Updated October 2026. Tennis City NYC
The closest tennis to Midtown is indoors at Vanderbilt Tennis Club, on the 4th floor of Grand Central Terminal. It’s the easy choice if you’re near a hotel or office and don’t mind paying club rates. For outdoor tennis, go to Sutton East on the East Side, Central Park at 93rd St, or Hudson River Park’s free courts at W Houston St.
Your options
Vanderbilt Tennis Club: closest and indoors
Vanderbilt Tennis Club says it’s open to the public, with no membership needed. Rental rates depend on the day and time, and its court finder shows openings for the next seven days. Check the price in the finder before you commit. Weather won’t affect your plans here, and most Midtown hotels are a short walk or subway ride away.
Sutton East at Queensboro Oval: East Side, under the bridge
The courts are on York Ave between E 59th and E 60th St. In permit season, NYC Parks lists two courts for online reservation and six for walk-ons with a permit. The site is also listed as indoor, so check its current setup and rates with the operator, especially from fall through spring.
Central Park: the biggest public site
The Central Park Tennis Center is at 93rd St near West Drive, well north of Midtown, so allow extra time. It has 26 fast-dry and 4 hard courts. Courts open at 7am in season, and you’ll need a permit and photo ID. The B and C trains stop at 96th St and Central Park West, close to the west side of the park.
Hudson River Park: free and open late
Hudson River Park’s three hard courts are free with no permit, open 6am to 1am. Cross at W Houston St, about two and a half miles south of Times Square; the nearest subway line is the 1. There are no reservations, and you join a line at the benches if the courts are full. Play is limited to one hour when others are waiting, and schools with permits get priority on weekdays from 3:30 to 5:30pm when school is in session.
Which should you choose?
| If you want | Choose |
|---|---|
| The shortest trip, or a rainy-day backup | Vanderbilt Tennis Club |
| Clay and the classic New York setting | Central Park |
| Free tennis, or a late-night hit | Hudson River Park |
| Outdoor courts on the East Side | Sutton East at Queensboro Oval |
FAQ
Are there tennis courts in Times Square?
Not that we’ve found. Grand Central is the closest option we can point you to, and Hudson River Park is the closest free one on our list.
I’m traveling alone. How do I find someone to play with?
Post your dates, level and preferred court in the Tennis City NYC Slack group. Central Park needs at least two players on a court, so sort out a partner before you go. See how to find a tennis partner.
Related guides
- Playing Tennis While Visiting New York City
- NYC Single-Play Tennis Permits: Costs and Where to Buy
- Winter and Indoor Tennis in New York City
- How to Find a Tennis Partner in New York City
Looking for someone to play with? Join the Tennis City NYC Slack group and post a day, time and court at your NTRP level. It is free now; new members pay $5 a year after the 200th member.