The Getaway
Pickle ball paddle with ball on court with net shadow.

Pickleball is a full-on craze, and fanatics can't get enough of this fast-growing sport with elements of tennis, badminton, and Ping-Pong. The game is affordable and inclusive, and players of all ages can participate on the same court. It's also portable and travel-friendly, and savvy hospitality brands have caught on to the trend and expanded their offerings to include pickleball courts and programs. According to industry insiders, pickleball is the latest must-have amenity at hotels and a fab group bonding activity at destination weddings.

The reality is if you have warm weather, tape or chalk, and a portable net, you can play just about anywhere, including in front of iconic landmarks abroad. Apps can help you find fellow players wherever you are, but there are a few places where you will find plenty of drop-in sessions and equally addicted new buddies. There's over 10,000 pickleball locations across the United States, and you can visit multiple on a road trip. So pack your paddle and make your way to one of these exciting pickleball destinations.

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01 Arizona

In Scottsdale, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain builds on its rep as a tennis retreat and has championship courts and coaches to help you hone your skills. Phoenix is a pickleball hot spot. The JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Desert Ridge has 17 lighted courts and a stadium court with seating for 400 spectators. In Chandler, there's a dedicated pickleball complex where you can compete in leagues. And you can seek out casual games at G.R. Herberger Park, FLC Fitness, Valley Presbyterian Church, and Washington Activity Center.

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02 California

The Golden State is gaga over pickleball, to the point where tennis and pickleball players have gotten into tiffs over court real estate. You'll probably see a proliferation of pickleball-only courts crop up as a result of the conflict. In San Diego and Rancho Valencia, outdoor and weather-proof indoor courts are all over the place. At Midnite Match, glow-in-the-dark pickleball adds a novel element to the experience. Up at Carmel Valley Ranch, you can take intro courses and do drill workshops. La Quinta Resort and Club near Palm Springs is an iconic spot to play tennis—now you can play international pickleball tournaments here too, and receive instruction from IPTPA-certified instructors. Andalusia Country Club is another La Quinta pickleball hub.

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03 Florida

You can look forward to afternoon and evening pickleball socials and clinics at The Boca Raton hotel, which recently converted two tennis courts into pickleball courts. At Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys, you'll find eight pickleball courts and complimentary court usage if you're a guest. There's a small extra charge if you'd like to participate in round-robin tourneys and lessons. Meanwhile, Naples is the unofficial pickleball capital of the world. The Naples Pickleball Center has a whopping 60 courts, and the city hosts the annual Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championship. Orlando and Vero Beach are also pickleball-crazy.

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04 South Carolina

There are more than 20 locations where you can play pickleball in the charming city of Charleston. The Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a particularly fancy option. It's 25 miles from Charleston, and the well-known Roy Barth Tennis Center has eight courts lined for pickleball. Play isn't reserved for spring and summer either—pickleball is an all-year obsession here.

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05 Colorado

Google Trends data suggests Coloradans do a lot of online searching about pickleball and its rules. Aspen and Denver are fantastic cities for newbies and longtime lovers of the sport. There are loads of indoor pickleball options. And you can do no better than The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs for a luxury escape. Hit dinks at one of its four courts, or trek to Cloud Camp for enviable 360-degree views of Pikes Peak. There's heating in winter.

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06 New York

How does playing in Central Park or among skyscrapers sound? At the North Meadow Recreation Center, you can do just that. Or go to Houston & 6th in Manhattan for a more informal environment with taped courts on the asphalt. Hell's Kitchen is set to open a luxury indoor pickleball court, and Times Square, Hudson Yards, JFK Airport, and Rockaway Beach are more NYC locations that have seen some pickleball action of late. Long Island will open a permanent court in 2023.

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07 Illinois

Northern Illinois Pickleball has got you covered. They've created clubs for various regions and communities, and you should easily find pickleball partners and support in Chicago, Decatur, Peoria, and Springfield. In Chicago, Lakeshore Sports & Fitness is a sure bet. If your area doesn't have a court nearby, you can always form one.

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08 Texas

The Lone Star State's pickleball scene is thriving. Austin, already a fantastic city, just got more attractive with Austin Pickle Ranch. The facility is slated to have 33 courts, 16 of which will be covered. You can expect food trucks and other activities on offer too. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department maintains 40 pickleball courts, and you can head for the Texas Hill Country with a game in Dreamland.

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09 Ohio

Pair an Ohio getaway with pickleball games. The Real Dill Pickleball Club will soon take Columbus by storm. Also in Columbus, a roller hockey rink's been transformed into a pickleball court at Lazelle Woods. Near Cleveland, you can swing by North Ridge Racket and Paddle or Avon Oaks Country Club. Check out the YMCAs throughout the state too.

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10 Vermont

Top Notch Resort in Stowe is just as it sounds, and even better if you enjoy pickleball. Pair a winter skiing vacation with pickleball clinics and round robins at the resort's tennis center. There are 47 pickleball courts in Vermont, so you can practice your drop shots and volleys in between New England leaf-peeping road trips.

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11 Idaho

Idaho has some of the best scenery in the nation and 45 pickleball courts from Boise to Idaho Falls and Coeur d'Alene—that number is only increasing. Whitetail Club is a posh private club in McCall. Members have cottoned on to the joys of pickleball, and the club has responded with a court expansion and an annual tournament.

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12 Hawaii

For a more far-flung yet passport-free destination, consider Hawaii. The Mauna Kea Resort has four pickleball courts, and you can get matched to players on the same level as you. Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku is another Hawaii pickleball destination. Do your thing on the court while humpbacks casually breach during whale season. The hotel offers "Drinks and Dinks," which sounds like an absolute blast. Maui also has a burgeoning pickleball community.

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13 Mexico

Rancho La Puerta in Baja, California, is an excellent place to commence a pickleball pilgrimage in Mexico. There are six first-rate courts, and pickleball pros can show you the ropes. Esperanza Auberge Resorts Collection in Los Cabos is a highlight as well. Three pickleball courts await enthusiasts between sunrise and sunset, and juniors can learn how to stack too. Pickle tastings make the activity that much more memorable and provide electrolytes.

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14 Caribbean

The Caribbean knows what's up. First up—play pickleball on an eco-island in the British Virgin Islands. Rosewood Little Dix Bay is a luxury resort on Virgin Gorda, offering two pickleball courts and private classes. You can fly to the Dominican Republic for Casa de Campo or Jamaica for The Tryall Club in Montego Bay, where a "pickleball concierge" will furnish you with equipment and appropriate clothing if necessary.

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15 The High Seas

Cruise ships were early adopters of the game and its wide-ranging appeal. Princess Cruises offers pickleball on its entire fleet after introducing the sport to onboard courts five years ago. Carnival Cruise Line installed a permanent pickleball court on Carnival Conquest, and Holland America Line is the official cruise line of the Professional Pickleball Association. Beginner lessons are free. You can also take shore excursions to play pickleball in Caribbean resorts.

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