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A few years ago the city of Cincinnati built a stadium for what at the time was one of the worst teams in professional football. This is probably what they needed to turn the franchise around. Playing in a beautiful stadium must have been the magic since the Bengals are typically a very competitive team now and often discussed as a playoff contender.

The stadium is one of the nicest football venues that you will find. It holds over 65,000 screaming fans, it has fantastic scoreboards that show live video, and has plenty of restrooms. It is the only football stadium to make the “Americans’ Favorite Buildings” coming in at 101. Only 10 sporting structures made that list.

This is a first class facility for watching basketball with 18,000 of your best friends. The Pacers have a long history as part of the NBA and, previously, the ABA. You will see plenty of tributes to the great players and teams of the past and if you are a big fan of professional basketball you will be tested by your knowledge of the history of the game.

The food in the arena is not fantastic but is typical of most professional basketball venues. The Starbuck’s and the gift shop are top notch.

Parking in the area is fairly affordable and convenient. You should be able to find a $5 spot within a couple of blocks (unless the Pacers are playing great and the rates go up). While you are in downtown Indy, make sure that you spend some time enjoying some of the great shops and restaurants that make up this thriving downtown. The city leaders of Indianapolis have done a great job in making the city vibrant and you would not expect that a city in the “rust belt” would have their act together so well.

Tickets to any professional basketball game will set you back considerably and the Pacers are not an exception. However if you can afford it, an evening at Conseco field while visiting Indianapolis is a great time!

The Cincinnati Reds are the first professional baseball team having been formed as the Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1869. Their current stadium holds just shy of 43,000, is a pure baseball facility that tries to deliver the theme of the riverboat heritage of the city, and sits next to the Ohio River. In the stands in the outfield is a mockup of a riverboat with two smokestacks. These smokestacks shoot out small fireworks at the beginning of game upon the completion of the National Anthem.

The venerable Wrigley Field is synonymous with baseball. Located on the north side of Chicago it is well known for its ivy-covered walls, formerly lack of lights, and the seats across the street in the outfield. It is the second oldest park in major league baseball and few people that visit the old park can leave without a level of respect and admiration for this American landmark. It is a must visit for any baseball fan or fan of baseball parks.

It really doesn’t get much better than Yankee Stadium for tradition. Unfortunately, if you haven’t visited this, the 3rd oldest stadium, you need to hurry. Construction has begun on the New Yankee Stadium!

Like all of the old parks, this icon of baseball legends doesn’t have all of the modern conveniences. It also is not the most spacious in seating but the experience of watching a game in the same place that Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played in is something absolutely special.