Super Bowl XLV: 10 Ways For Pittsburgh Steelers Fans To Get Over the Loss

All right, time to face the facts, Steelers fans. Your team lost the Super Bowl after Rashard Mendenhall lost the ball on their last drive of the game. Your Terrible Towel has turned into a Terrible Hankie. And everyone in one of the most livable cities in America is crying in their beer.

Big friggin' whoop.

There are other ways for you to get over this miserable defeat. Put that Terrible Towel away and look at ten ways for you to get over Super Bowl XLV. 

10. Watch The Symphony Or Opera

A little classical music or opera might soothe your weary soul after a terrible defeat (excuse the pun) like this. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is performing some Tchaikovsky and Beethoven this month, so do check it out. Also, the Pittsburgh Opera will be performing Turandot in late March (ever heard of "Nessun Dorma"?).

Visit their web sites here:

http://www.pittsburghsymphony.org

http://www.pittsburghopera.org/

9. Ride A Bike

In a 2009 report by Men's Fitness, Pittsburgh was named the 25th fittest city in America. One of the reasons behind it all: the various bike trails around the city.

Get out your bike, do your part for Mother Nature and pedal your frustrations away. Check out the various bike trails in the city right here. 

8. Head To The Museums

There are a number of museums and galleries that Steelers fans can take a minute to pause and reflect on.

There's the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Frick Art & Historical Center, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, the Mattress Factory, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Bayernhof Music Museum, the Milner Gallery at Carnegie Mellon, and the Wood Street Galleries, among others.

It's these types of places that make you appreciate your city a little bit more. 

7. Visit The Zoo And The Aquarium

If the museums and galleries don't fit your fancy, you can always head to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, where over 4,000 animals representing 475 species (including 20 threatened or endangered species) are represented.

Bring the entire family along and take your mind off Super Sunday! Visit the Zoo online here.

6. Soak In The Comfort Food

There is a reason why comfort food exists. It makes you feel better. And Pittsburgh is known for its regional speciaties.

From chipped ham and kielbasa, to halušky and cabbage rolls, to Primanti Brothers sandwiches and Italian sausage, to pietogies and city chicken, to Iron City Beer and the brews from the Duquesne Brewing Company...the many restaurants dotting Pittsburgh have something for Steelers fans to ease their minds over.

Oh, and don't forget the Heinz ketchup.

5. Pennsic War Anyone?

Got a little bit of the larper in you? Head down to Coopers Lake Playground in nearby Slippery Rock to take part in the Pennsic War, a re-enactment of pre-17th century Europe that attracts over 10,000 strong each year.

More info on how to register for this event can be found here. Pretend you are facing Green Bay's fans while you're at it, Steelers fans.

4. Pittsburgh Power Arena Football

Football season is not over...if you follow arena football.

That's right, this year marks the inaugural season of the Pittsburgh Power, who compete in the Arena Football League. Catch all the exciting action at the Consol Energy Center this spring.

The season begins on March 11, when they take on the Philadelphia Soul. More info can be found here.

3. Pittsburgh Panthers Men's Basketball

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 17: Gilbert Brown #5 of the Pittsburgh Panthers dunks the ball against the Syracuse Orange at Petersen Events Center on January 17, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Panthers defeated the Orange 74-66. (Photo by Justin K. A

Oh yeah. Those guys. If you already know by now, there is a men's basketball team doing pretty well this season in your city. They are called the Pitt Panthers, and are currently (as of today) #4 in the country with a 20-3 record.

Their next home game is on Feb. 16 against South Florida at the Petersen Events Center. And the Backyard Brawl with West Virginia is on Feb. 24. Better get your tickets now...

Visit the Panthers online here. 

2. Pittsburgh Pirates

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Justin Thomas #65 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the St Louis Cardinals during the game on September 23, 2010 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

If you are a true Pittsburgh sports fan, you will be looking forward to the 2011 Major League Baseball season while cheering for your Pirates.

Hey, they share the same color scheme. You know what it is. Arrrr.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins walks off the ice after being defeated 3-1 by the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Two words: Sidney Crosby.

As of this article date, the Penguins are currently 34-16-4 (72 points), good for fourth in the Eastern Conference. They're not doing too bad, and since the 2010 NFL season is history, I believe Dan Bylsma's boys could use your support right about...now.