Best Outdoor Concert Venues in America

Concerts seem to bring out the best in people, and these venues are known for their sights as much as the sounds coming from the stage. Get ready to have the ultimate concert experience at some of America's best amphitheaters.

Hollywood Bowl

With the Hollywood Hills serving as a backdrop to its famous white shell covering, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles is one of the city's most well-known landmarks and arguably one of the most famous outdoor music venues in the U.S. Since opening its doors in 1922, the bowl has hosted major performers of every era, including Frank Sinatra, L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra, Aretha Franklin and the Beatles. The Fab Four’s concerts in the mid-60s became an album, "The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl," which remains one of the few live recordings of the band ever released. "The Bowl," as locals call it, is so renowned that it has its own museum detailing its rich history through tours and exhibits. Take advantage of the museum's free admission to learn more about this extraordinary venue.

Red Rocks

Head over to Colorado if you want to experience an awesome combination of music and nature. Red Rocks Amphitheater is outside of Denver, and the scenery surrounds you. The stage is built into a natural amphitheater with soaring red rock sandstone formations on each side, making for great acoustics. The rocks are illuminated after dark, providing one-of-a-kind visuals for an open-air venue. Red Rocks consistently makes “best of” lists for outdoor concert venues because of its striking natural scenery and clear sound. Built in 1941, it has hosted many top acts over the decades. When musicians perform here, it doesn’t feel like another stop along their tour, and fans can see the performers are truly enjoying themselves. Not only does the amphitheater host major concerts, it also offers a variety of recreational activities and massive outdoor yoga classes.

Gorge Amphitheatre

The view from the lawn at the Gorge Amphitheatre is something to be seen firsthand. The wide Columbia River rolls past Gorge in central Washington, with the foothills of the Cascade Mountains visible across the water. It's widely considered one of the most scenic places to enjoy a concert. Along with hosting the Sasquatch Music Festival, Gorge is also home to other fests, including the Paradiso Festival, an electronic dance music event featuring top DJs. It's also a regular tour stop for acts such as the Dave Matthews Band and Phish.

Deer Valley's Snow Park

Every summer in Park City, Utah, the bunny slope at a ski resort is converted into the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. Don’t let the name fool you—you won’t encounter any winter weather here. During concert season, it’s t-shirts and shorts at Snow Park. Spread out a blanket or bring lawn chairs (there’s no permanent seating) and enjoy sounds ranging from the Utah Symphony to top touring Americana acts and singer/songwriters.

The Greek

Built in 1903, the William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California, has more than just history going for it. Owned and operated by the University of California, Berkeley, the venue resembles an ancient Greek amphitheater and features great views and acoustics from every seat, much like the ancient theater it’s modeled after. It’s also home to more than just concerts. As part of a university campus, the Greek features plays, speeches and commencement ceremonies for students. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt once gave a commencement address here, as did the Dalai Lama.

Crosby Theatre

This theater in Santa Fe made Architectural Digest’s list for best outdoor music venues. One look at the structure, and it’s easy to see why. The open-air Crosby Theatre, home to the Santa Fe Opera, has a curved roof that helps guide the sound to the audience. That’s an important design element for non-amplified opera performances. It’s also a beautiful one. From a distance, the Crosby looks like a futuristic ship sailing across the New Mexican desert into the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Music lovers enjoy those mountain views during performances. If you’re not a fan of opera because you can’t understand what’s being sung, no worries at Crosby; a computer screen in front of your seat provides translations.

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