Alternatives to Football on Super Bowl Sunday:

Chances are, come February 6^th, most of D/FW will be doing the very same thing: watching the Super Bowl...in person, on TV, at a local pub or at home. But...alas, there are a few of us who aren't into football, large crowds, and traffic. I like to think of us non-sports fans as a select group of folks who prefer art to sports, music concertos to rock concerts, or the quiet...contemplative atmosphere of a wine tasting to the roar of crowds yelling for their favorite team.

'Nothing against football-I like it all right. But, I know I'm not alone when I say, "I'm just not into it", for various reasons unbeknownst to anyone other than me...my husband, and maybe a few of my closest friends or family. So...every year, when it comes time for Super-bowl Sunday, I'm always on a mission to find an alternative solution to conforming just for the sake of fitting the so-called mold.

Here are a few football-free events, and fun things to do at home, or away, on game day. Whatever your preference come Super-bowl Sunday, it's always fun to just be yourself and enjoy life. Ching Ching!

ART & CULTURE

Evita at La Casa : Broadway comes to Casa Manana with Evita, on stage from February 5^th thru the 13^th. Located in the Fort Worth Cultural District, Casa Manana (The House of Tomorrow) has been entertaining residents and visitors of Cowtown from its current location since 1958.

The theatre was originally started back in 1936 by Amen G. Carter as the "show of shows", complete with the world's largest revolving stage and room for up to 4,000 patrons, but it succumbed to the rising costs of World War II, and was dismantled to be recycled for the war effort. Check the theatre's website to read more its history, for show times, and to purchase tickets.

The Modern: On Exhibit at The Modern Art Museum through February 6^th, view the surreal work of artist Erik Parker , who describes his own work as "fragmented samples of our culture". Check museum website for details and hours of operation.

Kimball Art Museum : On Exhibit through March 27^th, Salvator Rosa - Bandits Wilderness & Magic. Located at 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, the Kimball's regular exhibit is always free and is open daily. Check museum website for exhibit schedules or events, and for hours of operation.

FW Museum of Science and History: Now showing at the Omni IMAX Theater, inside the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History-- Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France. Check website for show times.

Ridglea Jazz Café: Sunday Brunch will be served at 12 noon at one of Fort Worth's favorite jazz venues, located at 6115 Camp Bowie Blvd.

OUTDOOR FUN

Family Adventure : The Fort Worth Zoo is open 365 days a year, and offers fun for the whole family...weather permitting. Visiting the zoo is an economical way to learn about animals from all over the world and enjoy leisure time in a natural setting.

Pack a lunch...plenty of water, and see what fun and adventure awaits you on a discovery safari at the FW Zoo.

Take to the Lake: Regardless of which big event is taking place around Dallas and Fort Worth, there's always an escape on an area lake. If you own a boat, that's all-the-better, since you have the option to fish...sail...or just cruise the water at your own leisure.

But if you don't have your own water-craft, you can fish from the banks of your favorite spot, lounge by the water (depending on weather...of course), or go sailing...solo or with a local sailing club.

A Walk in the Park: If weather permits, pack up the family...a picnic lunch, and head outdoors. Just take care to steer away from the more centralized areas, like downtown Fort Worth, because of traffic and crowds watching and celebrating the game in Sundance Square and other densely populated areas of town.

Instead, opt for the outskirts of the Fort, like far West Fort Worth and the West Fork of the Trinity River. There in the Farmer's Branch Trail tributary of the Trinity, is a largely unknown natural treasure of Cowtown: The Farmer's Branch Waterfall, the city's only natural fall.

You'll feel like you've ventured out of town or back in time, due to the rural...serene setting.

FAMILY FUN

Take in a Movie: With so many movies playing these days, you shouldn't be hard-pressed to find entertainment at any one of your local theaters. If you like dinner and a movie, check out one of several Fort Worth Movie Tavern locations. 'Great family fun...indoors, so you don't have to worry about the weather.

Pizza Fun : For hours and hours of family fun, especially for the kiddos, spend the day at Chuck E Cheese Pizza. With fun games for young and old alike, pizza galore, as well as other yummy items on the menu, Chuck E Cheeses is a family-friendly alternative to football come Superbowl Sunday.

Home Free: To be 100% sure you'll avoid the chaos of traffic and crowds on the big day, simply stay home by a cozy fire, with a glass of cabernet and your favorite CD; enjoying your own company or the company of others. Board games and a home cooked meal with your family or a few non-sports loving friends is also a fun alternative. The sky is the limit when you're safe and sound in your own surroundings. And the best part is...fun at home is often free.

TRAVEL

Get Outta Town: To miss the chaos and traffic of the big weekend, head out of town a few days ahead of time...to a place with everything but football on the agenda.

Camp Out: Plan a family camping trip to one of the State Parks near Fort Worth and Dallas. Go fishing, or just kick back and relax in the peaceful quiet of rural surroundings. There are endless possibilities to family fun in nature.

WORKS CITED:

http://www.eventful.com

http://www.casamanana.org

http://www.themodern.org

http://www.star-telegram.com

http://www.ridgmar.net

http://www.trinitytrails.org

http://www.town-mall.net

http://www.fortworthzoo.org

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us

http://www.chuckecheese.com

http://www.texasoutside.com
http://www.yelp.com