5 fun things to do while you’re in Arizona for the Super Bowl

All eyes will be on the Phoenix area when the Super Bowl returns to Glendale, Arizona, on February 1. When you’re not cheering on the Big Game, rack up some extra points by checking out these five nearby attractions.

1. Rock Out at the Musical Instrument Museum – Katy Perry’s Super Bowl Halftime Show is just the tip of the musical iceberg. Wear your comfy shoes and spend a few hours pursuing this behemoth of a museum, whichdisplays more than 6,000 instruments from around the world, along with audiovisuals of them being played. Visitors of all ages can test out their own talents in the hands-on Experience Gallery; and you’ll get a kick out of seeing instruments from A-list musicians like Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Carlos Santana and Taylor Swift, which are all on display.

The Musical Instrument Museum includes a hands-on Experience Gallery. Credit mim.org.

2. Take a Jeep Tour – Take a day trip to Sedona—about a two-hour drive north of Phoenix—to gape at the vibrant red rocks. Several companies offer jeep tours through the landscape, combining an adrenaline rush with facts about the flora and fauna, amusing stories from tour guides and incredible photo ops from high above the city.

Writer Dalia Colón, center, embarked on the Pink Jeep Tour of Sedona with her family.

3. Visit Old Town Scottsdale – About 20 miles east of Glendale, this town’s ritzy reputation has earned it the nickname “Snotsdale.” Skip the fancy stuff and head to this downtown district whose architecture, Western-themed restaurants and boutiques filled with turquoise jewelry harken back to the days of sheriffs and outlaws. Stroll through on a Thursday for the Scottsdale ArtWalk, or swing by on a Saturday to experience the bustling Scottsdale Old Town Farmers’ Market.

Old Town Scottsdale. Credit Phil Sexton at Flick Creative Commons.

4. Climb Camelback Mountain – If hiking Arizona’s Grand Canyon is on your bucket list, then this trekking up this camel-shaped mass is a challenging warmup. The mountain offers several courses, including the popular Cholla Trail, a strenuous 1.5-mile ascent to the summit that winds through boulders and shrubbery. Between tourists looking for a photo op and locals seeking a good workout, the parking lot fills up fast. So arrive early—preferable on a weekday.

Camelback Mountain features a tough climb with a rewarding view at the top. Credit censonk42 at Flickr Creative Commons.

5. Check Out Talking Stick Resort – Regardless of where you stay while you’re in town, you’ll want to spend some time at Talking Stick Resort. The property is a destination in itself, with a huge casino, nightclub, spa, poolside concerts and Vegas-style entertainment in the showroom. Among the resort’s half-dozen restaurants, the upscale Orange Sky is the standout, serving up steaks and seafood against an open-air backdrop of the desert sunset.

Talking Stick Resort’s Orange Sky restaurant offers luscious 15th-story views of the desert landscape.

Tagged: Destinations