Soccer is a hot topic in the United States right now, so unless you’ve been benched on the sidelines, you know that the World Cup is drawing both die-hard fans and the soccer-curious (sometimes with reluctant friends or loved ones in tow) to matches in 11 host cities across the country. Starting on June 11, all roads lead to the ultimate showdown, the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, which will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Since the games are falling right at the start of the busy summer travel season and international airfares are through the roof, it’s a great time—and a pretty convenient excuse—to tack on a quick domestic excursion from whichever city you’re catching a match.
As a longtime travel writer, I’m always looking for bonus destinations wherever I go—from an interesting nearby town or cultural attraction to an unexpected adventure or activity that maximizes my time in a place. With so many cities hosting games, those rooting for teams on their home turf or traveling farther afield have plenty to explore beyond the stadium stands.
To help you take the most advantage of your soccer sojourn, we rounded up the best day trips from each World Cup location in the U.S., all conveniently located no more than a few hours by car or train. Read on to score some great ideas.
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If the match is in Atlanta: Dahlonega, Georgia
Distance: 70 miles; about an hour drive
Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dahlonega claims the distinction of being both the heart of Georgia wine country and a mountain-adventure destination. In fact, this Appalachian town north of Atlanta is so picturesque that it’s become a popular filming location for Hallmark and Lifetime movies. (Even Netflix chose the community as the setting for the recent series His & Hers.) If that weren’t enough of a draw, it has a rich history, to boot: Dahlonega was the site of a major gold rush in 1828, predating California’s by two decades.
For more active soccer fans, a day trip to Dahlonega could include a hike to one of the area’s many waterfalls or a trek along the Appalachian Trail, which has its southern terminus in the area. Families on a post-game World Cup adventure might feel like they’ve struck it rich with the Gold Fever package: It includes a visit to the Dahlonega Gold Museum, a 45-minute underground mine tour at the nearly 200-year-old Consolidated Gold Mine and a hands-on gold-panning experience.
If the match is in Boston: Newport, Rhode Island
Distance: 70 miles; about a 1.5-hour drive
I’ve always enjoyed exploring Newport in the summer. On one trip, I stayed at the centrally located Hotel Viking, which turns 100 this year and recently underwent a major renovation. I spent a day strolling the miles-long Newport Cliff Walk, taking in the many Gilded Age mansions on this part of the Atlantic. On another, I headed out on a sailing excursion in Narragansett Bay, framed by the soaring Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge.
Soccer fans with a soft spot for sports of all kinds should make time for the International Tennis Hall of Fame. It’s housed in the historic Newport Casino and offers a great crash-course history of the game ahead of the U.S. Open later this summer. And on June 19 (the day Scotland faces off against Morocco at Boston Stadium in Foxboro), the seaside city will raise its sails to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Newport Bermuda Race, the legendary 636-mile offshore sailing competition between Rhode Island and Bermuda.
For a more field-based sport, every Saturday this season, Newport Polo will welcome teams from around the world to face off against Team USA. Lawn seating, pavilion tables and other ticket options can sell out in advance, so booking early is highly recommended.
If the match is in Dallas: Fort Worth, Texas
Distance: 30 miles; 30- to 45-minute drive, or one-hour TRE commuter-rail ride
The World Cup stadiums can get rowdy, but that doesn’t quite compare to the Wild West energy of Dallas day-trip destination Fort Worth, also known as Cowtown. The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is the epicenter of it all. There’s live honky-tonk music, country dancing and even twice-daily Texas longhorn cattle drives right down the middle of Exchange Avenue.
If you think soccer’s a tough sport, head on over to the Bull Riding Hall of Fame for a primer on what it takes to tame a bucking beast. Or, better yet, pony up $12 to try your luck on the mechanical bull near Stockyards Station. Kids appreciate the chance to get up close to goats, sheep and even camels at the Stockyards Barnyard Petting Corral, as well as rides in a replica 1800s Concordia stagecoach.
For another perspective on the West, check out the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, which highlights the important contributions cowgirls made to Western culture as they helped shape frontier history.
If the match is in Houston: Galveston Island, Texas
Distance: 50 miles; about an hour drive
Houston’s World Cup fans will no doubt want to escape the heat, and Galveston, on the Texas Gulf Coast, is a historic island town with wide, windswept beaches just a quick trip from the city. Families, especially, will have a blast making a day of it—or more—with the many aquatic-based activities available here. After splashing in the waves, rent bikes and pedal along the Galveston Seawall, explore the restaurants and shops along Seawall Boulevard or head to the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. The pier is built entirely over the water and has classic rides, including a Ferris wheel, with Gulf views.
During the hottest part of the day, a trip to Moody Gardens is another great way to escape the Texas sun. Birds flit and sloths creep at the Rainforest Pyramid, while penguins, sharks and other sea creatures make their home in the newly renovated 1.5-million-gallon Aquarium Pyramid. Everything is bigger in Texas, and the movies featuring great white sharks and other wildlife at Moody Gardens’ 3D and 4D theaters, which boast the state’s largest screens, are true must-sees.
If the match is in Kansas City: Bentonville and Bella Vista, Arkansas
Distance: 200 miles; about a three-hour drive
The perfect antidote to the intensity of a sweaty stadium match in Kansas City is a road trip from Missouri to the outdoor playground of the Ozarks in neighboring Arkansas. The town of Bentonville—home of Walmart, yes, but also a cultural and creative hub in the northwest part of the state—has earned its reputation as the mountain-biking capital of the world due to its extensive network of trails.
One favorite spot to shred is the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. Bike rentals are available in the area, and guided rides—which can be tailored to all abilities, from beginners to advanced riders—are recommended for first-time visitors. The trails, with names like Dirt Therapy and Thunderdome, range from cross-country routes to dual-slalom lines. For more skilled mountain-biking daredevils, the new Cleared for Takeoff trail at Coler features an advanced jump that sends cyclists soaring up to 40 feet.
Need a bonus to the bonus trip? Just in time for the World Cup, nearby Bella Vista’s OZ Trails, which just officially opened, has more than 20 miles of downhill terrain. The park even offers a high-speed quad lift for easy access to the slopes.
If the match is in Los Angeles: Newport Beach, California
Distance: 40 to 50 miles; about an hour drive, depending on traffic
There’s little that’s as frustrating as Los Angeles traffic, so any day trip needs to take travel time into account. Enter Newport Beach, a miles-long stretch of pristine coastline just south of Los Angeles in Orange County. The area is home to one of America’s largest recreational harbors, and the Balboa Peninsula, a long strip of land separating the Pacific Ocean from Newport Bay, is where you’ll find most of the action.
The historic Balboa Fun Zone has classic boardwalk rides and a nostalgic yesteryear vibe, while the Newport Beach Harbor is the launching point for rentable Duffy boats. These small, battery-powered vessels are ideal for slowly cruising the calm bay waters in this part of California.
During L.A.’s games, which run from mid-June through early July, Newport Beach also offers a wide range of special seasonal events. There’s the Live on the Lawn Jazz Series on June 13, 20 and 27; the 20-chef Noble Wine & Dine Festival from June 26 to June 28; and Tunes at the Dunes beachfront entertainment series at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina from July 3 to July 5.
If the match is in Miami: Orlando, Florida
Distance: 235 miles; about a 3.5-hour Brightline train ride
Orlando is a high-speed rail adventure or overnight detour from Miami, but rather than mingling with even more crowds, head to Grande Lakes Orlando. Home to both the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Hotel, the property is still in the heart of Orlando, but its 500 acres at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades keeps it from feeling suffocating.
The focus is relaxation at Grande Lakes Orlando, so stadium seating is swapped for wellness and spa treatments. (The Ritz-Carlton Spa clocks in at an impressive 40,000 square feet, so there’s plenty of room to de-stress.)
This year, the resort is also debuting Summer by the Lake, an array of experiences offered now through Sept. 6. Every Friday and Saturday through Aug. 15, for example, guests can reserve tickets to attend the American Cookout Classic. Work your way through barbecue classics while sipping Russell’s Reserve bourbon, then check out the nighttime lights with everything from fireworks displays to fire dancers.
If the match is in New York/New Jersey: Saratoga Springs, New York
Distance: 180 miles; about a 3.5-hour drive or Amtrak ride
Every summer, I try to head to Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs. Watching the horses blaze around the track to the sounds of spectators cheering—and occasional jeering—is a rush from the grandstand or the boxes. I tend to place my bets somewhat randomly, usually on horses whose clever names I like, which is probably why I rarely walk away a big winner. Still, I always have a lot of fun for the day.
Fresh off hosting the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the track, also home to the Travers Stakes, officially kicks off its season over the July 4th weekend, so it’s an ideal trip for those taking in the final World Cup matches scheduled for the month farther south in New Jersey.
If the arts are more your thing, there’s a wealth of things to do in Saratoga Springs beyond racing. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, or SPAC, is in full summer swing, with resident companies including the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Saratoga Jazz Festival. Its large, open-air amphitheater replaces New York City as the state’s finest high-culture hub.
If the match is in Philadelphia: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Distance: 135 miles; about a 2.5-hour drive
The World Cup takes place during America’s 250th anniversary year, and what better excuse for soccer fans who are also history buffs to book a day trip to Gettysburg. Steeped in Civil War history, the 6,000-acre Gettysburg National Military Park was the site of one of the most pivotal battles of the war between the North and the South. It’s also where President Abraham Lincoln famously delivered the Gettysburg Address, declaring that the new nation was “conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
There’s plenty happening in Gettysburg this summer during Philly’s six FIFA World Cup matches, which run from June 14 to July 4. To commemorate Juneteenth, for example, the Gettysburg Juneteenth Committee is hosting a series of free events, such as an evening celebration of 250 years of Black music at the Majestic Theater featuring local artists and jazz musician Allan Harris. And between July 3 and July 5, visitors can experience living history at the Daniel Lady Farm, where as many as 1,000 re-enactors stage daily full-scale Civil War battle demos.
If the match is in the San Francisco Bay Area: Napa Valley, California
Distance: 40 to 80 miles; a one- to two-hour drive, depending on where you go
Napa Valley is a perennial favorite add-on for visitors to the San Francisco Bay area. The last time I was in the region, I organized a private tour and tasting at Fantesca Estate & Winery. The bottles I ordered are long gone, but it’s an experience I still often think about.
Fans wanting to swap out all those pricey stadium concessions for priceless vineyard views can get a convenient wine-country welcome at the Meritage Resort & Spa. Located at the gateway to Napa Valley, the property has on-site tasting rooms and vineyard walks, so it’s a relaxed alternative to having to spend the day driving around from winery to winery. As a bonus, right now the Meritage’s outdoor concert venue is presenting the Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions, a weekly series that will feature everyone from comedians, like Chris Tucker, to Diana Ross, Willie Nelson & Family and other musical legends.
If the match is in Seattle: Bellevue, Washington
Distance: 10 miles; about a 15- to 25-minute drive, or a 20-minute light rail ride
The recently opened light rail, Crosslake Connection, links the Seattle Stadium District with Bellevue, making the Eastside an easy escape for foodies arriving from the game with an appetite. The best way to get a tasty overview of what’s cooking in Bellevue is to follow the city’s Acclaimed Culinary Trail, a guide showcasing standout cuisine, from Pacific Northwest fare at James Beard winner Jason Wilson’s farm-to-table restaurant The Lakehouse to local twists on Peruvian dishes at Kaoru Chang’s La Mar Bellevue.
Other must-visit spots on the trail: Pan-Indian plates at Michelin-recognized Farzi Café, and the signature Peking duck at Baron’s Sino Kitchen & Bar (tip: order at least a day in advance since it requires 24 hours to prepare). Even Bellevue Brewing Company is getting in on the off-field action, sating soccer fans’ thirst by serving up the limited-edition Bellevue Baller, a brew containing ingredients from all three 2026 host countries: grain from Canada, corn from Mexico and hops from the U.S.
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