8 Tips To Avoid Blockbuster Traffic Getting To Janet Jackson & Taylor Swift’s Shows
Taylor Swift and Janet Jackson are both performing live Friday night. Sounds like a great night for fans of both artists right? Well, there’s a slight issue that no one…
HOLLYWOOD – FEBRUARY 28: Fans wait for Janet Jackson prior to an In-store appearance at the Virgin Megastore on February 28, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage)
(Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage)Taylor Swift and Janet Jackson are both performing live Friday night. Sounds like a great night for fans of both artists right? Well, there's a slight issue that no one is talking about...yet. Taylor Swift is performing at Gillette Stadium with a 6:30pm show start. Janet Jackson is performing at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield with a 7:45pm start. Both venues are 11 miles apart. They are EXTREMELY close to each other and you access them in similar ways. Route 95 and route 495. Now, add to that the fact that it's a Friday afternoon in May and you are looking at a logistical traffic NIGHTMARE! We've been thinking about this for days and wanted to offer you some alternatives to sitting on a packed interstate for hours on end. Not to mention, you certainly wouldn't want to miss any of the shows because you were sitting in traffic. Before we give you some ideas of ways to avoid this potential chaos, let's discuss parking lot details.
Gillette Stadium's parking lot opens 4 hours prior to the start of each show. So in Taylor Swift's case that would be 2:30pm. Prepaid parking is sold out for that show, just an FYI.
Xfinity Center's parking lot opens at 3:30 for Janet's show. They offer priority parking for $80 and they also offer fast lane entry before the doors open for those sitting in the lawn who may want to get the best seat possible. This warning has been posted on the Xfinity Center Facebook page: "We anticipate extremely heavy traffic in the surrounding area due to both the Janet Jackson and Taylor Swift concert traffic within Eastern Massachusetts. Please allow yourself plenty of time on your commute, so you don't miss any of the show!"
Now that you're in the know, let's take a look at ways you can avoid what seems to be an inevitable traffic cluster f**k.
Spend an afternoon at Plainridge Park Casino
Plainridge Park is 7 miles away from the Xfinity Center. Drive down early, around noon or so and play some slot machines OR just have some drinks and food and pregame. Don't drink and drive!
Visit some friends in the area
Okay, you must have some friends who live in the area of Mansfield. Here are some towns in the vicinity: Foxboro, Raynham, Taunton, Wrentham, Bellingham, Sharon, Walpole. If you have ANY friends or family there, tell them you're coming to hang out for a while.
Happy diverse friends drinking beer at brewery pub - Group of young people having fun together at backyard home party - Friendship concept
Head to the Wrentham Outlets and do some shopping
Who doesn't love to shop? The Wrentham Outlets are only 9 miles away from the Xfinity Center. There are shops like Nike, Saks, Adidas and so many more. You can eat and shop for hours.
Visit the WWI Memorial Park and Zoo
With walking trails and dog parks AND animals, there is a lot for you to do and explore in this historical landmark just miles away from the Xfinity Center in North Attleboro.
Visit An Unlikely Store Bookstore
This bookstore is famous because of its owners Julie and Jeff Kinney. Jeff wrote the "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series. The store is in Plainville and they invite you to bring lunch and a beer or wine and read your favorite book.
Spend the day at Supercharged Entertainment
Located in Wrentham, this facility has so many fun things for adults and kids. The first of its kind ninja wipeout arena, go kart racing, trampolines, bumper cars and a gaming center...there is so much to do just miles from Xfinity.
Visit the Skyroc Brewery in Attleboro
Pregame a bit at a brewery just 5 miles from the Xfinity Center. Do NOT drink and drive. Find a designated driver and enjoy the "brews that embody the attitude that is Attleboro."
Practice shooting at the American Firearms School
Described as "Southern New England's premiere indoor shooting & firearms training facility with 20 lanes for Pistol and Rifle shooting." Located in North Attleboro, it's only a few miles from Xfinity.
