Along with sharing the longest border in the world, the United States and Canada share a passion for a diverse range of sports. Many of the biggest and most beautiful cities to visit have sports ingrained in their culture as much as the food, people, or landscape.
A few places truly present an excellent opportunity to enjoy natural and architectural wonders, as well as culture, and food, to go with a huge sports scene. You may even find after visiting these cities and enjoying their vibrant sports scenes, you have gained some new knowledge you can use to help fund your next excursion. For those looking for all that and more, we recommend you take a trip to any of these five North American cities.
Vancouver, British Columbia
“Downtown Vancouver” by PoYang_博仰 is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Home to the Vancouver Canucks, B.C. Lions (of the CFL), and the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver ideal location for those looking to watch and participate in sports. Mountains surround Vancouver, and a short trip up the coast takes you to Whistler – one of the most popular ski destinations in the world.
The combination of the mountains, oceans, and rain forests make Vancouver an ideal spot for nature lovers and nature photographers. However, you do not need to leave the city to enjoy Vancouver. Despite the infamous 2011 riot after Canucks 2011 Stanley Cup Finals loss, the city is full of friendly outdoorsy people. It is also one of the best places outside of Japan to grab sushi and has a booming craft beer scene.
New York, New York
New York is home to so much it should shock no one that it is the most visited city in the United States. One place that draws in millions of attendees for Knicks and Rangers games as well as other sports and concerts in the Mecca – Madison Square Garden. The city is also home to the New York Yankees and their magnificent new stadium, which blends postmodern stone style architecture with a modern sports viewing experience.
Of course, everyone knows there is much more to the city than sports. New York is a food lover’s dream due to its diverse culture and ability to draw in world-renown chefs. It is also home to some of the most iconic modern architecture in the world. Still, even with all that, going to a New York baseball game gives you as much of a New York experience as anything else.
San Francisco, California
Sandwiched between Silicon Valley, California Wine Country, the ocean and the mountains, San Francisco is surrounded by diverse locations and stunning vistas. The city itself is quite photogenic as well, with its infamous hills and “full house” style residences.
The city is also home to some of the most successful sports franchises and the best locations to catch a game. The San Francisco Giants stadium is located right on the water, with home run balls flying over its brick walls into the bay. The city is also home to the brand-new Chase Center. As well as being home to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, the Arena draws in the most popular arena tours – which can also present some exciting photography opportunities.
Boston, Massachusetts
“Boston harbor and skyline” by runneralan2004 is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Since the turn of the century, no city in North America has had more success than Boston. The city has won a championship in all four of the major North American leagues – including multiple rings for the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox.
Boston is home to one of the world’s best-known baseball stadiums – Fenway Park. The large green wall in the park – aptly named “the Green Monster” – is one of the most iconic pieces of a stadium in North America. While the green façade is not every photographer’s dream, the city has plenty of snapshot worthy locales.
Some of the best spots to check out in Boston include Harvard’s campus, the Bunker Hill Momentum, and the Boston Seaport District. Visiting these places will show you plenty of Boston’s culture and history – as well as plenty of Bostonians wearing Boston team apparel.
Montreal, Quebec
As arguably the most European feeling city of all the metropolises in North America, Montreal offers a fun experience for many different visitors. The city is home to the Montreal Canadiens, the most successful franchise in NHL history. It was also the first city in Canada to host the Olympics and have an MLB franchise. While the Montreal Olympics were nearly 45 years ago and the Expos bolted to Washington D.C. in 2005, they still have lasting effects on the city.
The city is considered the food capital of Canada and hosts some of North America’s biggest music festivals. It is also filled with historic buildings, presenting an excellent opportunity for photographers. If you ever get a chance to visit Old Montreal, followed by a dinner at Joe Beef, and then a Canadiens, you will not regret it.
