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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Mr.Whippy on August 10, 2011, 02:05:58 pm

Title: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Mr.Whippy on August 10, 2011, 02:05:58 pm
Does anyone have experience traveling up route 29 to Merriweather from DC during the week?  We will be leaving DC on Friday around 6 for the My Morning Jacket show very close to 29.  I'm wondering if it might be a good idea to take 29 there instead of 95. 

If anyone has experience with 29, particularly during the late aftenoon, please let me know if this is a good idea.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Vas Deferens on August 10, 2011, 02:23:39 pm
When I worked in Bethesda, Rt 29 is what I used to go to Merriweather after work (5 pm). There wasn't much traffic and if I remember correctly, I got to Merriweather in just under an hour and got there even before gates opened. I don't have experience using 95 from DC.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: hutch on August 10, 2011, 02:49:37 pm
When I worked in Bethesda, Rt 29 is what I used to go to Merriweather after work (5 pm). There wasn't much traffic and if I remember correctly, I got to Merriweather in just under an hour and got there even before gates opened. I don't have experience using 95 from DC.

just under an hour is nothing to write home about... ;D
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Sir HC on August 10, 2011, 02:51:23 pm
The last part SUCKS!  Right north of rte. 32 the road goes from 3 to 2 lanes so it backs up.  I work right here across from MPP so I get to see that cluster funk every day.  Unfortunately most alternatives are not that much better at that time.  One advantage might be that it is friday so people will be skipping out early.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: challenged on August 10, 2011, 04:06:37 pm
For shows that are not sold out i have never experienced a bad backup on 29 heading north near the venue. for sold out shows it has been an issue.  I dont think Friday is in the sold out or close to it category..., is it?
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Sir HC on August 10, 2011, 04:48:22 pm
Oh, at the 5:30 point, commuter traffic backs up the highway no need for any Merriweather traffic.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Bombay Chutney on August 10, 2011, 05:16:46 pm
Definitely 29 over 95.   I suggest:  29->32->Brokenland Parkway->MPP

That way you bail off of 29 early and avoid any traffic on the ramp from 29->Brokenland, which is where the bulk of MPP traffic seems to be.   This will take you right past the MPP entrance.  If there's no traffic you can just hop on into the parking lot.  If there's a long line of traffic, you can just drive straight past it and park at the mall, which is basically at the next traffic light.

Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Mr.Whippy on August 10, 2011, 05:52:46 pm
Great, thanks everyone for the info.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: i am gay and i like cats on August 10, 2011, 07:12:00 pm
i went to merriweather to see phish . . . so therefore i do not remember getting there.  i do remember that i like merriweather now, which is annoyingly odd.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: runwhiteyrun06 on August 12, 2011, 08:30:20 am
So parking at the mall is still the way to go?
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: i am gay and i like cats on August 12, 2011, 08:51:40 am
So parking at the mall is still the way to go?

went i went to phish . . . but it could have been for phish, the cops and security were all over that mall lot looking for anybody who was trying to park and walk in any direction but not the mall.  i saw them force countless cars out of the lot.  i think too many people go to the mall for them to let merriweather people park there anymore.  signs were everywhere stating you cannot park in the mall lot.  so who knows?
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: K8teebug on August 12, 2011, 08:53:53 am
If you want a little detour, take 29 to 32 towards clarksville.  Take the cedar lane/sanner road exit.  Stay right at the exit (you'll be on cedar lane).  Take a Right onto Hickory Ridge Road.  That will dead end into Merriweather.  Take a left at the light onto Brokenland Parkway and head straight into the mall to park.

Just if traffic really sucks.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: runwhiteyrun06 on August 12, 2011, 09:25:46 am
So parking at the mall is still the way to go?

went i went to phish . . . but it could have been for phish, the cops and security were all over that mall lot looking for anybody who was trying to park and walk in any direction but not the mall.  i saw them force countless cars out of the lot.  i think too many people go to the mall for them to let merriweather people park there anymore.  signs were everywhere stating you cannot park in the mall lot.  so who knows?

 Damn.  I went to the decemberists show and it was ok but that was a Monday
 Since its a friday I thought they may be stricter at the mall.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Vas Deferens on August 12, 2011, 09:43:13 am
there's a tiered parking lot across from the mall lot where you can park legally and for free. look out for attendants directing you to that lot..we parked there last time during sweetlife fest.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: challenged on August 12, 2011, 10:54:57 am
i always park at the mall for merriweather shows, both on weekdays and weekends, and i have never seen a sign prohibiting it, or anyone policing it.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: sweetcell on August 12, 2011, 11:39:01 am
at last year's freefest, they were directing traffic and limiting where you could park at the mall.  made sense, since so many people were showing up for FF and it was a saturday (i.e. the mall shops needed to make money too).
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: wml7 on August 12, 2011, 11:40:33 am
Just park in the lot where the Sears and Jcpenny is.  This is where I always park for shows  ;D
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: runwhiteyrun06 on August 12, 2011, 12:37:21 pm
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the ban was a one time thing for phish.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Sir HC on August 12, 2011, 01:15:08 pm
there's a tiered parking lot across from the mall lot where you can park legally and for free. look out for attendants directing you to that lot..we parked there last time during sweetlife fest.

Hey that's my lot. 

For the big shows they give out parking passes to the people who work here and have security direct traffic.  Lighter shows such as tonight or Death Cab, not much security going on.  Heck they finally put in a crosswalk from my building across Little Patuxent Parkway somewhat legitimizing parking at the mall. Funny thing is that for some shows the Sears parking lot is full of concert goers but the garages nearer Merriweather are still pretty empty.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Vas Deferens on August 12, 2011, 01:40:35 pm
I think they put that sign up when the show is on a weekend...but they don't really enforce it.

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the ban was a one time thing for phish.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Arthwys on August 12, 2011, 01:53:49 pm
I seem to remember them totally closing down the part of Little Patuxent Parkway that is between the Mall and Merriweather during the last couple of V-Fests.  I simply makesure to enter the inner mall ring road from the north and drive around until I get to the lot closest to the venue.  I make sure to park close to the mall so it's not terribly obvious.  If there are any security around I make sure to actually enter the mall, hang out for a few minutes, then walk out and across the parking lot to Merriweather.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: sweetcell on August 12, 2011, 02:12:53 pm
I seem to remember them totally closing down the part of Little Patuxent Parkway that is between the Mall and Merriweather during the last couple of V-Fests. 

last year they were guiding people into certain lots at the mall early on in the day.  once those were filled, i assume they turned people away to keep some parking available for mall patrons.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: runwhiteyrun06 on August 13, 2011, 01:07:16 pm
So since there wasn't a thread this one is most appropriate:

Thoughts on last night's show?

I've never seen MMJ before and went only to see Neko, but I thought MMJ was fantastic, even with being unfamiliar with their work.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Vas Deferens on August 13, 2011, 01:23:25 pm
Yep, fantastic like last year's.

Did you stay the whole 2.5 hours? 
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: runwhiteyrun06 on August 13, 2011, 01:27:03 pm
Yup.

Not going to lie, I was getting pretty tired by the end but that was due to having a full work-day beforehand.

My co-worker and I were also able to get 5th row dead center seats at the door which was pretty phenomenal.


Dondate was great and I really like the tracks off the new album. Great crowd too, I never dance around that much at a show.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Vas Deferens on August 13, 2011, 01:37:24 pm
that Neko duet was phenomenal...the new songs sound way better live.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Mr.Whippy on August 13, 2011, 09:11:35 pm
MMJ was phenomenal as always.  I probably liked last night's set even better than the Bonnaroo set this year. 

Some good rarities in late in the set with Phone Went West and I Will Sing You Songs.  Also, Evil Urges has been pretty rare lately.

We were in the center of the second row of seats, and much of the first two rows were sitting down for some of the show.  I can't even fathom sitting down for that.

I agree that the new songs sound great live.  I was underwhelmed by Circuital at first, but have really come to appreciate it after seeing the songs live.  Neko's new song was great, too.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: Sir HC on August 14, 2011, 10:36:02 am
Looks like we lucked out, seems the drummer got food poisoning and missed the next show.
Title: Re: Travel to Merriweather question
Post by: atomicfront on August 15, 2011, 05:26:48 pm
I dont' see any benefit of parkign at the mall.  I have never had any problem getting in or out of merriweather's lots.