It's the most wonderful time of year. The five-time Super Bowl Champions are heading to the big game for a second year in a row.
This is the biggest sporting event of the year, and we know that the cost of tickets will cost you a pretty penny. If you're feeling lucky, enter the Patriots Foundation Charity Raffle for a chance to win a Super Bowl package. For $10, you could win two roundtrip plane tickets to Minneapolis, two lower bowl tickets, two tickets to the pregame tailgate party, two tickets to the official Patriots postgame party, transportation to and from events and official Super Bowl LII and Patriots swag. Be sure to enter the raffle before Jan. 31. All of the proceeds from the raffle will go toward the Patriots Foundation.
That's not the only way to get that Super Bowl experience. There's achance to win tickets and a VIP experience through Patriots.com if you enter before noon on Jan. 31.
WHAT TO BRING
It's bound to be cold in Minneapolis this time of year, so you'll want to bring your warmest Patriots gear to rep the team in style. Stock up on your Belichick hoodies and pack yourlargest coat so you will be warm as you venture around the city before the game. You'll also want to make sure that you have a great hat and good gloves on hand as the wind chill can make the already cold temps feel like 10 to 25 degrees below zero.
Remember, the NFL has a clear bag policy in place across all of its stadiums, so you'll want to grab a clear bag from the Pro Shopto make sure you can bring everything you need.
TO DO
We know you're there to see the guys in action, but we also know that you're going to need a few things to do before heading to US Bank Stadium. Of courseSuper Bowl Livewill be your one stop destination for all things Super Bowl. There will be plenty of activities and bank on free concerts with local and national acts. The lineup includes local acts like The Revolution, a band formed by Prince to provide backup for him in the '80s, as well as the X Ambassadors and hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd.
To take a step away from football this week, walk around the Minneapolis Institute of Art located in the Whittier neighborhood. Admission is free and you can access over thousands of paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints and drawings from all over the world. You can also stop the museum's coffee shop or any of the other cafes located on Nicolette Street.
Stop byMall of America to shop and experience the many attractions that are on site. Check out Nickelodeon Universeand tap into your inner child as you enjoy rides based on some of your favorite TV shows. There's Avatar Airbender, which rocks you back and forth on a track taking you about 70 feet into the air before racing you back to the ground. If you're fan of Spongebob Squarepants, take a chance with the Rock Bottom Plunge, which promises lift you up and then spin you head over heels with loops, spins and 90 degree turns.
If being on roller coasters and high-speed rides aren't your thing, you can check out several other experiences available. There's the SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquariumwhere you'll be up close and personal with some of your favorite sea creatures. Take some time to interact with jellyfish, sharks, sea turtles and more.
For a little slice of history, stop by the Commodore Hotel. Opened in 1920 as a residential hotel, it was once home to F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Since Prohibition was in full swing around the time of their residence, the hotel's official bar closed and a speakeasy was opened in its basement. Now decades later, the hotel and bar have been renovated and boast a Great Gatsby themed atmosphere that takes you back to the Roaring Twenties.
EAT
Like much of the country, Minneapolis has a ton of different cultures that influence the city's foodie scene. So it's no surprise that there will be a lot of cuisines available when you hit the town. Before anything else, Minnesota Patriots fans highly recommend trying cheese curds, calling them "gooey fried cheesy goodness." You can find them at most restaurants that will list them as an appetizer. Head toB-52 Burgers and Brew, Red Cow or Blue Door Pub if you've got a hankering for a good burger. If you're in the mood for the famed Jucy Lucy, a burger with cheese melted right into the patty as opposed to placed on top, we recommend Matt's Bar or the 5-8 Club.
To give in to any seafood cravings that you might have, stop by Octo Fishbar in St. Paul, where you can chow down on steamed mussels, lobster in Thai green curry sauch or blowfish tails. You should also stop by King's Korean and Sushiwhere you'll find some of the freshest ingredients in your meal.
For dishes by way of land, stop by the St. Paul Grill a high-end steakhouse in the historicSt. Paul Hotel. You'll be blown away by dishes crafted by award winning chefs. Stop by **Mancini's Char House and Lounge**, a family-run steakhouse that hand picks each steak for their customers.
This is bound to be an exciting finale to an already incredible season and we want to make sure that you live your best life in Minneapolis. For more information for your upcoming trip, visit:
