Soldier Field vs. Levi's Stadium

Whoever said newer is always better hasn't been to Levi's Stadium, the new home of the San Francisco 49ers. Sure, the venue is pretty to look at, but does it have bragging rights over Soldier Field?

Seeing as I have visited every stadium in the NFL, Sunday's game was the perfect opportunity to compare Soldier Field to the NFL's newest shrine to football. Who's got the edge? Let's find out.

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Edge: Bears. No contest. It took about three hours and about $13 to take three trains from my hotel adjacent to the San Francisco airport to Levi's Stadium. Though the light rail drops off just feet from the Levi's Stadium entrance, I'd rather do the long walk of game from the CTA Roosevelt stop in the South Loop. It's less expensive and takes less time. It shouldn't take the length of the game to get to the game.

Best in the NFL: MetLife Stadium (N.Y. Jets and Giants). When it comes to public transit, nothing beats the New York-area metro system. Still, there was little competition because many stadiums are in transit deserts and are only accessible by car or carrier pigeon.

PROXIMITY TO AIRPORT

Edge: Bears. The trick to Levi's Stadium is to fly into San Jose's airport, which is closer than the San Francisco and Oakland airports. Unfortunately, many of the Bay area attractions are in San Francisco, which is a trek from San Jose. Luckily in Chicago, Soldier Field is near downtown so you can visit the stadium and sightsee in one day trip.

Best in the NFL: O.co Coliseum (Oakland Raiders). Levi's Stadium's neighbor to the north is a very short distance from the Oakland airport.

VIEWS

Edge: Bears. You can catch a glimpse of Lake Michigan if you're in the right Soldier Field seats. At Levi's, it is a wide swath of suburbia.

Best in the NFL: Heinz Field (Pittsburgh Steelers). I am a sucker for river views.

CONCESSIONS

Edge: 49ers. A lot more to chews from, including vegetarian-friendly fare. When I think of Soldier Field food, I think, "Better than Wrigley." Well, so is prison food.

Best in the NFL: Sports Authority Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos). The land of craft breweries doesn't disappoint. Plus, the elevation means it takes fewer drinks to get smile high.

AMENITIES

Edge: 49ers. I had no problem using the WiFi, plus there were many, many security lines at Levi's. At Soldier Field, it's an unorganized blob of people trying to push their way through to the ticket scanners.

Best in the NFL: AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys). A million TV screens to watch that screen pass.

RESTROOMS

Edge: Bears. This is just a survival thing. I have spent many a halftime of a cold Bears game using the restroom hand driers to stay warm.

Best in the NFL: Soldier Field. Just because the restrooms prevent the brrrs.