New England boasts many outdoor concert venues that open up for a slew of summer shows once the temperatures begin to heat up. Perhaps no venue brings bigger and better shows with a greater experience than the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Mass., formerly the Tweeter Center and “Great Woods.”

You can enjoy a show at the venue’s main amphitheater stage under the protection of covered seating, or brave the open air for a spot on the lawn where you can lay a blanket and just hang out. Regardless of distance from the stage, there really isn’t a bad seat in the entire place.

Many of rock’s greatest acts have rolled through the Comcast Center in the past, including Black Sabbath, Tom Petty, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many more. Check out the ZLX Concert Calendar for the shows coming up at the venue.

Tickets/Box Office

The Comcast Center box office is open Monday – Saturday from 1PM to 5PM on non-event days, and stays open until 1-1 1/2 hours after the start of show time on event days. You can call the box office at (508) 339-2331, but getting tickets is much easier online through Live Nation.

Driving Directions

The venue is located at the junction of Routes 140 and 495 South, near I-95. Visitors from Boston can take I-95 South to exit 7A-140 South and follow for 3 1/2 miles. Visitors from Worcester can take 495 South to exit 11. Visitors from Providence or the South Shore can take I-95 North to exit 6A-495 South, then to exit 11. Visitors from Cape Cod can take 495 North to exit 10-123, then follow 123 West to 140 North. Get more information at Live Nation.

Parking

One of the great perks of going to a show at the Comcast Center is the ample parking space where visitors can park their cars free of charge. It’s a popular venue for getting to the show early and throwing tailgate parties (responsibly, of course!). There is also a VIP parking lot where visitors can leave the venue without the hassle of waiting in line to get out. Get complete parking information and rules at Live Nation.

Photo courtesy Live Nation

Public Transportation

As great a venue the Comcast Center is for concerts, it’s not without its drawbacks. The best and easiest way to get there (by far) is driving. Public transportation from the city is possible, but extremely time-consuming and inconvenient. Don’t try this form of travel unless it’s absolutely necessary, you have no stuff to carry around and you have a few hours to spare before the show. Here’s how to get there via the MBTA and Norton-area buses from Boston (deep breath):

1. Starting at Back Bay Station, take the Acela Express Train 2165 towards Washington Union Station to Providence Amtrak Station.
2. Take the Providence/Stoughton Commuter Rail line toward South Station (Train 818) to Attleboro Station.
3. Walk to the Attleboro Bus Shelter.
4. Take the 18 Bus towards Taunton Bloom Terminal to Norton Post Office.
5. Walk to Howard St/Wheaton College.
6. Take the 140 Bus towards Mansfield MBTA Station to Great Woods Plaza.
7. From Great Woods Plaza, walk to the Comcast Center (885 South Main Street, Mansfield, MA 02048).

Nearby Restaurants and Bars

Mansfield might feel like the middle of nowhere when you’re out there at the Comcast Center, but there are actually plenty of busy areas around the venue, many of which within short driving distance. The Comcast Center has plenty of food options inside, but if you’d like to get food before or after the show here are plenty of places you could go.