The US Open is coming to Queens, NY this month. The qualifying tournament begins August 24th, with the official start date being on August 30th. You’ll get to see many up and coming tennis stars of the future during the qualifying tournament for free and this part you won’t see on TV. Queens can get a little crowded during this time, so prepare your days accordingly.
Here are some tips to make your day at the US Open more enjoyable while in Queens:
* Take the subway – Don’t try to drive yourself to the US Open, as parking can be expensive with a starting price of $15. The closer you get, the more expensive the parking price becomes. The subway will save time and money since you will only pay $2 and it’s just a short walk to the gate.
* Ground Pass tickets – Unless you have a corporate connection with lots of money, you should skip the expensive upper level by getting ground admissions during the first week of the US Open.
* No Bags – Don’t bring any bags into the Open. Security lines for bags, purses and even bagged lunches can get insane. You can by-pass these lines by foregoing all bags.
* Use the South Gate – The East Gates always have the longest and slowest lines. Take the extra steps to walk around to the South Gate and avoid the larger crowds.
* Eat outside – Save money by leaving and eating outside the US Open. If you eat there, you can expect to pay over $5 for hot dogs and over $16 for burgers, fries and a drink. You can get your hand stamped, leave for lunch and return without paying again. You’ll find many vending carts outside the gates for good prices.
* The West side is better – On sunny days, head over to the West side where you’ll find less crowds and great tennis.
* Take in New York – If you’re too tired after the open, you can still take all of New York in at a glance. Visit the Queens Museum of Art where you can see the entire city in one room. There’s a scale-model replica of the city and, best of all, it’s free during the Open.
