Play to Win in the RV Tailgating Game

Huddle up, RV travelers. You’re in an excellent position to make a tailgating play.

That’s right — you’ve got your kitchen, your fridge, your grill ready for outside setup, chairs in the storage bays or the car or truck, and the “necessary” right inside your door — no waiting in lines for the porta-potty.

So, where to go? Most fans of a particular team will, of course, head to their own stadium and join other sports fans. That’s a given.

Photo: Andrik Langfield

But other RVers are just looking for the best party, regardless of location — and their homes-on-wheels allow them to try the best of the best from coast to coast. So pack up the beverages, the burgers, brats, steaks, chicken — whatever your favorites are — and hit the road.

Currently, it’s baseball season, and America’s favorite pastime has its own tailgating scene. Some Major League clubs roll out the red carpet for fans seeking pre-game party fun. The Atlanta Braves are among the organizations that have established designated tailgating areas for fans to join like-minded revelers for food and fun before the first pitch.

But football is where the real tailgating action unfolds, and it’s never too early to reserve a spot at a campground near your favorite team’s home turf (the first National Football League preseason game kicks off in July). Check out the following all-stars in the tailgating field:

Mile High Fun

We’ve tailgated in Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High — Go Broncos! And we have to say these orange-clad fans do tailgate parties proud. We formerly lived up in Breckenridge, Colorado, and just had to drive down the “hill” to join friends at their motorhome in a long-held spot in a parking lot set up for RV tailgating. They’ve even won some tailgating awards for their set-up, complete with turkey fryers, smokers, and multiple grills.

Pikes Peak Pats Fan Club tailgate party in Broncos territory before Denver plays New England. Photo: Greg & Sheryl

The folks at Tailgater Magazine — yes, it exists — agree with us, ranking Mile High as Number 4 on their list of top tailgating spots. The magazine mentions that parties there start as early as 8 a.m. on game day.

Bills, Browns, and Saints Host Topflight Tailgating

Tailgater Magazine rated Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, NY, as the best tailgating experience in the NFL. Tailgater points out that fans of the NFL’s Bills really know how to throw a fiesta — they party harder and huddle closer to keep warm— what with the area’s infamous icy weather. Fortunately, you’ll find relief in the Buffalo wings, which get top billing here — no big surprise.

Cleveland Browns fans during a tailgating celebration. Photo: Erik Drost

Huntington Bank Field (formerly First Energy Stadium) in Cleveland comes in at second place. Beer can chicken is a fan favorite. Watch a rousing game of Thunderstruck, which evidently involves downing some of the suds that weren’t used in steaming the chicken.

The party outside the Caesars Superdome (formerly Mercedes Benz Superdome) in New Orleans is the magazine’s third-highest-ranked pre-game tailgate party. Because up to 80,000 fans can fit into the Dome, there are a lot of people to party in the vast plaza outdoors. You may not have to cook your own food, as the plaza is home to clubs, restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

Saints fans celebrate victory. Photo: USMC

Pittsburgh Pride and Packer Parties

We’ve already shouted out Mile High as Number Four, and coming in at Number Five was Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) in Pittsburgh. Steelers fans are high on energy (and maybe beverages?), and Tailgater says it can seem as though the entire city has turned out to support the team. Cookouts start early and end late. Be sure to bring your yellow towel and wave it proudly.

A Steelers fan. Photo: Davey Nin

There’s speculation the word tailgating may even have started at the Number Six placeholder, Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, the legendary home of the Packers. Everyone is welcome to join a tailgate at Lambeau — and you don’t even need to wear a spongy cheese wedge on your head. At the Tundra Tailgate Zone, Green Bay can rival Buffalo for cold weather — fans can even watch the game on huge screens while munching hearty Midwestern food, sipping beer, and listening to music. Brats are high on the menu.

While visiting mythical Packerland, stay at Thousand Trails Tranquil Timbers on Sturgeon Bay, northeast of Green Bay.

Bears and Pats Fans Serve Signature Dishes

Soldier Field in Chicago took the seventh spot in the rankings — the Tailgater Magazine folks are not deterred by cold weather, and neither, it seems, are the fans in these northern cities. The Bears’ home turf is touted as a good option for those looking for a more family-friendly option for tailgating parties.

Photo: Kelsey Todd

Soldier Field is called out as a must if you’re looking for iconic food — including those famous Chicago-style Hot Dogs!

Number Eight is another chilly one, but at Gillette Stadium in Boston the party goes on even during blizzards. The good news is there are always steaming bowls of Clam Chowder available along with other seafood and warming beverages.

BBQ in Houston, Cuban Cuisine in Miami

Number Nine enjoys much warmer weather — especially since Houston’s NRG Stadium has a retractable roof. In Texas, it’s all about the barbecue, and the tailgate party in Houston is no exception. The aromas alone will make you hungry as smokers start blazing early and remain burning even after the final whistle. Tailgater magazine says this is the place to be if you’re a party animal and/or a lover of barbecue.

Photo: Denis Agati

The food is also a star at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium — which rounds out the Top Ten Tailgate spots. And, as in Houston, it’s the food that stands out in the parking lot. But in Miami, it’s Cuban food that shines — Cuban sliders, Grilled chicken with rice and beans, smoked pork loin, plantains, and empanadas are sure to get your mouth watering. Tailgater says the Miami fans are among the friendliest, most welcoming in the NFL — and that tailgating in Miami is less crowded and more relaxed.  It’s also warmer.

So, pick your vibe, pick your city or stadium, pack up the RV, and head to a Tailgate party — or two or three or the entire Top Ten! It’s a long season, after all.  Let us know your personal favorites!

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Source: https://www.rv.com/lifestyle-travel/rv-tailgating-adventures/