SUPER FUN

Embrace the Bold North in Minneapolis for Super Bowl

MINNEAPOLIS » Minneapolis is the northernmost city to host a Super Bowl. Tourism officials are making the most of that as they prepare to welcome visitors to the “Bold North.” Many activities surrounding Super Bowl will take advantage of Minnesota’s wintry weather, including outdoor concerts, ice sculptures and opportunities for winter sports.

Super Bowl events will be held around the metro area during the week leading up to the Feb. 4 game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The city’s unique skyway system of enclosed footbridges will let visitors get from place to place without going outside. A trip to the Mall of America is also a mustdo for those needing retail therapy to escape the cold.

A look at some things to do:

SUPER FUN

At Super Bowl Experience, the NFL’s interactive theme park, fans can get NFL players’ autographs, play games, take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and more. Super Bowl Experience will be at the Minneapolis Convention Center Jan. 27-Feb. 3. Tickets are $35 ($25, children 12 and under).

The party continues down the street at Super Bowl Live , a 10day, free outdoor festival and concert series on Nicollet Mall, a five-minute walk from Super Bowl Experience. The concerts, presented by Minnesota music legends Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, will have a distinctly Minnesotan flavor, featuring a Prince tribute and local bands like Soul Asylum, Mint Condition, the Suburbs and others.

A free snowmobile stunt show takes place Feb. 3. The American Birkebeiner International Bridge, a bridge that’s part of a Wisconsin ski race, is being rebuilt over Nicollet Mall to showcase events like skijoring (cross-country skiers pulled by dogs) and fat-tire bike racing. Nearby, adventure seekers will soar across the Mississippi River on the Bold North Zip Line .

Super Bowl Opening Night will be held in St. Paul, a 15-minute drive from Minneapolis, on Jan. 29 at the Xcel Energy Center. The sold-out event gives fans a chance to see players and coaches. Also starting Jan. 29, fans can see players and celebrities in media interviews on Radio Row, at the Mall of America in nearby Bloomington.

PLENTY OF PARTIES

Nomadic Entertainment Group is bringing a VIP experience called Nomadic Live! to the refurbished Minneapolis Armory building just blocks from U.S. Bank Stadium. Headliners there include Imagine Dragons, Pink and Jennifer Lopez. Tickets are here . While a traveling venue called Club Nomadic has been cancelled, most of the acts initially scheduled for that venue— including The Chainsmokers, Florida Georgia Line and Gwen Stefani — will now perform inside Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

EMBRACE THE BOLD NORTH

Can you try cross-country skiing, ice fishing or even dog sledding? You betcha!

Many state and local parks have cross-country ski rentals , snowshoe rentals or fat-tire biking on winter trails. Local rinks

offer ice skating.

Adventurous tourists can head a couple hours out of town to find snowmobile rentals. Snow tubing or downhill skiing and snowboarding are also available within a 90-minute drive. And those who need to cross dog sledding or ice fishing off their bucket lists can find outfitters and fishing guides in northern Minnesota.

St. Paul’s annual Winter Carnival coincides with Super Bowl. The carnival features a 70-foot (21-meter) Ice Palace, live music, ice carvings and more. The Luminary Loppet on Feb. 3 includes an ice pyramid and fire dancers.

MINNESOTA MUST-DOS

Even hearty Minnesotans need a break from cold weather. One must-do includes a trip to the Mall of America , the nation’s largest entertainment and shopping complex. The mall has roller coasters, restaurants, a sea exhibit and other attractions — and is always 70 degrees F (21 C) inside. The mall is just 11 miles (18 km) from Minneapolis and an easy train ride from downtown or the airport.

Minneapolis and St. Paul have a vibrant art and theater scene. The metro area has more than 50 museums. The Minneapolis Institute of Art , always free, will have an outdoor ice maze from Feb. 1 through Feb. 4. The Science Museum of Minnesota , in St. Paul, is a hit with all ages. Its interactive Sportsology exhibit lets visitors analyze their movements and race against professional athletes.

Fans of the late singer Prince can tour his famed

Paisley Park studio, or stop by to see his star, and others, painted outside First Avenue , the Minneapolis nightclub made famous in “Purple Rain.” Fans can also take a self-guided tour of Prince’s Minneapolis haunts, including his childhood home and high school.

Minnesota’s craft brewery scene is booming, and several breweries in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area can be visited in one afternoon. The Juicy Lucy (or Jucy Lucy) — a hamburger with molten hot cheese oozing out of the middle — is a unique Minnesota specialty worth trying.

GETTING AROUND

While events surrounding Super Bowl are spread across several cities, the area is relatively compact and easy to navigate by bus, train , taxi or ride services like Uber. One note: The light rail will be open only to Super Bowl ticket holders on game day, as those attending the game will be screened for security offsite en route to U.S. Bank Stadium. Other riders can take free buses along the route. Metro Transit recommends that visitors download its app for real time information or call 612-3733333 with questions.

Volunteers will be stationed throughout the city, and in the skyway system, to help direct visitors. http://superbowl.com https://w w w.mnsuperbowl.com

https://www.minneapolis.org/superbowl/

Listen to the AP Travel “Get Outta Here!” podcast about Minneapolis hosting Super Bowl: https://apnews.com/ afs:Content:1730910008

JIM MONE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE US Bank stadium in Minneapolis, where the Super Bowl will take place Feb. 4.

SAINT PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL VIA AP This undated photo shows an ice sculpture, part of the ice carving competition at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival in St. Paul, Minn. Visitors heading to Minneapolis for the Super Bowl may want to check out the carnival in nearby St. Paul, which runs...

MN DNR VIA AP A child snowshoeing at Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul, Minn., at the park’s annual Winter Trails Day Event.

JIM MONE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE The climate-controlled skyway system in Minneapolis provides warmth for people moving from building to building. Visitors in town for the Super Bowl may want to avail themselves of the skyway system as they navigate the city in winter.

JIM MONE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. Mall of America, the nation’s largest shopping mall, is one of a number of attractions awaiting visitors.

BOB PEARL — AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER SKI FOUNDATION VIA AP This photo shows skiers climbing the American Birkebeiner International Bridge during the American Birkebeiner crosscountry skiing marathon in Hayward, Wis. The bridge has been moved and will be rebuilt over the Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis for use in...

JIM MONE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE A mural honoring the late Prince adorns a building in the Uptown area of Minneapolis.

JIM MONE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE The Minneapolis skyline is visible through one of five glass pivoting doors of the US Bank stadium in Minneapolis. The Super Bowl will take place here Feb. 4. The stadium’s fixed roof and glass design allows guests to see out while staying warm,...

RYAN TAYLOR — RED BULL CONTENT POOL VIA AP Levi LaVallee performing a stunt on a snowmobile near the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Minn. LaVallee is expected to perform his stunts over Nicollet, the main pedestrian section of downtown Minneapolis and the site of Super Bowl LIVE, at the...

CHRISTINE WISCH — SAINT PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL VIA AP Visitors at Vulcans Snow Park at night, part of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival in St. Paul, Minn. Visitors heading to Minneapolis for the Super Bowl may want to check out the carnival in nearby St. Paul, which runs Jan. 25-Feb. 10.