This Sunday, February 5, is Super Bowl Sunday. It’s like a holiday. The big game will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Lucas Oil Stadium, which is a fantastic piece of kinetic architecture (that means it has moving parts).

Indianapolis is second only to Washington, D.C. in the number of monuments within the city, and it also features two natural waterways that run through it. Basically, it’s a pretty town.

The New York Giants will be playing the New England Patriots. Despite the Patriots playing in the same division as the Indianapolis Colts (AFC) I’m guessing that Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning, being brother to the Colts’ Peyton Manning, will garner the cheers of the hometown fans.

Remember, get to the stadium early for a good parking spot, and better yet, more time to tailgate (be responsible!).

If you’re looking for a good place for lunch and a beer check out Basey’s Downtown Grill and Spirits or Tavern on South, both are walking distance from the Lucas Oil Stadium. Also walking distance are some nice, affordable, and probably booked hotels, Comfort Suites City Centre and Holiday Inn Express.

Directions to Lucas Oil Stadium

Have a good time!

Photo: Triple Tri via Flickr

I’ve been in Pittsburgh for a week and already feel I have a pretty good idea of what makes this city so beloved by the people who live here. (Seriously, have you ever met a Pittsburgh? They never shut up about how great this place is.) I’m staying a month and look forward to getting to know the area even better, but you don’t have to stay quite that long to get a feel for what Pittsburgh is all about. Here’s how to get to know Pittsburgh in a weekend.

Hit the Strip on Saturday morning.

Yep, Pittsburgh has a Strip – but don’t expect casinos or call girls in this riverside neighborhood. It’s more like hipster heaven, but working class folks are welcome with open arms (mainly because I suspect hipsters are hard to come by in this part of the country.) Grab a gourmet coffee and do your shopping for organic produce. You can also pick up a jar of olives as big as your head at the Greek grocer and fresh pizza dough at the Italian one. Between shops you’ll find street vendors hocking everything from Indian crafts to Steelers garb, and everyone’s busy with customers.

Visit the Senator John Heinz History Center.

The History Center isn’t a world famous museum, but it’s the fastest to understand what makes Pittsburgh tick. One half of the building is dedicated to the city’s rich sports history and the other to the inventions and technology that were created or perfected here. This unique blend of disciplines is a perfect example of the city’s industrial diversity.

Have dinner at Primanti Brothers.

There are 17 Primanti Brothers locations in the Pittsburgh with the original being on 18th Street in the Strip District. The sandwich shop serves up meat, fries and coleslaw – all of it between two thick slices of bread. Yeah, it’s unique – like everything else about the Burgh. You have to try it at least once.

Hit the Carnegie Museums on Sunday morning.

Before you go, learn to pronounce it like a Yinzer – Car-NEHG-ee. The Science Center is open Sunday mornings and is a fabulous place for kids to learn through hands-on exhibits, but the real jewels are the Art and Natural History museums. (The original T-Rex!) Unfortunately, you can’t get into these museums until noon on Sundays, which will only work if the Steelers have a night game.

Because, yes, you must…

Watch a Steelers game on Sunday.

Few cities are as passionate about their sports as Pittsburgh, and at the top of their athletic heap is the NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you can’t get into Heinz Field to watch live (and you won’t), you can head to one of the bars on the South Side, or just step into any living room in town. Bring your black and gold and a case of beer and you’ll be welcomed with open arms.

Not football season? No problem. You can watch one of the other two professional sports teams play with everyone else.

Photos by Britt Reints

This weekend (or Thursday as the case may be) kicks off another fall American tradition, football season. That’s right, we’re ready for some football!

Whether you are a fan of the college gridiron or that of the National Football League (NFL) there will be plenty of weekend getaways available to you and your friends over the course of the season. We’re talking tailgating, folks.

They say that football fans travel well, with some teams traveling better than others, but one thing is the same for any pigskin pilgrim — you’ll need a place to stay and places to eat. Also, drinking.

Lodging

If you’re lucky, you know someone in the city that you’re visiting and can save some money by crashing in their guest room or on the couch. If you go that route keep in mind that your friend is doing you a favor, not planning your itinerary. Don’t assume they’re taking time out of their lives to show you the sites. It’s bad enough you’re rooting for the visiting team, don’t be a jerk about it.

Lots of hotels offer game-related deals and discounts, often as part of a package deal with airfare, game tickets and/or rental cars. The best place to locate such information is on the official site of your respective team or a travel site specializing in the town your team plays in.

Dining

Just because your football trip is taking you to a stadium and not a museum doesn’t mean you won’t be able to soak up some local culture. Eat what they eat! If you are in Philly find the best cheesesteak. If you’re in San Diego grab a fish taco. If you’re in New Orleans, get some gumbo. See how that works? That’s culture you can eat!

Drinking

Keep in mind that bars are prone to loud, excessive and sometimes uncool behavior. Also keep in mind that the local fans already don’t like you because of the colors you’re flying. You are on enemy turf, so be nice, have some fun and buy a drink or two — the latter could be the difference between a very unpleasant outing and a memorable one.

Kids

Kids are fans, too. Nothing is going to shine an uglier light on you and your hometown team than being rude and vulgar in the stands. It happens. Usually about four beers in. If you are taking your kids with you prepare them for what could be an ugly situation. If you aren’t taking your kids, be aware of those around you. Grace under fire, people.

The bottom line is, football is a game, and while you may bleed team colors, remember, you’re just an adult cheering for guys playing said game, not some militant last hope of football kind. Have fun. Be cool. Cheer accordingly.

I don't know art, but I know football.

The NFL’s NFC Championship is being played in Chicago, IL on Sunday, and unless you plan on spending your entire trip at Soldier Field you may need some of the following:

Hotels

Best Western Grant Park

Chicago’s Essex Inn

The Blackstone, a Renaissance Hotel

Hotel Blake Chicago

Palmer House Hilton

Bars

Wabash Tap

Miller’s Pub

Jack’s Tap

Joe’s Sports Bar

Dining

Gioco

Bongo Room

Zapatista

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

Plymouth

Enjoy the game!

Looking  for the AFC Championship Game?

Photo by bracken via Flickr