Now that I have that song stuck in your head, let's talk September. The kids are back in school, everyone is getting back into routine, and FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!!
I can honestly say between living in Massachusetts during the Patriots Dynasty Era and now living in Louisiana where a tiger is our unofficial state animal it is GAME TIME!
So, to celebrate, I am going to be highlighting by state some things to do in the cities you'll be visiting while you cheer on your favorite sports teams. (You can click right on the highlighted links to purchase your tickets to each activity)
ALABAMA (BOOOO...coming from an LSU FAN)
Tuscaloosa Multi Attraction Pass
ALASKA
We should give the bears a football, I bet they would do better than Chicago with it.
ARIZONA
Custom Grand Canyon Day Trip
ARKANSAS
I know the Razorbacks stadium is in Fayetteville but we are going to have to travel to Bentonville to do something other than football (its's a 35 minute drive).....also Walmart headquarters is there, and I hear they have a MASSIVE store.
Private Golf Cart Tour of Bentonville
CALIFORNIA
Why are there so many teams???
-SAN FRANSCISCO (Nick Bosa am I right???)
Big Bus Hop on Hop Off Tour
I have personally done this tour, and it is fantastic! You get to see everything without having to navigate thru traffic. (also hold your phones on the Golden Gate Bridge because she is WINDY!!)
(That's me, I cut my mom out the picture because I can hear the phone call now about taking it down...LOVE YOU MOM)
-LOS ANGELES (this takes care of like 4 different teams in one spot)
Full Day Iconic Sight Seeing Tour (I know you wanna see all the mansions you can't afford, or if you can afford them hit me up, I've never had rich friends!)
COLORADO
After you watch the Broncos lose and you want to eat your feelings, or you get the munchies from......the change of altitude, why else?
Try this food tour...
Downtown Denver Food Tour
CONNECTICUT
Even though no one claims them they are technically part of New England, but I think I'm going UCONN on this one.... grab the Huskies because it will be about an hour to get to this adventure...
Mystic Seaport
DELAWARE
Besides the circus you can catch for no charge in Washington DC, they do have the Commanders there (GO JAYDEN). Honestly, I don't even want to put a link, take advantage of the FREE National Museums there, they are all FANTASTIC.
FLORIDA
Besides this state literally having a piece of my heart and soul there, (my mom and nephew live there) I LOVE FLORIDA.....but again soooooo many teams!
-TAMPA
As a Patriots Fan it hurts me to say it, but I took full advantage of my mother's season tickets and have been to the BUCS games. The pirate ship will give you a heart attack each time, but you are guaranteed to have a good time!
(peep me and the grinch)
Putting my trader's self aside, this is my Favorite city in Florida, mostly because there are countless things to do!
Tampa City Pass (I have written about these where you get MULTIPLE things to do in a city all in the same price)
-MIAMI (BOOOO.... IN THE SAME DIVISION AS THE PATRIOTS)
I just had clients who recently went and did some exploring of this city right before their cruise. They highly recommend this tour!
Little Havana Food and Walking Tour
-JACKSONVILLE
After you watch the Jaguars and you're ready for an actual fun time....
Amelia Island Kayak Tour
-GAINESVILLE
Go to a place where you hope you don't see any gators..
Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Tour
GEORGIA
If you survive traveling thru the Atlanta airport which is an adventure in itself and after you watch the dirty birds (Damnit Judon for leaving us) try this....
Atlanta City Pass (multiple attractions for one price)
HAWAII
I mean besides the amazing players that come out of this beautiful state who is even worried about Football when you're in freakin HAWAIIIIII.... When I went to Oahu when I was younger, we woke up for the sunrise every morning. In September of 2024 I am lucky enough to be returning to this beautiful state for the Classic Vacations Conference but will be visiting Maui this time, and Football is not on my radar (besides my son's game I will be missing...*cue Mom Guilt*) So apologies on no links but just go outside there and you will have an adventure.
IDAHO
Who do you guys' root for??
ILLINOIS
DA BEARS! Now I know I made a joke earlier about giving footballs to bears in Alaska and they could do better, but....nothing I'm sticking by that statement. With staying in spirit with the Bears losing record go see some spirits and take this tour
Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tour
INDIANA
GO HOOSIERS.....sorry I think that's about it.
IOWA
Go see some CORN! I don't know what else to tell you.
KANSAS
I hear Basketball is this state's Jam. So.......
KENTUCKY
Horses and Bourbon....need I say more?
Bites of the Bluegrass Cocktails
LOUISIANA
Two Words......DEATH VALLEY....LSU is THE experience. Sing Callin Baton Rouge at the top of your lungs and experience the rector scale registering crowd!
(Don't forget all the purple and gold and of course face glitter)
-NEW ORLEANS
God gave us the choice between good food and good weather..... since Jim Cantore has a reserved room here you know which one we chose. Try all the foods on this tour!
New Orleans Food Walking Tour
MAINE
GO LOBSTERS!!!!
MARYLAND (MY LEAST FAVORITE TEAM IN THE NFL)
Welp.... I was taught if you didn't have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all.....
Glow in the Dark Paint Experience
MASSACHUSETTS
Although the last couple of years have been a painful experience as a Patriots fan...WE ARE REBUILDING....they are still my boys, and I am still a fan as you can tell by my light hate for certain teams. Take a break in Boston like the Patriots are at winning.
It is still TITLE TOWN...and when we do win duck boat parades are a thing and you can experience your very own duck boat tour...
Duck Boat Tour
MICHIGAN
I think all of America was going for the Lions at some point last year. Since we all forgot about the Lions for years and discovered them do the same for the city of Detroit at this tour.
Undiscovered Beauty of Detroit
Michigan State fans what do you do besides watch the game?
MINNESOTA
Lizzo and Kirk Cousins ridiculous necklaces reminded everyone of the Vikings. But the real MVP of Minneapolis... The Mall of America. You have to see it.
All Day Wristband for Nickelodeon Universe
MISSISSIPPI
College football is pretty much the only thing to do around there huh? Hey you know the spelling of that state stays with you throughout the years.....
MISSOURI
I get it now how all those years EVERYONE complained about the Patriots.... I DON'T WANT TO WATCH ANOTHER CHIEFS SUPERBOWL.....(go Travis Kelce though)
Grab a few beers and your jealousy and Shake It Off on this tour...(No it's not the ERAS Tour, bad jokes are a complimentary service I offer)
Distillery Tour
MONTANA
Again, with those views what is Football? Isn't that what they call Soccer in Europe? Leave the phone in the room and don't come back inside until the sun goes down! Actually, grab the phone and take all the pictures.
NEBRASKA
I mean with a name like Cornhuskers what do you expect to do for fun there? I'm coming up empty so message me and let me know!
NEVADA
Now I know what everyone is thinking with all the things you can get into in Las Vegas let's put an NFL Team there and expect these newly Millionaire status men to be on their best behavior. I won't go into details, but it doesn't turn out well for the Raiders. So, let's get you into some fun instead of trouble with this tour.....
Fly above the strip and all the drunk people driving rented Lamborghinis
Helicopter Tour of Las Vegas at Night
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The only thing you should be watching here is the leaves change. That's it.
NEW JERSEY
Would someone like to explain to me why MetLife Stadium is in Jersey but we call them NY teams? Anyways just like the Jets/Giants who share the same stadium I'll share things to do down below in New York.
NEW MEXICO
Check out the Local Cactus growing competitions. I think you can actually place some bets on them, my money is on I'm stuck on you it's favored to win 11-1.
NEW YORK
So as a person with LOTS of family that live here, I am personally going to say NEW YORK CITY IS NOT THE WHOLE STATE. Now that the uppercase letters have effectively communicated my distaste for that view let's see what we can get into.
After you get done rooting for the Jets or the Giants (do they change decorations?) head into the city or drive upstate.
-NYC
This tour has 10,000 reviews with a 5 Star Rating (unlike the Jets) and has won awards.
New York City in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
-BUFFALO (boooooooo)
I mean we call them Buffalo wings for a reason right? (No they aren't made of Buffalo). I might have just shown my age with that bad joke. You can eat and work off the calories at the same time on this tour.
Wing and Beer Bike Tour (disclaimer don't drunk ride a bicycle I don't know how these things work and have to cover myself)
NORTH CAROLINA
Excuse the fans of the Panthers and go see some Southern Charm on this tour.
Charlotte Golf Cart Tour
NORTH DAKOTA
Hmm.... let me think on this one
OHIO
BUCKEYES...YES!
JOE BURROW HECK YES!!!
Hidden fandom came to light when that man signed. Somehow you had people from Louisiana rooting for Cincinnati. I mean WHO DEY/WHO DAT not that far of a reach.
Now go visit something else hidden in Cincinatti.
Didn't mean to scare you there (It has good reviews and there is Beer if things get weird) I meant this..
Hidden Cavern Tours
OKLAHOMA
What is a SOONER anyways? You can go here and feel like you're experiencing a tornado without the commitment of losing everything you own and your house...
Indoor Sky Diving
OREGON
My advice rent a car and go see some nature. Get out of the city and away from the people. It's not their fault everything is legal there.
PENNSYLVANIA
Did anyone else fall in love with Jason Kelce these last few years and are sad we didn't see him before? NO...Just me? Welp, then if you care to see the Eagles post Jason here's some other things to do there to fill up your time. It turns out there is alot of history here, and it's not always Sunny.
-PHILADELPHIA
Old City Walking Tour
-PITTSBURGH
I am not going to lie, I had to edit this blog because I forgot about Pittsburgh so that's how memorable the Steelers are......
PRIVATE WALKING TOUR OF PITTSBURGH (it says it's essential Pittsburgh Experience. See even the tours know the Steelers aren't essential)
RHODE ISLAND
Go see the ridiculous mansions in Newport and eat some Clam Cakes.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Such a charming state. Such a terrible College Football name.
GAMECOCKS
I don't know what else to do with that. I know there are jokes but I just don't think they would be appropriate. Take a break from yelling GO COCKS! (I had to make the joke, it was killing me) AND head on down to Charleston.
Charleston Carriage Ride
SOUTH DAKOTA
No one took the opportunity for RUSH MORE to be in a team name so I am putting the same effort into this one.
TENNESSEE
When I heard Vrabel wasn't the coach anymore, I had all the things crossed to get him back with the Patriots!
It didn't work and so the Titans have Henry (OPE!) I know that hurt.... you can always drown your sorrows at one of the 103930 bars in Nashville.
OR
You can join Jack here....
Distillery Tour
TEXAS
Everything is BIGGER in Texas and Football and Fun are no exception.
Of course we have the most obnoxious fans in the league:
-DALLAS
When you are done arguing that this is your year go do this instead....
Now hear me out.... https://www.viator.com/tours/Dallas/Dallas-Cruizer-Tour/d918-143885P11?pid=P00156601&uid=U00469402&mcid=58086¤cy=USD
it says JFK Tour and I don't think you want the WHOLE experience (assassination, CIA cover up, Johnson taking your spot IM JUST KIDDING ....) so leave a little room for imagination on this one!
-HOUSTON
I really wanted JJ to get his ring. The one problem....he was on the Texans. So after the 4 hours of watching them get beat go by spend the rest of your trip doing this!
Houston City Pass (multiple activities for one price, you spent enough on those tickets)
UTAH
BYU....and Mormons.... great architecture but you won't be able to see inside.
VERMONT
I don't think people there believe in Full Contact Sports, someone could get hurt and a team might lose.
VIRGINIA
If you haven't heard, it's for lovers not fighters but Virginia Tech must not have got that message when they chose Enter the Sandman (if you haven't seen the EPIC show of that what are you doing?)
Honestly, the stadium is closest to Roanoke so head over there...
Downtown Roanoke Food and Culture Tour
WASHINGTON
Now as a Patriots Fan Richard Sherman's face will forever be one of my cherished memories.
But Seattle has so much more to offer than that.
I took my mother there in May 2021, and you can see how easily people fall in love with it. I cannot express how beautiful the flower arrangements were at Pike's Place Market.
You could spend a half a day there.
We chose to do just that and then head over to one of the iconic sites of the city.
Space Needle and Gardens (I took this exact one)
(me at the Chihuly Gardens/ 2020 was rough)
(views of the stadium from the Space Needle)
If you can get out of the city and see real beauty.
WEST VIRGINIA
Football and Coal Mines (we appreciate the workers) here's a pizza party.
WISCONSIN
Some of my favorite players have come out of Wisconsin. You have the Badgers and the Packers (sounds like the beginning of a terrible story) but Madison is one of my favorite cities.
-MADISON
Beer and a Tour
-GREEN BAY
Cheese.......No I'm just kidding.... Bratwurst....No I'm kidding again.....but really.....
Boat Tour to Death's Door (NOT KIDDING)
I don't think it would hurt to say a prayer before this tour.
WYOMING
Go ride a horse. No football... it's too beautiful.
If you have made it this far it's because you're my mother, my sister-in-law who I make proofread this before submitting (it's her fault if something is wrong) or you don't like Football, so I haven't offended, you.
But in all honesty, I work with companies such as VIATOR (where all the links go to) and there is something fun to do in every state, I was just covering cities where Football has a presence....If your state didn't have anything get in the car and head to another one. Just don't do it during Football season we're too busy watching the game.
As always Take the Trip!
-Samantha Cooley
Worth the Miles Travel
Comments