Phoenix Travel Basics

Home » Web Guides » Travel » Arizona Travel » Phoenix Super Bowl Travel

In This Guide

Most Popular

Phoenix Super Bowl Travel Guide

Phoenix is the place to be for the weekend of February 1-4, even if you don't have tickets to the Super Bowl. It's not too late to find a good price on a hotel room and a flight to Phoenix. Between the big game, the FBR Open PGA golf tournament, and the countless parties in Tempe and Scottsdale, expect a Mardi Gras-type atmosphere.

Although officially being hosted by Phoenix, Super Bowl XLII will rely heavily upon the towns and cities that comprise the greater Phoenix area. The game itself will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, about ten miles West of Phoenix. ESPN, DirecTV, and others will be holding their official parties in downtown Scottsdale, while the masses flood the town's nightclubs. And nearby Tempe and Mesa will provide lodging and entertainment for droves of out-of-towners. So visitors have plenty of options for where to stay, party, and enjoy the game.

Though just a few weeks away, there's still time to plan an unforgettable trip. Whether you have tickets to the big game, or are planning to take in the energy of the town, this guide will be an indispensable companion on your trip. Need a sports bar for pre-game revelry, or a map to help you navigate the downtown? From the logistics of trip planning, like finding accommodations and transportation, to advice on how to spend your pre and post game days, it's all here. Make your Phoenix Super Bowl XLII experience an unforgettable one.

If you want to learn about the action on the field, be sure to check out our Super Bowl XLII: Patriots vs. Giants Guide for news, stats, and analysis of the teams.

Expand All Guide Sections

Phoenix Travel Basics

Phoenix, Arizona is ripe with opportunities for travelers, whether you're a football fan or a culture fiend. Use this section for an introduction to the city.

Dulcinea's Insight

The Super Bowl is being played at the University of Phoenix Stadium located in Glendale, which is about ten miles west of Phoenix.

If a painless drive from your hotel to the game on Sunday is your top priority, stay just north of Glendale in Peoria, or southwest of Glendale in Avondale. Most of the excessive partying (and the people and traffic accompanying it) will be happening in Tempe and Scottsdale.

Downtown Phoenix will be buzzing with activity in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. Get a preview of what to expect by perusing the "attractions" sites below, as some events may require advance ticket purchase.

If you want to get in on the Super Bowl excitement, but you don't have tickets to the game, you can still experience the atmosphere surrounding it by taking a trip to Phoenix.

Phoenix is one of the country's fastest growing cities, but because of its relative youth (it was founded in the 1880s) Phoenix still feels clean and new.

Dulcinea's Picks

For history ...

VisitPhoenix.com is supported by the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau. The site covers a lot of ground. A history of Phoenix begins with life on the Salt River in 300 BC, and chronicles up to the city's incorporation and first election in 1881. There's also a run-down of Phoenix facts.

go to site »

For official tourism resources ...

The Arizona Office of Tourism helps you experience the state to the fullest by providing comprehensive information specific to the city or region you plan to visit. Begin with the interactive map provided in the "Where to Go" section for regional itineraries and feature articles, then try "What to Do" to access a range of activity options for families, nightlife, golfing, arts and culture, and more.

go to site »

VisitPhoenix.com provides contact information for visitor centers and Chambers of Commerce across the Greater Phoenix area, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, and other cities. Web sites are listed for some organizations. Once you arrive, these offices can be great tourism resources for things like restaurant recommendations and general travel suggestions.

go to site »

For an overview of attractions ...

azcentral.com is the site of the Arizona Republic newspaper and has a "Travel and Explore" section specifically for Phoenix's tourists. Consult sections on things to do for families, couples, and sports fans, get the critics' dining picks, and find suggested itineraries based on interests like golf, shopping, and fine art.

go to site »

ESPN Sports Travel City Guide to Phoenix is geared toward sports fans heading to the city. In the overview of  "Sports Experiences," you'll learn where to find unique activities like the Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum, and sports venues, like a list of Golf Digest's Top Ten Places to Play in the area.

go to site »

The City of Phoenix site has a section on Specialty Parks and Recreation Areas, including dog parks, hiking trails, skate parks, and even parks for bird watchers, among others. Click on a category to access lists of individual parks with links to Web sites.

go to site »

Super 'Gate '08 is a massive, overnight RV and camper tailgate party that will be held at the Super Bowl from Thursday, January 31, to Monday, February 4. There are events like an opening night bonfire, tailgate decathlon, chicken wing eating contest, and smack-talk trivia contest to keep tailgaters busy. You reserve your space online.

go to site »

For travel articles ...

The New York Times "Travel" section provides a compendium of feature articles on Phoenix and its surrounding area. Learn how best to spend a weekend in nearby Scottsdale, or read about Phoenix's cultural revival. Above the articles are reviews of restaurants, hotels, and attractions from the Times and Frommer's.

go to site »