Did you guess where we were going for our first New York City event? We headed to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. That’s where they host the US Open every year at the end of August.

I’m only a modest tennis fan, but my wife loves and plays the sport. The big reason we went to New York at this time was to attend the open. I was there for the first time during Fan Week, which happens just before the official tournament begins. The great thing about Fan Week is that it’s free to get in. And, surprisingly to me, was the carnival-like atmosphere.

Here is a subtle difference you probably didn’t know about. If you see “US Open,” that refers to the tennis tournament. However, if you see “U.S. Open,” that refers to the golf championship held at various prestigious courses across the United States.

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