Transportation to White River Amphitheatre?

July 25, 2011 3:11 PM

[Concert Filter]: We're seeing a show at White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, Washington next month. How should we get to the venue?

We'll be staying overnight, likely in Auburn, and will be driving in from Small Town for the concert. However, we'd like to leave the car at the hotel and either cab it, shuttle it, or walk it.

Have any of you been to this venue and can advise regarding transportation logistics? Will cabs be difficult to nab, especially in the post-show chaos? Will the shuttle that's advertised actually exist the night of?

Alternatively, does anyone know about a hotel within reasonable walking distance? The closest I could find was 5 miles away, which is a bit far for Mr. Marathoner and certainly too far for Ms. But I Want to Wear My Cute Shoes.

Thanks for any advice--I haven't been to an amphitheatre concert in decades and don't quite recall how to navigate big shows in places without public transportation.

posted by stellaluna to Travel & Transportation around Auburn, WA (7 answers total)

I keep watching this thread hoping someone who's more familiar with it than I am will chime in; I went to a concert there about six or seven years ago. From what I remember, it's in the middle of nowhere and I would be really surprised if there were cabs to be had after the show. Forget about walking. But like I said, I've been there once, and it was a while ago, so hopefully you'll get more answers.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 4:54 PM on July 25, 2011

You could stay in Enumclaw. That way you will be approaching from the less populated direction. I'd imagine. I've not tried this myself.
posted by humboldt32 at 8:39 PM on July 25, 2011

Best answer: The parking lot is a total clusterfuck. We sat for two hours after Radiohead (that was in 2003). However, I don't think it's walkable, and a cab would be ridiculously expensive. Maybe try craigslist for a carpool?
posted by guster4lovers at 9:21 PM on July 25, 2011

Best answer: Wow, I just found out that they aren't offering the shuttle from the SuperMall this summer. That's really terrible. In our experience, they usually offer preferential parking for carpools, which the last time we went was 4 or more people in a car, so if you can find someone to drive with you might get in and out faster.

Unless they improved the highway in the last two years, it's a helacious mess.
posted by fiercekitten at 11:09 PM on July 25, 2011

I saw radiohead there and it was as guster4lovers says a clusterfuck. You're best bet by far is taking a shuttle if it's available or just driving. It's too far from anywhere to walk.
posted by pwb503 at 10:55 AM on July 26, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks for all the insights--and I'm glad I asked, because our plan was to take the shuttle from the SuperMall. Guess one of us (probably not the Birthday Boy!) will suck it up and be DD, although the carpool through Craigslist is a good idea. Thanks, all!
posted by stellaluna at 1:44 PM on July 26, 2011

A classmate of mine is from Auburn and used to work at WRA.
From our brief conversation about it, I remember her saying that so far as she knew no roads had been improved, so getting in and out is still a PITA.
And the only real option without a shuttle bus is to drive.
Unfortunately there is no good way in or out since roads are two lane and aren't direct.

Concerning parking, it looks like you can purchase VIP parking through Ticketmaster. This could be beneficial in getting out quicker.
posted by nickthetourist at 2:45 PM on July 26, 2011