The Star in Frisco

The Star in Frisco – Sports Complex Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"What kind of place is this? Only in Texas would a 91-acre football-practice facility become a landmark. But the Dallas Cowboys have essentially done just that with The Star, turning their Frisco compound into a destination. The massive indoor stadium hosts the team's practices, obviously, but also big-name musical acts, World Championship boxing matches, and high school football games. The entire complex is anchored by the Omni Frisco Hotel. What's the best thing to do here? Sports nerds will relish in the VIP guided tour, which offers an inside look at the 510,000-square-foot training facility, the "war room" for the NFL draft, and Super Bowl memorabilia. The 75-minute tour is led by a knowledgeable guide. Kids might get antsy—it's a light walking tour and not incredibly interactive—so let them burn off some energy, recreating iconic plays on the astroturf field in front of the Ford Center. Who visits this place? This isn't really the type of spot where you can just pass through, so it's safe to assume that anyone you encounter is here for a very specific reason: to consecrate their Dallas Cowboys fandom. The adjacent Star District, however, has shopping and dining options that will appeal to all. Get your Tex-Mex fix at Mi Cocina, opt for a new pair of kicks at Lucchese (naturally they offer star-studded styles from the official Dallas Cowboys collection), or head to the Hiatus Spa + Retreat for The Sports Buff massage, specifically designed to soothe overworked muscles. Worth the visit overall? Squarely emphasizing the trope that everything is bigger in Texas, The Star is undeniably impressive. At first glance, a football-practice facility doesn't seem worthy of a vacation to-do list, but if you have even the slightest interest in the sport, you'll find the tour informative and interesting." - Laura Ratliff