In the Heart of the Action: The 7 Best Sports Venues in NYC

With 10 major sports teams in New York City, it’s no wonder the Big Apple enjoys its reputation as the sports capital of the U.S. A sporting event happens somewhere in the city nearly every day! So, wheather you're in town for a while, or on a road trip from NYC to Boston, you'll find exhileration at some of the city's greatest sports venues.

Night at the Mets: Citi Field

Citi Field in Flushing stands immediately east of where the legendary Shea Stadium entertained New York Mets fans for decades. Discover local baseball history built into the new stadium. The home plate entrance and the arched limestone facade give a nod to historic Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Check out the Interactive Mets Museum and the Jackie Robinson rotunda. No ticket? If you can’t be in the stands, you can still be in the stadium. You won't need a ticket to belly up to the bar at McFadden's Restaurant & Saloon, where you can rub elbows with local Mets fans and watch the game on 50 high-definition TVs. Looking for the perfect social media pic? Take photos with the Big Apple that would rise at Shea every time the Mets scored.

Hotels near Flushing, NY: 55

The Cathedral of Baseball: Yankee Stadium

Home to one of New York’s most beloved sports teams, the new Yankee Stadium is just across the street from the site of the original "House That Ruth Built.” Opened in 2009, this Bronx sports venue was designed to look and feel like the classic 1923 stadium, complete with a re-creation of the iconic scalloped frieze that circled the upper deck. But, with its wider concourses, plentiful bathrooms, assortment of restaurants and access to cutting-edge technology, going to a game is a thoroughly modern experience the whole family will enjoy. If you’re bringing young baseball fans to the stadium on game day, arrive early so they’ll have some time to play at the Sunrun Kids Clubhouse.

Hotels near Bronx, NY: 59

Hoops on Ice: Madison Square Garden

If there’s anything square about Madison Square Garden in midtown Manhattan, it’s certainly not the locker rooms—they’re round to promote team unity. And that’s not the only unusual thing about this NYC sports venue. Grab a unique vantage point for a sporting event or concert on one of two glass-sided sky bridges. These 22-foot wide bridges feature traditional and bar seating options that offer a bird’s-eye view. The bridges are suspended from the ceiling, but don’t worry, rowdy fans can’t start swinging them. Each bridge weighs 331 tons and is firmly anchored in place. Can’t decide between a Knicks basketball game or a Rangers hockey match? You might be able to catch both on the same day, thanks to the removable basketball floor that hides the ice.

Hotels near Manhattan, NY: 56

It's Easy Bein' Green: Barclays Center

Home to the New York Islanders and Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center in Brooklyn is literally one of the greenest buildings in the city—drive along Flatbush Avenue and you can’t miss the 3 acres of vegetation on its roof. The emerald green foliage erupts in pink and yellow blossoms in late summer. The grass-like sedum not only looks pretty, it holds rainwater and helps maintain the building’s interior temperature. You won’t be able to catch a tan on this lush rooftop lawn though—it’s closed to the public. Instead, enjoy the venue’s other award-winning green features: LED lighting, low-water consumption restrooms and avid recycling that minimize the stadium’s ecological impact.

Hotels near Brooklyn, NY: 57

Game, Set Match: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Even if your tennis experience only extends to watching the U.S. Open championship matches at summer’s end, you won’t want to miss a visit to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. The center commands the northern boundaries of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the expansive 897-acre park in Flushing that was once home to two World’s Fairs. The complex has 50 courts, including several stadiums, but its crown jewel is Arthur Ashe Stadium, where you can snuggle up under the retractable roof with 33,000 fans to revel in the Open’s stiff competition. Off season, take a tour, book a lesson or just walk in the footsteps of tennis greats.

Hotels near Queens, NY: 56

Coney Island State of Mind: MCU Park

Savor Atlantic Ocean breezes while watching the Cyclones take the field at MCU Park in the heart of Brooklyn's Coney Island. Screams from thrill-seekers riding the Thunderbolt roller coaster next door at Luna Park mingle with cheers from the fans at this 12,000-seat minor league stadium with Coney Island ambiance. Bright neon lights tower overhead as the colorful (but long-defunct) Parachute Drop looms into the sky just outside the park. The tempting aromas of Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and burgers waft through the air—don't worry, vendors are on site. Parties of 15 or more can watch the game through the outfield wall in the "backyard" area, where the group can enjoy a pregame barbecue buffet and play cornhole and shuffleboard.

Hotels near Coney Island Beach, NY: 55

Run Like the Wind: New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory

History and athletics combine at the New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory in Washington Heights. Touted as one of the fastest indoor tracks in the world, this venue hosts athletes of all ages and abilities. When meets aren't in progress, the Armory Foundation reaches out to school-aged children around the city with after-school activities. This imposing brick building houses a 60,000-square-foot arena, but you’ll also find plenty of other features to explore, starting with the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. Exhibits chronicle the history of the sport from the first Olympics, technological advances in sports in New York and a 40-foot-long Wall of Fame.

Hotels near Washington Heights, NY: 58