Guide To Enjoying The US Open
The US Open is arguably one of the most exciting sports events of the year, featuring five battles for the title of champion in tennis in the categories of men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. The US Open is among the oldest sports competitions in the United States with the first tournament taking place in August of 1881, in Newport Casino, Newport, R.I.
Related: 5 Best Places To Watch And Celebrate The US Open
US Open 2014
Arthur Ashe Stadium
11101 Corona Avenue
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY
www.usopen.org/
Aug. 31 to Sept. 13
Click here for schedule
Click here for tickets
Getting There
The US Open is held at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, Queens, accessible by roadway, subway or the Long Island Rail Road. Click here for more information including how to get there by subway, train, driving directions and parking information.
Day Sessions: Ticket holders can gain access at the East Gate and South
Gate public entrances beginning at 9:30 a.m. between Aug. 31 and Sept. 9. Gates open at 11 a.m. from Sept. 10 through Sept. 13.
Evening Sessions: All grounds gates open at 6 p.m., Arthur Ashe Stadium will open at 6:30 p.m. or 40 minutes after the conclusion of the day sessions, whichever is later. Guests with restaurant passes, hospitality invitations and Luxury Suite ticket holders will have access to the site through the East Gate, and restaurant elevators at 5 p.m. Early-entrance evening ticket holders will have access to the grounds at 4 p.m.
Please note that every person, including children, will need to pass through a security check point to ensure everyone's safety. Each person is limited to one bag each, and all bags are subject to searches. Bags may not exceed a foot wide or tall, and 16 inches long. For a full list of what you can bring with you and security measures at the US Open, click here and go to page 20.
Dining
Aces and Champions Bar & Grill
Located between Gates 3 and 4, and available to Courtside Box and Luxury Suite ticket holders, guests may access both restaurants by using the elevators on the east side of the stadium near the US Open Club. Aces offers excellent seafood dishes along with sushi prepared by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. While Champions Bar & Grill offers a "modern take on the traditional clubhouse atmosphere," serving up classic American fare prepared by Celebrity Chef David Burke.
Reservations for these two restaurants are recommended and can be made by calling 718-393-1933 or by clicking here. Loge and Promenade Subscription Series ticket holders may purchase passes by calling the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Ticket Office at (718) 760-6363.
Heineken Red Star Cafe
Located next to the South Plaza Fountains you'll find the Heineken Red Star Cafe. Guests may enjoy the wonderful views from the top of the two-story building, keep track of what is happening on the courts and enjoy something off the café's menu all at the same time. On the ground level of the building you will find the US Open Collection Store, which features a complete assortment of 2015 US Open merchandise plus a limited selection of Heineken-branded items.
Mojito Restaurant & Bar
Spice up your afternoon or evening by heading over to Mojito, a Latin-inspired restaurant available to all ticket holders. Located on the ground floor of Arthur Ashe Stadium near the Patio Café, patrons can enjoy delicious Latin specialties and wash it all down with a refreshing cocktail. Keep track of all the action on the court with multiple TVs broadcasting live matches in both the restaurants indoor and outdoor seating areas.
US Open Food Village (Food Court)
Click here for full list
If you want a quick bite to eat such as ice cream or a hot dog or just a drink, then visit the US Open Food Village. Among the amazing food options are Hill Country Barbecue, Prime Burger, Village Market, Grey Goose Bar, Franks & Fries, and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Shop.
Travel Packages
Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours
1350 Columbia St., Suite 501
San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 675-3555
www.tours4tennis.com/
If you're traveling from out of town — or even if you are a local — you might find it easier to book a pre-packaged trip available through Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours, Inc., which covers the bulk of your US Open needs from hotel, to transfers, to tickets. An official partner of the USTA and US Open, the company has been in business for more than 35 years providing world class tennis tour travel packages. Packages range from "no frills" to deluxe, making it even easier to find an option that suites your needs.
T.R. Threston is a travel writer and historic non-fiction writer currently living in New York City. She worked as a travel agent for a number of years before turning to a career in writing for magazines, newspapers, online media and guidebooks. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.