We take this break from the NFL draft to focus on my potential future as a travel writer.
With the release of the 49ers' schedule this week, there were a couple questions about the best road trips in the NFL. You came to the right place for some opinions.
When the 49ers played the Browns in the season-finale, it was a milestone for yours truly. With that trip to Cleveland, I had covered a game in every NFL city.
So, therefore, here is my ranking of all 29 NFL road trips (excluding San Francisco and Oakland, of course):
1. New Orleans: This is a sentimental choice. We've been back once since Katrina, and there is certainly a different vibe in the city. It was my most poignant experience since covering the 49ers, seeing this area a year after the hurricane. The French Quarter was mostly back to normal, but crime has increased. Still, the vast majority of the people are great, and it's always great to see my friends at the Tropical Isle. The food in this city is wonderful, as are the drink and ambiance.
2. Chicago: Great walking city. Plenty of great-tasting, not-exactly-healthy eating. And there are plenty of great spots to get a late-night beverage. Thankfully, you can run it all off on a great jogging path next to the lake. Have I used the word "great" yet to describe this city? Another great thing, if you go during baseball season, there's always going to be a game in town.
3. Boston/New England: It's a haul to Foxboro, but you can't find much fault with a trip to Boston.
4. New York/New Jersey: This is a fantastic trip. Unfortunately, because the hotels are so expensive and the stadium is in New Jersey, I'm not always able to stay in Manhattan.
5. Washington: Everywhere you look, there's a landmark.
6. Green Bay: Unlike any other city in the NFL. This is a small town that revolves around its football team.
7. Pittsburgh: Underrated city. It's beautiful with the confluence of the three rivers. The view from Mount Washington is breathtaking. And there's probably not a week that goes by that I don't talk about the sandwiches at Primanti Brothers.
8. Miami: I've been there for just one 49ers game and one Super Bowl. It's a hip and happening city.
9. Seattle: Great seafood. Nice walk to the stadium (weather permitting). If I drank coffee, I might just move there.
10. Philadelphia: I'll take Pat's King of Steaks over the neon of Geno's any day of the week.
11. San Diego: What's not to love? This place would be higher on the list, but it's so close to us in the Bay Area that it doesn't feel like a real road trip. (Yes, folks, there's a West Coast bias.)
12. Nashville: Good scene, and another nice downtown walk to the stadium. I'm not even a country-music fan, but I became one for a couple days.
13. Cleveland: It's the butt of many jokes, but this is a good spot. I've always been a fan of Cleveland. Downtown is solid. (Apparently, the Flats are passé.) The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame is near the stadium. And the Pro Football Hall of Fame is about an hour's drive away.
14. Kansas City: Ah, good beef. Also, I try to make it to the Negro League Hall of Fame every time I'm in town.
15. Minneapolis: Very clean and very pleasant.
16. Baltimore: You could care less about this, but this stadium has the best press box and certainly the best press parking in the NFL. (It's right by the elevator.) A few scribes went out the last time we were there and had a nice meal in Little Italy.
17. Tampa: Walk around Ybor City on a Friday or Saturday night and you'll see uncommonly beautiful people. That's why I carry a mirror with me - just to keep it real.
18. Detroit: All I need are a couple dinners in Greektown to satisfy my wants and needs.
19. Denver: One of these days I'm going to have to get to a baseball game here. The area around Coors Field is pretty nice. This is one of the worst cab towns in America, though. Several writers, including myself, nearly froze to death after the season-ender in 2006 trying to find a taxi after the game. (It was New Year's Eve.) Thankfully, the Denny's across the street from the stadium was warm.
20. Buffalo: Gotta love the Buffalo wings. I like to squeeze in something bizarre every year. This year I'll try to find the site of McKinley's assassination. Does anyone know if the exact location is memorialized in any way?
21. Dallas: For some reason, I'm still fascinated by the mere sight of the Texas School Book Depository. A trip inside the museum is always a highlight.
22. Phoenix: A great place to visit for spring training, but as a football town it leaves a lot to be desired. The place to go is Scottsdale, but it's too far from where you need to go for a football game.
23. St. Louis: I enjoy my visits here because I've been so many times that I know where to go and what to do. My favorite dinner spots are Café Balaban in the Central West End and Bartolino's on The Hill.
24. Charlotte: This looks like the kind of place that would be a nice place to live. As far as a three-day road trip, however, it's pretty forgettable. When we went there this year, I enjoyed a couple meals. I had ribs at Mac's Speed Shop and after the game, a group went to Frankie's Italian Grille, where the service was great.
25. Indianapolis: This place, Charlotte, St. Louis, Cincinnati - they're all pretty similar.
26. Cincinnati: I walk across the bridge for the game. Other than that, I stay on the Kentucky side of the river. Love the ribs at the Boathouse at Montgomery Inn.
27. Houston: The best part of visiting there is you don't have to live there and put up with the horrendous traffic on a daily basis. (I know, the Bay Area's traffic is probably worse, but I'm used to it here.)
28. Jacksonville: This city is the largest in the U.S., as far as square miles. It's so spread out, it has no pulse. It's a $50 cab ride from the airport to any hotel. But that's OK because once you're in your room, you feel no need to venture out. (Unless, you decide to take a day trip to Savannah.)
29. Atlanta: This was the one trip I wish I could eliminate every year back when the 49ers played in the old NFC West. The first time I visited Buckhead, it was OK. After that, I couldn't stand it, but I kept going back, for some reason. I hadn't been back to Atlanta for several years until last season. (I was wise and did not go to Buckhead.) Instead, I went to the Midtown area. I had two great dinners (South City Kitchen and One Midtown Kitchen). Still, downtown is absolutely dreadful.
* * *
2008 49ers Schedule
Exhibition: Week 1, at Oakland Raiders, TBA; Week 2, Green Bay Packers, TBA; Thursday, Aug. 21, @ Chicago Bears, 6 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 29, San Diego Chargers, TBA.
Sept. 7 Arizona Cardinals 1:15PM FOX
Sept. 14 @ Seattle Seahawks 1:05PM FOX
Sept. 21 Detroit Lions 1:05PM FOX
Sept. 28 @ New Orleans Saints 10AM FOX
Oct. 5 New England Patriots 1:15PM CBS
Oct. 12 Philadelphia Eagles 1:15PM FOX
Oct. 19 @ New York Giants 10AM FOX
Oct. 26 Seattle Seahawks 1:15PM FOX
Nov. 2 BYE
Nov. 10 @ Arizona Cardinals 5:30PM ESPN
Nov. 16 St. Louis Rams 1:05PM # FOX
Nov. 23 @ Dallas Cowboys 10AM # FOX
Nov. 30 @ Buffalo Bills 10AM # FOX
Dec. 7 New York Jets 1:05PM # CBS
Dec. 14 @ Miami Dolphins 10AM # FOX
Dec. 21 @ St. Louis Rams 10AM # FOX
Dec. 28 Washington Redskins 1:15PM # FOX
#-Subject to the NFL's flexible scheduling policy, so times could change.
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: BEST ROAD TRIP (20/04/2008 4:45:48 PM)
Comment: Hopefully, not to Santa Clara!
Posted By: UG (20/04/2008 4:19:28 AM)
Comment: Clean and very pleasant?
Posted By: mikeeee uk (19/04/2008 12:28:15 PM)
Comment: hey matt lets hope you have a road trip come playoff time!!!!
Posted By: The Pat's/Gino's debate (19/04/2008 7:58:31 AM)
Comment: Matt, I was in Philly a few weeks ago and my friends and I, after a few drinks, decided to try to settle the Pat's/Gino's debate. 5 guys, 5 sandwiches, 5 blindfolds. We each ate 2 halves blindfolded, one Gino's one Pat's, and voted which we thought was better. Gino's won 4 to 1 (even though 2 of those people went into the test saying Pat's was better). So my theory is, by wearing the blindfolds, we were able to ignore the awful neon glow of Gino's and focus on the product.
P.S. the number of drinks consumed before this test and the number of sandwhiches actually eated have been decreased significantly so as not to give away just how glutonous a crowd we are.
Posted By: Marek W. (19/04/2008 12:40:34 AM)
Comment: Hey, Matty. Long time.
Don't want to give away any secrets here, but I can confirm the consumption of green drinks at the Tropical Isle ...
Response: I just knew that night would come back to haunt me ... beyond the next morning. Hope all is well, Marek. --Matt M.
Posted By: alaskadan (19/04/2008 12:05:33 AM)
Comment: Matt I can tell you that you're missing the mark on what sounds like your sole trip to the
Posted By: buzz (S.F.) (18/04/2008 10:25:22 PM)
Comment: P.S. Matt unless it's San Francisco on New Years Eve- in which case let me know-I dispatch cabs there!You too Berger!!!!
Posted By: Patrick in Mission Viejo (18/04/2008 9:07:27 PM)
Comment: With regards to Charlotte, you are right it is a horrible place to visit. And it does "look" like a good place to live. Then I lived there for two years and can came flying back to California. I was even there for the Panthers Super Bowl fun and the city still had no character!
Posted By: Xavier McMurtry (18/04/2008 8:55:29 PM)
Comment: You forgot Mexico City!
Posted By: Berger (18/04/2008 8:51:21 PM)
Comment: When I go to a 49er game it is a road trip for me, since I live in Reno. San Francisco has to be as good as it gets. One year we did Six Flags in Vallejo. Another year we did the SJ swap meet. We won't be doing that again. But we've kind of settled on Fisherman's Wharf now. Last year we ate at the Cliff House and visited Kezar Stadium as well as the Kezar Pub. The year before we did Alioto's. And we always do Pier 39. If you like blues music, Lou's Pier 47 is hard to beat. There is a bar called Jack's that has about 80 beers on tap and a 55 beer limit. The cable car is a bit hokey, but it's still great. I still have to do the zoo and Alcatraz, AT&T Park, Winchester Mystery House, the Santa Cruz boardwalk, Carmel and a lot more restaraunts. We're targeting Ciopino's this year. I think SF would be hard to beat.
Posted By: buzz (S.F.) (18/04/2008 8:05:11 PM)
Comment: Just a hint Matt...getting a cab on New Years Eve in just about any major city in the US is a long shot...hire a limo on that one...your a star!!!!?
Posted By: Phil (Ny49ersguy) From Buffalo (18/04/2008 7:45:26 PM)
Comment: Matt!! You're always welcome in Buffalo man! There is a spot near Delaware Park with a stone that marks the spot where the building stood where President McKinley was assasinated. There is also McKinley square with a monument in front of City Hall you should check out. Have fun in Buffalo, have some "Jim's Steak Out" and some Buffalo Wings!
Posted By: ninermaniac (18/04/2008 7:14:02 PM)
Comment: Matt, you certainly have some good trips this season. Hey can you do me some favors to jinx the opponents? Like eat some clam chowder with a bread bowl against NE. And against the Eagles eat a philly cheese steak, and when they ask if you want peppers say, "uhh yea just red and gold". and at Dallas wear a larry Allen Jersey or a Ken Norton Jersey. And At St. Louis Toast a glass of red wine for Mrs. Frontier.
Posted By: HI9ers (18/04/2008 7:02:48 PM)
Comment: check out this restaurant if you ever make it over to paradise. http://www.samchoy.com/index.html
Posted By: HI9ers (18/04/2008 6:59:37 PM)
Comment: Have you done coverage for the Pro-Bowl at all? Honolulu has some amazing scenic spots and restaurants.
Posted By: Ray__Dogg (18/04/2008 6:21:31 PM)
Comment: The only appealing thing I have found in Atlanta is the fried peach pie at The Varsity.
Posted By: Jeff B (18/04/2008 4:55:22 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt,
I was thinking about how SF offers possibly the worst fan experience in the NFL which reminded me of the measures that were being put on the Santa Clara ballot to authorize a feasibility study. Do you have any information concerning the Niners and Santa Clara or San Francisco? Any developments concerning a new stadium? Thanks!
Posted By: 49er fan in Chicago (18/04/2008 4:49:29 PM)
Comment: Been living in Chicago for last 3 years and love it...no better city in the summer (winter on the other hand...)
When you stop by be sure to go out on Rush Street or the restaurants in River North. Difference between CA vs. Chicago? Cali has avocado and sprouts for sides...in Chicago you get bacon. :-)
Posted By: vimax (18/04/2008 4:49:01 PM)
Comment: Heck, you think Atlanta has bad traffic? LOL... you ever been to a game in San Fran?
Posted By: wsmith (18/04/2008 4:44:57 PM)
Comment: Matt - I'm from St Louis and I highly recommend Sydney Street Cafe next time you are there. I'm a big fan of the two you mentioned so I think you will enjoy this as much...http://www.sidneystreetcafe.com/
Response: That looks very cool. I'll try to check it out on Dec. 20. --Matt M.
Posted By: mikeeee uk (18/04/2008 4:29:13 PM)
Comment: Matt you forgot two road trips!!! .....Azteca Stadium Mexico.. and Wembley England both hosted regular season games...please update!!!!!
Response: Azteca Stadium in Mexico City was a great road trip. (I've never been to London.) I've also covered a 49ers-Panthers game in Clemson, S.C., and I covered a Raiders-Chiefs game (a Joe Montana victory) at the L.A. Coliseum. --Matt M.
Posted By: RK in LA (18/04/2008 3:48:58 PM)
Comment: I was just in Atlanta last week and went out to Stone Mountain as a first time visitor. I thought a lot of it was cheesy. The Mountain sculpture is impressive, but... The museum/buildings are interesting. The setting is pleasant. The laser show is double cheesy.
Posted By: Haole Boy (18/04/2008 3:33:29 PM)
Comment: Matt: So how many hand grenades did you have at Tropical Isle? And did you say "hi" to the Funky Pirate?
Response: I try to stay away from green drinks, but a few have probably found their way down my esophagus through the years. --Matt M.
Posted By: Berger (18/04/2008 3:18:01 PM)
Comment: Matt- The next time you go to Atlanta go see Stone Mountain.
Response: One year I drove up to Royston (Ty Cobb's hometown). I'll give Stone Mountain a try, though I recall someone else telling me it was cheesy. --Matt M.
Posted By: ZURDO (18/04/2008 3:16:08 PM)
Comment: Matt, lived in Cincy for about a year... 3 things just in case you haven't tried them.... Graeter's Ice Cream, Skyline Chilly and Boathouse at Montgomery Inn (just try them again just for me and take the Blue Cheese dressing with your salad).
Response: I love the Boathouse. The last time I was there, Mark Purdy kidnapped me and took me out somewhere in Kentucy to one of those "local knowledge" ribs places: "Walt's Hitching Post." I loved it. --Matt M.
Posted By: Jim in Walnut Creek (18/04/2008 3:03:49 PM)
Comment: Matt, when you are done with this year's Buffalo visit, I'm betting that it will fall to #29 on your list! Hope that you can get out. I was once snowed-in there for 3 days. Pure "cabin fever".
Posted By: Indiana Jim (18/04/2008 2:30:43 PM)
Comment: Matt, I think you mean that if Candlestick and Santa Clara are out, then Hunter's Point IS the radioactive landfill.
Posted By: Houston 9er (18/04/2008 2:29:54 PM)
Comment: Traffic in Houston does SUCK in the area around the stadium and then east of the stadium. Other than that its not bad. San Diego and Dallas have MUCH WORSE traffic problems. At least in Houston there's a gentlemens club on every corner so you have a way to pass the time if your stuck.
Posted By: oneniner (18/04/2008 1:27:01 PM)
Comment: do you recall where you where in Little Italy?...you should have checked out fells point/canton after the game, that is where the fun is......Ray Lewis's steak restaurant is good too...
Response: Sabatino's. --Matt M.
Posted By: darth (18/04/2008 1:25:35 PM)
Comment: That's not spackle it's 40 plus years of chewing gum. For $40 parking and $70 tickets I'd rather watch a game on a radioactive landfill. LOL
Response: I think you've gotten your wish. Candlestick IS a radioactive landfill. --Matt M.
Posted By: Wilson (18/04/2008 1:11:24 PM)
Comment: in #20, location should be "site", not "sight".
.. the spelling police
Response: Actually, I was referring to a possible re-enactment. So therefore, I meant the "sight" of the assassination. Did you buy that one? --Matt M.
Posted By: RonO (18/04/2008 12:47:30 PM)
Comment: FIRST !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted By: Mike (18/04/2008 12:45:30 PM)
Comment: So.... Are the steps still crumble under peoples feat this year at Candlestick? The 49ers provide the worst fan experience in the NFL.
Response: Oh, come on, the spackle is holding things together quite well. --Matt M.
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