Soccer
The New York/New Jersey Metrostars , who play at
Giants Stadium, are the metropolitan area's Major League
Soccer representatives; tickets are typically available
and range $15-30. The season takes place from May until
September.
Tennis
The US Open Championships , held each September
at the National Tennis Center, in Flushing Meadows-Corona
Park, in Queens, is the top US tennis event of the year.
Tickets go on sale the first week or two of June at the
Tennis Center's box office (tel 718/760-6200), open Mon-Fri
9am-5pm and Sat 10am-4pm. To book by phone, call
Ticketmaster (tel 866/673-6849). Promenade level at the
stadium costs $22-69 (better seats can cost several
hundred dollars), and seats are more expensive at night
and closer to the finals. Tickets for the big matches
are incredibly hard to get.
If you'd like to play , there are courts
public and private all round the city, but getting on
can be difficult; the former are all controlled through
the City Parks department, and require a $50 permit (tel
212/360-8133). The nicest such courts are probably at
Central Park, but they are also the most crowded; try
Riverside Park instead. Otherwise, rates at places like
Sutton East Tennis Club, York Ave and 59th Street (tel
212/751-3452) and Midtown Tennis Club, 341 8th Ave (tel
212/989-8572), can run anywhere from $30 to $90 per hour,
depending on the season and time of day.
Chelsea Piers
The Chelsea Piers complex, entered at W 23rd St
and the Hudson River covers six blocks (tel
212/336-6666), and is comprised of four completely
renovated piers, on which all manner of activity takes
place.
The Sports Center at Pier 60 features a quarter-mile
running track, the largest rock-climbing wall in the
northeast, three basketball/volleyball courts, a boxing
ring, a 24-yard swimming pool and whirlpool, indoor sand-volleyball
courts, exercise studios offering more than 100 classes
weekly, a cardiovascular weight-training room, a sundeck
right on the Hudson River and spa services. Day-passes
are available for $50. Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, Sat & Sun
8am-9pm. tel 212/336-6000.
The Roller Rinks are on Pier 62. They are outdoors
and open year-round, weather permitting. Daily session
starts at noon, exact times vary. $6.50; children under
12 $5.50. Rentals available. tel 212/336-6200.
The Sky Rink is on Pier 61. Ice-skate year-round on
this indoor rink. Daily sessions start at noon, exact
times vary. $11.50; children under 12 $8; seniors $7.50.
Rentals $5. tel 212/336-6100
Central Park
Central Park is an obvious focus for recreation. from
croquet and chess to soccer and swimming. Joggers, in-line
skaters, walkers and cyclists have the roads to
themselves on weekdays 10am-3pm & 7-10pm and all day on
weekends. In addition, boaters can head to the Loeb
Boathouse (tel 212/517-2233; $10/hr), which hires out
rowboats in warm weather months. To find out what is
going on where and when, try the Arsenal, at 830 5th Ave
at 64th Street, and pick up the Green Pages ,
which tell you about every activity, from archery to
wild-food walks. |
