How to Enjoy a Concert at Atlanta's Chastain Park Amphitheater

You haven't fully experienced Atlanta until you've attended a concert at Chastain Park Ampitheater, an outdoor music venue that allows for listening, dining and drinking under the stars. It's a unique experience, and one that is best enjoyed if you're properly prepared.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Ticket to an event
• Cooler for food and drinks
• Blanket for cold nights, a candelabra, a table (optional)

1. Check the schedule of events at Chastain Park (see Resources). The venue hosts a wide variety of artists--everything from symphony orchestras to Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.
2. The best seats in the house, at the front of the stage, are at tables. The next level are, essentially, bleachers (with room for belongings and dancing). Beyond that is lawn seating. So if you are not at a table seat, you may want to bring your own chair.
3. Plan to arrive early at the venue. Traffic before events is brutal, and you don't want to miss a show because you're caught in gridlock. Parking is also tricky; beware of people who promise you spots in the neighborhood's backyards. Sometimes it's a scam, and your car may be towed.
4. Food and drink are permitted inside the venue, so bring along your favorite beverages (alcoholic or non-) and any snacks or meals you'd like to enjoy during the show. You may want to transport them in a wheeled cooler, in case you are forced to park a distance from the venue and must lug your stuff to the show. You can also order a catered meal from on-site caterers, and pick it up when you arrive at the park.

Tips & Warnings

• Shows at Chastain are social. So if you're hoping for an intimate, uninterrupted, quiet night of listening to your favorite artist, consider seeing that show somewhere else. Some artists embrace the casual nature of Chastain; others have been known to complain about the crowd noise.