7 Must-See Concert Venues in the U.S.
Want to travel the country but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place! Concerts are basically a guaranteed good time if you love live music, friends, and beautiful places. Not to mention, the U.S. is full of amazing scenic concert venues.
1. Gorge Amphitheatre
Located in George, Washington, this location is widely known as one of the best music scenes for concert-goers in the world. It opened in 1985 and is near the Columbia River with the stunning Cascade Mountains in the background. There is a maximum capacity of 20,000 visitors, and many stay at the nearby campground associated with the amphitheater. It also hosts many notable musicians all throughout the year. (photo labeled for reuse on google images)
2. Crosby Theatre
Home to the Santa Fe Opera, the Crosby Theatre is surrounded by the Jemez and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is in Sante Fe, New Mexico. This is a beautifully constructed open-air theater with a unique structure that is unlike any other concert venue! More than 1,600 performances have been given on the stage, which when measured with the mezzanine roof spans a total of 26,616 square ft. This is definitely a unique venue in the country.
3. Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Jay Pritzker Pavilion is perfectly placed in Chicago’s Millennium Park. 120-foot
stainless steel ribbons and other pipe-like structure stretch over the area, creating a vivid, color-reflecting environment. This spot opened in the summer of 2004 and exhibits gorgeous views of the vast Chicago skyline. (photo labeled for reuse on google images)
4. Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Located near our very own Colorado Springs, this concert favorite is located in Morrison, Colorado and is THE place to go for a good time as far as concerts go in Colorado. This Kadet-approved venue is made up of two 300-foot rocks and sandstone. Red Rocks is 6,450 ft above sea-level, making it easy to view the beautiful surrounding Denver area. Colorado sunsets are also to die for and can be easily viewed from this high point!
5. Starlight Theatre
Known for its unique background and combination of both Broadway and concert productions, Starlight Theatre is actually a considerable piece of history. It is located in Kansas City, Missouri and started as a product of Romania’s Queen Marie’s need for an outdoor performance destination. Since then it has grown in popularity and is now being frequently visited by numerous famous names. The space seats close to 8,000.
6. Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
This stunning venue is located in Wantagh, New York and has served as the place of performance for big names such as Ke$ha, Rascal Flatts, and Pitbull. This speaks volumes considering the mass destruction this structure suffered in 2012 from the effects of Hurricane Sandy (the venue is right on the coast). However, since then, rebuilding has been accomplished and transformation into an even bigger concert hotspot has continued. (photo labeled for reuse on google images)
7. Hollywood Bowl
Los Angeles, California is the home of this amphitheater, a structure known to be the largest natural outdoor amphitheater in the country! This legendary performance space also serves as both a public park and a picnic ground. Iconic shell designs appear in the architecture and sprouted from the creative ideas of the 1920’s. It was also renovated in 2003. Many say that one has not fully experienced California’s true essence until he or she attends a concert here.
Fear unsatisfied high concert expectations no more! Rest easy knowing that you literally cannot go wrong with any of these electrifying settings. For more information on any of the listed locations, go to http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/10-best-outdoor-music-venues-in-the-us#!1-intro
Hello everybody. My name is Nicole Anderson and I am a sophomore this year at Air Academy. I am notorious for singing horribly (and way too loudly) to...
Joseph Cordaro • Mar 16, 2017 at 12:49 pm
I haven’t been to a concert in a while, I’d be interested in going to one of these.
Jessica Cox • Mar 16, 2017 at 12:35 pm
I love Red Rocks! I saw my first concert there and it was an amazing experience!
Robert Corl • Mar 16, 2017 at 12:32 pm
I’ve been to Red Rocks and it is an amazing experience. If you like music, it’s a must-do to go see a concert at that venue.
Bethany Diaz • Mar 16, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Red Rocks is so nice! Definitely the best large venue I’ve been to. I’m surprised that Madison Square Garden isn’t on there.