column by Jamie got me thinking:
http://www.freep.com/article/2012040...56/1048/sportsSo if I were your sports tour guide and my only criteria was that I’ve attended a game in this particular venue, here’s my list of must-sees before you die.
5. Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Calif.: I was raised going to Cal games every Saturday the same way that many of you were raised going to Michigan or MSU games. So admittedly, this is biased. But Memorial Stadium is one of the most beautiful stadiums in America. It’s carved into Strawberry Canyon in Berkeley and you can see San Francisco and the Bay Bridge if you’re sitting high enough on the east side of the stadium. The football has been largely mediocre over the years – but the venue is one of a kind.
4. Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway: No, I’m not a racing enthusiast. But they call this thing the “Greatest Spectacle in Sports” for a reason. First, it’s an institution in Indiana and fascinating to watch all the Hoosiers treat it as some sort of religious holiday. Second, the cars go SO much faster than you even realize. They say that TV doesn’t do it justice. That’s the understatement of all time. The cars are a blur – literally. I’ve never seen anything like it in sports.
3. Superdome event, New Orleans: It doesn’t matter if it’s the Final Four, the Super Bowl or just a random Saints game (bounties not included). You have to get to New Orleans for something just to experience the overall event. Bourbon Street is as advertised. There’s this feeling that there’s a three day festival/party leading up to whatever game you’re attending. It’s the best way to watch sports. Instead of sitting in some hotel bar the night before, you’re with thousands of people on the street celebrating the game and the city. A friend of mine thinks that every major sporting event should be held in New Orleans. Who am I to disagree?
2. Fenway Park, Boston: I’ve been to Wrigley Field. I’ve been to Yankee Stadium. You can have 'em. Nothing compares to Fenway in terms of the close proximity of the stands and the knowledge of the fans. Ignore (if you can) the arrogance of Red Sox fans. And appreciate the fact that they cheer when a hitter grounds out to second to move the runner along from second to third. Wrigley is all about the party in the bleachers (which is fun in its own right). Fenway is pure baseball.
1. Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.: Sorry Spartans fans, you know this already and are tired of hearing it. But the Rose Bowl is the best football stadium in America. The weather is always nice on New Year's Day. The sun is always shining. The stadium is gorgeous in every sense – from the location to the construction. And it helps that your team has clearly accomplished something remarkable to make it that far. The BCS has changed things a little in the last decade, but it somehow hasn’t removed the special feeling that a team gets for making it to Pasadena. Every sports fan deserves to see their team play in Pasadena on New Year's Day.
I’ve been really, really lucky in my life to see some of these places. I hope you have the same good fortune. And I hope we all add to our lists as the years go along. Let me know the places you’ve hit and still can’t wait to hit.
Unfortunately I don't have much to add, only sports venues I've been to are Michigan Stadium, Crisler, Yost, Comerica Park, Tiger Stadium, JLA, Palace, Spartan Stadium, Breslin Center, and MIS....
I'd like to get to a Tigers road game at some point, though.
Best ( I will not include local )
PNC Park in Pittsburgh- Fantastic park.Very affordable.Great setting.Good Beer.Its a small park and very intimate.The bridges are cool, the people are cool..its a fun place.
Wrigley Field- A clean old stadium in a great setting.People are fun, the dogs are good and its a fun place
Also been to Cleveland,Miami (old stadium), and Dodger Stadium.But they are not on my best list
"People who drink light "beer" don't like the taste of beer; they just like to pee a lot."
5. Kentucky Derby 4. Indy 500 3. ND Stadium 2. Old Yankee Stadium 1. Rose Bowl
Wrigley is classic. We've done the park and also the buildings across the street. Great part of town. Loads of fun. Loved the old Tiger Stadium.
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw
Old Yankee stadium (dump, but soooo much history)..
wrigley was cool too..
Fenway is on my list of places to go.. and of course i went to old tiger a bunch
SI member# 1572
Lions Seats Section 223 Row 5 seats 1-4
Wrigley is amazing...as was old Chicago Stadium.
I'm nowhere near close to being considered a fan of NASCAR, but going to Talladega was an experience.
I've always been, and always will be a big fan of Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor. No atmosphere quite like that anywhere, possibly in ALL hockey, just not college.
Old Tiger Stadium was always cool to me as well.
I know I'll be in the minority here, but I really like Comerica Park.
Also, the Palace is still a pretty good building for being 23 years old now.
Member # 94
5. Melbourne Cricket Grounds...massive stadium where I watched Man U play Australia's "soccer stars" and I saw a couple of Australian rules football games there. It was just such a different place to be, it makes the list.
4. Mercedes Benz Stadium - Stuttgart Germany...saw my first European Soccer match there. Atmosphere was amazing.
3. Dallas Stadium - Jerry World is just amazing...
2. Big house - Love watching football in A^2
1. Rose Bowl - Watched Michgan lose to USC there...just an awesome experience pregram / game / after...
I may be among a VERY small number of people who will say this, but Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio is an amazing track to watch a race at. It's a half-mile, high-banked dirt oval. Since the track was bought by NASCAR champ Tony Stewart, it has undegone a series of upgrades, seemingly every off-season since he took over. Luxury boxes, more seating, upgrades to all track facilities, just improving on what was already one of the most legendary dirt tracks in the country.
Late models run laps around that dirt half-mile as fast as NASCAR Sprint Cup cars run at Bristol Motor Speedway.
I've seen 5 races at Eldora, and I fell in love with the place the first time I attended a race there.
Place has been around since 1954, and some of the greatest names in racing have ran on the dirt at Eldora. Love this place! Hope I can make it down there this summer again.
Old Tiger Stadium is my favorite stadium I've ever been to
Also been to the KY Derby, few bowl games, Safeco Field, Wrigley (overrated), Buckeye Stadium (probably one of the most intense college football atmospheres out there), and a bunch others. Too many to list or try to remember
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