Calling all sports nuts. After being stuck at home for so long, don’t you think it’s time to get a feel for what it would be like to watch world-class teams go head to head, tour the famous stadiums they call home and discover the best bars to soak up the atmosphere? This road trip covers some of the most iconic sporting spots in the USA.
This “Iconic Sports Stadiums” itinerary is an electrifying, edge-of-your-seat experience passing through seven states and the District of Columbia. Visit the homes of world-renowned sporting teams, and get the opportunity to step behind the scenes to learn more about the players, the history, and the game.
Whether you’re a die-hard Red Sox fan, enjoy imagining stepping out onto the field and living your very own sporting legacy, love to treat yourself to a game over a beer with new friends or simply appreciate the grandeur of a stadium, this itinerary has you covered.
So, let’s get planning your post-pandemic sports trip of a lifetime, shall we?
Explore all of Brand USA’s 31 Amazing Self Drive Road Trip itineraries here.
Iconic Sports Stadiums: Route Highlights
1. Boston, Massachusetts
Sports fans won’t want to miss visiting Fenway Park, the home since 1912 of Major League Baseball’s nine-time World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox.
Take a one-hour walking tour and overlook left field from the famous 11-metre tall Green Monster wall. Experienced guides will give you thrilling insights into the history of the stadium.
Then head 35 kilometres southwest of Boston to Foxborough, where the Gillette Stadium, home of the National Football League’s New England Patriots lies.
Fancy really getting involved? Plan a trip late September-mid December 2022 to coincide with a home game to see the six-time Super Bowl champions play.
Tickets are like gold dust, so if you are unable to catch them, join the locals at The Greatest Bar in the heart of the city instead. The entertainment complex features local games on a myriad of TV screens throughout its four levels and the atmosphere on game day is out of this world.
2. Boston, Massachusetts > New York City, New York
Is there anywhere more iconic in the sporting world than the Yankee Stadium? Journey to the Bronx to learn about the New York Yankees’ storied professional baseball franchise and its 27 World Series championships. Tour behind-the-scenes to admire baseball artefacts and learn about historic events in the stadium.
If you are lucky enough to get game tickets, join the “Hands-on History” experience in the museum 90 minutes before the game starts. Visitors can touch artefacts such as Babe Ruth’s or Ichiro Suzuki’s game-used bats, Mickey Mantle’s jersey, grand slam baseballs, World Series rings, and more from Yankees legends, past and present. Wanna experience a true fan bar? Grab a drink at Stan’s Sports Bar near the stadium.
In the heart of Manhattan, step into the Madison Square Garden sports and entertainment Mecca and get a true New York experience on the new Madison Square Garden All Access Tour. It’s the home to some of the city’s favourite professional teams – including basketball’s New York Knicks and hockey’s New York Rangers – in addition to hosting other sports such as track and field, boxing and equestrian events.
In addition to the Yankees, New York is home to another great baseball team, the New York Mets, which plays at Citi Field in the borough of Queens. Tours include the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum, the field and dugout. The museum features interactive exhibits, videos, and artefacts.
New York is also home to two professional American football teams, the New York Giants and the New York Jets, and both play in MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in nearby in East Rutherford, New Jersey. A guided tour allows visitors to walk on the field and to see other areas, including luxury suites and the press box.
There really is a game from everyone on this epic roadtrip.
- DRIVE TIME: 345kms: 4 hours 15 mins drive time
3. New York City, New York > Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Phillies, two-time World Series champions, play games at Citizens Bank Park in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. Fans visiting this spectacular ballpark, which opened in 2004, will enjoy an audiovisual presentation before touring the park with stops at the dugout, broadcast booth, and Hall of Fame Club.
Feeling peckish? On game day, taste one of Philadelphia’s specialties, a cheesesteak sandwich, offered at one of the many food stands. Is your mouth watering right now?
Philadelphia is also home to football’s 2018 Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. Tours of the team’s Lincoln Financial Field include visits to the field, locker room, postgame interview room, press box, broadcast booth, and a suite.
If you can’t get a ticket to a game, don’t fret! Head to the Wells Fargo Center to enjoy the Xfinity Live! experience. This is an epic stadium complex, where you can watch sports games on the big screen with other fans while enjoying an abundance of dining and entertainment options.
- DRIVE TIME: 150kms: 2 hours drive time
4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania > Baltimore, Maryland
All sported out? Of course you’re not!
Next up you’ll head to Camden Yards, to explore Oriole Park, the home stadium of the Baltimore Orioles, three-time World Series champions. Although it opened in 1992 in the heart of a historic neighbourhood, the modern stadium retains a traditional feel. It’s two blocks from the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, which tells the story of the legendary New York Yankees player. The site of his family’s former home is now center field at Oriole Park. While touring Oriole Park, enjoy the ballpark’s charm in luxury suites, the scoreboard control room, and even the dugout.
Baltimore’s other professional team is the Baltimore Ravens, two-time NFL Super Bowl champions. The team plays at M&T Stadium, adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. A game-day institution in the heart of the action is Pickles Pub, which is across from Camden Yards.
- DRIVE TIME: 160kms: 2 hours drive time
5. Baltimore, Maryland > Washington, D.C.
The Washington Nationals began playing in their new stadium, Nationals Park, in 2008. Have you always dreamed of throwing a pitch in the bullpen? Tours give visitors the chance to do just that! Not to mention experience a luxury suite and visit the dugout.
The USA’s capital city is also home to football’s Washington Redskins, three-time Super Bowl champions. The team plays at FedEx Field in Maryland, about eight kilometres east of Washington, D.C.
A great place to watch a televised game is Penn’s Quarter Sports Bar, three blocks from Capital One Arena, where hockey’s Washington Nationals and basketball’s Washington Wizards play games.
- DRIVE TIME: 65kms: 1 hour drive time
6. Washington, D.C. > Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Pittsburgh Pirates, five-time World Series champions, play baseball games at PNC Park, which opened in 2001. As well as spectacular views of the Pittsburgh skyline, the stadium tour includes the dugout, batting cages, Pop’s Plaza, and Legacy Theater.
Pittsburgh is also home to football’s Steelers, one of the NFL’s oldest franchises. The Steelers play at Heinz Field, opposite the PNC Park. Stadium tours in the off-season (June-October) include the FedEx Great Hall, which houses memorabilia and the Steelers Hall of Honor. See lockers and bleachers saved from the former Three Rivers Stadium, replicas of the Steelers’ six Super Bowl trophies, the dugout and the field.
You’ll be ready to take on mastermind with all this sporting knowledge!
- DRIVE TIME: 390kms: 4 hours and 40 mins drive time
7. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania > Cleveland, Ohio
Two-time World Series winners the Cleveland Indians play baseball at Progressive Field in the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex in downtown Cleveland. Behind-the-scenes tours in the summer take you to the dugout, batting cages, FanCave, The Corner Bar, and press box.
Football’s Cleveland Browns play home games at FirstEnergy Stadium on the banks of Lake Eerie too.
- DRIVE TIME: 215kms: 2 hours and 20 mins drive time
8. Cleveland, Ohio > Chicago, Illinois
The historic Wrigley Field, home to baseball’s Chicago Cubs since 1914, is a must-see attraction on the North Side of Chicago.
Tour experiences include the Cubs’ dugout and field; on days when games are not scheduled, pose for a photo in front of the ballpark’s famous ivy wall.
Across town, football’s Chicago Bears play home games at Soldier Field on Lake Shore Drive next to Lake Michigan.
At the United Center, watch the Chicago Bulls play basketball. Outside, see a statue of the G.O.A.T. and Hall of Famer, Michael Jordan, who helped the team earn six championships between 1991 and 1998.
The Bulls share their home with the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team. In addition to the Cubs, the White Sox are based in Chicago and play baseball games at Guaranteed Rate Field on the city’s South Side.
Chicago is also famous for its sports bars. A great place to watch a televised game is at the Old Town Pour House with several TVs, over 90 beers on tap, and a DJ playing videos and music.
- DRIVE TIME: 550kms: 5 hours and 30 min drive time
Download the complete ‘Iconic Sports Stadiums itinerary here!‘
Get the Road Trip Playlist
Get the adrenalin pumping and the scores rolling with this epic sporting soundtrack.
Reenact the Rocky montage with tunes like ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ and ‘Seven Nation Army’, then celebrate your victory with ‘We Are The Champions’ and ‘Sweet Caroline’.
Feel the American sporting dream run through your veins and lose yourself in the exhilaration of exploration and success.
Agents: Download, Escape and Explore GoUSA TV
GoUSA TV is a free premier travel entertainment channel. Watch full episodes, documentaries and films, told from the diverse perspectives of real people across America.
With 50 hours of viewing from over 400 locations featured from all 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia, there’s never been a better time to get online and enjoy some incredible travel entertainment!
Available for download in the App or Play store and on Apple TV.
More info here.
Agents: Join the USA Discovery Program
The USA Discovery Program is Brand USA’s official trade training platform for the USA. The Iconic Sports Stadiums itinerary features three destinations with training badges. Get clicking and complete your Massachusetts, Illinois, Chicago and Philadelphia badges and get all the knowledge in a fun and interactive way.
Click here to register and get all the knowledge for the USA.
PLUS! Design your own Road Trip with the USA TRIP PLANNER
The Visit USA Trip Planner is an amazing (and free!) tool that matches your personal travel preferences and style.
With over 230 million data points including the best places & times to visit, reviews and hidden gems, this is one smart piece of travel tech.
This little travel genius optimises your itinerary to minimise travel time, checks when attractions are open and even recommends how much time to spend at each stop off. Brilliant!
Finally, it lets you share & collaborate with your fellow road trippers and is easy to add or revise points of interest as you go.
Find out more: Trip-Planner.VisitTheUSA.com
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