Wolf Trap Question

We've been here 3 years and I've yet to go to Wolf Trap... wanna go this year. I'm contemplating a few different concerts and am wondering if it is wise to spring for the in-house seats, or if the lawn is the way to go.

Please educate me on the pros and cons of each option. I'm looking at an 8pm concert without kids, if that makes a difference in your comments. Thanks!

 

We've been twice. Once sat on the lawn and once front row center of the box seats. Both times we purchased lawn seats but you have an opportunity at the ticket office to upgrade to inside if there is space available. That's how we got the awesome balcony seats for Heart several years ago.

Seating on the lawn is casual and first come first served. You can bring a blanket, food, wine, etc. If you use an umbrella for shade you must sit at the back so everyone can see. It's pretty casual and fun that way.

Sitting inside there are more rules about food and drink. In fact, I think food may be prohibited inside but I'm not sure. It's a beautiful amphitheater all made of wood and very nice.

So it's really a personal choice of how you want to see the show: outside laying on a blanket under the stars or inside with more of an intimate feel. Here's a tip: if you bring a bottle of wine don't forget the corkscrew! We did but someone was kind enough to loan us one.

 

Who are you trying to see at Wolftrap? Just curious as I review their summer schedule.

 

Depends on who you are going to see. I just took the kids to Riverdance and it might have been better to have a seat. We were on the lawn and one thing i can tell you is to "rent" the $5 cushion/chairs! Best $5 I've spent in a long time! You cant have beach chairs except for the way back of the lawn.

If its a concert you're going to and dont care to see the performer up close, the lawn is awesome. Bring a picnic, a bottle of wine (and rent those chairs) and relax under the stars - its wonderful!

 

Ok, bit of advise, if you think it's hot, it will be even hotter in the main theater. So dress extremely comfortable. We saw Chicago last year, I have sworn to never go again in the July / August months. It is hot as heck in there, and there is no ventilation. Lawn seats are much better because there is at least a breeze blowing through there.


I alway enjoyed picnicking there too. So bring a nice picnic and plenty to drink. I think you can order dinner there and pick it up for your picnic too. I saw someone with some amazing looking dinners purchased there. All you need to do is bring your beverage of choice.


have fun

 

Interesting... I was thinking maybe under cover would be better when it's really hot (shade) but I guess not? We're thinking of Lyle Lovett who we've seen before and have no need to actually see up close. So maybe the casual atmosphere of the lawn would be better. So... you're not allowed to bring your own chairs to the lawn? Just a blanket? After 2 back surgeries that could mean another ride in an ambulance when I can't walk after sitting on the ground for a few hours!

 

I took my son to see Riverdance and sprang for the in-house seats so he could have a better view. He ended up insisting we sit on the lawn (he found a cool box to sit on). You aren't allowed to bring food/beverages into the covered portion. We've been to Wolf Trap several times and each time the weather was different. The first time was a monsoon with terrible thunder and lightening (so glad we had already purchased the in-house seating), the second time was in August and we had the in-house seating (it was a sauna - they pack you in like sardines), and the third time was the most recent where it was hot for the first 30 minutes and quickly got chilly enough to need jackets. I didn't realize you could buy lawn tickets and then upgrade to in-house there and now that I know that, that's what I'm going to do from now on. But the whole picnicking on the lawn before/during the show is great. Lots of fun.

 

I used to work at Wolf Trap for 7 years. Here is my advice. If possible spring for the in house seat. If it is a scaled price show just get the chepest in house (Loge) seats. That way if it rains or your back hurts you can have a seat. You can still sit on the lawn though!

The lawn is the best place though. The sound on the lawn is usually better since the Wolf Trap stage hands manage that sound system and not the roadies (usually). Also you can then eat, drink, and be merry since you can't take anything edible inside.

If you do buy a lawn seat and decide you want to sit inside, if there are seats available you can upgrade and pay the difference in price.

Hope that information helps!

 

We go 5 to 7 times a year. If you really want to see the group then spring for the the closest seats possible well 5 to ten rows back so you can see the whole stage. We usually pack a picnic or go to Panera bread or wegmans and have them make it up for us. We never have had a problem bringing in alcohol or drinking under the canopy. We have found if we go with a bunch of people the lawn is fine unless it rains. It is one of the best venues in the country no matter where you sit. They also have lots of park land with picnic tables to hang out and eat and drink before the concert and after because getting out can take a long time

 

We've seen Lyle Lovett at Wolf Trap several times and you will not be disappointed by his show. His concerts at Wolf Trap are wonderful. We've always bought the tickets for the pavillion. You cannot bring food or drink into the pavillion; however, you can still picnic before the show and stow your picnic basket along the wings. We've attended several concerts where a thunderstorm has blown in during the show and we were very grateful to be under cover (during one storm will still got damp smack dab in the middle of the pavillion because the wind was driving the rain nearly horizontal).

Wolf Trap is my favorite place to see a concert besides the Birchmere.

 

Sharse, you can bring your own chairs....low back beach chairs. But you have to sit in the upper part of the lawn - the furthest away. Not that it's bad, just further away. But those $5 rental cushions (with backs) are the way to go and you can sit anywhere on the lawn.

 

I've seen Lyle Lovett from both the lawn seats and in-house (we used to have the season tickets before children--oh the days . . .). And I really liked the lawn seats best for him. He is not someone you need to see up close to get the most out of his concerts. Plus, I loved snuggling with hubby when a romantic song comes on!

 

If you have your own seat cushion you can use that. I have one that has a bottom and a back connected and it made sitting on the lawn a lot more comfortable.

 

Don't forget the cool shows for $3 each at the Theatre in the Woods for kids that they have. used to take mine when they were much younger. Alwasy very good productions!

 

Reviving this thread since hubby bought Loge tickets today. So... can we or can we not bring food or drink into that area? After re-reading this thread I'm gathering that our best plan would be to bring a picnic and sit on the lawn area, THEN move to our seats in the Loge when the concerts begin? (Or, if we decide, stay on the lawn and forego our loge seats?)

 

Enjoy a picnic on the lawn and then go to your seats.

You will have a good time pretty much regardless of where you sit.

 

You know me well, darlin'. You know me well.

 

We just got $10 lawn tickets for the NSO Rogers and Hammerstein show in August. I can't keep T8ertot in a seat anyway, so I figured lawn was the way to go. Can't wait!!