City: Chicago, IL

Category: Spectator Sports

Telephone: (312) 455-7000

Address: 1901 W. Madison St.

Description: When the Central Division NHL Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, Chicago celebrated with a fan-tabulous ticker-tape parade that attracted more than 2 million people. It was actually the fourth title the team has taken home since debuting in 1926, but the first since 1961. It certainly solidified the Hawks’ reputation as a team to be reckoned with, and it also grew in esteem in the sports-happy Windy City, which had a fairly negative view of the team during much of the 1990s and into the early 21st century—not only because they lost so much, but because late owner Bill Wirtz had enacted strange and strangling policies like no televised home games in Chicago. We’re glad that era’s over; when Wirtz died, his son, Rocky, took over and swiftly turned things around, boosting the team into a winning franchise and winning over fans with loads of marketing, televised games, and light-hearted extras like Zamboni races and games played at an iced-over Wrigley Field. Tickets start at $40 ($27 for standing room) and go up from there the closer you get to the rink. The Hawks play typically from late September through early April, with playoffs potentially extending that.