(Mellow Wanderer) On any given Sunday, Monday, or Thursday in fall, pigskin partying goes full-tilt-boogie in NFL cities. Stadium tailgating has a smorgasbord of gastronomic delights. Bars and clubs come alive.
Modern NFL stadiums are pre-game and post-game attractions: 
Dallas has an art gallery; New England has Patriot Place entertainment and shopping galleria; Jacksonville has unveiled a swimming pool; 
Tampa has, um, a pirate ship with really loud cannons.
Beyond the tailgate parking lot and stadium fan amenities, what are the best NFL cities to travel to for sightseeing and a game? It’s a question worthy of debate everywhere by everyone, so time to get it started!
As I am the Mellow Wanderer, I have a list of my own. I gotta go with the NFL owners’ top choice at #1: New Orleans.
The Big Easy has hosted the most Super Bowls and it’s easy to see why. The town is a foodie’s paradise, from beignets to étouffée. 
Then there’s the jazz, from nearly every street corner to every club along Bourbon St. Throw in a casino and a slow paddle boat ride down the Mississippi and you are a weekend warrior! All of that is in walking distance or a short taxi ride to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the Saints are still competitive with the best of the NFL.
#2: San Diego. 
Sure, the stadium there is old and the Chargers want to leave town, but who cares? The city has the perfect year round temperature, beautiful beaches and ocean views, golf and a world renowned zoo. The Chargers have an elite quarterback in Philip Rivers and the team competes at a play-off caliber level.
#3: Green Bay. 
What’s not to love about this place? Small town, big brats, Lambeau Field and football lore. Never a place to visit from mid-November to December. Chances are it’ll be cold. Autumn’s the season to visit, with fall color in full bloom. Plus, Aaron Rogers is the man and got to love the Lambeau Leap!
#4: Chicago. Ah, the Windy City. Time of year and temperature are also a factor here. A long weekend for sure, up until mid-season. Foodies (and I consider myself one) can nosh on deep dish pizza and famous Chicago style hot dogs. Sights like the Navy Pier, House of Blues, the waterfront and historic Wrigley Field and Soldier Field and you’re living large. The downside? Da Bears! Let’s face it, they’re not very good. 
#5: Seattle. Maybe I saved the best for last. The Emerald City is way out there in the Pacific Northwest. Not a quick trip to make, so that keeps it off the radar for most fans who travel. Seattle, though, has it all. Great scenery, the Space Needle, the first Starbucks ever, and a salmon tossing marketplace. Oh, yeah, it’s also a rabid sports town! Seahawks fans are the loudest in the NFL, so it’s a great atmosphere. One more thing: Seattle is a damn good football team. Full disclosure: Mellow Wanderer will be there in two weeks to experience the 12th Man up close and in person.
That’s my top 5 list, and I stand by it!
Mellow Wanderer
