First timer at Carlisle
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 395
Likes: 52
From: East Tennessee
First timer at Carlisle
Going to Carlisle this August for the first time. Will be coming up I81 and was looking for a good place to stay. Doesn't have to be that close to Carlisle. Thanks, Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
can't tell you, but if it were me, I'd pick the chains I like, and start searching their websites. hampton, drury, la quinta, marriott, fairfield, super 8, etc. or you could just plug in carlisle pa into travelocity, hotels. com, etc. you can also read "reviews" on all the travel sites as well (kayak and tripadvisor have some of the best reviews imo).
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,206
Likes: 1,139
From: Santa Rosa Beach FL
www.carlisleevents.com
also review and/or post on
Carlisle@Carlisle 2014 thread
found at Forums, Events, National Events
also review and/or post on
Carlisle@Carlisle 2014 thread
found at Forums, Events, National Events
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 10
From: Ottawa
Best Western In Carlisle still had some rooms left !!!!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 26
From: Geneva NY / The Villages, FL
I'll be going for my first time as well except I'll be coming down 81. I found a room at the Best Western in New Cumberland that was reasonable. It's right off the expressway and not too far from Carlyle. Good luck in your search.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,374
Likes: 128
From: Coventry RI
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '25
Check the hotels here. You will have a great time.
http://www.carlisleevents.com/carlis...g/default.aspx
http://www.carlisleevents.com/carlis...g/default.aspx
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Make arrangement quickly, they fill up. The closer the better, but last time I went, I was about 20 minutes out. And that was booking 4 monthes in advance because everything else was booked.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 5
From: South Central PA
Mark,
You may want to consider the Hampton Inn on Ritter Road in Mechanicsburg, 17055.
I worked in an office across the parking lot from there and they would get a decent amount of Vettes staying there. It is in a nice quiet area and always looked clean. There is an Isaac's Deli right next to it.
The Hampton Inn is only about a mile from the PA Turnpike entrance. Then it is a 10 mile ride to the Carlisle exit and then about a 3 miles from the exit to the fairgrounds. The Turnpike will cost you $1.60 cash one way. (cheaper with EZPass) If you don't want to take the turnpike, you can take other 4 lane highways that will add another 5 or so miles on to your trip.
Enjoy your first time at the show. It'll amaze you when you arrive in the Carlisle area. Vettes as far as the eye can see!
You may want to consider the Hampton Inn on Ritter Road in Mechanicsburg, 17055.
I worked in an office across the parking lot from there and they would get a decent amount of Vettes staying there. It is in a nice quiet area and always looked clean. There is an Isaac's Deli right next to it.
The Hampton Inn is only about a mile from the PA Turnpike entrance. Then it is a 10 mile ride to the Carlisle exit and then about a 3 miles from the exit to the fairgrounds. The Turnpike will cost you $1.60 cash one way. (cheaper with EZPass) If you don't want to take the turnpike, you can take other 4 lane highways that will add another 5 or so miles on to your trip.
Enjoy your first time at the show. It'll amaze you when you arrive in the Carlisle area. Vettes as far as the eye can see!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Perry NY
Last year was our first time at Carlisle...We came down to sort out the colors for our new to be ordered C7 Vert...With all the Vettes to look over we came away wanting a GS SSB Vert...All because Carlisle had every possible combo to look at...We already have our tickets and room booked for this year
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,374
Likes: 128
From: Coventry RI
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '25
Mark,
You may want to consider the Hampton Inn on Ritter Road in Mechanicsburg, 17055.
I worked in an office across the parking lot from there and they would get a decent amount of Vettes staying there. It is in a nice quiet area and always looked clean. There is an Isaac's Deli right next to it.
The Hampton Inn is only about a mile from the PA Turnpike entrance. Then it is a 10 mile ride to the Carlisle exit and then about a 3 miles from the exit to the fairgrounds. The Turnpike will cost you $1.60 cash one way. (cheaper with EZPass) If you don't want to take the turnpike, you can take other 4 lane highways that will add another 5 or so miles on to your trip.
Enjoy your first time at the show. It'll amaze you when you arrive in the Carlisle area. Vettes as far as the eye can see!
You may want to consider the Hampton Inn on Ritter Road in Mechanicsburg, 17055.
I worked in an office across the parking lot from there and they would get a decent amount of Vettes staying there. It is in a nice quiet area and always looked clean. There is an Isaac's Deli right next to it.
The Hampton Inn is only about a mile from the PA Turnpike entrance. Then it is a 10 mile ride to the Carlisle exit and then about a 3 miles from the exit to the fairgrounds. The Turnpike will cost you $1.60 cash one way. (cheaper with EZPass) If you don't want to take the turnpike, you can take other 4 lane highways that will add another 5 or so miles on to your trip.
Enjoy your first time at the show. It'll amaze you when you arrive in the Carlisle area. Vettes as far as the eye can see!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 26
From: Geneva NY / The Villages, FL
Last year was our first time at Carlisle...We came down to sort out the colors for our new to be ordered C7 Vert...With all the Vettes to look over we came away wanting a GS SSB Vert...All because Carlisle had every possible combo to look at...We already have our tickets and room booked for this year
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,374
Likes: 128
From: Coventry RI
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '25
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 395
Likes: 52
From: East Tennessee
Thanks for all the good info!! Think I've decided to stay at the Country Inn in Chambersburg. Looks to be only 30/35 miles away from Carlisle. It has already been mention here about traffic getting into the fairgrounds if you get a late start, so what time should I be in the fairgrounds and parked? Also, only doing Saturday and the only advance tickets I see on the Carlisle site is for the 4 day weekend pass. That big a deal to get tickets when you arrive? Again, thanks everyone!!!
Last edited by Mark H; Feb 16, 2014 at 10:01 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 387
From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
My first time also; I'm staying here, try getting on a cancellation list.
Quality Inn(PA034)
1255 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA, US, 17013
Phone: (717) 243-6000
Map/ Directions
Made reservations in October when I got rooms for the Bloomington Gold.
Hope to see ya in PA
Quality Inn(PA034)
1255 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA, US, 17013
Phone: (717) 243-6000
Map/ Directions
Made reservations in October when I got rooms for the Bloomington Gold.
Hope to see ya in PA
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I haven't been on a Sat. in a few years, but I'd say getting there before 9 should get you in. As to getting tickets, since you'll be driving thru the gates it might take awhile---the line leading in will be long. Sat. and Sun. are the heaviest days--not sure which one is heavier.
I've communicated w. the main office there before; great folks. Give them a call way before and see what the info is re parking inside and buying tix for Sat. only.
I've communicated w. the main office there before; great folks. Give them a call way before and see what the info is re parking inside and buying tix for Sat. only.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
I would say most people who go stay for more than one day; which usually arrive on Friday and get their passes if they were not mailed to them.
That being said, I think Saturday is the most popular day. So the earlier you get there the better. The first time I went was on Friday and it took about 20 minutes to get into the grounds. The line was long, but it moved quickly.
Buying tickets is not that bad. There is a small house-looking building next to a gravel lot at the main gate. on your left, that sells tickets. Pull into the lot and go in. There is usually a line but it was small (this was on friday though).
Getting out is the problem. Either leave early or leave late. Otherwise you will be in for a big traffic jam. Familiarize yourself with the roads and you could take a longer way home to get out of Carlisle, but it will be quicker.
Be sure to talk to people that sit by their cars. Its a great way to make new friends you can meet up with every year.
That being said, I think Saturday is the most popular day. So the earlier you get there the better. The first time I went was on Friday and it took about 20 minutes to get into the grounds. The line was long, but it moved quickly.
Buying tickets is not that bad. There is a small house-looking building next to a gravel lot at the main gate. on your left, that sells tickets. Pull into the lot and go in. There is usually a line but it was small (this was on friday though).
Getting out is the problem. Either leave early or leave late. Otherwise you will be in for a big traffic jam. Familiarize yourself with the roads and you could take a longer way home to get out of Carlisle, but it will be quicker.
Be sure to talk to people that sit by their cars. Its a great way to make new friends you can meet up with every year.