If you’re a sports-loving family, you might struggle to find time to take a vacation in between soccer, baseball, or football practice, not to mention big games on the weekend. But family vacations offer some of the most long-lasting memories, and often you can find options that blend keeping everyone active, having fun, and in a competitive mindset by visiting a Sports Hall of Fame in between other attractions. 
The Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto, Canada
Not surprisingly, Canada hosts the Hockey Hall of Fame – if you purchased a home among the real estate in Toronto, you could even visit as part of a staycation. This vacation allows you to experience the tourist spots in your own city. It’s spread across 65,000 square feet and holds the world’s most extensive hockey gear and memorabilia collection. Exhibits showcase many of the greatest players and their accomplishments and artifacts like the original Stanley Cup. Hockey enthusiasts will especially enjoy the Puck Wall, which holds over a thousand pucks from across the globe. Players may love it even more for the chance to stop a virtual shot from “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky.
Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton, Ohio
Learn all about pro football in Canton at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which features 118,000 square feet of artifacts and much more. It offers lots of interactive experiences, including the chance to test your skills by throwing a touchdown pass in the throwing cage, or see how well you’d do at being a referee by reviewing a play and making a split-second decision. You’ll discover more about the athletes that made football such a popular sport, and you can watch “The Road to the Super Bowl,” an immersive visual and sound experience bringing all the NFL action in the Super Bowl theater.
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown, New York
While football may now be the most popular sport in the U.S., baseball is still considered America’s favourite pastime. The first officially recorded game in history took place on June 19, 1846, in New Jersey, although it dates back at least to 1786 as it was mentioned in a diary by a Princeton student. It has lots of stories to tell, and you’ll find many of them here in Cooperstown. Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth are just two legends you can learn about here while viewing over 40,000 artifacts and some half-million photos.
The Baseball Hall of Fame chronicles everything from the beginning of the sport to women’s baseball and the game that’s played today. In the Sandlot Kids’ Clubhouse, younger ones will love playing dress-up, complete with old-time baseball uniforms. There are even baseball-themed films for the kids too.
NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte, North Carolina
While your kids may not be participating in car racing, most are fascinated by the sport, and for any true NASCAR fan, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a must-visit. Even those who aren’t into NASCAR are sure to be thrilled with this institution. The 150,000-square-foot building is jam-packed with everything from historic race cars and more than a thousand artifacts to the High Octane Theater. There’s also interactive entertainment that guarantees no one will be bored here, including racing simulators. 
