The USA will host The World Games this year in Alabama from July 7 to 17, where over 100 countries will compete in 34 of the fastest-growing sports in the world. From popular sports like climbing and canoeing to thrill-seeking sports like parachuting and water skiing, Visit The USA rounds up ten destinations across the USA for travelers to design their very own World Games adventure this summer.
1) Canoe alongside dolphins at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands
As elite athletes will be competing in marathon canoeing at The World Games, travellers can try their hand at a slower-paced canoe experience in the company of dolphins at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. One of the exotic islands in the Caribbean archipelago, the U.S. Virgin Islands offers dreamy seascapes and an abundance of exhilarating water activities. Enjoy your own canoe race in crystal clear waters whilst bottlenose dolphins swim just inches away, or experience world class diving, sailing, snorkelling, and windsurfing on your island getaway.
2) Strike while the pins are hot at the oldest bowling alley in the U.S. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Midwest is home to the U.S.’ oldest bowling alley, Holler House, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Boasting five generations of pinsetters since 1908, the alley’s two bowling lanes offer the same bowling experience as they did a century ago. Keep score by hand while basking in Milwaukee’s breezy city nightlife, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan.
3) Roller skate across Venice Beach Boardwalk in Los Angeles, California
Roller skating is an enjoyable sport for a lazy weekend in the park, but also as a competitive sport; elite athletes vie for the top spot in both speed and artistic skating at The World Games. The two-mile stretch of Venice Beach’s Boardwalk hosts hundreds of colorful street vendors and performers, a very entertaining performance to watch as you zoom by. After skating, enjoy a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.
4) Climb out of Robbers Cave in Oklahoma’s infamous outlaw hideout
Climbing has captivated audiences’ awe for its dexterity and dizzying challenges. Oklahoma is home to over 3,000 hectares of forests that may well have provided the original climbing grounds for the Wild West’s toughest outlaws. Some of Oklahoma’s best rock climbing and rappelling locales are nestled in the rocky crags of Robbers Cave State Park, where you can trail the rough and tumble days of 19th century criminals while scaling the park’s sandstone cliffs. Those not keen on testing their bouldering skills can enjoy biking, horseback riding, and picnicking through the park’s scenic trails, caves, and lakes.
5) Break it down in the birthplace of hip hop, The Bronx
The Bronx is the home of hip hop and the heart of New York Street culture, so if you can’t make it to this year’s World Games, there’s no better place to witness the best of break dancing than on a local tour of The Bronx. From DJs to MCs, B-Boys, and graffiti artists, break dancing has a vibrant 40-year history in The Bronx, and even the most un-coordinated might be inspired to bust a move. Head over to The Yankee Stadium to catch a world-class baseball match.
6) Parachute over the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania
The Poconos sit just 90-minutes from New York City – an adventure playground for outdoor fans and nature haven for hikers, mountain bikers, and skydiving enthusiasts. If skydiving over Big Pocono will get your heart rate flying too high, try zip-lining over the treetops or take the Appalachian Mountain Coaster through the valley.
7) Shoot some pool in a classic Missouri college town
Columbia, Missouri is a classic college town with a lot going on, including coffeehouses, dive bars, poetry readings, and one of the U.S.’s most iconic billiard halls. Booches Billiard Hall is a local hangout dating back to when the American flag only had 38 stars in 1884. The pool hall serves rightfully famous hamburgers on wax paper, and boasts a mixture of pool, billiard, and snooker tables in a cinematic atmosphere to boot.
8) Orienteer through the Appalachian Foothills of Georgia
Orienteering is a sport at this year’s World Games that combines racing with navigation. Travelers can leave behind the stopwatch when they head to the mountains and hike the evergreen trails of Chattahoochee National Forest. Discover tumbling waterfalls and relish in the solace of the Appalachian Foothills by orienteering your way through with a map and compass as your guide. An hour’s drive from Atlanta, this is a getaway not only for budding hikers but foodies alike, with classic American and Southern cuisine scattered across the park.
9) Snag a bullseye on a Colorado mountain ranch
Archery is one of the most famous sports to watch at The World Games, but it’s also an accessible sport you can try. Elk Mountain Ranch in Arkansas Valley, Colorado is a picturesque ranch with archery classes and ranges. Other action-packed activities available on the ranch include skeet shooting, white water rafting, fly fishing, and horseback riding. After a day of bullseye practice, sit by the campfire and enjoy a square dance or simply soak up the dramatic view of a sky full of stars.
10) Waterski on the New Hampshire lakes
The Lakes Region of New Hampshire offers a traditional summer retreat featuring waterskiing opportunities stiff in competition. When you’re done with your skis, try a leisurely cruise of Lake Winnipesaukee or take a relaxing dip at Weirs Beach with an ice cream and some arcade games. For those who want to stay dry, discover the 50,000-year-old granite caves at the Polar Caves Park in Rumney.
