1. This Is The Best Place To Tailgate In America
The American Tailgater Association rated Nebraska the best college in America for tailgating, due to “extending its reach beyond the campus limits,” and being a place “where the party never stops.” Cheers to that.
2. One Word: Runza
To taste the Nebraska-by-way-of-Russia delight that is a runza is to love it. After all, it’s a timeless combination of meat, cheese, and vegetables in a tasty bread pocket.
3. There’s No Place In America Like Memorial Stadium
Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium notoriously becomes the third most populated “city” in Nebraska when it’s filled to capacity for a football game. And Nebraska has sold out every one of their home games since 1962. Heading to Lincoln and checking out the imposing “sea of red” is something everyone should do at least once.
4. O’Neill Hosts The Best St. Patrick’s Day Festivities Ever
O’Neill bills itself as the “Irish Capital of Nebraska” and lives up to the title with their annual St. Patty’s Day celebration, which features a massive parade, green eggs and ham breakfast, the World’s Largest Shamrock, and a horse painted completely green (see above).
5. The Wine Scene Has Been Making A Big Splash
Believe it or not, Nebraska has a bit of a wine scene going on recently. In addition to a wine and viticulture program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agronomy & Horticulture, wineries have been popping up all over the Lincoln-Omaha area over the last twenty years.
The region is known for hybrid European and American grapes, and in particular, the Edelweiss.
6. Nebraskans Get To Enjoy The Best Zoo On Planet Earth
Earlier this year, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo was voted the best zoo in the whole wide world by TripAdvisor. Over 130 acres, Doorly has one of the world’s largest indoor rainforest exhibits, an insane aquarium featuring both polar and Amazon habitats, and the world’s largest nocturnal animal exhibit.
7. Nebraska State Fair Has Foods That Will Satisfy Your Strangest, Deep-Fried Cravings
Mmmmm, deep-fried greasy things. Held in Grand Island since 2010, the Nebraska State Fair is home to every delectably sinful food item you could possibly imagine, like fried peanut butter covered with chocolate sauce, donut burgers (exactly what they sound like) and bacon-wrapped meatballs.
8. Warren Buffett Is The Coolest Billionaire Ever
Everyone’s favorite down-homey billionaire has made Omaha his home since, well, his entire life. The Berkshire Hathaway magnate continues to live in the same stucco house he originally purchased for $31,500 in 1957.
It’s not uncommon for Omahans to spot him around town, especially at Gorat’s, his favorite steakhouse. He also once played ukulele with Bon Jovi and has pledged to give most of his fortune away to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
9. Forget Silicon Valley. The Silicon Prairie Is Where It’s At
If you think all of America’s tech innovation takes place in California, you’ve clearly never been to Nebraska, where the start-up tech biz is a-booming.
Around twenty startups take root each year in the Lincoln-Omaha area, most of them related to all things fast, digital and technological. There’s even an Omaha-based website, Silicon Prairie News, that keeps tabs on all the high-tech business happenings.
10. You Can Thank Them For The Reuben
Regardless of what sorcery lies behind the flavors that form the Reuben, legend has it that the sandwich was first invented by Omaha grocer Reuben Kulakofsky at the Blackstone Hotel. Almost a century later, no deli is without it.
11. Chimney Rock Is Even More Awesome In Real Life Than In Your Grade School Computer Lab
Anyone who has virtually shot down thousands of pounds of buffalo meat on the Oregon Trail knows about Nebraska’s Chimney Rock. We promise you, this Western Nebraska landmark is way cooler-looking in person that it is in 8 bit.
12. You’d Have To Look Hard To Find Healthier, Happier People
It might be hard to believe—given that the area is known for runzas and steaks—but according to Gallup’s Well-Being Index, Nebraska is the seventh happiest and healthiest state in America, and Lincoln is the single happiest and healthiest city.
13. No One Does Steak Better Than Nebraskans
Nobody does everyone’s favorite fancy food like Omaha, home of the gourmet meat wonderland Omaha Steaks. The goods are all-American, shipped to your door with care, and are undisputably delicious.
14. Aksarben Is So Not A Nonsense Word
Yes, Aksarben is Nebraska spelled backwards, but it’s also a stellar Omaha-based philanthropic organization, which has made the area an all-around awesome place to live.
Most recently, the organization is responsible for Omaha’s Aksarben Village, a mixed development that houses portions of the U of N campus.
15. The Strategic Air And Space Museum Is The Coolest Museum You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Located in Ashland, the museum is dedicated to all things American and air-born, including nuclear missile displays, rare military aircraft, and American aviation oddities. Plus, sometimes they let you sit in the aircrafts, which is just totally neato.
16. Omaha’s African-American Music Scene Is Actually Legendary
Most people don’t know just how instrumental (pun intended) Omaha’s Near North Side was to jazz and blues during the 20th century. In particular, the now-closed Dreamland Ballroom hosted royalty like Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington in its day.
The city celebrates it’s contributions to black music with the Omaha Blues, Jazz, & Gospel Festival, and the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame.
17. And The Indie Scene Will Rock Your World
Omaha has one of the best, least lauded independent music scenes in America. In addition being home to record label Saddle Creek, the city is home to the indie rock music festival Maha and music stores Drastic Plastic and Homer’s.
18. You’re Welcome For Marlon Brando, Henry Fonda, And Fred Astaire
Fun fact: Brando’s mother, Dodie Brando, actually helped kickstart Fonda’s acting career, suggesting him for a role at Omaha Community Playhouse.
19. Nebraskans Are Some Of The World’s Friendliest People
Don’t overlook the towns and small cities outside of Lincoln and Omaha throughout the state—you’ll find the kind of good-natured Midwesterners that would take the shirt off their back to help you out. And then cook you up one heck of a farm-fresh meal.
20. You Can Thank Nebraska For Alexander Payne
With “Election,” “About Schmidt,” “Sideways,” “The Descendants,” and last year’s “Nebraska” under his belt, Omaha native Alexander Payne is a wildly successful movie maker who’s known for sprinkling a bit of his home state in his pictures.
21. It’s Where Kool-Aid Was Born
Everyone’s favorite tooth-obliterating childhood summer drink came from Nebraska? Oh Yeah!!!
Edwin Perkins invented the sugary mix in Hastings in 1927. The space-invading Kool-Aid Man, however, wasn’t invented until 1954.
22. Museums Are Just Better When They’re Over Top A Freeway
Built in 1997, Interstate 80’s Great Platte River Road Archway Monument pays tribute to the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, and California Trail, which all passed through the area.
23. The College World Series Is One Of America’s Best Sporting Events
Held in Omaha since 1950, the College World Series is the coolest college sporting event that tends to fly just under the national radar. Although recently, the massive, eight-team event has gained some steam: the entire series has been played on ESPN since 2003, and in 2011, CWS moved to the brand new, 30,000-seat capacity TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
24. The Prettiest Drives Are Here
Wide open spaces aren’t so bad. They’re part of what makes Nebraska one of the best places to road trip through in America. Flat land, old farms, sand hills, and open roads makes for great drives, and even better sunsets. Take an extended trek on Route 2 and you’ll see what we’re talking about.
25. The Joslyn Will Take Your Breath Away
Nebraska has its own incredible arts venue in Omaha’s Joslyn Art Museum. In addition to a collection that includes paintings by Renoir, Picasso, Pollock and Monet, Joslyn is home to one of the loveliest sculpture gardens you’ll ever come across, and boasts a thoroughly fancy concert hall.
26. Sorry Central Park, There’s No Better Urban Park Than Heartland
Nothing about Omaha’s Heartland of America park is natural, but that doesn’t make it any less breathtaking. The urban downtown park is famous for its multi-million dollar fountain display, manmade lake, World War II Memorial, and nighttime light show. ConAgra food employees are also known to nosh there, since its headquarters are right next door.
27. Popcorn Balls!!!
According to legend, the locally beloved popcorn ball was actually invented by accident during some severe weather that caused corn to pop and sorghum syrup to drip from the grass. Whether the story is true (not likely) or not (very likely), you still have Nebraska to thank for the sweet, congealed creation that is the delicious popcorn ball.
28. Nebraskans Have Carhenge And You Don’t
Carhenge is exactly what you think it is: Stonehenge, recreated entirely with cars. The Alliance, Nebraska landmark was built from vintage cars that received a coat of spray paint and opened in 1987.
Carhenge, along with a series of other automobile sculptures, make up the Car Art Reserve. Why does it exist? Why not?
29. O Street Is The Quintessential College Town Street That Just Doesn’t Stop
Located right besides U of N in downtown Lincoln, O Street is lined with bars, restaurants and other spots for 21-and-over types to get their eat and drink on. Oh, and when we say it “just doesn’t stop” we mean that literally: at roughly 60 miles, it’s the longest continuous main street in the nation.
30. Nebraskaland Days Have Everything Country Folks Love
In addition to top country acts like Florida Georgia Line, Nebraskaland Days features a car show, a frontier revue, and anything else you might put on the “country western” umbrella.
Do you think Nebraska is underrated? Tell us in the comments below! 
