Best Cities to Watch a Football Game

Pumpkin spice (or apple cider!) Hoodies. Boots. Flannel. Backyard fire pits. Fall is in full swing and that means all these fantastic things – plus football!

And if you’re planning a trip to see some of your favorite teams, chances are you don’t want to just arrive at the stadium, watch the game and go home. Especially not with flight delays and travel costs being what they are today.

Instead, you can plan your fall or winter vacation in one of these iconic cities and have plenty to do, eat, see and drink while you’re there.

Let’s face it: Football stadiums are built in mostly great cities. Even though the stadiums themselves may lie on the outskirts of the city proper, you can usually find tons of attractions, restaurants and tourist sites nearby. Some are even walkable from the stadium.

I’ll confess: This list was super-hard to compile. I personally love so many of these cities and, in each one, there are thousands of things to do that didn’t make the list. Apart from deciding on the top tourist attractions and restaurants in each city, it was nearly impossible to cull the list down to just 10 of the best choices.

I took into account the stadium and the team itself, as well as local restaurants and other attractions. Your mileage may vary depending on what you’re into. For instance, Houston came close to making the list, not for its football team, but for the Space Center, amazing steakhouses (Vic & Anthony’s and Pappas Bros., I’m looking at you) and tons of family-friendly, fun activities.

After much vacillating, I narrowed it down to 10 top cities based on the stadium experience, the prestige of the team and the surroundings. After all, as Toby Dagenhart, a Houston business owner, mentioned when I asked some sports fans about the best cities for football: “Houston is GREAT for the city and venue, but for the football team, not so much. Same question for baseball and Houston is 100% the best!”

With that being said, one Texas team did make the list… keep reading to find out the best cities in the U.S. to watch a professional football game.

Las Vegas, NV

From the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon to the lights of the Las Vegas strip, there’s plenty for football fans to do in the desert oasis surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium. On game and event days, you can walk to the strip from the stadium via a one-mile path that is closed to vehicle traffic, putting you in the center of the action. While you’re in town, take a stadium tour, experience a show, and explore the sea life at Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium.

Mandalay Bay, the Luxor and the Delano are considered part of Vegas’ “Fan District.” Stay in one of these hotels to connect with other Raiders fans and enjoy food and drink specials at on-site bars and eateries when you show your game ticket.

East Rutherford, NJ

The Meadowlands Sports Complex, which houses MetLife Stadium, is, admittedly, way on the outskirts of Manhattan. But the home of both the New York Jets and New York Giants is a great place to watch a game, with luxury suites, an exciting variety of concessions and state-of-the-art technology throughout. With the opening of the American Dream entertainment complex, East Rutherford has become a tourist destination in its own right. Bring the kids for a family vacation that can include the DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, two mini golf courses, ice skating, and a large selection of restaurants. The House of Que is a great place to grab some post-game apps and beer.

If you want to explore the area, New York City is just a short ride away. The best things to see and do in NYC could fill several articles, but a walk on the High Line, a tour of the U.S.S. Intrepid, a stop at the Museum of Natural History, and a Broadway show all come to mind as must-dos (coming from a native New Yorker, that is).

Miami, FL

Beach, or football? Why not both?

Escape from the cold northern winters to experience football in the tropical climate of Miami. The Hard Rock Stadium, home to both the Miami Dolphins NFL team and the Miami Hurricanes college team, is a world-class facility with multiple luxury suites, including access to private clubs and boxes that can take your experience to the next level.

Plan some extra time in southern Florida to take the trek down to South Beach, which is roughly 20 miles southeast of the stadium. You’ll find it well worth the trip, whether you want to party on a rooftop bar like Juvia, practice salsa dancing at Mango’s Tropical Café, or revel in culinary ecstasy at Michelin-starred Stubborn Seed. Or you can just relax on the beach. We won’t judge.

New Orleans, LA

Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, is undergoing a $450 million renovation that should be complete by the 2024 football season and in plenty of time for the city to host the Super Bowl in 2025, according to a report from KALB.com. Listed as a favorite city of football fans in informal polls, New Orleans combines a historic stadium—now being modernized—with energetic nightlife in a city that is unlike any other. Party and shop in the French Quarter at Canal and Bourbon Streets, less than a mile from the stadium. You’ll also have a wide choice of hotels in the area, from the breathtaking Lafayette, a historic boutique hotel on St. Charles Avenue to the New Orleans Marriott, less than a mile away.

Kansas City, MO

GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is hailed by fans as one of the best places to watch a game. As the iconic venue celebrates its golden anniversary, make sure to plan plenty of time before kickoff to check out the newly remodeled Hall of Honor and the Arrowhead Art Collection, which includes 37 installations across the stadium, all created by artists around the Midwest U.S.

When you’re not at the field, you may want to hop on a Barley Bus Tour and experience the best of the city’s wineries, breweries and distilleries. The experience is rated #1 in Kansas City Tours by TripAdvisor.com.

The area around the stadium has no shortage of affordable hotels, but if you’re looking for something more luxurious, consider the Loews Kansas City, a 4-star property less than 7 miles from the stadium.

Foxborough, MA

Just like the Meadowlands in New Jersey and Florida’s Hard Rock Stadium, the New England Patriots home is on the outskirts of the city. Gillette Stadium sits in Foxborough, Massachusetts, just 33 miles south of downtown Boston.

But its proximity to Boston, not to mention the great attractions that are on-site at Patriot Place, make it one of the best venues to watch a game.

From shopping and dining to entertainment, you barely need to leave the vicinity of the stadium to enjoy a perfect vacation. When it comes to dining and retail, Patriot Place has it all, including a large Bass Pro Shops, WalPole Outdoors, It’Sugar, Vineyard Vines, and many other great retail spots. Dining options are, admittedly, mostly chains–but some are chains you don’t find in every city. Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse and Bar Louie stand out as perfect options for before or after a game.

If you do want to venture outside of Foxborough, Boston offers plenty to do, from the historic Faneuil Hall to the New England Aquarium. And the public transportation system is virtually second-to-none, making it easy to get around without a car.

Denver, CO

Empower Field at Mile High offers a first-class experience to watch the Denver Broncos play. The stadium, itself, is a work of art, towering 5,280 feet above sea-level and overlooking the Denver skyline and Rocky Mountains. The new VIP Tailgate experience offers an all-you-can-eat premium buffet and open bar that opens three hours before kick-off. You can watch early NFL games on multiple, high-definition screens, play Xbox, and even enjoy surprise visits from cheerleaders, the Broncos mascot and team alumni.

The city of Denver offers plenty of fun for football fans and family and friends who may just be along for the ride. TripAdvisor.com recommends Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station, an immersive, psychedelic art experience located just six minutes from the stadium. You might also consider a small group walking tour of Downtown Denver for an overview of Mile High City. See historic architecture like the Capitol State Building and Union Station.

Got the munchies? Denver is famous for its food truck scene and Kike’s Red Tacos won’t disappoint. If you prefer a sit-down experience, try the Brasserie Brixton for French fare or Hop Alley for upscale Chinese dishes.

Baltimore, MD

M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, combines state-of-the-art technology that includes a high-density WiFi network and high-definition video screens with multiple concessions options, including four sports bars inside the stadium. The stadium is also the only outdoor professional sports facility in the U.S. to qualify for a LEED Gold rating for sustainability.

Inner Harbor is one of Baltimore’s main tourist attractions, and is just over a mile away from the stadium. This puts M&T Bank Stadium in the heart of the action, where you’ll find the best luxury hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Depending on what you like to do when you’re not enjoying the action on the field—and your budget—you can embark on an Inner Harbor sightseeing cruise or take a helicopter tour above the city, ending with dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse or Capital Grille. The National Aquarium provides fun for the whole family.

Dallas, TX

AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, offers everything fans want in a football vacation: a state-of-the-art stadium, plenty to do in the surrounding city, and a winning team. You may want to start off your trip with a tour of AT&T Stadium, which is the world’s largest domed structure. Take a tour to explore the stadium’s history and see the artwork, technology and exclusive VIP areas of the venue.

Again, it’s important to note that the stadium is in Arlington, but Downtown Dallas is less than 20 miles away by car. Dallas houses a number of fun museums, attractions and some of the best steakhouses in Texas for the whole family.

You’ll want to check out Reunion Tower, a 470-foot structure with a revolving viewing platform for an eagle’s eye view of the city. Spend some time wandering the Dallas Arts District with stops in the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Collection of Asian Art. Finish your day with dinner at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, hailed as one of the best in the DFW area, and you’ll have experienced some of the best of Texas in a short amount of time.

If you’re staying in the Arlington area and roller coasters are your thing, you won’t want to be in town without a stop at Six Flags Over Texas. Visit in October for the legendary Frightfest or after Thanksgiving for Holiday in the Park. For thrill-seekers, El Diablo is the world’s largest loop coaster, while Titan, towering 255 feet in the air, is the biggest hypercoaster in the state and travels at 85 mph.

Green Bay, WI

Football fans agreed that this list would not be complete without Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. Long regarded as a great place to watch a game, the 1919 Kitchen & Tap also makes Lambeau Field the perfect place for live music and craft beer. With more than 80 beers on tap and a variety of shareables, salads, and delightfully creative main courses made from locally sourced ingredients, you won’t have to go far to find a good meal at Lambeau Field.

But it’s worth venturing into the city of Green Bay to enjoy the city’s eclectic mix of museums and attractions, including the Automobile Gallery & Event Center, the National Railroad Museum, and, weather-permitting, the Green Bay Botanical Gardens.

Your Favorite Football Vacation

Your favorite football vacation could look very similar to this list – or very different depending on your hobbies, interests, tastes, and even your favorite teams. Hopefully this list sparked some ideas for your next travel adventure.

Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.