According to the American Express Travel 2024 Global Trends Report, 37% of frequent travelers have a trip booked to attend a sporting event this year. The Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA) reports Americans took 205 million sports event-related trips in 2023. A quarter of fans fly, and 1 in 10 visit a destination for the first time, driving leisure travel across the United States.
One of the most significant sporting events of 2024, the Summer Olympics, will welcome more than a million tourists to Paris from July to September. According to Priceline, they will spend at least $2,000 a person on flights and accommodations to participate in the experience.
If you’ve got Olympic fever but can’t travel to Europe for the Games, here are four cities across America where sports fans can still score epic Olympic experiences.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis will morph into Gymnastics City in late June as it hosts four prestigious events, including the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Speculators anticipate appearances by Twin Cities hometown hero Suni Lee and Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time.
Trek to the Twin Cities to witness the popular Summer Olympics sport and explore a town with a vibrant downtown area that fuses art and nature. Walk the Riverfront District, the oldest part of the city, and then see St. Anthony’s Falls, the Stone Arch Bridge, and Mill Ruins Park. End the day with dinner at the famed Native American restaurant, Owamni. The must-see Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, located within the city’s heart, boasts 60 pieces across 11 scenic acres. It is open to the public year-round and offers free admission.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Travelers looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience should head to Indianapolis in mid-June, a vacation spot within one day’s drive for more than half of the U.S. population. A century after the city hosted the 1924 Paris Olympics’ swimming trials, it will welcome a quarter-million spectators to see 1,500 of America’s top swimmers vie for 52 coveted spots on the 2024 U.S. Paris Olympic team.
“Indianapolis will be a destination this summer when we host the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for swimming. Held inside an NFL Stadium for the first time, this will be the largest swim meet in history,” shares Indiana Sports Corporation President Patrick Talty.
“The Indiana Convention Center will be the home of the Toyota Aqua Zone, a free fan fest with attractions for all ages. USA Swimming Live will take over the streets of downtown Indianapolis with free concerts, art, and other fan activations. And right in the middle of downtown will be a must-see 66-foot replica Eiffel Tower.”
Visitors to the city can check out the Conquer Museum Campus and White River State Park, both just steps outside Lucas Oil Stadium. These sites offer 250 acres of urban green space, a 3-mile canal walk, seven family-friendly museums, and a zoo.
While foodies won’t win a gold medal, they can score bragging rights for surviving the infamous shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo Steak House. The storied establishment is well-known for its sinus-clearing shrimp cocktail sauce containing freshly shaved horseradish.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is home to several attractions suited for gymnastics fans visiting the area — Garden of the Gods, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), more than 35 National Olympic Governing Bodies, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center and Museum.
“The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs does a phenomenal job showcasing the modern Olympics’ history and the athletes that have made it so special. The interactive exhibits are so fun to explore”, shares Karee, a frequent traveler and founder of A Woven Journey. “It’s a captivating experience for anyone, but our visit was extra special for our ten-year-old daughter. She was born with a physical handicap, and seeing the accomplishments of some of the most famous Paralympians in the world was so inspiring, not only for her but for all of us.”
Test your athletic abilities at the Lemon Lodge Ski Bar’s Olympic-caliber ski and snowboard simulator or on The Manitou Incline. It is one of the country’s most challenging trails, attracting runners, military members, Olympic athletes, and hikers.
Plan a visit the last week of July to join in on Olympic City USA’s festivities. On Saturday, July 27, the Downtown Summer Fest celebration will feature athlete meet-and-greets, demonstrations, and live entertainment, all while Paris events air on Museum Plaza’s big screen.
Lake Placid, New York
Escape the summer heat with a trip to Lake Placid, home to the 1932 and 1980 Olympics and North America’s second-largest Winter Olympics artifact collection. Visit the Olympic Center Museum or catch off-season ski jumpers practicing their skills with water landings. Head to Mt. Van Hoevenberg for a thrilling mountain coaster ride or Whiteface Mountain’s Gondola for epic vista views.
Amateur athletes and vacationers can explore the six-million-acre protected Adirondack Mountains region by hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, or taking a casual nature walk. They can also enjoy a round in one of America’s oldest golf destinations, historically played by the game’s greats.
