Football fans will be able to score big all week with a slew of grid-themed goodies and events in the metro area. Take an exciting jaunt up Super Bowl Boulevard — a k a Broadway from Herald Square to West 47th Street — for a photo with the Vince Lombardi Trophy that goes to the winning team, or grab an NFL player’s autograph. Ride on a giant toboggan run in the middle of Times Square. Or bowl with some Football Hall of Fame players at Chelsea Piers and catch a spiral from Joe Montana at a Midtown hotel. There’s plenty of Super Bowl madness to go around!
Super Bowl boulevard
Broadway between 34th and 47th streets will be hopping with all things football in preparation for Super Bowl XLVIII from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. You can register online to get in the running for two free tickets to the big game, as well as a badge for free autographs from NFL players, the chance to kick a field goal through NFL uprights and ride a 60-foot toboggan. Map and further information available here.
Catch a spiral from Joe Montana
NFL legends Joe Montana and Dwight Clark will be on hand to host “The Catch Game Day Experience,” at the Edison Ballroom in Manhattan, with cooking-show “Chopped” winner Mina Newman also manning five food stations and open bars pouring top-shelf booze. Retired Giants players Howard Cross and Sean Landeta will appear, too. But all that star power isn’t cheap: Single VIP tickets that include Montana tossing you an autographed football at halftime cost $2,400.
When: Game day, 4 to 11 p.m.
Where: The Edison Ballroom at 240 W. 47th St.
Trophy time
Take your photo with football’s biggest trophy! The Vince Lombardi Trophy, which is awarded each year to the team that wins the Super Bowl, will be on display so fans can be photographed in front of the iconic sterling-silver trophy.
When: Noon to 10 p.m. from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1
Where: Broadway between 43rd and 44th streets
For the kids — a sled ride
At 60 feet tall and 180 feet long, an eight-lane toboggan run will allow sledders to zip down Broadway on a once-in-a-lifetime ride. Tickets cost $5, but the cash goes to planting trees in New York City.
When: Noon to 10 p.m. from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1
Where: Broadway between 40th and 41st streets. Tickets sold at kiosk adjacent to 1095 Sixth Avenue.
Autographs and live entertainment
Snag autographs from NFL stars, and rock out to NYC entertainers, too! Football fans can score free autographs from their favorite NFL stars during the day, and at night catch some of the coolest acts the city has to offer. The list of all NFL players signing autographs will be released Monday.
When: Autographs noon to 5 p.m., concerts at 8 p.m., from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1
Where: Broadway between 39th and 40th streets
Snap up the hottest NFL gear
The fourth floor of Macy’s in Herald Square is the site of the biggest NFL Super Bowl shop ever, including exclusive merchandise, New York and New Jersey-themed products and customizable gear — plus free giveaways and NFL player autograph booths. Don’t miss the NFL-themed windows outside, or the spectacular 10-minute video aired on its storefront.
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. now to Feb. 4
Where: Macy’s in Herald Square at 34th Street and Broadway
Party with sexy models
If you’re not an NFL player, your best shot at getting within pickup-distance of a famous model will probably be the Leather and Laces party at Liberty Theater at Times Square. Friday night, the party will be hosted by Sport Illustrated models Brooklyn Decker and Bar Refaeli, while Saturday night, Victoria’s Secret’s Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio take over. The cheapest tickets run $950 and will get you one night of open bar and sushi — but $16,500 gets you a mezzanine VIP table with five bottles of booze for you and your nine closest friends.
When: Friday and Saturday night
Where: Liberty Theater at 233 W. 41st St.
Dance your pants off
Maxim magazine hosts a hot party Friday night with rapper Kendrick Lamar performing, celebrities and models getting down to tunes spun by DJ Sebastian Ingrosso and, of course, the “Maxim Hotties” shaking their booties. A cool $1,150 gets you open bar, but $3,400 lands you a private VIP ticket with a personal hostess and unlimited bottles of booze.
When: 10 p.m. to 4 am. Jan. 31 to Feb. 1
Where: Espace at 635 W. 42nd St.
Bowl before the Bowl
Bowlers can compete against Hall of Fame players in a tournament, with participants scoring a limited-edition Super Bowl XLVIII bowling ball and pin. Soldiers from the America’s Wounded Warriors Project also will compete. Participants and spectators can snack from a “NY/NJ Neighborhood of Food” buffet. A team of four can enter for $3,000.
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Where: Chelsea Piers
Celebrity flag-football game
When: Tailgating for the celebrity game begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, with kickoff at 2 p.m.
Where: Hudson River Park
Media Day
Fans can turn out to watch thousands of reporters from around the world interview the NFL players who will be in this year’s Super Bowl. Only reporters and players can be on the floor, but a $28.50 ticket will get fans tickets to watch the interviews from the stands, with NFL cheerleaders also making appearances.
When: 9:30 a.m. Jan. 28
Where: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ
Keep warm out there
For footballs fans flying in from warmer climes, their first stop should be to stock up on hats, gloves, long johns and parkas. REI Soho has 39,000 square feet chock-full of gear to keep you warm as you cheer, including boots that will keep you toasty down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, different hours on weekend.
Where: 303 Lafayette St.
Football history at the Met
The Metropolitan Museum is showcasing a selection of vintage football cards, including a 1933 Jim Thorpe card and 1933 Knute Rockne. Also on display are rare action photographs taken of football players before the National Football League was founded in 1920.
When: Until Feb. 10
Where: 1000 Fifth Ave.
Teach your kids to be a zebra
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan has a variety of events that teach kids about football, including a behind-the-scenes look at NFL officiating, where mini-fans can get in a replay booth and learn referee call signals. There’s also an obstacle course where kids can dive onto a landing mat to score a touchdown. NFL memorabilia is also on display.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Feb. 28
Where: 212 W. 83rd St.
Gridiron glory
The Liberty Science Center combines sports and science with an interactive exhibit that allows museum-goers to compare their height and weight to NFL players and try on and compare vintage uniforms and equipment to modern-day gear. Also on display is a Tiffany’s-crafted Vince Lombardi Trophy, the 1917 game ball used by Jim Thorpe and jerseys used by Mean Joe Green and Johnny Unitas.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, till 5 p.m. weekends, closed Monday
Where: 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City
Madden NFL
For football fans who grew up playing Madden NFL video games, the Museum of the Moving Image has an exhibit centered on the pastime. Fans can play five versions of the game — including the original 1988 version — on a large-scale projection. The exhibition also includes a video timeline that shows the series’ development, with video footage from each year.
When: Until Feb. 23
Where: 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, Queens
Broncos fans head to Midtown
Butterfield 8 is recognized as the Denver Broncos bar of New York City and a great place for Mile High fans to get together the week before the game. The 40-foot bar and giant plasma televisions don’t hurt.
When: All week long
Where: 5 E. 38th St.
Seahawks fans head to Upper East Side
For Seahawks fan who made the long flight from Seattle, there’s no better place to relax than Carlow East, an Irish bar that goes crazy for the team. Carlow East’s Twitter handle is even “HawkBarNYC.”
When: All week long
Where: 1254 Lexington Ave.
Steak and legs
Scores will host a Super Bowl party with a $40 dinner buffet catered by Daisy May’s BBQ and Robert’s Steakhouse, with 8-foot television screens, drink specials — and of course, strippers.
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: 536 W. 28th St.
The seven days of stripping
Sapphire New York will feature exotic dancing every night leading up to the Super Bowl as part of its “Big Day Blitz,” with porn-star photo ops and DVD giveaways.
When: First night is Monday starting at 6 p.m.
Where: 333 E. 60th St.