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US Open Tennis More Than Doable with Child in Tow

July 19, 2022 by Lance Somerfeld

US Open tennis tournament grounds
Part of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open tennis tournament, in Flushing Meadows, Queens. (Photo: Kevin McKeever)

Originally posted in 2009. Updated in July 2022.

I’ve been going to the US Open tennis tournament in Queens’ Flushing Meadows every year for the past 30 years. It is, hands down, one of the best annual sporting events in NYC. It became more complicated for me to attend when my son was born so, for a while, I was not planning to attend.

Then, as luck would have it, a ticket “fell into my hands” for a Friday afternoon session. I was not going to pass up the opportunity. Unable to secure a babysitter, my son was joining me for his first professional sporting event. (I know, I am a bad dad because we have not even been to a baseball game yet).

US Open Tennis is kid-friendly

Overall, I found the vast US Open tennis grounds, known as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, to be extremely baby- and child-friendly. It has only gotten more so in recent years:

  • Diaper bags are allowed. However, the limit is one bag per person and it cannot be larger than 12-inches wide by 12-inches high by 16-inches long. There is no bag storage on the grounds, but you can leave them in a locker outside the East Gate or South Gate. Cost: $5 per locker.
  • Baby changing stations in every public restroom!
  • Nursing/lactation stations are located at the first aid stations at the Grandstand and Louis Armstrong Stadium.
  • Strollers are permitted. The grounds are quite stroller-friendly, however, definitely opt for a lightweight, foldable umbrella model. Big and bulky are not optimal for cruising through the crowds and narrower walkways between the side courts.
  • Reusable water bottles, metal or plastic, are allowed as long as they are 24 ounces or less.

As we entered the event, they were handing out free cups of Stony Field Farms’ new organic yogurt. It made for a tasty lunch for my son! The cafe where we chowed down our lunch even provided a high chair for him.

For older kids, there are plenty of food options and sweet treats on the US Open tennis grounds. However, bring a full wallet or a credit/debit card. It’s a pricey place for a family to eat.

I will admit – the amount of tennis I got to watch this year was an all-time low. My son did not have the patience to watch more than a few games at any one particular match. Therefore, we bounced around and watched a few games of several different matches.

U.S. Open Tennis Brad Gilbert
The author, his son and tennis great Brad Gilbert. (Contributed photo)

A few other negatives: The late summer sun was intense and the crowds were thick. Despite the crowds, you can still get extremely close to the action if you avoid the main stadiums and spend time on the exterior (numbered) courts. We found that Court #7, had top seeds playing, was not too crowded, and provided some shade. You really feel close to the action by walking around the grounds. We even got to meet tennis great Brad Gilbert (pictured above).

Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, Fan Week return in 2022

After being canceled for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day returns to the US Open tennis tournament!

This free event celebrates the life and legacy of tennis and cultural icon Arthur Ashe, on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Tickets are not required by

The day offers interactive games, music and tennis activities for all ages and abilities to promote the many health benefits of tennis. Tennis legends and current superstars always show up to meet and greet. It will also feature a free concert with exciting up-and-coming talent. In years past, superstars like Rafael Nadel, the Williams sister, Coco Gauff, Ariana Grande, Flo Rida and Demi Lovato have appeared/performed.

Kids’ Day is part of the also free pre-tourney US Open Fan Week. This is a great, inexpensive alternative to attending the main tournament. You can watch the tourney qualifying matches, superstars of the game practicing up close and even a Legends of the Game match.

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Filed Under: events, NYC, sports Tagged With: changing tables, tennis, U.S. Open tennis

About Lance Somerfeld

Lance Somerfeld, co-founder of City Dads Group, lives with his wife and two children in New York City. He frequently contributes to the conversation about modern fatherhood, work-life balance, shifting gender roles, and brand’s marketing to dads. He has appeared on local and national television, including CNN, Today and Katie. He has been quoted by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, GQ, Parenting and The Atlantic.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Irina says

    September 8, 2021 at 10:55 pm

    us open with stroller.
    Looking for any helpful info.
    Going tomorrow 9/09

    Reply
    • Kevin McKeever says

      September 9, 2021 at 1:49 pm

      Hi, Irina. Strollers are still allowed according to all we know. They are not on the prohibited item list (https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/prohibited_items.html), but look at the rules carefully if you are bringing diaper bags, bottles, etc. I’d bring a lightweight umbrella stroller rather than a larger one, though.

      Reply
  2. Shelby says

    August 24, 2022 at 3:01 am

    Did your son need a ticket to get in to the grounds?

    Reply
    • Kevin McKeever says

      August 29, 2022 at 3:31 pm

      Per the 2022 Ticket Terms and Conditions page: “No person, regardless of age, may enter the Facility without a ticket.” https://www.usopen.org/en_US/tickets/us_open_ticket_terms_and_conditions.html

      Reply

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