebraskans love the monument, too. It’s a great place to just sit and stare at one of those gorgeous Nebraska sunsets while you marvel at the wonder that is car-Stonehenge.
Gotta love that Nebraskan, creativity.
22. Every Time You Get In The Car Here, Get Ready For A Road Trip
There are some long stretches of highway in the Cornhusker state. It’s rare that you’ll get in the car and drive for just a couple of minutes—most car rides, even just to the grocery store, involve at least an hour in the car.
When something is 10 miles away, it’s considered close and the small towns are pretty far apart from one another so getting to your friends house for the night is not always easy.
Make sure that you pack a lunch, keep water in your car, and even a full gas can. You never know when you’re going to see a gas station again…
23. O’Neill Is The Second Best Place To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day In The World (Second Only To Ireland)
The “Irish Capital of Nebraska”, O’Neill, is the best place to go for St. Patrick’s Day.
Located in the northern part of the state, the town of O’Neill loves this holiday, more than any other holiday of the year. And they make the event something else.
The town turns green: Irish dancers, food, and beer (duh) are all over the town. Local traditions include painting “The Green Horse From O’Neill” for the parade or drink green beer out of a keg.
Basically, this is the party Nebraskans look forward to all year.
24. A Picnic At Arbor Lodge Is One Of The Best Things A Nebraskan Can Do With Their Day
Home of Arbor Day, Arbor Lodge in Nebraska is probably the most charming place in all of the state. It is a perfect place to picnic in the Spring, when the roses in their famous rose garden are in bloom.
However, once you’re a Nebraskan you know the really great time to go is the Fall, when all of the beautiful Fall colors emerge on the grounds. Plus, the best hand-picked apples you’ll ever taste.
25. Love Kool-Aid Or Get Out
Nebraskans love their Kool-Aid, probably because it was a Nebraska native who came up with the idea.
Today, their headquarters are in Hastings. So get ready to enjoy some cool, Kool-Aid on a hot summers day in Nebraska.
26. When Things Heat Up Every Nebraskan Knows Lake Mac Is Where It’s At
Lake McConaughy, which everyone calls “Lake Mac,” is a beautiful body of water in Nebraska. It’s the largest lake in Nebraska and the largest reservoir in a four state region.
Because it was built on the edge of the Nebraska Sandhills, it offers white, sandy beaches (not something you see every day in Nebraska!) It also offers fishing, boating, and camping.
Taking a boat out on Lake Mac at least once is a requirement for living in Nebraska.
27. The Henry Doorly Zoo And Aquarium Really Is The Best Zoo In The World
You think you’ve seen it all when it comes to zoos, but Nebraska’s Henry Doorly in Omaha is truthfully something else.
It has been voted No.1 Zoo in the world and is Nebraska’s largest tourist attraction. But that doesn’t mean that locals don’t love to come here. There are tours, classes, and even a big Zoo run that is well-attended every year.
So, be sure to visit if you’re trying to fit in with the Nebraskans.
What’s something you learned living in Nebraska? Tell us in the comments below!
