Does attending sporting events play a role in your baby boomer travels? Some of my best travel memories come from watching the U.S. Open with my tennis playing girlfriends and attending the 1996 Summer Olympic tennis matches in Atlanta. And then there was watching Geogria Tech’s win in the 1991 Citrus Bowl, which gave them a claim to the 1990 College Football National Championship. Go Jackets! Sting’em!
Need some advice on attending your next sporting event? Robert Tuchman, an avid sports fan and successful sports travel entrepreneur, has recently published an insider’s guide into attending the best sporting events worldwide. 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live ranks the top sporting events all over the world. It also provides the reader tips to enhance the experience, creating the memory of a lifetime. Tuchman’s list contains events from nearly every sport.
For this upcoming Fall, baby boomer travelers can take in a variety of sporting events such as late season baseball games, the opening of a new NFL and college football season, and let’s not forget the US Open Tennis Tournament. Here’s a preview of just some of the tips that are in Tuchman’s book.
Going to the US Open Tennis Tournament, a two week event that lasts from late August into early September? Remember:
- Take either the much-maligned No. 7 train or — better still — the Long Island Railroad from Manhattan, which is 15 minutes from Penn Station.
- Courtside and Loge seats are the way to go once you gain access inside the stadium.
- Early sessions are your best bet to see some great tennis up close.
If you are a fan of baseball taking in a late baseball game during the end of the season, Tuchman mentions some historic ballparks such as Wrigley Field and Fenway Park (the oldest ballparks):
- Don’t worry about seating at Wrigley. The best way to catch all the action is anywhere in the stadium. You can ask any Cubs fan, there is not a bad seat in the house at Wrigley Field.
- If you want to get up close and personal to the action, make sure you arrive early for a Wrigley tradition. Stand on Waveland Avenue, where you can battle to catch a home run hit out of the ballpark during batting practice.
When visiting Fenway:
- Give yourself some time before the game to take a stroll down Lansdowne Street or Yawkey Way before the game.
If you are a fan of college football, Tuchman has some honorable mentions of games such as the Army vs. Navy game:
- The best way to watch the action is in the Club Seats at Lincoln Financial. You get to enjoy the game and still be warm.
Michigan vs. Ohio State:
- To get the full experience make sure you sit in the student section, preferably the top view which will provide a great view of the game.
And, I’ll add my own sporting tip. Consider attending the qualifying matches at the U. S. Open Tennis Tournament. There’s no entry fee and you can watch the top players preparing for the tournament. My son will never forget the time he watched a shirtless Andre Agassi practicing. It was the show of a lifetime. One caveat, bring your own snacks and water because not many of the vendors are open.
Care to share your sporting event tips? Post a comment to tell me your secrets for a fun sporting trip.