Going to an Eagles road game? Some of the best sights to see

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After years of going on road trips to cover Eagles games, Reuben Frank and Dave Zangaro have their favorite spots to check out in each city.

Here are some of those favorites for every Eagles road trip this season:

Preseason Week 2: At Cleveland Browns

Roob: The notion of a Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame is silly, but the actual museum that houses the Hall is really an amazing place, with room after room of incredible displays and memorabilia chronicling everything from the roots of rock in the 1930s and 1940s to British Invasion, punk, bluegrass, folk, R&B, metal, grunge, Americana, blues, and everything in between. Don’t miss Elvis’s Lincoln Continental convertible, Kurt Cobain’s Fender Stratocaster, Michael Jackson’s glove, Pigpen’s Hammond B3 and Joe Strummer’s handwritten lyrics to Lost in the Supermarket.

Dave: I really did enjoy the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame and it’s worth checking out. But I really loved the Cleveland Museum of Art too. It’s in the University Circle area of town, on beautiful grounds, and it’s a good way to kill an afternoon. The exhibits are great and there’s no entrance fees for most of it. Just go and enjoy.

Preseason Week 3: At Miami Dolphins

Roob: OK, this is going to sound really stupid, but I’m just not a Miami kind of guy. Not a beach guy. Not a dance club guy. I’m just not cut out to be in the cast of Miami Vice. But I did find something I really enjoyed during the Eagles’ last trip to Miami. Our hotel was right at the foot of the towering 17th Street draw bridge from Fort Lauderdale across the Stranahan River to the beach. I walked to the top of the bridge and saw this parade of massive cruise ships inching their way out of the nearby port toward open ocean, and I would hate to actually be on one of those ships but it was incredible to watch them. Yeah. I went to Miami and watched boats.

Dave: You’re not gonna find me partying on South Beach. But I had a lot of fun on a Miami trip a few years ago. I had a few friends who went down for the game so we hopped in their rental car and went into Everglades National Park for an airboat ride. It was a blast. If you’ve never been on an airboat they’re as loud as they are fun but it’s a worthwhile experience. There are a few companies to choose from but you can’t go wrong. We ended up shelling out a few more bucks to get a private tour and it was definitely worth it. Great day on the water finding some gators.

Week 1: At Detroit Lions

Roob: Historic Fort Wayne isn’t in Fort Wayne, Ind., it’s just a few miles south of downtown Detroit along the Detroit River that separates the U.S. from Canada – which is oddly directly south of Detroit. Fort Wayne was built in 1848, one of numerous installations the U.S. built along the northern border in the mid-19th Century to guard against a possible British attack. It closed after World War II, and the 96-acre grounds – including the original limestone barracks and numerous other historic buildings – are now open to the public.

Dave: This one is a little tricky because Detroit isn’t my favorite road city. But there’s something to see everywhere. Last year when we were in Detroit, I took a long walk across the bridge to Belle Isle Park, which is great on a nice day. While I was there, I got to check out the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and the Belle Isle Aquarium, which is the oldest aquarium in the country. It’s not as fancy as the aquariums you’ll see in Atlanta or Baltimore but it’s still pretty cool and quaint. And you also have to check out Darius Slay’s favorite spot, Captain Jay’s Fish and Chicken. It’s a chain in Detroit. Get some friend chicken with the lemon pepper crack. I took Slay’s advice last year and I’m glad I did.

Week 3: At Washington Commanders

Roob: One of the big secrets about Washington is that many of the museums are free, and they’re all located in close proximity to each other. Among the free museums on or near the National Mall are the National Museum of American History, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Gallery of Art, the National Museum of African Art and the National Air & Space Museum.

Dave: You could do the Washington … err … Landover trip in one day, but it’s a relatively long drive. It’s worth it to split it up into two days, which is what I do sometimes. A few years ago, I stayed in Washington D.C. and checked out the Smithsonian museums. I hadn’t been there since I was a kid. So I spent pretty much all day on a Saturday roaming. That day I went to the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the American Indian. It was a fun day. If you’ve never been or haven’t been in a long time, I’d recommend it.

Week 5: At Arizona Cardinals

Roob: Yeah, it’s about a 3 ½-hour drive from Phoenix, but if you’re in Arizona, you have to get to the Grand Canyon. This is not open for debate. None of the photos and videos you’ve seen all your life will prepare you for the wonder you’ll experience when you see it with your own eyes. Make sure you get up in time to see the sun rise over the canyon, and if you have time walk out along the South Rim because the spectacular view changes every couple hundred feet. And make sure you stop in Sedona on the way back to Phoenix.

Dave: On a lot of road trips I try to get in a good hike and Arizona is the perfect place for that. If you’re making it a long weekend, sure, head out to the Grand Canyon or Sedona. Roob’s right, if you haven’t seen the Grand Canyon, go see the Grand Canyon. But if you want to stay in the Phoenix area, there are still plenty of options. Hiking up Camelback Mountain is always fun and it’s just a short drive from downtown. I’ve done the Echo Canyon trail and really liked it. Also, check out South Mountain Park and Preserve. There are a ton of great trails out there that really make you feel like you’re in the Southwest. Just watch out for cacti.

Week 9: At Houston Texans

Roob: Dave and I disagree on Houston. He used to live there and loves it, but I’ve never been a fan. One thing you need to do when you’re down there is check out the Astrodome, which opened in 1965 but has been in mothballs and in disrepair since it was abandoned after a Jonas Brothers concert in 2009. The Astrodome, now listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, stands next door to NRG Stadium, where the Texans play. Although it’s fenced off from the public, you can get a sense of just how obsolete the first multi-sport domed stadium in the world is and relive the Eagles’ legendary 13-6 “House of Pain” Monday Night Football win over the Oilers in 1991.

Dave: I wouldn’t say I love Houston, Roob, but it’s not as bad as you make it seem. I lived in Houston for two years and it’s not exactly the biggest tourist destination. But it is absolutely one of the best food cities in the country. I’m basically going to spend my time there this year eating Tex-Mex and barbecue and there are plenty of options. A few of my favorite places are Ninfa’s, El Tiempo, Laredo Taqueria, Killen’s BBQ and Ray’s BBQ Shack but it’s hard to go wrong. And it’s a super diverse food city too. Since we’ll be there in early November it’ll be a perfect time to enjoy a drink outside, which is something the city does very well.

Week 11: At Indianapolis Colts

Roob: Dave and I disagree on Indianapolis, as well. I like Indy, and recommend the Canal Walk, a 3 ½-mile flat, paved trail along the canal that runs throughout downtown. The trail – actually two trails, one on each side of the canal – is kind of sunken below street level with ramps and stairs throughout the city for easy access. The trail starts at White River Park, and the route provides easy access to hotels, museums, the convention center and much more. Murals, local artwork, benches and picnic tables line the route. A great place to run, walk or just sit and chill.

Dave: Every year, I spend time in Indy for the combine so I’ve been there a ton. It’s a very easy downtown area because there are a ton of hotels and they basically all connect to the Indiana Convention Center, which connects to Lucas Oil Stadium. Two museums in downtown Indy worth checking out: The NCAA Hall of Champions and the Eiteljorg Museum of Native and Western Art. And, sure, if you’ve never been to the city, go to St. Elmo and clear out your sinuses with that shrimp cocktail. But also check out Cafe Patachou for breakfast.

Week 14: At New York Giants

Roob: If you’re staying up in the North Jersey area for a night or two and don’t feel like going into Manhattan, a nice alternative is Jersey City, which has transformed from a run-down, hardscrabble city years ago into a true renaissance city. The Waterfront area – only a 25-minute drive from East Rutherford – offers upscale dining, shopping and lodging, and the pavilion at J. Owen Grundy Park, just steps from downtown, offers picnic tables, benches and incredible views of Manhattan across the Hudson River.

Dave: I have never once stayed over for this trip. If you’re so inclined, it wouldn’t be very far to make a weekend of it and head up to New York City. But since I’ve never done this and I’m not a big NYC guy, I’d recommend just making this a day trip. And then you have your pick of rest stops on the New Jersey Turnpike. Maybe go wild and go Molly Pitcher on the way up and Joyce Kilmer on the way back.

Week 15: At Chicago Bears

Roob: Always a great trip, and the whole downtown area is worth visiting, with the Magnificent Mile shopping area, the Lakefront Trail, tons of museums, Buckingham Fountain and terrific bars and restaurants. But the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), once the world’s tallest building (now 12th), is a must. A quick elevator ride takes you to the 103rd floor outdoor deck, nearly 1,500 feet above the ground, offering spectacular views of the city and beyond.

Dave: Unfortunately, the trip to Chicago is a late one this year so it’ll probably be cold and I can’t tell you to go check out a Cubs game. Still, it’s an easy city to get to and from and you can even hop on the Blue Line train from O’Hare airport to downtown. Once you’re downtown there’s a bunch of fun touristy stuff to do. Two of my favorites are the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum. And if it’s not too cold and if you’ve never been to the city, go to Millennium Park and get your Instagram shot of your reflection in The Bean (Cloud Gate).

Week 16: At Dallas Cowboys

Roob: AT&T Stadium itself is one of Dallas’s best attractions. You really have to see the place to believe it. But I’ve always loved the Deep Ellum entertainment district on the east side of town. You may have heard the traditional American song Deep Ellum Blues, made famous by the Grateful Dead, who performed it frequently in their 1970 acoustic sets. Deep Ellum is a diverse enclave of shops, bars, restaurants, breweries and music and arts venues that’s fun to visit during the day and a lot more fun at night.

Dave: We end up in Dallas every year so it’s given me a chance to see a bunch of cool things in the area. But if you’ve never been, I’d highly suggest checking out The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Yeah, it’s the museum inside the former Texas School Book Depository building and it’s all about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. It sounds morbid … and the white X’s on the street where the shots hit him kind of are … but the museum is great. Even if you’re a history buff and know all about the assassination already, it’s still worth seeing the layout of the plaza, the location of the grassy knoll and letting your imagination run wild. If you’ve already been to the museum and want more, there are tours that take you along the parade route from that day. Yes, even more morbid but fascinating.

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