A few days ago I talked to a gentleman in a state of mild panic. When planning his Grand Canyon vacation for this weekend, he didn’t take into account the fact that he would be up here over (*gasp!*) Super Bowl Sunday! So he was wondering should he cancel his vacation, and risk incurring a penalty for cancelling his hotel room? Or should he just grin and bear it and watch the game on DVR when he got home? Imagine his relief when I told him that yes, he could watch the Super Bowl up here, and you can too. 
Most (but not all) Grand Canyon hotel rooms have TV’s. But if you’d prefer to cheer for your team alongside other sports fans from around the country (and the world!), there are several lounges where you can do that very thing. During my 7 years living inside Grand Canyon National Park, my husband and I watched many a Super Bowl, NBA Playoff, and World Series game (Go Diamondbacks!!!) at the sports lounge at the sports bar at Xanterra South Rim’s Maswik Lodge. This full-service bar has not one but seven TV’s. You can also shoot pool and compare Grand Canyon trip notes with visitors from round the globe (international guests have been known to sit in just to watch the spectacle of it all). The cafeteria next door makes great burgers and spaghetti, too.
Those staying in Tusayan just outside the park can take a short walk to the Best Western Grand Canyon Squire 
Inn and duck into The Saguaro Lounge where you can enjoy a “cold one” along with tasty Southwestern appetizers, or maybe a pizza or some nachos while you watch the game. If the rest of the family doesn’t share your enthusiasm for the gridiron, send ‘em down the hall to the Squire’s famous Family Fun Center for bowling or video games. Across the street at the Grand Hotel, the Canyon Star Saloon has a couple of big screen TV’s that will no doubt be tuned in to all the action.
If you’re staying in Flagstaff (home of Northern Arizona University) or Williams, these cities have many fine pubs and cocktail lounges that cater to sports fans. Just ask your hotel front desk for recommendations, or consult the local newspaper. For those of you who think being on vacation over Super Bowl Sunday is the ultimate nightmare, try this on for size: Super Bowl Sunday actually occurred on my honeymoon – so there! The ‘49ers won, so it was all good.
So, have a happy weekend, and remember – DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! There is NO need for it whatsoever. If you’re staying inside the park, take the Grand Canyon Village Loop shuttle – it goes to all the hotels, restaurants and gift shops in the park, and best of all it’s FREE; if you’re staying in Tusayan, all the hotels are within walking distance of one another. End of lecture, and end of entry!
‘til next time, Happy Traveling!
P.S. This very question was actually answered in our Grand Canyon Winter Travel Guide. Got a Grand Canyon travel question? Download our brand new Grand Canyon Vacation Guide and get the answer right now!
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