ryanreader
September 9th, 2006, 03:08 PM
After wanting to visit New York for my entire life, I just had the opportunity to travel to New York with my father for the first time. We went for two reasons: 1) to see the amazing city, and 2) to see the US Open Tennis tournament. We have both been avid tennis fans for many years, and we went on the off chance of seeing Agassi in his last professional tennis tournament. If we didn't see him, I was thrilled with the thoughts of seeing players like Federer, Nadal, Davenport, the Williams sisters, the Bryan brothers, Roddick, Henin, Sharapova, and all the other amazing tennis players of this decade. We arrived in LaGuardia at about 9:30pm on Thursday, August 31st. I had purchased our tickets about two months earlier on Orbitz.com, and it worked flawlessly. Tickets easily printed at the airport and took only about 20 minutes to get through luggage check and security at the Indianapolis Airport. I was a little disappointed though, because on the evening we arrived, Andre Agassi was in the middle of a match with #8 in the world Baghdatis, one I figured to be his last. I called my mother, wondering what the score was, to find out the match was only in the middle of the first set. My dad suggested that we take a chance and venture to the US Open, in the nearly impossible hope of finding tickets. The tournament it only about 5 min cab ride from the airport, so I figured we could take a shot at it. Upon arrival at the open, we immediately discovered that ticket scalping is illegal on the grounds of the tournament, and that it would be basically impossible to find tickets to such a highly anticipated match. We asked one of the ladies checking tickets how we might come upon tickets to the match. She suggested that we wait near the exit, asking people leaving if they would be willing to give us their tickets. I guess my love of tennis gave me two amazing bits of luck that night: we asked an older couple leaving the open if they had tickets, and they said no, although about a minute later, they turned around and said that they did indeed have their tickets, and offered them to us FREE OF CHARGE. Little did they know, I would have given them $120 a piece for them. Our second bit of luck followed directly after, the lady checking tickets, seeing my overflowing excitement, let us in with the tickets, even though they had already been scanned, making them unusable. That match was the best match I have seen in my whole life. I will remember it forever, and I only hope those reading have as much luck at the tournament as I did. I hope to answer some questions of readers about the US Open, the same unanswered questions I had before I left.
Guide to the US OPEN:
1) Buy tickets before hand, scalping is basically impossible. Upon arrival at the grounds (I recommend taking the 7 train or Long Island Railroad), you will see people everywhere holding up fingers for the number of tickets they desire. There are scalpers NOWHERE. We consulted a police officer on where we could be scalped tickets, and he informed us that it is illegal anyware within around 1500ft from the tournament ground.
2) If ticketmaster is out of tickets, EBay it!!! Ebay was a crucial part of my trip to the open. For those who have never used EBay before, it is a great way to get cheaper tickets and other items. It is nearly 100% reliable. I purchased two sets of tickets on EBay - Two Friday Sep 1st day session tickets for $135 total - and Two Sunday Sep 3rd Evening Tickets for $65 total. Don't wait till the last minute though, 2 tickets for Agassi Sun 3rd Day session were going for $1200 dollars.
3) If going early in the week, or even late, club restaurant passes are a total waste. All it buys you is the right to sit down in the club restaurant and pay three times as much for your food. No benefit at all.
4) Take the 7 train (only $2.00). Even though it is crowded, you will thank me you didn't drive. It is also only a 40min trip to or from Manhattan.
5) Take advantage of Louis Armstrong, Grandstand, and the side courts. Due to rain, Federer had an evening session match on Armstrong on Sunday Night. I had seats only 12 rows away and I didn't enter Arthur Ashe all evening.
6) Any seat in Arthur Ashe is a good seat, don't be fooled paying three times the money for club seats on Ebay (although buy them if out of the box office for only $15 more). The first week of the tournament, ushers didn't check tickets at all, we sat in club seats for 3 sessions, although we had upper level seats.
7) Food is expensive. Bottled waters are $4, Hamburgers and fries $9, and a club restaurant hamburger is $18!!! Either take small snacks, large food not allowed, or eat before.
8) Take advantage of EBay for other US Open things. I bought two $100 US Open gift cards for only $65 a piece. Made buying food much more affordable. You can use the gift cards for food or merchandise on the grounds, they work like a credit card.
9) There is luggage storage on the grounds. We were supposed to check out of the apartment on Monday at 11am, although our flight didn't leave till 8:30. We just took our luggage to the grounds. For only $3 per item, you can store everything from suitcases to tennis bags while you enjoy your time watching tennis.
10) Tennis Merchandise is incredibly expensive. Unless you have your heart set on a $60 sweatshirt, $30 T-Shirt, $30 Towel, $90 Polo Tennis Shirt, or $22 Hat - save your money or buy a discount gift card on Ebay.
11) Bring sunglass, a hat, and sunscreen. You'll thank me later, trust me. Also bring a sweatshirt at night, it can get chilly. If you don't, your other option is a $60 US Open sweatshirt.
12) Autographs: You have to be at the right place at the right time, which is easier to do if you know where that is. The best place to get autographs is on the back side of Louis Armstrong Stadium. On the side of Armstrong facing Arthur Ashe Stadium, there is a back exit where players leave and enter the court. This is where I got Davenport's autograph and great pictures of Mauresmo. Another great place to look is at the exit of the practice courts near the far side of Arthur Ashe. Either look on your US Open map for the location, or you can make a left at the main entrance Arthur Ashe Stadium. If you have courtside level seats behind the players benches at Ashe, ushers usually let children down to the courtside row, and players often give autographs as they leave the court. The same is true on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
13) DO NOT do will call with your tickets. The line to the box office is massive. It will waste a good portion of your time at the open. Have your tickets printed and ready to go.
14) If at all possible, do not bring any bags, including purses. There is an express line for ticket holders without bags that moves MUCH more quickly. If you have a bag, prepare to stand in a long line.
15) Take a camera! The one thing I regret is that I don't have a single shot of the Agassi match. Be sure to turn off your flash though, it can annoy the players and attract the attention of an unwanted usher.
16) Enjoy, the US Open is unlike any other tennis tournament in the world!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3532.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3551.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3571.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_4001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3978.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3953.jpg
A Guide for the First Time New York Traveler: For our first visit we took a chance with Yianta rental apartments. I am very glad I did. Despite the awkward payment process, the room turned out to be a bang for the buck (only $199 a night). Amazing bathroom, spacious room, prime location, great AC, free internet and cable TV, kitchenette, comfortable bed, closets, and couch with pull out bed. I stayed at the 50th and 3rd one bedroom studio apartment and would highly recommend it to anyone traveling to New York. Just search "yianta" on google and it is the first hit. Professional website. Here are some pictures I took of the apartment during my stay (we cluttered up the room a little bit during our stay ):
Good Luck if you visit New York. First time I have ever been and it was amazing. If you don't have much time in New York, I would recommend:
1) US OPEN!!! (Don't expect to buy scalped tickets though--not only is it illegal, it is a total mob)
2) Empire State Building (or Top of the Rock for shorter lines). If you go to empire state building, you could save TONS of time by buying tickets before online, you are not locked into a specific time.
3) New York Waterways Boat (or Circle Line) tour, amazing views of city and statue of liberty in only 90 minutes, as well as good commentary from tour guide. A great option if you want to see things like Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, but just don't have a ton of time.
4) Walk the Brooklyn Bridge!!! What a view, and 100% free
5) Bike tour or walk Central Park. Two hour bike tour is great way to see the park, learn about its history, in a short amount of time
6) NBC Studio Tour: if you ever watch TV, it is amazing. I got to see SNL, NBC nightly news, and Conan O'Brian studios
7) A Broadway play: I saw Avenue Q and it was hilarious. Also heard great things about Spamalot, Rent, and Jersey Boys. I don't think there are too many that wouldn't be a hit
8) Visit Times Square: take some time here, it is plainly amazing, though very crowded
9) Try new food: we loved Ess-A-Bagels right around the corner from our Yianta apartment, great people, and great bagels. Also recommend Bubby's for breakfast, down towards financial district
10) World Trade Center Site: Something you can't miss
11) WALK AROUND: walking is AMAZING. you see some amazing sights, and get to experience the full feeling of New York. Don't waste time with cabs unless leaving Manhattan
12) Take the Subway vs. other transportation: it is quick, safe, and efficient. Very cheap and you can get an all day pass for only $7. A total steal.
Thanks for your help in planning my trip wirednewyork! I hope this helps other first time travelers!
Ryan
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3765.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3699.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3755.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3843.jpg
Guide to the US OPEN:
1) Buy tickets before hand, scalping is basically impossible. Upon arrival at the grounds (I recommend taking the 7 train or Long Island Railroad), you will see people everywhere holding up fingers for the number of tickets they desire. There are scalpers NOWHERE. We consulted a police officer on where we could be scalped tickets, and he informed us that it is illegal anyware within around 1500ft from the tournament ground.
2) If ticketmaster is out of tickets, EBay it!!! Ebay was a crucial part of my trip to the open. For those who have never used EBay before, it is a great way to get cheaper tickets and other items. It is nearly 100% reliable. I purchased two sets of tickets on EBay - Two Friday Sep 1st day session tickets for $135 total - and Two Sunday Sep 3rd Evening Tickets for $65 total. Don't wait till the last minute though, 2 tickets for Agassi Sun 3rd Day session were going for $1200 dollars.
3) If going early in the week, or even late, club restaurant passes are a total waste. All it buys you is the right to sit down in the club restaurant and pay three times as much for your food. No benefit at all.
4) Take the 7 train (only $2.00). Even though it is crowded, you will thank me you didn't drive. It is also only a 40min trip to or from Manhattan.
5) Take advantage of Louis Armstrong, Grandstand, and the side courts. Due to rain, Federer had an evening session match on Armstrong on Sunday Night. I had seats only 12 rows away and I didn't enter Arthur Ashe all evening.
6) Any seat in Arthur Ashe is a good seat, don't be fooled paying three times the money for club seats on Ebay (although buy them if out of the box office for only $15 more). The first week of the tournament, ushers didn't check tickets at all, we sat in club seats for 3 sessions, although we had upper level seats.
7) Food is expensive. Bottled waters are $4, Hamburgers and fries $9, and a club restaurant hamburger is $18!!! Either take small snacks, large food not allowed, or eat before.
8) Take advantage of EBay for other US Open things. I bought two $100 US Open gift cards for only $65 a piece. Made buying food much more affordable. You can use the gift cards for food or merchandise on the grounds, they work like a credit card.
9) There is luggage storage on the grounds. We were supposed to check out of the apartment on Monday at 11am, although our flight didn't leave till 8:30. We just took our luggage to the grounds. For only $3 per item, you can store everything from suitcases to tennis bags while you enjoy your time watching tennis.
10) Tennis Merchandise is incredibly expensive. Unless you have your heart set on a $60 sweatshirt, $30 T-Shirt, $30 Towel, $90 Polo Tennis Shirt, or $22 Hat - save your money or buy a discount gift card on Ebay.
11) Bring sunglass, a hat, and sunscreen. You'll thank me later, trust me. Also bring a sweatshirt at night, it can get chilly. If you don't, your other option is a $60 US Open sweatshirt.
12) Autographs: You have to be at the right place at the right time, which is easier to do if you know where that is. The best place to get autographs is on the back side of Louis Armstrong Stadium. On the side of Armstrong facing Arthur Ashe Stadium, there is a back exit where players leave and enter the court. This is where I got Davenport's autograph and great pictures of Mauresmo. Another great place to look is at the exit of the practice courts near the far side of Arthur Ashe. Either look on your US Open map for the location, or you can make a left at the main entrance Arthur Ashe Stadium. If you have courtside level seats behind the players benches at Ashe, ushers usually let children down to the courtside row, and players often give autographs as they leave the court. The same is true on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
13) DO NOT do will call with your tickets. The line to the box office is massive. It will waste a good portion of your time at the open. Have your tickets printed and ready to go.
14) If at all possible, do not bring any bags, including purses. There is an express line for ticket holders without bags that moves MUCH more quickly. If you have a bag, prepare to stand in a long line.
15) Take a camera! The one thing I regret is that I don't have a single shot of the Agassi match. Be sure to turn off your flash though, it can annoy the players and attract the attention of an unwanted usher.
16) Enjoy, the US Open is unlike any other tennis tournament in the world!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3532.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3551.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3571.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_4001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3978.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3953.jpg
A Guide for the First Time New York Traveler: For our first visit we took a chance with Yianta rental apartments. I am very glad I did. Despite the awkward payment process, the room turned out to be a bang for the buck (only $199 a night). Amazing bathroom, spacious room, prime location, great AC, free internet and cable TV, kitchenette, comfortable bed, closets, and couch with pull out bed. I stayed at the 50th and 3rd one bedroom studio apartment and would highly recommend it to anyone traveling to New York. Just search "yianta" on google and it is the first hit. Professional website. Here are some pictures I took of the apartment during my stay (we cluttered up the room a little bit during our stay ):
Good Luck if you visit New York. First time I have ever been and it was amazing. If you don't have much time in New York, I would recommend:
1) US OPEN!!! (Don't expect to buy scalped tickets though--not only is it illegal, it is a total mob)
2) Empire State Building (or Top of the Rock for shorter lines). If you go to empire state building, you could save TONS of time by buying tickets before online, you are not locked into a specific time.
3) New York Waterways Boat (or Circle Line) tour, amazing views of city and statue of liberty in only 90 minutes, as well as good commentary from tour guide. A great option if you want to see things like Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, but just don't have a ton of time.
4) Walk the Brooklyn Bridge!!! What a view, and 100% free
5) Bike tour or walk Central Park. Two hour bike tour is great way to see the park, learn about its history, in a short amount of time
6) NBC Studio Tour: if you ever watch TV, it is amazing. I got to see SNL, NBC nightly news, and Conan O'Brian studios
7) A Broadway play: I saw Avenue Q and it was hilarious. Also heard great things about Spamalot, Rent, and Jersey Boys. I don't think there are too many that wouldn't be a hit
8) Visit Times Square: take some time here, it is plainly amazing, though very crowded
9) Try new food: we loved Ess-A-Bagels right around the corner from our Yianta apartment, great people, and great bagels. Also recommend Bubby's for breakfast, down towards financial district
10) World Trade Center Site: Something you can't miss
11) WALK AROUND: walking is AMAZING. you see some amazing sights, and get to experience the full feeling of New York. Don't waste time with cabs unless leaving Manhattan
12) Take the Subway vs. other transportation: it is quick, safe, and efficient. Very cheap and you can get an all day pass for only $7. A total steal.
Thanks for your help in planning my trip wirednewyork! I hope this helps other first time travelers!
Ryan
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3765.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3699.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3755.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/calvinmaniac12/IMG_3843.jpg