When the days begin to shorten and the chill of autumn descends on the air, sports fans have just one thing on their minds: football.
There is no sport more quintessentially American than football, a game played in big cities and small towns across the country. During the fall, traveling groups can soak up the action by planning their trips around famous football games or catching marching-band performances. And throughout the year, football museums and other attractions promise insight into America’s game.
If your group enjoys football, consider including some of these attractions and activities in your fall travel plans.
Pro Football Hall of Fame and Museum
Canton, Ohio
Professional football had early roots in Canton, Ohio, which is why this small city is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Museum. Galleries trace the growth of the sport from its infancy in the early 20th century to its current dominance of the American sports world. The exhibits use video, audio and special effects, and visitors see tons of historic artifacts and memorabilia, including player’s jerseys, equipment and championship rings. They can also try their hand at various football skills and test their knowledge of football trivia and officiating rules in the museum’s interactive section.
College Football Hall of Fame
Atlanta
After nearly two decades in South Bend, Indiana, the College Football Hall of Fame moved to Atlanta in 2014 and now enjoys a prime location and state-of-the-art facility in Midtown. The museum uses an RFID chip embedded in visitors’ tickets to tailor their experiences, highlighting their favorite college teams and allowing them to create digital photos and recordings of themselves at various interactive stations. They can access and download these files after their visits. In addition to high-tech exhibits, the museum also features an indoor football field where groups can try running plays and kicking field goals.
Lambeau Field and More
Green Bay, Wisconsin
A seat at a Green Bay Packers home game is one of the toughest tickets to get in professional sports, so seeing a live football game isn’t a viable option for groups visiting Green Bay. But travelers can still get a taste of the area’s football culture with a visit to famed Lambeau Field, which is open year-round and recently underwent a $140 million renovation. In 2017, Green Bay debuted the Titletown District, a football-themed neighborhood right outside the stadium full of shopping, dining and activity options. Groups can also take Packers-themed sightseeing tours around the city.
