Your Travel Guide to 2025 March Madness Host Cities

Traveling for the Madness

1/15

Whether you're chasing the perfect bracket or cheering on your favorite school, nothing beats March Madness when it comes to traveling for a marquee sporting event.

There's no better way to experience the chaos of March than in person. Tournament action will once again take place across the U.S. this year, providing sports fans with another great chance to check out some cities they may otherwise overlook.

Here's your guide to this year's March Madness host cities.

The madness gets underway with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio on March 18-19. But you don't have to be an Avgeek to appreciate this Midwestern city that doubles as aviation's birthplace. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and the National Museum of the US Air Force are among the can't-miss attractions.

Visitors will also find a handful of quality hotels from well-known brands—including Marriott, IHG and Drury Hotels, among others—within proximity to UD Arena on the banks of the Great Miami River.

You also don't have to be a foodie to fall in love with Dayton's dining scene. Still, standouts include The Foundry Rooftop, Lily's and Salar, where hoops lovers can fuel up with gourmet grub and celebrate or wallow with their respective teams with exceptional craft cocktails.

Providence, Rhode Island

3/15

Don't let the capital city of the nation's smallest state fool you, Providence—one of eight first- and second-round (subregional) host cities—is big on things to do, it just gets overshadowed by nearby Boston and New York.

Surely, art and history lovers will feel right at home but this city—boasting an ideal riverfront location—is a gateway to the singular New England culture.

Newport is just to the south and one of the most underrated foodie cities in America (especially for pizza lovers) and New Haven, Connecticut is a manageable trip east along I-95.

Back in Providence, The Dean Hotel is one of the top stays in the city while Hemenway's Restaurant on Main Street is not to be missed.

Not to be confused with rival Louisville to the east, Lexington is a college town that bleeds blue for its beloved Kentucky Wildcats. But you don't have to worship at the altar of Adolph Rupp (or his namesake arena) to appreciate this Appalachian gem.

The Horse Capital of the World is Bluegrass in the best of ways, providing visitors with a smooth taste of this often overlooked state, from its one-of-a-kind bourbon to its historic architecture and long list of free attractions.

21C and The Campbell House are can't-miss hotel stays while Dudley's and OBC Kitchen are among the many standout restaurants. But the truth is amazing BBQ, steaks and other southern staples can be had around each and every corner.

Basketball fans exploring Wichita, Kansas will be pleasantly surprised by the city's many museums, including the Old Cowtown Museum recreating life in the 19th century.

Visitors can also experience the state’s most-visited outdoor attraction, the Sedgwick County Zoo.

Travelers can also choose from a plethora of excellent and affordable hotel stays this March, including the popular and charming Hotel at Old Town in the city's lively entertainment district. Mouth-watering restaurants like the Doo-Dah Diner and Redrock Canyon Grill are not to be missed either.

It's no secret that Milwaukee is at its best during the glorious summer months but late March is still a spectacular time to explore this city on Lake Michigan. Even if you can't get a ticket to Fiserv Forum the energy and electricity outside in the surrounding Deer District will be second to none.

This is a city with tons of charm and can't-miss attractions like the Harley-Davidson Museum and the breezy lakefront as well as several stellar boutique hotels such as Saint Kate - The Art Hotel, The Pfister Hotel and The Iron Horse Hotel, among others. Basketball fans can also opt for any number of renowned chains for a more budget-friendly option.

When it comes to chowing down in the Cream City, you can't go wrong with Wisconsin staples like sausages and cheese curds that pair beautifully with Milwaukee's epic craft beer scene. If the weather is right, any one of the city's many beer gardens should suffice. After the final buzzer be sure to explore Milwaukee's unparalleled dive bar and tavern scene. You really can't go wrong with any but Blackbird Bar is a personal favorite.

To dine like a true local consider venturing just outside the city to the always cozy Bert's Bar & Grill.

Seattle will be the furthest west city to host first- and second-round action in 2025, welcoming hoops fans with iconic attractions such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market as well as superb exhibitions like the Museum of Pop Culture.

Whether staying downtown or closer to Climate Pledge Arena, there's no shortage of spectacular accommodations to choose from, including Fairmont Olympic, The Edgewater and the city's standout Four Seasons property. However, sports fans will have plenty of other brand names to choose from.

Seattle boasts amazing seafood (salmon, anyone?) and coffee, of course, but there's something for every palate here. Homer, The Pink Door and the aforementioned Edgewater Hotel's Six Seven Restaurant are easy choices if you want to make your March Madness getaway a memorable one, win or lose.

Cleveland is a city with an underdog reputation as well as an underrated destination for pop culture. Visitors can not only explore the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame but the house from the beloved holiday classic A Christmas Story.

The Midwest city also offers plenty of museums and quintessential tourist attractions like a zoo and botanical gardens, among other sites. In between touring this city by the lake, hoop heads can wine and dine at awesome restaurants like Marble Room Steaks and Raw Bar and Cordelia.

Travelers can check into a variety of top-notch hotels in Cleveland, including beloved properties like the Drury Plaza Hotel downtown and the historic and charming Glidden House, among others.

The Mile High City is certainly passionate about its sports but there's lots more to check out during your tournament visit, including the spectacular Denver Art Museum and the Molly Brown House remembering the famous Titanic survivor.

Travelers—first-time visitors should start in Lower Downtown before venturing out to other neighborhoods—can also enjoy world-class skiing before the season ends in nearby Rocky Mountain resort destinations.

The Oxford and The Maven Hotel at Dairy Block are two of the city's finest places to stay and Larimer Square is the ideal place to grab a bite to eat, shop souvenirs and catch an event or two.

Raleigh, North Carolina

10/15

North Carolina's capital city offers basketball fans plenty to do outside of the action on the hardwood, including a slew of exciting museums and parks as well as shopping at places like the State Farmers Market.

Visitors can also stretch their budget as the city boasts lots of free activities and experiences. Meanwhile, travelers will find tons of hotel options in and around Raleigh, including top-rated properties like The Umstead Hotel and Spa and The Mayton in adjacent Cary in addition to popular chains.

Basketball fans can also treat their taste buds at a variety of different restaurants, from fine dining options like Death and Taxes to breweries such as Brewery Bhavana and rooftop options like RH.

Indianapolis, Indiana

11/15

Indianapolis is a phenomenal city that's easy to overlook and one that should appeal to college sports fans from all over with attractions like the NCAA Hall of Champions. However, springtime visitors can also navigate scenic trails, tour fascinating museums and even partake in ghost tours and lively pedal pub excursions.

Travelers will want to check out the newly-opened 170-room InterContinental Indianapolis, which is the first luxury property to open in the city in two decades following a $120 million restoration.

Bluebeard and Connor's Kitchen + Bar are among the best places to eat and drink before or after a Sweet 16 or Elite Eight matchup in 2025.

Located just across the bay from New York City, Newark is an easy choice for basketball fans looking for some springtime fun or to scratch the Big Apple off of their bucket list.

Hoops lovers heading to the Prudential Center for this year's East Regional will have numerous hotel options in both NYC and Newark and surrounding New Jersey as well as access to some of the nation's premier sites in attractions, from the Statue of Liberty to Times Square.

When it comes to food and drink, visitors can't go wrong with grabbing a classic New York City pizza slice or heading to 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar for a cocktail with an uninterrupted view of the iconic Empire State Building. 

San Francisco, California

13/15

Out West, San Francisco rivals NYC and nearby Newark with bucket-list-worthy attractions from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz. 

While accommodations in the Bay Area certainly won't come cheap, visitors will have a wealth of options to choose from, including San Francisco's Mission Bay neighborhood, which is home to the Chase Center. 

It's also an ideal waterfront location for visitors who can sip great coffee and dine on some of the freshest seafood with a view at spots like The Ramp and Mission Rock Resort, among others.

Atlanta will host this year's men's South Regional matchups and those visiting will encounter pros and cons as this Southern metropolis is spread out but robust in terms of its offerings, making it one of the more affordable and entertaining March Madness host cities in 2025. 

It's home to unique attractions like the Georgia Aquarium—the only place in the U.S. where you can see whale sharks—and the interactive College Football Hall of Fame, a can't-miss site for college sports fans. 

Finding accommodations in and around the city won't be difficult but neighborhoods like Castleberry Hill and Inman Park stand out. Foodies will also fall in love with Atlanta, which is no stranger to exceptional comfort food. Visitors can look forward to Michelin-starred spots all over the city, including hits like Lazy Betty and Staplehouse. 

March Madness will culminate with the Final Four in San Antonio during the first weekend in April and this often overlooked Texas city is one of the nation's best for free attractions, which include the iconic Alamo and the lively River Walk.

Basketball-loving families can also indulge in premier sites and attractions like Six Flags and SeaWorld in addition to the local zoo, botanical gardens, parks, art museums and more.

Foodies might have even more fun in San Antonio, however, as this city does steak (Brenner's), tacos (Taqueria Datapoint) and BBQ (Pinkerton's) like no other. But if you want to mix it up consider the otherworldly Asian fusion at Stixs & Stone.

Visitors will find plenty of awesome accommodations close to the Alamodome and other points of interest like the River Walk, including respected brands from Marriott and IHG. But this city also offers plenty of charm in the form of boutique stays like Hotel Emma inside Pearl Brewery.