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This week’s Travel Girl question comes from a viewer who’s new to the city and wants to know “What’s the best way to get Jazz Fest tickets?”

Jazz Fest starts on April 24th and if you procrastinate, you’ll miss out on VIP packages and lower rate tickets.

If by “best” you mean “least expensive” – then the best way to get tickets is to head to the Smoothie King Center and pay in cash at the box office.  You’ll pay a total of $63 for a single-day ticket, including fees.  The credit card price is just under $64.90. That same ticket will be $70 plus fees at the gate. And it costs $67.40 if you buy it online right now via Ticketmaster.

There are three levels of VIP treatment at the fest: Big Chief, Grand Marshal, and Krewe of Jazz Fest.  Each pass comes with different perks and price tags, but to sum up:

  • Big chief is for those who want to be pampered with air conditioned lounges and VIP viewing at multiple stands. Price tag: $1200 for the first 3-day weekend and $1400 for the second 4-day weekend.
  • Grand Marshal treatment is similar, but offers exclusive up-front viewing at the fest’s three main stages.  That will run you $975 for weekend one and $1125 for weekend two.
  • For anyone who’s all about the music on the popular Acura Stage, join the Krewe of Jazz Fest for high-end seating and private restroom and concessions.  It can be yours for six or seven hundred dollars, depending on the weekend

Right now, shuttle tickets and reserved parking are also available for purchase with the VIP packages.

Check out more details at www.nojazzfest.com.  You can also follow the fest on twitter @jazzfest.  And be sure to follow me too, @travelgirlsteph.

If you have a travel question you’d like to see me answer on TV, send it to travelgirl@digital-staging.wgno.com