City Dads Group

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Super Bowl XLVIII Fan Guide: Best Things For NY Parents, Kids To Do

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It’s been an exciting football season, even for us disappointed NY Jets and NY Giants fans. Finally, after all of the talk and hype of hosting an outdoor, cold-weather Super Bowl at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey…the wait is nearly over.  The two best teams in the NFL –  the Denver Broncos and the Seattle SeaHawks – are locked in for a spectacular Super Bowl XLVIII matchup scheduled on Sunday, February 2 at 6:30 pm.  Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers will be ready to dazzle us during the halftime entertainment show.

Most parents, like us, can’t afford to take their children to the big game (tickets are already fetching $1000’s of dollars) so we’re left scrambling for some family friendly, pre-Super Bowl related activities that won’t break the bank. Fortunately, there are some amazing things happening around the New York Metro area. Here’s our FAN’s GUIDE – a roundup of our favorite things to do for parents and kids leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII:

Super Bowl XLVIII Boulevard in Times Square photo: Times Square Alliance
Super Bowl Boulevard in Times Square  /  photo: Times Square Alliance

1. “Super Bowl Boulevard” 

“Super Bowl Boulevard” is billed as a series of football themed experiences that will take over 13 Blocks in Times Square the week before the game.  Race down a specially designed toboggan, live concerts, autograph signings, photographs with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and live broadcasts from ESPN, FOX, NFL Network, and CNN.  Admission is FREE and open to the public.

Children will be most excited about “Toboggan Run” – a seven-story, wintry slide in the heart of Times Square.  The 60-foot tall and 180 feet long, eight lane toboggan can handle up to 1,000 riders per hour!  Note: tickets need to purchased ($5) for this attraction. Toboggan is located on Broadway between 40th and 41st Streets.

Wednesday, January 29th to Saturday, February 1st
Broadway from 34th Street to 47th Street

Time Warner Cable Studios / Sprout rendering
Time Warner Cable Studios / Sprout rendering

2. Time Warner Cable Studios

Picture a destination where children can visit the sets of their favorite shows and meet characters like Sprout’s “Chica the Chicken.”  In a three-story, 45,000 square foot landmark space, Time Warner Cable Studios is bringing the best of TV, music, and sports together.  They’re providing customers with FREE and engaging experiences like:

  • HBO’s Game of Thrones – explore the costumes, props, and weaponry from The Seven Kingdoms
  • TLC’s Cake Boss – tour the Cake Boss Cafe and sample free coffee and desserts like cannolis, cupcakes, and cookies
  • ESPN’s SportsCenter – Go behind the scenes of the SportsCenter set – man the control room or head in front of the camera as you sit behind the SportsCenter desk to film your very own sports news segment
  • TV Guide Network – get a free manicure at their “nail bar”
  • History Channel Viking’s – you’ll have the chance to act out a scene with armor, shields, and swords
  • Sprout – visit the world of “Chica the Chicken”
  • beIN Sport – test your soccer skills on the beIN Sports’ soccer pitch and see how your punt compares to the pros
For free tours of the space being held Monday, January 27 – Saturday, February 1st, register here.
CMOM's "You Make the Call: Learn to be and NFL Referee"
CMOM’s “You Make the Call: Learn to be and NFL Referee”
3. Children’s Museum of Manhattan: “You Make the Call: Learn To be an NFL Official”
Ever dream of being an NFL Referee? Recently featured on our website by Jason Greene, this CMOM exhibit provides the space that you wish you had as an indoor playroom in your home. Wall-to-wall carpeted turf, equipped with footballs, an obstacle course, playmats, an “under the hood”  replay/review booth, and an impressive photo of Met Life Stadium on the walls.  This interactive experience is worth the visit on a cold day because when you’re finished with the exhibit…there’s something for everyone on the other four floors of this entertaining playscape.
Open to all ages from January 9 through Friday, February 28
4. Attend Gatorade’s “Media Day” at Prudential Center
A limited number of fans and spectators will have the unique opportunity to attend the “media day” on Tuesday, January 28 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.  During media day, “fans will sit in the stands in the arena and watch interviews happening on the floor as well as player and cheerleader appearances. Concession stands and merchandise stands will be selling gear throughout the event.
Tuesday, January 28 – tickets available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com and cost $28.50 each. Doors open at 9:30 am and event runs from 10:30 am – 1:45 pm.
Gridiron Glory Exhibit at Liberty Science Center / photo: Pro Football Hall of Fame
“Gridiron Glory” at Liberty Science Center / photo: Pro Football Hall of Fame
5. Gridiron Glory: the Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame at Liberty Science Center
Gridiron Glory is a national touring exhibit provided by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  The 5,000 square foot exhibit features hundreds of uniforms, gear, and other cool memorabilia.  It’s an interactive, multi-media experience and expect that some Hall of Famers will be making some special guest appearances during Super Bowl Week.
The Super Bowl XLVIII exhibit has been open since September, 2013 and runs through March 2, 2014.  If you miss it, it’s headed next to Louisville, Detroit, and Phoenix.

We’re confident that there will be more event announcements as we draw closer to Super Bowl XLVIII, so please check back here and on our FaceBook page for updates. Please feel free to mention events in comments section as well.

Pepsi City at Bryant Park Village
Pepsi City at Bryant Park Village

6. PepCity at Bryant Park – Super Bowl XLVIII

PepsiCo will transform a section of Bryant Park into a sleek, dome-enclosed space featuring Broadway, arts, sports, culture, and food.  Food and beverage offerings from celebrity chefs like David Burke and Marc Forgione, free concerts from Austin Mahone, and Ziggy Marley, an art installation, and a sampling of mini-performances from the hottest Broadway Shows.

PepCity is Free and will be open from Wednesday, January 29 – Saturday, February 1 between 2-6:30pm and at 8pm for concerts.  Tickets are available here.

7. Macy’s End Zone for Super Bowl XLVIII

The store that is world famous for the Thanksgiving Day Parade and Santa Land brings you pre-game excitement in Macy’s End Zone.  A 36,000 square foot destination including celebrity appearances, special events and Family Fan Day.

Family Fan Day is on Saturday, February 25 at 11:30am.  Round up the kids and check out Macy’s reading circle, hosted by New York football great, Tiki Barber.  Barber will read from his book, Teammates, kids can assist with a 3-D pop-art mural, face painting, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, and more.

About Lance Somerfeld

Lance Somerfeld, co-founder of City Dads Group, lives with his wife and two children in New York City. He frequently contributes to the conversation about modern fatherhood, work-life balance, shifting gender roles, and brand’s marketing to dads. He has appeared on local and national television, including CNN, Today and Katie. He has been quoted by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, GQ, Parenting and The Atlantic.

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