You’ve got your Super Bowl tickets in hand and now you know where to go to get players’ autographs, a good meal, and great tunes. But where do super football fans go for a good time once the sun goes down or when they want to escape the football frenzy for a while?
Take a look:
NIGHTLIFE
The big game is being played in Glendale, Arizona (just outside of Phoenix), but Scottsdale is where things will be rocking at nightfall. The city will be taken over by private VIP parties in the days leading up to the big game.
On February 1st Maxim magazine will be hosting a Super Bowl extravaganza at the Stone Rose Lounge at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The same night Carmen Electra and John Travolta, who both led parties at last year’s Super Bowl, will again get their grooves on for the Leather & Laces Party and the Saturday Night Spectacular on February 2nd. Both parties will be held at the Scottsdale Galleria.
Meanwhile, from January 30th-February 3rd, Scottsdale’s downtown waterfront area will be transformed into a nocturnal playground as part of the 944 Magazine Super Village spectacular. The Super Bowl blowout will feature a miniature version of the Las Vegas strip, fireworks and live music including Wyclef Jean on February 1st and Velvet Revolver on February 2nd.
Other hot tickets will be Playboy’s Super Saturday Night Party at Rawhide Pavilion and the Penthouse Desire Super Party, at Venue of Scottsdale — that’s where rapper Snoop Dogg will be appearing on February 2nd.
NATURE
If you are visiting Arizona for the first time and want a temporary break from all the hype and hoopla surrounding the NFL’s biggest game consider heading out to Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden. If you are looking for a slice of the Southwest landscape this is where you’ll find it. The garden is home to more than 130 rare and endangered plant species. Also, if you have children, you might consider stopping in at the Phoenix Zoo. It is home to more than 1,200 animals and is located near the Botanical Garden.
Another great way to soak up the local scenery is on a hike. There are ample hiking opportunities at South Mountain Park and Preserve in south Phoenix. And if you are a hard-core hiker you can try the summit trails on Camelback Mountain, located between Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Another picturesque diversion from the Super Bowl mayhem is the spectacular red rock formations in Sedona. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Phoenix to Sedona, but it’s gas and time well spent. If you have extra time, consider taking the 2-hour drive south of Phoenix to Tucson. The state’s second-largest city also offers hiking, resorts, golf and local attractions such as the Sonoran Desert Museum.
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