If you’re planning a road trip, what could be a better vacation for the committed basketball fan than a tour of some of the nation’s best arenas? While the issue of which are actually the best venues in the NBA is hotly contested, we’ve selected a few that we think would make great stopping points on an itinerary that takes you from the East to the West Coast, with a flavor of the Midwest and southern states along the way.

The TD Bank Garden Starting in one of the all-round great sporting cities, Boston, the TD Bank Garden is home to the Boston Celtics, and almost two dozen player jerseys hang in its rafters alongside seventeen NBA championship banners. The Garden also includes the Sports Museum of New England which includes many exhibits relating to basketball history.

Madison Square Garden What can we say about the legendary home of the New York Knicks? This is a must-see for any visitor to New York, whether they’re a basketball fan or not. Now on its fourth incarnation and recently renovated, the arena is steeped in cultural history, but basketball remains an enduring presence.

Bankers Life Fieldhouse Heading west to Indiana, this retro-styled Fieldhouse was actually purpose-built as a basketball venue, unlike many multisport arenas. As such it was ranked the number one NBA venue between 2005 and 2007 by Sports Business Journal, and best venue in all four major sports leagues by The Ultimate Sports Road Trip.

United Center This huge arena was controversial when it replaced the historic Chicago Stadium, but it’s since built up quite a history of its own, not least Michael Jordan’s second three-peat with the Chicago Bulls. This is commemorated by the statue of Jordan on the Center’s east side. Known as The Spirit, it’s become a famous attraction in its own right and is considered one of the world’s leading sports-based photo opportunities.

American Airline Arena Heading down to sunny Florida, the American Airlines Arena is considered one of Miami’s top visitor attractions in its own right. Frequently ranked as one of the best venues at which to watch an NBA game, the Arena is clean, modern and energy efficient. Its latest addition is a solar pavilion with food and drink concessions and a stunning view of the Biscayne Bay.

It’s quite a trip from Chicago to Miami, so we suggest you spend a few days in America’s favorite holiday destination. A relaxing few days in Florida may even justify this as a vacation for the whole family!

AT&T Center The American Airlines Center in Houston and the Toyota Center in Dallas are other top Texan contenders, but the home of the San Antonio Spurs wins out for its amazing atmosphere, great food and passionate fans.

Staples Center This glitzy L.A. arena is a great place to see either the Lakers or the Clippers, but the atmosphere for each is very different. Lakers games are celebrity-studded and the team’s history is on full display, while Clippers games are about flashing the team colors. The Staples Center remains breath-taking whoever is playing however.

Moda Center We wind up in the former Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon- a great looking venue with a wide range of amazing food available and even a cigar bar! Throw in some of the NBA’s most passionate fans and you’ve got one of the best places to watch a basketball game in the world, with a rich, storied history on full display.

That ends our tour, taking us across the United States and a whistle-stop history of the great game of basketball. Fans will always debate the best teams and arenas, but hopefully this combination of entertainment, education, atmosphere and enlightenment will provide something for everyone.