SPONSORED POST – If you’ve been looking for a chance to follow your team on the road, see one of the biggest fanbases in the world, and get some ridiculously good smoked meat, then this preseason has given you the golden opportunity to visit Dallas.

It couldn’t be easier to get there. With plenty of flights to one of the biggest airports in the country, Alaska gives you plenty of options. And the airport isn’t the only thing that’s big. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and Dallas has taken that maxim to heart. The hats, the ribs, the ranches. And, of course, the football stadium.

Jerry’s World (as it’s affectionately known) is worth the trip on its own. The largest capacity stadium in the NFL (it can seat between 80,000 and 100,000 people, depending on configuration), AT&T Stadium has everything. An amazing combination of steel, glass, water and technology, it is considered to be among the best places to see a game. It even has some amazing art, thanks to the commissioning of 18 artists when it was being built. Each created their own unique installation. When it opened, it instantly became known for the largest video board ever created. It made even more headlines when a punter (AJ Trepasso) hit it in a game. He was the first of three to accomplish that, with each resulting in a redo of the down.

So obviously, the game itself will be a highlight of this trip, plus it’s a good excuse to make fun of some fans of “America’s Team” and ask them when they plan to live up to that moniker again!

But if you are going to Dallas, you have to find some barbecue. Which place to choose depends on which meat you prefer. But you can get ‘cue at least two meals per day, right? Heck, you might even want it for breakfast!

For really huge beef ribs, the Pecan Lodge is your spot. It is one of the oldest and most traditional spots in town and while you can certainly try everything they have (the chicken is delicious), the ribs are standout. Brisket fans will have plenty of great options, but Loro is descended from Aaron Franklin (of Austin’s famous Franklin BBQ) and will satisfy anyone. Smokey John’s is another fantastic spot where everything is great and the sides can even take center stage. And for baby-back ribs (my favorite!), try Off the Bone. Zavala’s is a bit of a drive, but they have massive pork ribs and sausages that make it worth every minute. And for burnt ends, think about Panther City, which has more of a Mexican influence. That’s six options, but you could probably find 60 or 600 more!

There are also other great things to eat in Dallas. Like most border states, there is delicious and creative Mexican food. Resident Taqueria is worth your time, and so is Jose (which even does breakfast). A good friend of mine recommends Carte Balance which has a full tasting menu and asks you put your trust in the chef. I also love real southern food, especially chicken fried steak, and you can find that at AllGood Café (among other places).

Trust me, you won’t leave Dallas hungry!

Given that it will be August, expect some serious heat. Which means you need places to cool off while you’re there. Dallas offers a few waterparks like Six Flags Hurricane Harbor or the indoor Epic Waters. You can also head to Plano where they have built an enormous pool shaped like, wait for it…Texas! It’s saltwater and a fun, silly way to get wet.

You can also seek out some air conditioning and the Dallas Museum of Art or the Perot Museum of Nature and Science are great places to get some culture while you stop sweating.

Finally, you can’t visit without a stop at Dealey Plaza, where JFK was shot in 1963. The Sixth Floor Museum is in the former Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald shot from. You can explore the building, see the view from the corner window where shots were fired, learn more about the investigation and everything else a JFK buff would want.

If you don’t mind the heat and want to bring your clubs, there are more than enough places to golf. The Tribute is a great links style course and Grapevine is about as good as it gets.

Dallas is about as big and busy as it gets. There is so much to do, so much to see, and so much to eat. It is a perfect spot to watch Seattle and marvel at the size of everything. Including your team’s lead!

Stadium: AT&T Stadium (Jerry’s World)
Stadium Food: Heaven and Hell Burger (with Fritos on top)
Seattle haunt: Unfortunately no

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