Marcus Spears criticizes Bill Belichick's decision to not meet with Tom Brady personally at the end their relationship with Patriots. (1:45).
FOXBOROUGH (Mass.) Rob Gronkowski won’t have much time to see his favorite places when he returns to Tampa Bay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to play Sunday’s game against New England Patriots (8 :20 p.m.). ET, NBC
But if he did?
You could just take a stroll through the miles of Foxborough's wooded trails. Hot dogs and coffee milk might be on the menu if he stayed up later. After watching Patriot Place from a plush, reclining chair that he has become one of his closest friends over the years, that would be possible.
Gronkowski learned a lot from his time with the Patriots (1910-19), which was the essence a recent ESPN.com chat that highlighted a different side to the 32-year old tight end.
What is the one place you must visit when you return to Foxborough from a trip?
Gronkowski: "I would recommend hiking along the trails. A lot of people visit Foxborough's F. Gilbert Hills state park. You can also mountain bike in the woods along those trails. The lake is beautiful and you get some fresh air. I would do it during the season on one day. It would be up to five times per week in the offseason. Just relax, enjoy the nature, the boat rides, and there are always people canoeing or boating on the lake. It's easy to just relax on the benches, which is a great way to clear your head. That's something I will definitely do when I return."
Why is New England's best season the best?
Four of 16 touchdowns scored by Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay's tight end. AP Photo/Jason Behnken
Gronkowski: "I would go with summertime. It's gorgeous there. It's all popping. Everyone is bundled up in the colder seasons. But once summer arrives, everything's brightening. It's a free-for-all. It was a great atmosphere, with many places to visit in New England, including Boston, Newport, Rhode Island, Rhode Island, and all the beaches, as well as New Hampshire.
Your favorite beach
Gronkowski: "Going to Lake Winnipesaukee [in New Hampshire]]. It was a wonderful time.
What is the first stop for dinner plans?
Gronkowski: "In Foxborough I'd go Tavolino’s. I would love to place an order via my smartphone and then go to the pick-up window. This was my favorite way to eat food. There are many great places to eat in Boston. Strega Waterfront was my favorite spot for its food and atmosphere. Arya [Trattoria] is located in the North End.
Are you missing the best charity event?
Gronkowski: I would choose the One Mission at Patriot Place where I buzzed my brain. It was always a great one with so many children there. I was always admired by them, and at one time we raised about $1 million per year. It was great fun with the music booming.
Are you going Foxboro or Foxborough
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Gronkowski: "Definitely, the 'boro. That's what I believed it to be. Then, the first time I saw the word 'ough', I realized it was wrongly spelled. It was spelled differently, I thought. It was then that I realized it could be spelled in both directions.
The convenience and gas station are located on the corner near the stadium. What were you buying when you stopped at the convenience store?
Gronkowski: It's either gas or water, or a hydration beverage.
What is the best part about Boston?
Gronkowski: "I would choose the duck boats. There are many great restaurants and food options, but the duck boats are legendary.
What is the best part about Providence?
Gronkowski: "I used go to Federal Hill quite often because they have great food. The homemade Italian food is my favorite. The homemade pink vodka sauce is my favorite part. This was always my favorite. My favorite late-night restaurant is [Olneyville] New York System. They have hot dogs and coffee milk. ... Let me tell you, it's delicious."
Gillette Stadium/Patriot Place: What is your favorite part?
Gronkowski: Gronkowski said, "I would choose the theater with the reclining seats and the section uptop. This was my favorite spot. There was a spot where I could watch movies or escape to. It was my first experience with reclining chairs in a movie theatre. It was probably 100 times.
What is the most important thing about New England that you should not miss?
Gronkowski: "The crappy and 'in-between' weather. It's around 40 degrees and it is raining and cloudy. It just throws everything off balance and makes you feel eerie."
What do you most often miss?
Gronkowski: "Going for the Celtics games. They would hook us up front row. It was great to be able to see a NBA game from the court.
