Moving higher up towards the top under the roof's edges also offers relief away from the sun.
Chase and Amex offer indoor areas for cardholders - check out our fan tips and review
US Open "Heat Shelter Map". Expect heat indexes into the 90s with Humid Conditions!
Our "heat map" shows you the coolest places to go at the US Open and where to find relief from the sun, which is highlighted in yellow. Free swag in Purple to help you stay cool. Click the image above for a larger version.
Practice Courts and Food Village
Highlighted in green are the best shade areas to rest in if you are outside the stadiums. The Practice Courts 1-5 have an area underneath that lets you watch the players' practice - they usually practice several hours before their scheduled match there.
Take a rest under the trees or on the grass near the center
Just behind the fountains, you can try to grab a seat on the grass or under the umbrellas in the Food Village.
If you want to watch some tennis, I recommend getting a bit higher up where there is a breeze or getting under some shade provided under the Practice court viewing area.
Smart Tips to beat the heat- Wear SPF 15 or higher, and reapply every few hours
- Having a hat and sunglasses is also helpful
- Buy one at the US Open, and you can take home a souvenir too!
Beating the Heat Wave - Sun Safety
In recent summers, NYC has had heat indexes over 90 or even 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix that with bad ozone conditions (code orange or red), and being outdoors for long is a bad idea. I often hear the reason most fans avoid attending the US Open is that the heat for an entire day can be very exhausting. It can even be a danger to your health if you have any elderly fans with heart or lung problems.
I highly recommend that fans drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and stay out of the direct sun. The time between 1-4pm is the hottest period, so consider resting somewhere cooler at that time.
Armstrong Stadium Shade Map
How to Find Shade under the Armstrong Stadium's Roof
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| Armstrong Stadium shade line around 1pm moves toward the Rolex Scoreboard in the afternoon |
Notice the extra shade provided at the very top, just under Armstrong's roof. The stairs at the corners extend all the way up. If you stand on the very top floor near the slated sides of the building, you will sometimes feel a nice breeze vent through the building's exterior.
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| East Side of Armstrong near the very top and at the lip of the 2nd floor has some cover |
On the East side (opposite the umpire chair), there is some refuge from the sun if you climb up closer to the top. On the 2nd floor, around the entire perimeter is the "lip" of the upper deck. You should be fine if you stay next to the railings and do not enter the lower bowl's reserved seating area.
Like Arthur Ashe Stadium, look for the shade on the South and West sections. This includes sections 1-7 and 17-18.
Grandstand Stadium Shade Map
Sections 1, 2, and 3 are partially shaded near the baseline
There is less direct shade in this circular ring than in other stadiums. However, the umpire's chair side near the top of the ring has some cover and offers an easy way to walk around.
Sections 1-3 offer great baseline views and are often the most sought-after for open seating.
If you want a rest, look for an outdoor seating area entrance with umbrellas along the side facing the Big Globe (in purple on the map). If you want a quick bite, look for the food court area along the bottom level near the east side under the stadium. Options are more limited here, but fans can walk over to the P1-P5 practice courts to check out top players practicing, too.
