Big Game City Battle: Will New England or Seattle reign supreme?
The dust has cleared, and the Seattle Seahawks
and New England Patriots are set to face off in a bowl that is known to be
super. But before we see them clash in the Big Game in Glendale, Arizona, we
need to see how the hometowns of the teams stack up. So is Seattle or Boston
the place to be for fans of football & travel? It’s time to find out!
Getting there
Seattle: Flying into Seattle?
You won’t have many issues getting through Seattle-Tacoma International
Airport. It’s a favorite of many travelers, and it’s quite easy to rent a car and
drive to CenturyLink Field. But they also have the light rail system that can
get you straight to the stadium for under $3. Not too shabby.
New England: Patriots fans don’t have too much
trouble getting into Boston.
However, Logan International Airport has a bad rap from travelers on the ease
of getting through the place. The 40-minute drive to Gillette Stadium is
pleasant enough, so that’s a plus. There is rail service at the airport but the
Franklin Line will only take you to Walpole, leaving a relatively short ride on
the bus to the field.
Verdict: If it was just on the grade of airport
(as far as travelers go) we’d go with Seattle. But this is about ease of
getting to the stadiums. And both cities make it a breeze to get there with no
problems, so it’s a draw.
Food & Drink
Seattle: You’re not going to have any trouble
finding great restaurants in Seattle. But for sports fans we recommend a couple
of places. Quality Athletics is a sports bar that goes tall on quality and
dials down that bro/machismo feel. The A Burger and jerk-spiced duck are well
worth the trip to eat in the shadow of CenturyLink Field. Another solid choice
near the stadium is the Triangle Pub. A one-time brothel is a great spot to
grab a drink, a sausage from the outdoor grill and cozy up with rabid Hawks
fan. Some would say it’s criminal not to stop at the Triangle before or after a
game, and they’d be right.
New England: You could touch some 80s nostalgia with
a drink at Cheers, but there are a few spots that could pull you from sitting
in Norm’s seat. Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar & Grill is named after the beloved
Red Sox broadcaster, and sports two great locations – one near Fenway Park
& Fall River. The food is outstanding (especially the Original RemDawg)
with huge crowds that love their sports. Another top spot that’s just outside
of Gillette Stadium at Patriot Place is CBS Scene. It has the pub grub that you
expect to find but options like Memphis burger (pulled pork on top), duck bacon
flatbread, grilled carne asada, and ginger crusted tuna hit it out of the park.
The crowd is just as social and vocal, which makes you feel like you’re a part
of the game.
Things to do
Seattle: It doesn’t hurt that Seattle is one of
the jewels of traveling for the Pacific Northwest. Go see some fish take flight
at Pike Place Market, where the phenomenon of Starbucks began. Head to the top
of the Space Needle. Buy anything and everything on Queen Anne Avenue. Heck,
just take a ferry ride on the waterways surrounding the city. No matter what
you choose you’re going to have a great time.
New England: When it comes to travelers that love
American history, Boston is about as good as it gets. Take a three-hour stroll
down the Freedom Trail from Boston Common to Bunker Hill. Grab some of the best
food in the area down in the South End along Shawmut, Washington and Tremont
streets. Perhaps you like a pint of beer? Those of you that do will want to
take a tour of the Sam Adams Brewery. A must for visitors is to visit the
Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library for a look at a three-store glass
globe that features the Rand McNally political maps of 1934. It’s very cool to
see in person, and the acoustics of the room allow people to hold conversations
by just whispering on opposites ends of the bridge.
Verdict: This is a tough one with both sides bringing some cool
things to the table, but we’re going to give an oh-so-slight edge to Seattle.
Team traditions
Seattle: Playing against the Seahawks is not an
easy task. You’re already facing a stout team, but the loudest fans in the NFL.
The team know how big their fans are to their good fortune, so much so as the
fans have had the number 12 retired in honor of them. Why is the 12th man such
a big deal? They’re loud. Like really loud. In a 2013 home match against the
New Orleans Saints, the fans posted a registered decibel rating of 137.6. Only
thing louder than a Seahawks game at CenturyLink Field is the flight deck of an
aircraft carrier.
New England: You might not think the Patriots have
any tradition, but you’d be wrong. A group of living history reenactors in
Revolution War era garb that take their spots behind each end zone at Gillette
Stadium. Anytime the Pats score a touchdown or kick a field goal, these devoted
fans fire off replica muskets to celebrate.
Verdict: It’s hard to go against guys with guns
(even replicas), but you can’t disregard a crowd that has the potential to
rupture ear drums. Seattle gets the nod.
The winner
The battle was close, but Seattle takes the crown with a 2-1-1
mark. Regardless of which team wins the game, both cities are perfect for a
vacation.
