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Aspen Times Weekly: What to see, do and taste at Super Bowl 50

by Amiee White Beazley

In this photo taken Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, is the Ferry Building in San Francisco. In the background is the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Atop the waterfront tower is the number 50 for the upcoming Super Bowl in February 2016. Located beginning Jan. 30 in front of the Ferry Building will be Super Bowl City where Market Street meets the Embarcadero and will be a free walk-around area that will be the broadcast home for CBS. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP | AP

Few could have imagined the popularity of today’s National Football League when representatives from four Ohio football clubs gathered nearly a century ago in Canton, Ohio, to establish a new standard of professional football. Today, each NFL game attracts nearly 70,000 attendees, and the Super Bowl, which has become a secular holiday for many Americans, has more than 1 million people expected to attend the week-long festivities in the Bay Area leading up to Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

If you are heading to San Francisco for the game, here are eight things not to miss.

Plan for Free Super Bowl Perks



Super Bowl City, located at Justin Herman Plaza, on the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street, is the free-to-the-public fan village offering free activities and entertainment. Music headliners Alicia Keys, Chris Isaak, One Republic and Matt Nathansan will perform on the City Stage while the Fan Stage will have rallies, chalk talks, player appearances and photo opportunities. The Fan Energy Zone celebrates the Bay Area’s leadership in technology and innovation, and will showcase the latest in interactive gaming, social media and data visualizations.

Morning Run Over the Golden Gate Bridge




End your morning run with an out and back along the Golden Gate Bridge. At just 1.7-miles one-way, approximately 120,000 automobiles drive across it every day. A pedestrian walkway also allows the crossing on foot, and bikes are allowed on the western side.

Take the Kids for a Cable Car Ride

Cable cars have been transporting people around San Francisco since the late 19th century. The cars run on tracks and are moved by an underground cable on three routes. Tickets ($7) may be purchased at the cable car turnarounds at the ends of each route. Each one-way ride will provide spectacular views of the city’s celebrated hills as well as exhilarating transportation.

Listen to the Symphony Play Music of NFL Films

The San Francisco Symphony joins the Super Bowl festivities with two events celebrating the intersection of sports and music on Feb. 3-4 in Davies Symphony Hall. Concerts feature the iconic music and filmmaking of Emmy Award-winning NFL Films, with conductor Joshua Gersen leading the Orchestra in live accompaniment.

Walk Through the Oldest Chinatown

Chinese New Year is the day after the Super Bowl, on Monday, Feb. 8, and will be sure to keep the Super Bowl festivities alive. The entrance to Chinatown at Grant Avenue and Bush Street is called the “Dragon’s Gate.” Inside are 24 blocks of hustle and bustle, most of it taking place along Grant Avenue, the oldest street in San Francisco.

Visit the Museums

The Asian Art Museum, the de Young Museum, the Legion of Honor and other museums and galleries are devoted to the finest of classical and contemporary arts. San Francisco is also home to the California Academy of Sciences, the only place on the planet with an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a four-story rainforest all under one roof.

“Maritime Arts — At Sea and Ashore,” is a new exhibit at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park’s Maritime Museum, and showcases examples of work from the sailors’ trade. “Maritime Arts” is open daily, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. with no admission fee, and is located at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf.

Get Tickets for NFL Experience

Tickets for NFL Experience — pro football’s interactive theme park at the Moscone Center — are on sale now at http://www.SuperBowl.com. This pro football theme park offers interactive attractions, youth football clinics, free autograph sessions from NFL players and the opportunity to get up close with the Vince Lombardy Trophy.

Dine at New SF Restaurants

New southern Brazlian Steakhouse Fogo de Chao (pronounced fo-go dee shown), is located on the corner of Third and Howard is in the heart of San Francisco’s SOMA district, and specializes in fire-roasting meats utilizing the centuries-old southern Brazilian cooking technique of churrasco. Also in SOMA, restaurateurs Umberto Gibin and Staffan Terje, owners of the acclaimed Perbacco and Barbacco, have launched their new restaurant, Volta. The menu pays homage to France and draws from Chef Terje’s Scandinavian heritage. Try the housemade aquavit. Volta is located at 868 Mission St.

Amiee White Beazley writes about travel for the Aspen Times Weekly. Reach her at awb@awbeazley.com or follow her @awbeazley1.

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