Best New York attractions for sports fans

Guest Post by: Adam Rowley

With popular attractions and sights such as the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square and Central Park, there are plenty of things to see and do in New York for the majority of tourists.

However, sports fans in particular are in for a treat, as New York is the home of several famous teams and world-class stadiums.

With cheap holidays to New York available all-year round, there is no reason for any sports fan not to visit the following sports-related tourist attractions.

Basketball and Ice Hockey at Madison Square Garden

This multi-purpose indoor arena is home to the New York Rangers ice hockey team and the New York Knicks basketball side. The stadium is located in midtown Manhattan and is now the oldest active major sporting facility in the New York Metropolitan area, having opened its doors in 1968.

Both the National Hockey League and National Basketball League regular seasons run from October to April, so during these months you’re somewhat guaranteed to see two very different sports taking place.

The best way to learn more about Madison Square Garden is to go on the All Access Tour, where you can explore the theater, lounges and corridors of this iconic facility.

Baseball at Yankee Stadium
Although the original Yankee Stadium, which was built in 1923 and hosted 6,581 baseball games, was converted into parkland in 2010, its brand new replacement is well worth a visit. The arena cost a staggering $1.5 billion and is the second-most expensive stadium of any kind ever.

As you would expect, the facilities and amenities, as well as the sporting spectacle on show, are outstanding. The Yankees have one of the most instantly recognizable insignias of any sports team and are a hugely successful franchise, having won 18 division titles, 40 AL pennants and 27 World Series championships.

Once again, to make the most out of your trip to this baseball venue located in the south Bronx, take a Classic Tour that includes visits to the New York Yankees museum, Monument Park, dugout and clubhouse.

Horse racing at Yonkers Raceway
Founded in 1899 as the Empire City Race Track, you can be guaranteed horse racing five nights a week at this historical arena in Yonkers near the New York City border.

Spectators can place bets on their fancied horse or simply sit back and enjoy standard bred harness racing on a one-half-mile dirt track. But if you’re not having much luck on the track, head to the Empire City Casino featuring 5,300 slot machines and several other gaming options.

Thankfully, you do not have to worry about timing your trip, as world-class racing events happen throughout the year. If you do have a particular sport in mind, though, do make sure you check when the season starts and ends to avoid disappointment.