USOpen Reccomendations

September 1, 2009 6:00 AM

I'm going to the US Open today! What advice do you have for me?

Is there anything I should know before I leave to today's US Open (day session)? I have a ticket to Arthur Ashe and grounds pass.

I'm looking for things not to miss, or to make sure to bring. Any recommendations? Thanks!

posted by milestogo to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (4 answers total)

If you want to avoid the line-up to get in, shove everything in your pockets and don't have a bag. There is a "No Bag" line which is never, actually, a line - you'll walk right in.

If you have courtside seats at Ashe, you have access to Aces Restaurant - have lunch or dinner there. Food's great and they have a lovely, clean washroom.
posted by meerkatty at 6:12 AM on September 1, 2009

Not to be your mom, but don't forget a hat. There's no shade in the stadium.

I'm jealous, especially after watching Venus last night. Enjoy!
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 6:25 AM on September 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

I've gone a few times over the years, and I went yesterday, so some advice:

• Definitely never take a bag. The entry lines for people with bags are sick.
• There's an entrance over on the Unisphere side of the grounds, that might have a shorter line since it's farther away from the parking and the trains. It also takes you right near the outer courts, rather than having to walk past the food courts and Armstrong.
• They do allow re-entry with a handstamp, which is somewhat unusual nowadays. If you can't deal with the super expensive food and drink, you can pop out and go to the hot dog / ice cream carts in the park outside.
• If you have an Amex card, you can show it at the various booths and get a free radio that plays a US Open channel. It's especially good when they play the the ESPN commentary for the Ashe matches. Presumably, you could bring your own radio and figure out what station they are using if you don't have an Amex card.
• Print the schedule and the map, and you don't have to pay $4 for the booklet they have. (It is a nice booklet though.)
• The LIRR may be much faster to get back to Manhattan than the 7, but it costs twice as much and only runs twice an hour. So it may not be any savings.
• Ashe finishes up around 4 PM or so in the early rounds, since nothing goes to 3 or 5 sets. Then they clear everyone out. This means all those people need to go somewhere and usually that is Armstrong which fills up. If you want to see a late match in Armstrong, like James Blake yesterday, you need to be in there early.

posted by smackfu at 6:34 AM on September 1, 2009

Response by poster: Thanks everyone!
posted by milestogo at 6:46 AM on September 1, 2009