9 Places To Go To Escape Super Bowl Madness (Slideshow)
If you want to escape the Super Bowl craziness, do know that you have plenty of alternatives. Sometimes you need to drive off to forget about football.
A Bowling Center
Sure, bowling centers may have the big game on in the background or in its bar area, but for the most part, you'll have free run of the lanes. The typical bowler is probably going to be at home watching the game, so the place is going to feel incredibly roomy. Who even knows how many games you'll be able to get in per hour.
Cocktail Bars
Your standard bar is going to be filled with televisions playing the Super Bowl and patrons who are packing the place to enjoy the revelry. As an alternative, go to that fancy new wine bar or cocktaileria you've been meaning to visit. We're talking about the kind of place that has mixologists, and most importantly, no TVs.
The Gym
The Super Bowl is an unofficial American holiday, filled with indulgent foods and plenty of beer. While most of the country is gorging themselves on fried foods, you know what place will be totally empty? The gym. Hop on that elliptical that's always packed, have the weight room to yourself, and enjoy burning calories while everyone else packs on the pounds.
To read "7 Foods You Should Be Eating Before a Workout (and 4 You Shouldn't)," click here.
The Movie Theater
Though the Super Bowl takes up the first Sunday in February, most of the winter weekends are filled with award shows. The Oscars will take place on Feb. 26 this year, so get ready by heading to the movie theater and seeing a Best Picture nominee, such as Manchester by the Sea, La La Land, or Moonlight.
Museums
On a day focused on sports, go for some highbrow culture by visiting a local art or history museum. Though these spots are likely to be closed by the time kickoff happens, they're likely to be empty during the day too, as people around the country prep their massive Super Bowl feasts.
To read about the 10 Best Museum Cafés Around the World, click here.
A Nice Dinner
Turn Super Bowl Sunday into date night Sunday by going to a fancy, romantic restaurant with your significant other. Sure, Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away, but do you really need a major excuse to head to a delicious dinner at an impeccably decorated restaurant? We didn't think so.
A Puppy Bowl Party
Unless you're totally opposed to attending anything even semi-related to the Super Bowl or NFL, why not go to (or throw) a Puppy Bowl party? This annual alternative to the big game airs on Animal Planet and features some of the cutest pups around. By attending a Puppy Bowl party, you still have all of the fun without that annoying football element.
To read "How to Avoid Super Bowl Party Clichés," click here.
A Road Trip
If you have a burning to desire to get as far away from the Super Bowl madness as possible, pack up your car and hit the road. Find a nearby city or small town you have never been to and plan a last-minute trip around it. As you explore new sights and restaurants, some silly football game will be the furthest thing from your mind.
Your Basement, for a TV Marathon
Just because you want to escape the Super Bowl doesn't mean that you can't spend the entire day in front of the TV. If you want to binge on popcorn and watch TV all by yourself, do it. In addition to endless options Netflix and Hulu, there are plenty of binge-worthy marathons on TV this Sunday. Comedy Central is playing South Park all day, Spike will let you escape with Cops, and VH1 is breaking out its cult classic Rock of Love 2 for your trash TV pleasure.
To learn how to turn popcorn into three irresistible snacks, click here.