Update: Click here to go to the 2011 version of Other Things to Do in Portland on Superbowl Sunday!
I love American Football (mostly of the Canadian variety), but I just can’t get into the most American of celebrations that is Superbowl Sunday. For one thing, it’s no longer an American secular holiday, which was one of its selling points for me. I say let the Fundamentalist Christians have it – I’ve got better things to do on Sunday, February 7th.
Where ever there might normally be a crowd on Sunday, you’ll find wide open aisles, tables, and venues.
Sunday will be a good day to enjoy parks, museums, and pubs that don’t have TVs; they’ll all be almost empty.
Crowds will certainly be thinner at the Oregon Zoo.
Heather and I have been considering a trip to OMSI Sunday; she’s never been, and I haven’t been to the “new” location [which apparently it’s been at since 1992!?)
And perhaps, on what is virtually a national holiday, the national past time (i.e. shopping) has its place.
Take Ikea, for example [or maybe not; see Mary Sue’s comment below]. I *hate* Ikea. But I hate a crowded Ikea most of all. Sunday, during Superbowl, Ikea will be less irritating and mind-numbing (I know, I don’t know how it does both!) than on a usual Sunday.
Another place to consider visiting, if you’re in a shopping mood, is the Crystal Ballroom and Lola’s Room (1332 W Burnside) for Bargain Hunting 101‘s mother of all clearance sales:
Over 50 vendors!
Portland’s Mega Clearance Sale with merchandise from local boutiques, artists and designers
Bigger, meaner deals than ever before.
Full Bar*. Unbelievable discounts.
* Emphasis mine
And of course Powell’s Books (1005 W Burnside) is open.
Really, the world is your oyster if you’re free from the clutches of the NFL and CBS on Superbowl Sunday.
Wooo! Ikea! I don’t think we need any ektorps right now though. Damn.
Take Ikea, for example. I *hate* Ikea. But I hate a crowded Ikea most of all. Sunday, during Superbowl, Ikea will be less irritating and mind-numbing (I know, I don’t know how it does both!) than on a usual Sunday.
You’d think that, wouldn’t you?
But everyone else apparently thinks that, too. It’s actually worse than a usual Sunday evening, because on Sundays it calms down around 5pm, but the game starts at 4, so everyone rushes on over.
If I remember correctly, Superbowl Sunday was when I tanked my shin full-force into someone’s trailer hitch trying to help them get something into their truck.
Heather – See Mary Sue’s comment 😉
Mary Sue – Thanks for the heads up!
Home Depot is definitely less busy… two years ago we were mystified as to why it was just us and a couple cashiers then realized it was Superbowl Sunday 🙂