NYC & COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS MUST-SEE ACTIVITIES AND DESTINATIONS IN QUEENS DURING 2015 US OPEN

NYC & COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS MUST-SEE ACTIVITIES AND DESTINATIONS TO EXPLORE THROUGHOUT QUEENS DURING THE 2015 US OPEN

—Visitors are Encouraged to Take Advantage of All the Attractions, Restaurants and Cultural Institutions Queens Has
to Offer August 31–September 13—

New York City (August 19, 2015) — NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, welcomes tennis enthusiasts to NYC and highlights some of the must-see activities that City residents and visitors can explore in Queens during the 2015 US Open, which takes place from August 31–September 13. 

For the first time ever, the US Open will hold a free day on September 10, where fans will be able to watch the best doubles teams (men’s, women’s, mixed) play on the courts at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center free of charge.

“The US Open is one of New York City's most exciting, international events, where people come to the Big Apple to see the best tennis players in the world compete at one of the world’s greatest venues, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing,” said Marty Markowitz, Vice President of Borough Engagement and Promotion at NYC & Company. “While in Queens, we encourage all US Open guests to experience the wonders of New York’s largest borough, which has so many diverse neighborhoods offering authentic cuisines and cultural attractions that send visitors on a journey around the world without ever leaving the borough.”

After visiting the US Open, sports fans can cross Roosevelt Avenue and head to Citi Field to attend a New York Mets home game. For those looking to play a sport or stay active while in town, be sure to visit Kissena Golf Course or Douglaston Golf Course, or sign up to run the Fifth Avenue Mile race by visiting nycgo.com/sports.

For the beach lover, the sand and surf at Rockaway Beach are not far or hard to reach—just a subway ride away. Jamaica Bay offers its own beaches, trails and an abundance of outdoor activities including biking and hiking trails and playgrounds for children.

No trip to Queens is complete without visiting Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens’ largest park, site of two 20th-century World's Fairs, and home to several cultural attractions. Found inside the park is the Queens Museum which features an assorted collection of art as well as Robert Moses' Panorama of the City of New York. Also located in the park is the Queens Zoo, which is open year-round, spread over 11 acres and is home to many animals and exhibits. For the science enthusiast, the New York Hall of Science, New York’s only hands-on, interactive science center, is also located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Hall of Science–goers can immerse themselves in Taiwanese American culture from August 31–September 13 at the Taiwanese American Contemporary Arts exhibit, and on September 6, children of all ages are invited to Little Makers: Superhero Science where kids can design and build their own superhero gadgets to help save the world from villains.

The Queens Botanical Gardens is an urban oasis where people, plants and cultures are celebrated through inspiring gardens, innovative educational programs and demonstrations of environmental stewardship. While at the Queens Botanical Gardens, make sure to bring the children to a garden made just for them; the Children’s Garden sponsored by HSBC, which is a fun and interactive garden where children can spend time planting, playing, observing and learning in a nurturing environment. Located just steps from the landmark Unisphere in the park is the Queens Theatre, the premier performing arts center in the borough. This venue presents more than 200 performances a year including theater, dance, concerts, a popular family series and other cultural programming.

For the art lover, MoMA PS1 devotes its energy and resources to display some of the most experimental art in the world. It is also one of the oldest and largest nonprofit contemporary art institutions in the United States and is located in Long Island City. The Museum of the Moving Image in nearby Astoria offers travelers an engaging and visually stimulating museum experience on the history of film, television and media with unique exhibitions including Matthew Weiner's Mad Men, Uncanny Valley Archives and How Cats Took Over the Internet.

The Flushing neighborhood is home to the City’s largest Chinese community, Chinese cultural events, and enticing Chinese restaurants, including Imperial Palace, or traditional Szechuan restaurants, like Spicy & Tasty. The borough of Queens has an incredibly diverse assortment of cuisines, and Koreatown is located right next to the US Open where fans can grab lunch or dinner at delicious Korean BBQ restaurant San Soo Kap San or Paris Baguette, a Korean take on a French patisserie. If visitors cannot decide on one food choice to satisfy all of the group’s cravings, stop by Queens Crossing shopping center where there are restaurants for every palate. 

Tennis enthusiasts who visit New York City have a variety of hotel offerings to choose from, giving travelers more opportunities not only to enjoy the Open, but to stay close to all the activities and destinations the City has to offer. With more than 103,000 rooms to choose from at every budget and style, travelers can stay longer and explore more during the Open. For visitors flying into New York City, there are many hotels near La Guardia and JFK airports, as well as a variety of hotels in Long Island City and Flushing including the Z New York Hotel, Wyndham Garden Long Island City and The Parc Hotel. For more information on airport hotels in Queens, visit http://www.nycgo.com/articles/queens-airport-hotels. And for the best available rates throughout the City, visit nycgo.com/hotels and reserve through NYC & Company’s exclusive hotel booking engine, Booking.com.

To access further information about all there is to see and do in Queens, please visit nycgo.com/queens. For more information about the 2015 US Open, visit http://www.nycgo.com/us-open.

About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.  

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Contact: NYC & Company / Chris Heywood 212-484-1270
              NYC & Company / Dena Libner 212-484-1270