Best Travel Destinations for College Sports Enthusiasts in North Carolina

An interesting article that combines sports with travel from guest contributor Alex Ford:

North Carolina is a state rich in sports culture, especially for college sports enthusiasts. With its passionate fanbase and numerous venues that have witnessed some of the most exciting college sports moments, it is the perfect destination for those who love college basketball, football, and more. From historic arenas to scenic campuses, North Carolina has something to offer for every sports enthusiast. This article will explore some of the best travel destinations in the state for those who follow college sports, covering iconic venues, exciting atmospheres, and must-visit locations

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Dean E. Smith Center, affectionately known as "The Dean Dome," is one of the most iconic college basketball arenas in the country. Home to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team, it has seen some of the greatest athletes in the sport, such as Michael Jordan and Vince Carter. With a seating capacity of 21,750, it is a must-visit for basketball fans who want to experience the energy of Tar Heel basketball firsthand. The arena has hosted multiple ACC Championships and NCAA Tournament games, solidifying its reputation as a historic venue in college sports.

Kenan Memorial Stadium is another gem on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. This football stadium, nestled in the picturesque forests of Chapel Hill, provides a unique atmosphere for college football. With a capacity of 50,500, it offers an intimate yet electrifying experience. Fans have witnessed unforgettable moments here, including numerous games against archrival Duke University.

Duke University

Cameron Indoor Stadium, home to the Duke Blue Devils, is a legendary basketball arena. With a capacity of only 9,314, it is one of the most intense and intimate venues in college basketball. The fans, known as the "Cameron Crazies," create a deafening atmosphere that makes it one of the toughest places for opponents to play. College basketball enthusiasts must experience a game at Cameron Indoor, especially during the historic Duke-UNC rivalry.

Wallace Wade Stadium, home to the Duke Blue Devils football team, is another destination worth visiting for college sports fans. The stadium, with a capacity of 40,004, offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity. The stadium has undergone significant renovations, enhancing the game-day experience for fans while preserving its rich history.

North Carolina State University

Carter-Finley Stadium is where NC State football fans gather to cheer on the Wolfpack. The stadium, which seats 58,000, is known for its passionate fans and electric game-day atmosphere. Located in Raleigh, the stadium is a short drive from downtown, making it an accessible destination for travelers. It has hosted numerous thrilling ACC matchups over the years.

While not on NC State’s campus, the PNC Arena in Raleigh is home to the NC State Wolfpack men’s basketball team. With a seating capacity of 19,722, it is one of the largest basketball arenas in the state. It is also home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, making it a versatile venue for sports fans. Attending a game here offers a chance to experience Wolfpack basketball in a state-of-the-art facility.

Wake Forest University

Truist Field is home to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team. With a seating capacity of 31,500, it is one of the smaller football stadiums in the ACC, but what it lacks in size makes up for in spirit. The intimate atmosphere provides an up-to-close experience of ACC football, and Wake Forest’s recent football success makes it an exciting place to visit.

LJVM Coliseum is the home of Wake Forest basketball. The 14,665-seat arena has hosted some of the most memorable moments in Wake Forest’s basketball history, including games featuring NBA legend Tim Duncan. The coliseum provides a great atmosphere for fans, with excellent sightlines and modern amenities.

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State’s Kidd Brewer Stadium, located in Boone, North Carolina, is known for its scenic mountain backdrop and electric atmosphere. With a capacity of 30,000, it is smaller than many other colleges football stadiums in the state, but the Mountaineers’ passionate fanbase makes it a thrilling place to watch a game. The stadium has seen Appalachian State’s rise to prominence, including its historic upset of Michigan in 2007.

North Carolina Central University

O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium is the home of North Carolina Central University’s football team. With a capacity of 10,000, it offers a close-knit, community feel. The stadium is rich in history, having hosted numerous classic HBCU matchups over the years. For those interested in HBCU sports culture, this is a must-visit destination.

Western Carolina University

E.J. Whitmire Stadium is in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and home to the Western Carolina Catamounts football team. With a seating capacity of 13,742, it provides a beautiful backdrop for a college football game. The stadium is known for its picturesque views and passionate fans, making it a unique destination for football enthusiasts. Make sure to use the BetMGM North Carolina promo code when planning your trip to catch some of the best college sports action the state has to offer.

East Carolina University

Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is the home of East Carolina Pirates football. With a capacity of 51,000, it is one of the largest football stadiums in the state. The stadium is known for its raucous atmosphere, especially during games against in-state rivals. ECU’s loyal fanbase makes attending a game at Dowdy-Ficklen a memorable experience for any college football fan.

Minges Coliseum is home to the East Carolina Pirates basketball teams. The 8,000-seat arena offers an intimate setting for basketball games, and the passion of the Pirate fans creates an energetic atmosphere. Minges is a great destination for basketball fans visiting the Greenville area.

North Carolina A&T State University

BB&T Stadium, home of the North Carolina A&T Aggies football team, is one of the most well-known HBCU football venues in the country. With a capacity of 21,500, it offers a lively and spirited atmosphere, especially during games against rivals like North Carolina Central. The Aggies’ football program has a rich tradition, including multiple MEAC championships, making it a must-visit for HBCU sports fans.

Conclusion

North Carolina is home to some of the most iconic college sports venues in the country. Whether you are a fan of basketball, football, or just love the college sports atmosphere, the state offers a variety of destinations for every sports enthusiast. 

Though Far From The Main DC Drag, There's Lots To Check Out In Georgetown!

If you're a shopping freak, then Georgetown is the place for you.  It has several shops and high end boutiques to offer.  M street is the main drag, which leads right from the Foggy Bottom neighborhood all the way over to the Francis Scott Key Bridge; and that stretch is roughly a mile long.  Georgetown is not the most convenient when it comes to getting here by public transportation, but it is totally worth coming to because it is one of the trendiest, if not the most, places in DC.  One store that I like is called Paper Source located at 3019 M Street NW.  Apparently this place has several locations around the country including three of them in NYC.  They don't sell just paper, they have a lot of cool stationary items as well.  They are items you use everyday but they put some fun twists on them.  So it's fun store to check out! There are hundreds of other amazing stores around here that I cannot count, so Georgetown is the place where there is everything that money can buy and youy can shop till you drop!  

For some food and drink, head over to Pizzeria Paradiso for some of the best pizza in the city! In my opinion, it can be as good or maybe even a bit better than some of the pizza you can get in NYC.  After your delicious pizza, walk right next door to Dean and Deluca for some coffee and some sweet treats.  They have many things that are good including an enormous bulk section of candy, baked goods, and gourmet lunch and dinner foods.  There are also several pubs which are pretty much everywhere on almost every street corner so if you need swig of something, chances are you will come across a pub right in front of you as you're walking. 

Georgetown is a haven for college students since it is also home to Georgetown University.  You will see many college students drinking at the bars and shopping around in the town. 

All in all, Georgetown is a great place to go where there are many shops and restaurants that would appeal to everyone.  You might have a better kick out in Georgetown in the late evening hours and into the night since it's it's very lively then, but it's worth going to at anytime, but whenever you go, you will be glad you came in the end.       

Off The Beaten Freedom Trail In Boston

Whenever most people think of Boston, they think of Paul Revere, the Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, Harvard and the many other universities there, but not me! I know of some other cool places to go when you're up in the largest city in New England.

Transportation is plentiful.  The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority or MBTA offers a very reliable Commuter Rail, Subway, Bus, and Ferry service to, from, and around the city limits (It's referred to as the "T").  To get from the New York area, you take Amtrak.  Timing of the trip depends on the train you take, if you take the Northeast Regional, it will take a little over 3 hours to get up there.  However, if you take the Acela Express like I did, it takes a little under 3 hours, and it's a real thrill to ride the Acela to Boston since it races along at 150 mph along the gorgeous Connecticut coastline.  I took a snapshot of my phone GPS that showed my position and how fast I was going. Check it out!

     Once I got to Boston,  I took a quick trip over to the North End and Quincy Market.  I walked along Hanover St. but did not find anything that really turned me on.  I then decided to head over to Quincy Market.  I browsed around the typical touristy shops.  When I was walking by a restaurant called Dicks Last Resort, I noticed diners wearing strange looking paper hats.   I hear that is part of the restaurant's shtick.  I also read that the serving staff is known for their rude behavior. If this is your idea of a good time, this is the restaurant for you.

I then went to Cambridge, which is only a 10 minute ride on the T from Quincy Market.  You know what schools are there.  There were lots of students on the street as well as street musicians.  The stores consisted of college apparel shops, restaurants, and Boston souvenir shops.  There were a couple of high end stores, but they were few and far between.  Now on to an edgier spot and what I find more interesting.

I took the red line from Cambridge over to the green line T, which brought me to the neighborhood of Allston.  This line of the T is a light rail and runs both above ground and underground.  On the ride, I had a chance to see the Boston University Campus.  Shortly after passing the campus I got off at Harvard Avenue. which is the main drag in Allston.  Allston is considered to be Boston's "rock city."   Everywhere you look there are music stores and dive bars featuring live bands.  My favorite music store is called Mr. Music located at 128 Harvard Av.  Their main focus is guitars and guitar accessories.  The staff is friendly and cool.  The rest of Allston has an eclectic mix of fun stores including tattoo shops, comis stores, and tarot card readings.  

After exploring Allston, I hopped on a bus down Harvard Avenue over to the town of Brookline, MA.  This is also a fun place to look around.  Here too, is an eclectic mix of shops, but a little higher end than in Allston.  Before I left Brookline, I went over to Anna's Taqueria to get a tasty Burrito.  Anna's has many locations including Cambridge, Somerville, Allston, and Brookline.  It's a good choice for an inexpensive meal.  

This ended my trip to Boston and I had to catch the Amtrak back to New York.  Once again I enjoyed the beautiful views of the Connecticut coastline before it got dark.   

  

Princeton, NJ. It's Not Just About the College!!

Ok, you might think that the only icon that shouts out Princeton is Princeton University. Hell, that is not the case! There are lots of things you can do in this quaint town. The train takes about 88 minutes on a local train from Penn Station in New York City. You take the train to Princeton Junction then switch to the "dinky" shuttle train and that stops right on the Princeton campus. The campus is right in town so it's a short walk from the station. You can take NJ Transit or Amtrak. I took NJ transit because it's cheaper. It's $33 round trip from the city. Yes, there are trains you can take in New Jersey. New Jersey happens to have the densest railroad system in America, with several commuter lines that span to almost every pocket of the state.

There are several shops that would appeal to all ages. One of my favorite stores in Princeton is the Princeton Record Exchange located at 20 South Tulane Street.  This place has thousands upon thousands of vinyls and dvds that you could ever imagine; in several price ranges. There are ones that are as cheap as a dollar and there are ones that can cost thousands of dollars depending upon how scarce or rare they are. I bought a Kinks vinyl, it actually came with 2 records. It's called, "The Kinks, Everybody's in Show-Biz." Everyone who buys a record must use a turntable in order to the record to play. I am especially impressed with the album cover! I interviewed the General Manager of Princeton Record Exchange, Jonathan Lambert. In this video he will talk about the history of the store and what the business is about. Enjoy!

Princeton also has a variety of eateries and food stores that are very enticing. If you are coming right from the train, and you need a caffeine boost OR something to munch on, I would say to head right over to Small World Coffee located at 254 Nassau Street.
The baristas are very friendly and they give you a great cup of joe. This place would be a great introduction to Princeton and would give you a sample of life there, even some of the college life since many students come and study while sipping a cup of joe. That is why this is the best place to start out as soon as one arrives in Princeton! There are several good places where you can get a bite to eat for lunch. Olives Gourmet Bakery and Deli located at 22 Witherspoon Street has a great selection for the health conscious. They have soups, salads, and typical Jersey subs. The other place you can go to is D'Angelo Italian Market located at 35 Spring Street. This place has a variety of tasty Italian goods such as sandwiches, breads, and pastries. They also have typical grocery store items and did I mention that there is an entire freezer section with over 15 different types of ravioli!? In case you haven't noticed, I like pasta.

There are so many different shops and boutiques ranging from a Lacrosse store to a spice shop to clothing stores catering to any style.

The bottom line is this is a great day trip from NYC.