The White River Amphitheatre hosts some of Seattle-Tacoma’s biggest concerts. It’s located in Auburn, 35 miles to the southeast of Seattle and fifteen miles northeast of Tacoma. With seating for 20,000, the venue managed by Live Nation is well equipped to host big bands and big crowds. The first concert was held in 2003 when ’80s bands Berlin and Heart took to the stage. Later that year, Jimmy Buffet recorded a live album, Live in Auburn, WA., in front of thousands of happy Parrotheads.   

Hotels Near White River Amphitheatre

Many of the concert-goers turn a late night out into an overnight. Both the Tacoma and the Seattle hotels are close to the White River Amphitheatre and easy to access. Live Nation has made Weston Hotels its preferred brand, and several of their properties are located within 30 miles of the venue. The Westin Bellevue (pictured), Sheraton Bellevue Hotel, the Westin Seattle, and others provide hospitality to concert-goers, offering comfortable and chic surroundings, high-speed internet, and flat-screen TVs. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, or you just want to save more money for souvenir t-shirts, it’s not difficult to find budget hotels near White River. Both Seattle and Tacoma have plenty of options for rooms that won’t break the bank. On the other end of the spectrum, Seattle has its share of luxury and boutique hotels, perfect for stays with style. If you plan ahead, it’s not hard to find special packages that add something extra to your stay, like meals or attraction tickets, for one great price. 

Washington State Map

White River Amphitheatre Seating Chart

White River is arranged like many of the outdoor amphitheaters. It has a large lawn section with general admission seating to go along with a covered pavilion with reserved seating. In looking at the White River Amphitheatre seating chart, you can see that all seats have a good view of the stage. On the lawn area, beach chairs are allowed, as long as they’re not more than nine inches high, ensuring that everyone can see the stage. Accessible seating is available, and a shuttle can take those who need it from the main gate to the entrances closet to their seats. Sign language interpreters can be requested, too. 

White River Amphitheatre Parking

It’s helpful to know that parking is readily available at the White River site—and you don’t have to pay extra for the privilege. The cost of parking is included in the ticket price. The only exception is the VIP parking lot, which offers close parking and easy access to the gate. It can be purchased in advance online before the show at a discount or on the day of the concert for a bit more. Handicapped accessible parking is located closest to the entrance. You’ll want to get there well ahead of time because a limited number of spots are available. If you’re coming with an RV or some other vehicle, you don’t need to pay any extra for general parking, but you’ll need to purchase two spaces for VIP parking. If you’re thinking public transportation, a select number of Metro buses access White River Amphitheatre, and taxis are another option if you don’t want to worry about parking or a long walk to the venue gates.