The UK might have plenty of great sporting events to offer throughout the year, but if you’re a fan of pursuits like baseball, basketball and golf then there’s nowhere quite like the USA to take in all the action in person. And, with a packed calendar of unmissable action over the spring and summer months, what better excuse do you need than to combine taking some of them in with a luxury American getaway?
A nation of great sports teams and impeccable players, it’s easy to see why the USA is at the top of many sports fans’ travel bucket lists, and rightly so. When it comes to big NFL games, the iconic Super Bowl has already passed for 2023, having taken place in February – but there are still plenty of other quintessentially American sports to get your teeth into besides.
So, if you’re ready to give this particular life goal a big tick, then these are the biggest and best events happening over the spring and summer.
Saturday, 6th May: The Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky
Held annually on the first Saturday of May since 1875, the historic Kentucky Derby is an event that every horse-racing enthusiast should see at least once. Often referred to as the ‘fastest two minutes in sport’, more than 150,000 people turn out to watch the action unfold over a fun-filled weekend.
The main event sees three-year-old thoroughbred horses battle it out to be the first past the post at the famous Churchill Downs racecourse – but not before an evening of lavish partying in Louisville’s sophisticated mansions and ballrooms on the Friday night. On the big day itself, spectators come dressed up to the nines, and although the action is over in moments, the energy amongst the crowd is infectious and something truly memorable to experience.
If you’re keen to attend, then you’ll need to fly into Lexington, Kentucky, with Louisville reachable there by car in just over an hour. If you’re making it an extended stay, then there’s plenty to see and do in and around Louisville besides the Derby itself – from the esteemed Heaven Distillery in Bardstown, where you can enjoy an immersive tasting experience, to Louisville’s famous ‘Museum row’, where you can visit attractions like the Slugger museum and learn about the history of American sport.
Fly into: Lexington, Kentucky
Stay: The Brown – a lavish Georgian-revived hotel that exudes opulence and is perfectly located for a short hop to the race course.
12th -18th June: The US Golf Open, Los Angeles, California
If golf is more your thing, then the summer US Open provides the perfect excuse to take a trip to the City of Angels. Set to take place at the Los Angeles Country Club over four days, the event will see 60 of the world’s finest golfers battling it out to be crowned the champion.
At Spectator Square, you’ll find a host of food offerings, shops and fan signing opportunities, but let’s face it -there’s no shortage of things to do in Los Angeles outside of the event, and from celebrity spotting tours and visiting the city’s newly opened Academy Award Museum to indulging in a luxury shopping spree or heading to the beach, it would be rude not to make it an extended trip.
Fly into: Los Angeles (LAX)
Stay: The plush London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills features a stunning rooftop pool with private cabanas where you can relax and soak up some rays.
23rd July: All-Star Baseball in Seattle, Washington
Baseball is one of America’s best-loved sports, so if you really want a cultural sporting experience, then July is the month to jet into Seattle to see some All-Star Baseball unfold. Taking place at the sophisticated T-Mobile Park over a whole week, you’ll need stamina to make it all the way through, but with stunning views of the Seattle skyline from the stadium and plenty to see and do besides the games themselves, it’s certain to keep you coming back for more.
Seattle is famous for its coffee culture, so be sure to check out some of the city’s finest coffee shops. You can even visit the Starbucks Roastery for a tour if you’re a real aficionado – but don’t forget to leave some time to see some of the city’s iconic sights. A trip up to the top of the Space Needle is a must, and will give you breath-taking views down over the entire city.
Fly into: Seattle
Stay: The stylish Lotte Hotel is within easy walking distance of the city’s major shops and restaurants and just 1.7 miles from the pretty Pocket Beach, with plenty of high-end services and amenities to ensure a relaxing stay.
