Game On! Exploring the Massachusetts Sports Trail

As the oldest Major League Baseball park in the USA, Fenway Park in Boston has cemented its place in the sport’s history. It’s home to the world-famous Boston Red Sox baseball team and is perhaps best known for its 11-meter-tall left field wall, called the Green Monster. See it whether you attend a game or take a tour, with year-round options ranging from 15-minute trips to day-long excursions. You’ll go behind the scenes to learn the history of the park, visit the Red Sox Hall of Fame, view memorabilia and more.

In the heart of Boston’s West End neighborhood, state-of-the-art TD Garden serves as the site for both Boston Celtics basketball and Boston Bruins hockey games. New England’s largest sports and entertainment arena also hosts concerts and other events. Stop by the ProShop to pick up merchandise and memorabilia from both teams, including jerseys and gear used during games, and don’t miss exploring exhibits that celebrate Boston’s sporting history at The Sports Museum.

Get a look at how baseball was played in the 19th century — sans gloves and overhand pitching — when you watch the teams of the Essex Base Ball Club take the field. Games are on the schedule from May to October each year at the charming Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury. Afterwards, tour this family-friendly historic site to learn about New England farm life and meet farm animals.

Just southwest of Boston, the New England Patriots football and New England Revolution soccer teams play home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough; both teams are among the most awarded in their respective leagues. Discover the history of Patriots football through interactive exhibits at the Patriots Hall of Fame, then climb the Gillette Stadium Lighthouse. This 66-meter-tall ornamental statue decorates the north end zone, with amazing views of Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, from the observation deck.

Make your way to Springfield to discover the birthplace and history of basketball at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, whose namesake invented the game in 1891. The sprawling museum contains artifacts from the sport’s early days, more than 3,000 portraits of basketball legends in the Hall of Fame and interactive exhibits to test your basketball skills.

Each year, 10 baseball teams compete in the Cape Cod Baseball League, the USA’s premier amateur league that’s seen more than 1,500 players make it to the major leagues. With games nearly every evening starting in June through early August, there are plenty of opportunities to catch rising sports stars in action at ballparks throughout the Cape. In between, explore Cape Cod on scenic walking trails like those at Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary in Falmouth.

Volleyball was invented in Holyoke in 1895, so it’s the fitting home of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, whose mission is to honor legends of the sport and preserve its history. Visit the museum for a showcase of artifacts and memorabilia that tell the story of volleyball from its origins to present day and learn about notable athletes in the Hall of Fame. Nearby, visit the Children’s Museum at Holyoke and see real prehistoric tracks at Dinosaur Footprints.

Fly into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and rent a car to begin your Massachusetts journey. You'll discover exciting athletic events and sports-focused attractions all over the state no matter what time of year you visit.