This February Super Bowl LI is coming to Houston, marking the 50th anniversary of the first Super Bowl back in 1967. This year both Super Bowl teams from last year surprisingly failed to make the playoffs, and with playoffs finishing at the end of January, the only certainty for the day is the spectacular half time show, with Lady Gaga headlining.
 
The Super Bowl will take place in Houston on February 5th
 

As firm favourites, the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys might well be joining Lady Gaga on February 5th, along with an audience of well in excess of 100 million viewers. Last year drew close to an average of 112 million – and that doesn’t count online streaming or those watching in numerous eateries and bars across the country.
 

As some of the most coveted sports tickets in the world allocation is strict, with around a quarter going to corporate sponsors and the media, and the remainder distributed through teams and lotteries, though there is of course a healthy sell-on market. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on some, Houston this year will be a destination offering much to explore once the game is over.
 
The NRG Stadium - Image courtesy of nrg park
 

This year’s host venue, the NRG stadium, is home to NFL’s Houston Texans and has a capacity of over 70,000. It forms part of the NRG Park, which includes the astrodome that debuted in 1965 as the world’s first domed stadium. As well as welcoming the Super Bowl the stadium has seen some very big names come to perform, from Beyoncé to The Rolling Stones, and also hosts RodeoHouston, so it certainly has the credentials to welcome America’s biggest sporting event this year.
 
Hotel Zaza - Image courtesy of expedia
 

Hotel ZaZa is a great option as a base in the Downtown Museum District. As well as a collection of decadently-decorated guestrooms and suites – including Pool Villas, Concept Suites and The Magnificent Seven Suites – there is the award-winning Monarch Bistro, which remains a hit with visitors and locals alike, as well as the onsite spa.
 
The Alley Theater - Image courtesy of Studio Red Architects
 

From here visit the sites or take the chance to explore the arts and culture scene. From the Houston Ballet to the Grand Opera, as well as The Alley Theater, there’s plenty to choose from. If you prefer to revel in true escapism away from the terrestrial, check out Space Center Houston, the visitor center of NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
 
Houston Space Center - Image courtesy of Visit NASA
 

Whilst “Houston” wasn’t in fact the first word uttered by Neil Armstrong from the moon – he had a more boring checklist to get through first – it is the one most people remember, and that famous sentence still conjures exploration like no other.
 

And let’s not forget the food. From fine dining to casual grills, you can certainly eat your way across the city and take time to sample some very fine BBQ. Helen Greek Food & Wine on Rice Boulevard continues to get rave reviews, or try the hottest foodie destination at Riel to sample Texan food inspired by Ukrainian and Canadian classics.
 
Helen Greek Food & Wine - Image courtesy of Travel and Leisure
 

So try your hardest to get the best seats and enjoy the half-time show between some thrilling action. Whatever the game brings, Houston, America’s fourth largest city, will certainly deliver a getaway you’ll want to repeat soon, with or without America’s great sporting stars.
 
This year the Super Bowl will take place in Houston

Getting there

The Super Bowl weekend is one of the busiest weekends for private jet charter every year. Skip the expected airport chaos and fly into one of the many local airports serving the Houston area. Slot times will book up quickly, so be sure to book as early in advance as possible to avoid disappointment. To compare private jet prices to the Super Bowl LI in Houston, search today on stratajet.com