OT: Advice needed for first pre-season game this Thurs. Night

Have been to dozens of regular season and playoff games at Gillette but never a preseason one. I need advice because (I know I'm pampered) I've always had the benefit of being a guest in the suites and never sat in the stadium before and dealt with general parking. I've certainly seen the cluster**** that the lots can become and was wondering if I should expect the same crowds on Thursday as I would in season? My guess is yes. If so, how early do you recommend we get there and what is the best lot to choose if we're coming up from the Cape? We're thinking of grabbing a bite to eat somewhere at Patriot Place or is this a bad idea on a game day? Last question, does taking Rte 140N to Rte 1 make any sense coming from the south to cut off some of the gridlock of rte 1 from 495?

Thanks to any that can help.

VinnyPatrollie said:

Have been to dozens of regular season and playoff games at Gillette but never a preseason one. I need advice because (I know I'm pampered) I've always had the benefit of being a guest in the suites and never sat in the stadium before and dealt with general parking. I've certainly seen the cluster**** that the lots can become and was wondering if I should expect the same crowds on Thursday as I would in season? My guess is yes. If so, how early do you recommend we get there and what is the best lot to choose if we're coming up from the Cape? We're thinking of grabbing a bite to eat somewhere at Patriot Place or is this a bad idea on a game day? Last question, does taking Rte 140N to Rte 1 make any sense coming from the south to cut off some of the gridlock of rte 1 from 495?

Thanks to any that can help.

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I'm not sure exactly how early you should try to get there, but keep in mind you'll at least want to beat rush hour traffic due to people going home from work as well.

Patriots Place is packed on game day during the season. If you are planning on doing that, be there by 4:30 to get a seat, fed, and out with plenty of time to find a seat. I have never tried to eat on game day but I did on the night of the in stadium practice a few years back and we had a hard time getting a seat two+ hours before that.

I have wondered about 140 myself, coming from the North. I know the road that connects 140 (from 495 S) to rte 1 is sometimes blocked at the route 1 end or they only allow cars to turn onto rte 1 away from the stadium.

One advantage you have is you are coming away from the cape. A lot of traffic I have hit ahead of exhibition games has been people heading down to the cape, plus rush hour, plus Pats traffic...one year there was a show at Comcast Center too...talk about a mess.

My advice is leave very early, if you have extra time there is plenty to do around Patriot Place ahead of the game.

BradfordPatsFan said:

Patriots Place is packed on game day during the season. If you are planning on doing that, be there by 4:30 to get a seat, fed, and out with plenty of time to find a seat. I have never tried to eat on game day but I did on the night of the in stadium practice a few years back and we had a hard time getting a seat two+ hours before that.

I have wondered about 140 myself, coming from the North. I know the road that connects 140 (from 495 S) to rte 1 is sometimes blocked at the route 1 end or they only allow cars to turn onto rte 1 away from the stadium.

One advantage you have is you are coming away from the cape. A lot of traffic I have hit ahead of exhibition games has been people heading down to the cape, plus rush hour, plus Pats traffic...one year there was a show at Comcast Center too...talk about a mess.

My advice is leave very early, if you have extra time there is plenty to do around Patriot Place ahead of the game.

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Thanks. I know I've seen people come out of the road that comes out to Rte 1 North right next to the Dunkin's south of the stadium. Rte 140 connects to whatever that road is called. Hate to have to double back to 495 if I am wrong though. Of course, if we leave early enough, probably doesn't matter.

Still unsure which lot to use for a south exit after the game. The Ford dealership across the street maybe? Don't want to walk a mile or more unless we have to.

Remember.

When watching games outside a suite it is ok to cheer and cus.

In fact it should be mandatory.

resdubwhite said:

Remember.

When watching games outside a suite it is ok to cheer and cus.

In fact it should be mandatory.

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LOL....that's actually a common misconception about the fans in the suites. They're not all suits and casual observers there for free food and booze. Most time it's 95% of the suite owner's customers who are real fans. So plenty of yelling and cussing goes on. Oh yeah, and free food and booze.

I would take exit 15 the next north of rt1 rt at bottom of ramp stay on 1A thru wrentham center about 3 miles and stop at the Eaglebrook Saloon for pregame food then left out of parking to lights at the big red barn go rt route 115 a 1/3 mile and go left on Everett St disregard signs saying do not use follow out to rt 1 and go south to the Rodman ford lot on the rt by bridge across from stadium easy in and out with all proceeds going to charity
GO PATS! also glad to see your gonna sit with the real football fans at this game

I think my first pre-season game against the Giants. It was Eli's first or 2nd year(before Patriots place). I remember thinking to myself that the crowds won't be that big so I don't have to get there early to avoid the traffic. That was a huge mistake. There was a mile long line waiting line to get on to 495 from the Pike. I wound up missing the whole first quarter when the starters were in. I guess a lot of people figured it the same way I did. Get there plenty early. There's lots to see there now and that's sure better then crawling the last 30 miles or so.

FFTWENTYTHREE said:

I would take exit 15 the next north of rt1 rt at bottom of ramp stay on 1A thru wrentham center about 3 miles and stop at the Eaglebrook Saloon for pregame food then left out of parking to lights at the big red barn go rt route 115 a 1/3 mile and go left on Everett St disregard signs saying do not use follow out to rt 1 and go south to the Rodman ford lot on the rt by bridge across from stadium easy in and out with all proceeds going to charity
GO PATS! also glad to see your gonna sit with the real football fans at this game

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I agree with parking at Rodman Ford...definitely the easiest in and out experience I've ever had with going to games.

FFTWENTYTHREE said:

I would take exit 15 the next north of rt1 rt at bottom of ramp stay on 1A thru wrentham center about 3 miles and stop at the Eaglebrook Saloon for pregame food then left out of parking to lights at the big red barn go rt route 115 a 1/3 mile and go left on Everett St disregard signs saying do not use follow out to rt 1 and go south to the Rodman ford lot on the rt by bridge across from stadium easy in and out with all proceeds going to charity
GO PATS! also glad to see your gonna sit with the real football fans at this game

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Looks like a great plan but I'm a bit confused when I look at Google Maps. Does Everett St. become Summer? And then you take a right onto North St. to Rte 1? Also, do you park at the actual dealership which is north of the stadium entrance, or continue to the Rodman Collision Center which is just south of the entrance to Gillette?

Thanks for the post btw. Looking forward to sitting in the 'real' seats.

One last question, is tailgating allowed in the Rodman Ford lot? (Another benefit of not sitting in the suites is we've never had the chance to tailgate as we didn't want to pass up all the free food. I mean really, lobster rolls? Would you?

yes it turns into Summer look for a couple hotrods on the rt as Kevin Faulk lives along this stretch of back road,yes then right at the little common out to rt1.and yes they allow tailgating as seen here at my rig when not here its parked at the Big Red Barn I was talking about in my earlier post, if you look at the sign above drivers door it says( Find us at Rodman Ford parking)

FFTWENTYTHREE said:

yes it turns into Summer look for a couple hotrods on the rt as Kevin Faulk lives along this stretch of back road,yes then right at the little common out to rt1.and yes they allow tailgating as seen here at my rig when not here its parked at the Big Red Barn I was talking about in my earlier post, if you look at the sign above drivers door it says( Find us at Rodman Ford parking)

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Thanks again. Sorry for being so dense, but which Rodman lot? The regular Ford lot or the Rodman Collision repair center further south?


Nice rig btw.

VinnyPatrollie said:

LOL....that's actually a common misconception about the fans in the suites. They're not all suits and casual observers there for free food and booze. Most time it's 95% of the suite owner's customers who are real fans. So plenty of yelling and cussing goes on. Oh yeah, and free food and booze.

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To help change the perception of the club seats, you should invite me to one of the games and I'll do a detailed report of what it's like...:rocker:

VinnyPatrollie said:

Thanks again. Sorry for being so dense, but which Rodman lot? The regular Ford lot or the Rodman Collision repair center further south?


Nice rig btw.

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regular ford lot right at the bridge the collision center is no more Kraft bought it about a month ago for 7 Million #%#^#$%&#%^

FFTWENTYTHREE said:

regular ford lot right at the bridge the collision center is no more Kraft bought it about a month ago for 7 Million #%#^#$%&#%^

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Thanks! You've been tons of help.

102 Pat said:

To help change the perception of the club seats, you should invite me to one of the games and I'll do a detailed report of what it's like...:rocker:

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What? And spoil your chance to sit with the REAl fans?! Not a chance!!

It's really no different than a regular seat except that you usually get a free parking pass that lets you park about 100 feet away from the private entrance to the elevators. Once inside you grab some free warm popcorn and a cold water to wait to go up. Once upstairs you find your suite. The Boston Globe's is one of the nicest as it's a double wide as compared to the Herald's, WCVB TV's (which shares theirs with NStar) and Gatehouse Media's (which is the second from the last nearest the end zone, right next to Belichick's private suite so you do get to ogle his big breasted MILF all game long). As it's twice as big as most, the Globe's has two private granite and imported marble bathrooms, two hot attendants to fetch you drinks, wine, imported and domestic beer, and clear your dirty dishes of Legal Seafood Chowder, chicken wings, ribs, pulled pork, tacos, nachos and guac, burgers, sausages, hamburgers and dogs, lobster rolls, tossed salad or antipasto and monster chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and hot fudge sundaes. The ten flat screen tvs let you keep up on the action of other games around the league and network replays of the Pat's game. The wall of windows open wide at game time but the overhead heater blast down so you stay pretty comfy in 20 degree weather even in the cushy wide leather seats. Did I mention it's on the 50 yard line directly opposite Kraft's, yet one level lower? And the private exit to route 1 with the friendly officers who stop traffic to let you exit is a nice touch after the game. The 10 minute wait to get out can be a drag sometimes, but it's not like it cost you anything all day but a little gas money so who am I to complain? Other than that, it's the exact same experience as a regular seat.

My next game will be the Jets who should be 1-5 by the time they roll in Foxboro. Bet it will be a boring game, but I'm looking forward to see that Tebow kid starting at QB.

Walpole Pats Fan said:

I'm not sure exactly how early you should try to get there, but keep in mind you'll at least want to beat rush hour traffic due to people going home from work as well.

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Impossible unless you clear that 128/95 interchange by 3:00 or 3:30. Anything after that is pushing the river, and the river wins every time.

Or have they finally fixed that interchange? They started construction on it back around the fourth century B.C.

FFTWENTYTHREE said:

regular ford lot right at the bridge the collision center is no more Kraft bought it about a month ago for 7 Million #%#^#$%&#%^

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That sucks! Well if it's still open by chance you can in fact tailgate....in the words of Mr. Brady I got lubed up there before the playoff game against the Ravens this past Winter.

Always remember that the Pats have the second worst gameday traffic in the NFL.