It’s that time of year again – the Super Bowl makes its triumphant return today, and football fans everywhere are rejoicing. With the big game taking place at MetLife Stadium – just across the river from New York in New Jersey – plenty of football fans have flocked to the Big Apple, either to catch the game live or just to catch a bit of the buzz at a crowded sports bar in Manhattan. For those on a whirlwind trip to the city, here’s a rundown of some must-dos – other than watching the game, of course.
Super Bowl Boulevard
Kick off your Super Bowl extravaganza with a visit to Super Bowl Boulevard: a free, interactive football-themed experience held on Broadway from 34th to 47th Streets. It’s an event of massive proportions; highlights include autograph sessions with current and former NFL players and a toboggan run designed to commemorate the first-ever cold weather, open air Super Bowl.
The Staten Island Ferry
No longer a best-kept secret among locals, the Staten Island Ferry is the perfect way for visitors to get a first-person tour of some of New York’s top landmarks – all for free. The ferry, which runs regularly between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island, also happens to chug past some of the prettiest spots in New York Harbor. See the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York skyline on your way over. Once you reach Staten Island, turn around and do it all over again.
Brooklyn Brewery
Manhattan getting too crowded? Take some time out in the surrounding boroughs, and visit vibrant Williamsburg, Brooklyn where the famous Brooklyn Brewery is located. On Saturdays, the brewery runs free tours of its facilities every hour, while the on-site bar has an ever-rotating selection of specialty brews. After all, there’s nothing that goes better with football than beer.
Sports Bars
Put your newly acquired beer expertise to the test, and head on over to The Keg & Lantern in nearby Greenpoint where football fans and beer snobs merge to watch the game. Or, if you’re missing Manhattan already, cross back over to the East Village and drop in at Croxley Ales where enthusiastic locals promise to be celebrating the Super Bowl in a big way. Expect face painting, cheap beer and even cheaper wings.
Katz’s Deli
After all that beer and sportsmanship, you’re sure to be starving. Thankfully, the iconic Katz’s Deli is close by, serving up good old-fashioned pastrami sandwiches and hard-to-beat hot dogs. There’s no better way to get your energy back – and soak up all the beer.
Feature image: Anthony Quintano, Super Bowl XLVIII Preparations at MetLife Stadium January 31, 2014 via Flickr CC BY 2.0
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