A Border Battle, a Pint, and an Unexpected Meal: Our NFL Stadium Journey in Minneapolis
NFL stadium journey to Minneapolis for the Packers vs. Vikings Border Battle. From a packed fan party to a quiet pint then a thought-provoking indigenous dinner and an immersive game day experience at U.S. Bank Stadium. Travel with intention and make memories that last.
This NFL stadium challenge we’ve set for ourselves isn’t about racing to check off all 30 stadiums. It’s about creating memorable experiences together, one game and one city at a time. Test4
We started this journey back in 2019 after visiting Lambeau Field for a Packers game. That day was electric, the kind of experience that sticks with you. It didn’t hurt that the weather was amazing. We left with an idea: what if we made this a thing? What if we tried to visit as many stadiums as we could, but only for games that featured one of “our teams”? For us, that means the Colts in the AFC or the Packers in the NFC.
It’s been a slow process, thanks to pandemic years and packed calendars, but that’s okay. We’re not in a rush. We’re doing it on our terms, taking our time, and turning each trip into a weekend of memories.
One Weekend, One Game, a Whole New City
This past season, we headed to Minneapolis for the Packers vs. Vikings “Border Battle.” We flew in Saturday and flew home Monday, giving ourselves two nights to soak up the city. It’s a rhythm we’ve fallen into with these trips:
- Fly in the day before
- Explore the city
- Go to the game
- Take our time heading home
It’s simple, but intentional. It gives us the space to experience more than just the stadium.
The Calm Before the Game
Saturday night, we found a Green Bay fan party happening downtown. It sounded like a blast, but when we arrived, it was packed (pun definitely intended). Wall-to-wall people, loud, and one well intentioned (and inebriated) Packers fan mistook my wife’s turtle neck for a neck brace screaming “Oh my god, what happened!?” I guess they are used to the cold a little more than we are. After a few minutes, we ducked out and walked down the street to a quiet English pub, grabbed a pint, and laughed about our newest memory while sharing the encounter in our family group text.
A couple college games on the TV, quality time with my wife, and a quiet beer in a new city, it felt just right.
Then came dinner, and one of the most unexpected culinary experiences we’ve ever had.
We had made reservations at Owamni by The Sioux Chef, a restaurant focused entirely on indigenous foods and ingredients. They’ve removed all colonial ingredients meaning no beef, pork, chicken, dairy, wheat, or cane sugar. What’s left is a celebration of native flavors and food philosophy that challenged everything we thought we knew about “American” cuisine. It was thoughtful, different, and honestly kind of beautiful. If you’re in Minneapolis, it’s worth it for the experience alone.
Game Day Vibes and Stadium Surprises
Sunday morning, we had found a pub online that was doing a tailgate brunch near the stadium. Not the best brunch but it was a great crowd and we were able to watch some of the early games.
Minneapolis itself is incredibly walkable. Our hotel was less than a mile from U.S. Bank Stadium, and we never needed a car other than an occasional Uber.
And the stadium? It’s impressive. Half the roof is opaque but still lets in plenty of light, so it feels open without being outdoors. What really made the experience was how immersive it all was. The Vikings went all-in on game day effects: massive screen, horns, purple lighting, and even artificial snow that drifted down on us a few times during the game. It was over-the-top in the best possible way.
The Viking fans were friendly, even if they did laugh at how much we paid for our seats compared to their season ticket prices. Fair enough, but I still don’t understand their obsession with SKOL.
As for the game itself? The Packers lost, but it was a good one. The 129th Border Battle lived up to its name.
Why We Do This
This trip, like the others, reminded us why we started this tradition in the first place. It’s not about football stats or stadium rankings (although we do love football). It’s about giving ourselves little pockets of time to step away from routine, travel with intention, and make lasting memories.
We’re not chasing a finish line. We’re building a scrapbook in our mind (and maybe Facebook)… one game, one city, and one meaningful weekend at a time.