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Destination GuideNew York CityUS OpenFall Weekend
US Open Girls' Weekend: How to Do NYC Right During Tennis's Biggest Party
Book the tennis, book the wine bars, and let a stadium full of screaming fans do your cardio for you.
By Jennifer Rancourt ·
Category: Destination Guide
Tags: New York City, New York, Girls Trip, US Open, Tennis, Sports Getaway, Fall Weekend
Affiliate links: Hotels via Expedia · Experiences via Viator · Gear via Amazon
Why New York City Is the Perfect US Open Girls' Trip
You've done New York at the holidays. You've done New York for the theater. But have you ever done New York with a grounds pass in one hand and a plastic cup of rosé in the other, watching the best players on the planet from close enough to hear the grunt? That's the trip you've been sleeping on.
The US Open takes over Flushing Meadows from late August through the September 13 finals, and it turns the whole city into a two-week party with a tennis problem. The energy is electric, the outfits are aspirational, and—here's the part nobody tells you—you don't need center-court seats to have the weekend of your life. You need a plan, a good hotel, and a group that says yes.
This is a long weekend done at full volume: two days of the city you love, one day at the loudest, most glamorous sporting event in America. Fly in Friday, fly out Monday. Bring the sneakers and the good earrings.
Getting to the US Open in NYC
You're flying into JFK (closest to the tennis) or LaGuardia (LGA)—both put you in a cab or a quick ride to Manhattan and an easy shot to the courts. Newark (EWR) works too if the fare is right. Skip the rental car. This is a subway-and-black-car town, and the 7 train drops you at the front gate of the US Open like it was built for you (it basically was).
Where to Stay in NYC for the US Open
Stay in Manhattan, not near the courts—the tennis is a day trip, and you want to come home to the city that never sleeps, not a parking lot in Queens.
Browse all NYC hotels on Booking.com →
Things to Do: Your US Open Weekend Itinerary
Friday Evening — Land and Loosen Up
Drop the bags, freshen up, and head straight to the West Village for dinner. Get a table at Via Carota if the tennis gods are smiling (walk in early or put your name down and go have a spritz next door). Can't get in? Buvette two blocks away is all candlelight and tiny plates and exactly the right way to say we're here. This is not the night to pack in activities. This is the night to remember you're in New York.
Saturday Morning — Fuel and Wander
Brunch at Balthazar in SoHo—yes it's a scene, yes it's worth it, get the pastry basket and don't split it. Then walk it off: SoHo shopping, a slow loop through the West Village, or straight up to the Met if your group leans culture. You're banking calm now, because tomorrow is loud.
Saturday Afternoon — See the City From Above
Do one big, beautiful New York thing. A guided food tour through Greenwich Village if you want to eat your way through the afternoon, or a classic skyline moment—Top of the Rock, Edge, or a sunset harbor cruise past the Statue of Liberty. Pick the one your group will still be talking about at Thanksgiving.
Saturday Night — Dinner You'll Brag About
Tonight is the splurge dinner. Carbone if you can land it (spicy rigatoni, the whole theatrical show—book the second reservations open). If not, Lilia in Williamsburg or Don Angie in the West Village will more than earn the night. Nightcap at a rooftop or a low-lit cocktail bar—The Django, Employees Only, your hotel roof. You're in the city that never sleeps. Act accordingly.
Sunday — Game Day at the US Open
This is the whole reason you came. Take the 7 train out to Flushing Meadows and give yourself the full day. If you scored stadium session tickets, you're set—but even a grounds pass gets you hours of world-class tennis on the outer courts, players practicing an arm's length away, and the single best people-watching in American sport.
Timing tip: Fan Week (August 23–29) is the industry's worst-kept secret—free grounds admission with a complimentary Fan Access Pass, qualifying matches that are every bit as thrilling, and the pros out practicing on open courts. If your dates are flexible, it's the smartest ticket in tennis. Once the main draw starts, grab a day session grounds pass and stay till the lights come on.
Eat well while you're there (the food at the Open is genuinely good—honor bar included), wear the hat, reapply the sunscreen, and let the roar of Arthur Ashe do something to you. Then head back to the city for one last dinner before you fly out Monday.
What to Pack for the US Open
- A wide-brim hat — the outer courts have zero shade and hours of sun. Chic and strategic. Shop hats on Amazon →
- Cute-but-real walking shoes — you'll clock 15,000 steps between the city and the courts. Your feet will file a complaint if you don't. Shop sneakers on Amazon →
- A crossbody bag that meets the stadium size rules — the Open has a bag policy, so go small and hands-free. Shop crossbody bags on Amazon →
- A packable rain layer — late-summer NYC does what it wants, and rain delays are real. Shop packable jackets on Amazon →
- Reef-safe SPF and a mini sunscreen for the bag — reapplying courtside is not optional. Shop sunscreen on Amazon →
- A portable charger — between the photos, subway maps, and mobile tickets, your phone will beg for mercy. Shop power banks on Amazon →
- A collapsible tote — for the merch you swear you won't buy and absolutely will. Shop totes on Amazon →
The GGC Bottom Line
Here's the thing about the US Open: you don't have to be a tennis person to love it. You have to be a good day person—and this is one of the great ones. The glamour, the crowd, the drama on court, the wine you probably overpaid for and enjoyed anyway. It's a party that happens to have a scoreboard.
Pair it with a city you already adore and you've got a weekend that hits every note—the fancy dinner, the rooftop, the walk through the Village, and one unforgettable afternoon of world-class sport. No week off required. No overthinking allowed.
You've been meaning to do this. The calendar just handed you the reason.
Book the tennis.
We'll see you there.
Quick Trip Details
| Best time to visit | Late August–mid-September (Fan Week Aug 23–29; finals through Sept 13) |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Fly into JFK or LGA; 7 train to the courts |
| Trip length | Long weekend (Fri–Mon) |
| Vibe | Glamorous, electric, big-city, unforgettable |
| Best for | Sports-curious groups, bucket-list weekends, women who say yes |
US Open Girls' Weekend FAQ
Do you need tickets to attend US Open Fan Week?
No paid ticket is required. Fan Week (August 23–29, 2026) offers free grounds admission. Adults 18+ need a complimentary Fan Access Pass registered ahead of time at usopen.org; kids under 18 do not. You'll catch qualifying matches and pros practicing on the open courts.
How do you get to the US Open from Manhattan?
Take the 7 train to Mets–Willets Point, or the Long Island Rail Road Port Washington branch. It's roughly 30–40 minutes from Midtown and drops you steps from the gate. Skip the car — parking and traffic are brutal.
How many days do you need for a US Open trip to NYC?
A long weekend (Friday to Monday) is the sweet spot: two days to enjoy the city and one full day at the tennis. You don't need a week — you need a plan.
What should you wear to the US Open?
Think polished-but-practical: a sundress or elevated casual outfit, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brim hat, and sunscreen. The outer courts have little shade, so sun protection is non-negotiable.
Is the US Open a good girls' trip?
Absolutely. It's glamorous, social, and easy to build a whole weekend around — great dinners, rooftops, and one unforgettable day of world-class sport. You don't have to be a tennis fan to love it.
More GGC Girls' Getaways
Loved this one? Keep the momentum going:
- → Charleston Weekend Guide — Southern charm, shrimp and grits, and rooftop cocktails.
- → Browse all GGC destination guides — the full collection of weekend escapes.
- → Take the Girls' Trip Destination Quiz — not sure where to go next? Let us pick.
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