Nissan Pavillion... hints, advice?

I am attending the Radiohead concert on 5/11 and would like to know some things, as I have never been.

I will be driving down from Frederick, MD a few hours before the show begins... is there a good way to get there to avoid traffic?

Do they allow tailgating, alcohol and grills in the parking lot before shows?

Is there a good method to get out before the traffic snarls? I have heard horror stories about it taking 2+ hrs to leave a show.

Any help would be great. Thanks.

Nissan Pavillion... hints, advice?

There are some back ways to get to the Pavillion, but not really from your direction. Tailgating is allowed and at all concerts I have been to it is great fun. There is an overflow parking lot on the way out of the Pavillion where you could park or just park as close to the exit as possible and then either leave the concert a few minutes early or do some more tailgating before you leave. I%26#39;ve seen getting the dessert out after the concert and eating it while they wait for the traffic to clear. It makes for a nice end to an evening.

Nissan Pavillion... hints, advice?

In your favor is the fact that this is on a Sunday. So traffic won%26#39;t be an issue, aside from any right at the concert.

The rumors/horror stories are absolutely true.

There is no good way to get out of there. Wellington road is a disgrace-it bottlenecks down to one lane-NP should never have been built without bringing the road up to specifications to handle the traffic flow post-concert.

Someone mentioned a VIP/Valet parking that you can pay for? And doing this saves you some aggravation. I would look at NP website to see what they offer.

Best advice is just hang out and wait it out, unless you are willing to bug out of the show early.

If you want to stay to the end of the show, pay for the VIP parking. It%26#39;s worth every penny. I can%26#39;t remember what the cost was, but it was reasonable ($20 or less as I recall). Otherwise, most people leave half way through in order to get out of there in a reasonable amount of time.

The reason it takes 2+ hours to leave is because the VIP parking is let out first.PARKING

Parking is convenient in secure, well-lit lots adjacent to the Pavilion. Please note that Virginia state law prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the parking lots. This law is strictly enforced. Barbeque fires are also not permitted in the parking lots.

I would review the Nissan Pavilion site as they state no alchol or grills in the parking lot. Perhaps this rule isn%26#39;t enforced, but be prepared.

livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/793/

GATES AND DOORS

Parking lot gates usually open at different times depending on the show. Please check the posted information for any particular show. Come out early, miss the traffic and enjoy fun and original performances by up-and-coming entertainers on our side stage located in the south plaza.

PARKING

Parking is convenient in secure, well-lit lots adjacent to the Pavilion. Please note that Virginia state law prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the parking lots. This law is strictly enforced. Barbeque fires are also not permitted in the parking lots.

Let%26#39;s try this post again, post-coffee:

If you want to stay to the end of the show, pay for the VIP parking. It%26#39;s worth every penny. I can%26#39;t remember what the cost was, but it was reasonable ($20 or less as I recall). Otherwise, most people leave half way through in order to get out of there in a reasonable amount of time.

The reason it takes 2+ hours to leave is because the VIP parking is let out first.

I would review the Nissan Pavilion site as they state no alchol or grills in the parking lot. Perhaps this rule isn%26#39;t enforced, but be prepared.

livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/793/

GATES AND DOORS

Parking lot gates usually open at different times depending on the show. Please check the posted information for any particular show. Come out early, miss the traffic and enjoy fun and original performances by up-and-coming entertainers on our side stage located in the south plaza.

PARKING

Parking is convenient in secure, well-lit lots adjacent to the Pavilion. Please note that Virginia state law prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the parking lots. This law is strictly enforced. Barbeque fires are also not permitted in the parking lots.

Thanks for your help. I went to the show last night, was soaked, but it was still great. Got lucky getting out too. We left during the encore and waited 30 mins to get out. We got home to Frederick at 12:30 a.m.

That said, I wont be going back to Nissan. I%26#39;ll drive to Philly instead.

I%26#39;m the same way.

I live 2.4 miles from Nissan and I go to Vegas for concerts.

You can%26#39;t beat the sound quality at MGM Arena and I get to walk to the elevator and up to my room when it%26#39;s over.

It%26#39;s worth every penny :D

Just saw this thread because I was searching on tailgating at Nissan and any new guidlines. I first started attending concerts at Nissan a good 5-6 years ago, and bought the Country Megaticket each year. The tailgating was awesome, set up a tent, fire up the grills, play games, drink a bit, etc., and go in just before the show. It%26#39;s actually how I started liking country in the first place.

All of a sudden there is a huge crackdown on any tailgating, even LOITERING, in the parking lot. It can be hit or miss, but the past year and a half or so, there have been cops that come up within 5 minutes of being there that tell you to go inside, no eating food, absolutely no grilling, and if we see any alcohol you are going to jail. It sounds like an overreaction, on the cops part, and on my description of events, but thats really the way its been. Some areas of the parking lot are better than the others depending on which police are monitoring your general area, but be forewarned. I bought a megaticket again this year, but if I have the same experience as last year, thats it I%26#39;m done.

I have tickets to the George Strait concert on June 13th, so I won%26#39;t have any personal experience to report until then.

I think the rules are different depending on the show, too. Some of these ';all day'; shows tend to have a lot more parking lot action and the drinking begins at 10 am when the gates open and they are literally carting people off on stretchers at 9 pm. The last all day show I went to that had Reba as the headliner was like that.

If I hear anything from my neighbors in the meantime, I%26#39;ll let you know.

Anyone know anything about the construction on Wellington Road just before you get to NP (coming from south)?

It looks like a bridge over a stream and possibly a larger, more sensible exit for the Pavilion?

I am not surprised to hear of a crack-down on tailgating and parking lot drinking.

I%26#39;ll look this weekend on my way to Gainesville and see if I can find out.