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Ok fellow parrotheads! Check this one out! I've been going to GreatWoods for about five years and it is the party of a lifetime! I'm in New Brunswick, Canada.....so it's about a nine hour drive, but well worth it! So.....I head down last month with 5 Buffett virgins in tow. Three vehicles full of rockin' tailgate gear and we had an awesome tailgate party! Then......we walk into the concert, and my recent new girlfriend totally passes out in her seat during the first song!! I'm not talking drunk mumbling stuff. I'm talking totally unconscious and unresponsive! Sooooo......she ended up going to hospital by ambulance and we missed the whole concert! She's in the doghouse in a big way! She says I should have stayed at the concert, but I would have been quite a dick to do that. I turned forty this year and one of my aspirations was to hear Jimmy sing 'A Pirate Looks at Forty' live this year. I was even wearing a damn pirate costume! Trust me, I got lots of weird looks in the hospital! LOL

Anyhow, my gal is looking to redeem herself, and we're looking to hop a plane to another concert. As my only experience has been Great Woods, I know that's a fantastic place to tailgate, but I have no idea about other venues. Jiffy Lube would definitely be the cheapest as far as air fare goes, but I'm wondering what other people's thoughts are comparing Bristow, Jones Lake, Atlantic City, Camden, maybe even Vegas in October. Honestly, Bristow would be the most economical but does it s*** as bad as everyone says? Not sure what to do here, but really looking forward to trying another concert somewhere. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

I was at Bristow once and it was okay but didn't knock me out. Vegas is, well Vegas and the street party is now history so I can't say what will replace it.

The plus with Vegas is cheap airfare and hotel deals and even if the party isn't great there is plenty of other things to do. Just go to Margaritaville and hang on Friday night it's a hoot with plenty of PH company. Make sure you go to the balcony overlooking the strip and play the official game of LV Margaritaville, Real or Not Real-Hooker Not Hooker. The rules are self explanatory...

Jones Beach....

Dallas/Frisco!

Alpine Valley in Wisconsin.  Fly in to either Milwaukee or Madison.
And arrive early.  Alpine Valley is within fifteen miles of both Elkhorn (home of the Three Seasons Lounge) and Lake Geneva (where you will find Hemingways), and each of these locations host full-on, all-day pre-show parties on the Friday night before the concert.

-"BB"-

I agree with moose, Jones Beach. Frisco is a great tailgate but he already played Dallas this year so he won't be back until next year. And Jones Beach is probably easier for you to get to.

Gotta go with Jones Beach. Girlfriend limited to bread and water,

Of course Jones Beach
And whoever made the comment about Vegas-cheap airfare -have you looked lately, it is totally out of hand to fly from the east coast (even though I am going this year) -Yes cheap hotels but not airfare

Ok guys and gals. Jones Beach is looking pretty appealing right now....so that might be the plan. I assume balls out tailgating is permitted there? Anyone have any recommendations for a decent hotel nearby? And yes, gf will be VERY limited on intake of alcohol!!

There's a Best Western in Massapequa Park where a lot of people usually stay. It's probably 15-20 minutes from Jones Beach.
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern ... d=31059506

As far as tailgating, Jones Beach is a state park and in NY that's supposed to mean no alcohol. As long as you pour your drinks in a cup and don't walk around with a beer bottle or can in your hand, the state park police probably won't give you a hard time. And if at anytime during the day you get tired of tailgating and want to take a little break, it's the beach.

No lawn section at this venue, it's an amphitheater with all reserved seating. The stage is built in the bay. This is what it looks like empty.

fabduo wrote:Of course Jones Beach
And whoever made the comment about Vegas-cheap airfare -have you looked lately, it is totally out of hand to fly from the east coast (even though I am going this year) -Yes cheap hotels but not airfare

Sorry, I drive there and hadn't looked lately. Usually Vegas is a pretty reasonable flight. Everything is out of hand but if you shop your flights and are flexible you can still catch a deal to Vegas.

Thanks again for the info so far, guys! Ampitheater looks super, as long as it doesn't rain! That would be a bummer. As far as flights go, I would have to drive about four hours to Bangor, Me....then hop a flight from there. Best deals I can see to JFK or to Vegas are in the $450 return range, so either are feasible options....

Jones Beach has a gorgeous setting and an awesome tailgate scene. Last year it rained through the entire concert, but it was still fun, except the concert was shorter due to the late start ... I did not enjoy Camden last year. The parrot heads were groovy , friendly as ever, but the venue, particularly the parking, was a negative cluster ****. I will not be returning to Camden. Ever. We stayed at the Best Western that LIPH mentioned and we will be there again this year. Looking forward to it!

What's the deal on tics? I know I can hit up stubhub and pay more than face value, but is it safe to show up without tics and find someone selling before the show? I'm not too crazy about investing a load of cash in travel, hotel, car rental etc and risk not having a decent seat, but don't really want to pay more than face value for tics. Any thoughts?