Gillette Stadium Sports Fan Tips
Gillette Stadium is a venue in or near Boston that is most often used for Soccer
Parking at Gillette Stadium?
Parking is abundant along Route 1 in Foxborough. The best tailgating can be found in the team-owned lots at Patriot Place and directly across from the stadium. These lots can get very pricey, so I would recommend parking in a 3rd party lot a little further from the stadium, if the weather is okay and you don't mind a slightly longer walk.
Getting to Gillette Stadium?
If you are coming from Providence or Boston, you can take a commuter rail to Foxborough for $15, which I highly recommend as it is rare to find parking for less than $20, and with your ride taken care of, feel free to indulge in an extra postgame beverage or two.
Best bars after the game at Gillette Stadium?
If you have nowhere to be the next day and are looking for a party atmosphere, Toby Keith's is the place to be. For a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, I'm partial to Bar Louie, it has a killer rooftop bar and reasonable drink prices. If you're just looking for a bite to eat and to wait out the traffic, try SkipJack's, probably the best food for its price in all of Patriot Place.
What to expect from the Gillette Stadium crowd?
The Gillette Stadium crowd has taken a beating for being one of the quietest in the NFL - possibly due to the aforementioned corporate crowd seated in a large section of the middle of the stadium, along with the stadium's open north end. The positive side of this is that Gillette can be a family-friendly atmosphere; its clean, and the fans are relatively respectful, and recently became the first stadium to ban smoking. It is a far-cry from the masshole watering hole reputation that the old Foxborough Stadium earned for itself.
Dealing with scalpers at Gillette Stadium?
Scalping is perfectly acceptable at Gillette, but I would not recommend pursuing that route if on any kind of a budget.
Best restaurants near Gillette Stadium?
If you're just looking for a bite to eat and to wait out the traffic, try SkipJack's, probably the best food for its price in all of Patriot Place.
Best pre-game bars at Gillette Stadium?
While Foxborough isn't known for its flourishing night life, there are still a number of great options within the outdoor mall surrounding the stadium, Patriot Place. If you are in the mood for reasonably priced beer, high quality bar food and looking for a reliable place to get a view of a TV, I would recommend Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill or Bar Louie. Both of which are better options than the far more popular CBS Scene which is often plagued with over-crowdedness. If you've grown tired of sitting in a booth and arguing about football with your buddies, check out Splitsville and Howl at the Moon, also located at Patriot Place. You'll get a similar sports bar feel but with the added bonus of bowling if you're so inclined.
Traffic around Gillette Stadium?
Notoriously, the only way to get into and out of Gillette Stadium Route 1, a two-lane parking lot of a highway. I'd highly recommend avoiding the post-game gridlock by any means necessary - commuter rail to Providence or Boston, or grab a bite to eat at Patriot Place and wait out the traffic.
Safety at Gillette Stadium?
This stadium is very safe and they have the protocol to prove it. Check out the security protocol on the website if you are in doubt, they will enforce this stuff.
Best Giveaways at Gillette Stadium?
Before going to a game, I highly recommend downloading the Dunkin' Donuts app. You'll receive a free medium hot or iced coffee the next day if the Pats win. Also, at Friendly's restaurants, free kids meals are available after each adult entree purchased throughout the area
Best insider tip for Gillette Stadium?
If you are visiting Foxborough from out-of-town and are staying in a hotel, check out Providence (as opposed to Boston or the Renaissance at Patriot Place). It's more affordable than Boston, closer to the stadium (especially from a traffic perspective) and boasts tons of great bars and restaurants as an alternative to Patriot Place for post-game fun.
Things to check out around Gillette Stadium?
If you're visiting from out of town and spending the weekend in the area, the Patriots Hall of Fame is an absolute must. It isn't open on game days, but if you are a Patriots fan making the pilgrimage, you will be in heaven. It is much more than your garden variety team hall of fame; it is interactive, family-friendly and for those new to the NFL, gives an exhaustive history of the league and the franchise.
Best food at Gillette Stadium?
Try one of the restaurants at Patriot Place, rather than inside the stadium. Inside the stadium, your options will be limited to McDonald's and average stadium-type food, while paying a premium. Meanwhile, Patriot Place's options range from fast food (Five Guys, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop) to fine dining (Davio's, Tavolino).
Artifacts to look for at Gillette Stadium?
If it is your first time at the stadium, go for a walk to the north end (towards the lighthouse) and stand on the bridge for a few plays. You get a fantastic, unobstructed view of the game and a good photo opportunity from one of the most unique stadium quirks in the NFL.
Stores to hit up at Gillette Stadium?
Gillette Stadium boasts one of the best pro shops I have ever seen. Patriots apparel isn't exactly cheap on-site, but you will find absolutely anything you could ever want here. Treat yourself to a Belichick hoodie or any number of Patriot-themed household items.
Best and worst seats at Gillette Stadium?
When looking at a map of the stadium, there is a section of red seats at midfield, these are the best in the house, with a box-like club that only people with these tickets can access. Unfortunately, these are generally reserved only for corporate partners, so unless you're buying from a sponsor of the stadium, these tickets will be difficult to find. Try the section on the opposite side of the field - you will have to be on the visiting team's sideline, but will get the best possible view. The nosebleeds on the visiting sideline are as bad as it gets at Gillette. During day games, the sun will be shining directly in your face for the entire game; but, that's picking nits, you're at an NFL game, every seat is an awesome one.