Travel: North American Sports Hall of Fames

I am always impressed when someone shares a unique travel idea. Recently a reader wrote to say they love to travel to different places around the world to explore different Sport Hall of Fames.  That inspired me to create a blog about off-the-beaten path sports hall of fames in North America.

Prime-time Sports

Most North American sports fans like me, know about the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown New York, or the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio and the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario.

But I didn’t know about the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Perhaps that is because I am not a big basketball fan.  For those you who love to bet on the game I recent I recently came upon two sites nba betting odds and melbet.

I did know Canadian James Naismith invented basketball, but didn’t realize he moved to the United States and that is where he invented basketball in 1890s. I also didn’t know that Hall of Fame features a huge metallic silver, basketball-shaped sphere, creating a dramatic visual statement – some might say kitschy.

NASCAR fans will want to plan a pilgrimage to Charlotte, North Carolina to visit the NASCAR Hall. While golfers will want to add St. Augustine, Florida to their list of must-visit places to experience the World Golf Hall of Fame of Fame. And, soccer fans will want to plan a trek to Frisco, Texas for the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Off The Beaten Path Hall of Fames

1.        I didn’t know there are two Lacrosse Hall of Fames one in New Westminster, British Columbia and another one in Sparks, Maryland.

2.        Canada has its own Baseball Hall of Fame, locate in St. Marys, Ontario a small town in Southern Ontario, 170 km from Toronto.

3.        If you are into Volleyball, be sure to plan a trip to Holyoke Massachusetts.

4.        Hamilton is home to Canada’s Football Hall of Fame, which is located on the fourth floor at Tim Horton’s Field (stadium) in the middle of residential neighbourhood, not exactly the best location for tourists.

5.        If you happen to be in Simi Valley, California, you might want to drop by the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum.

6.        Who knew bowling dates back nearly 5,000 years? And yes, there is an International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in Arlington, Texas.

7.        And if you find yourself passing through Hayward, Wisconsin, you will want to stop at the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum.

8.        Cyclists will want to plan a trip to Davis, California to check out the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame.

9.        There is an International Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Wichita Falls, Texas and Pro Rodeo

10.  Colorado Springs, Colorado is home to both the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame.

11.  The International Boxing Hall of Fame is in Canastota, New York and two hours east is the Horse Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs New York.

12.  There is a National Track and Field Hall of Fame in the Armory Foundation building in Washington Heights, in Manhattan.

Last Word

Calgary was home to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, located at Canada Olympic Park, but shamefully it is closed. It was full of interesting artifacts from Canada’s rich sports history. It is a shame the building sits empty with no plans to re-open it.