If you love the outdoors and you love music, bringing the two together is an amazing and powerful experience. Seeing your favorite bands outdoors, under the stars or set against a magnificent vista, can heighten your enjoyment viscerally. Where are five must-see locations to see bands in outdoor venues that are as much a part of the show as the band you are going to see?

The Gorge at George

Located in the middle of Washington, in the midst of high sagebrush plains and irrigated cropland sits one of the United States’ most beautiful concert venues. Two hours from Seattle and two hours from Spokane, it makes no sense logically, until you round that first corner on the way in.

Then you see what makes it magical. A natural bowl on the hillside runs down to a stage that hangs on a precipice overlooking the Columbia Gorge. You can envision Lewis and Clark navigating the historic waters below and marveling at the hillsides towering above them. Hillsides that you sit on now as you enjoy one of the many events of the summer. Majestic music is carried into majestic vistas as the sun sets over the canyon beyond the stage.

Red Rocks Amphitheater

Situated in Colorado, Red Rocks is the only acoustically perfect outdoor amphitheater in the world. Situated below two magnificent red sandstone monoliths, you experience a part of an 868-acre park at 6,450 feet above sea level. A true geological phenomenon, the beauty amplifies the experience beyond the music. You settle in and you are transported to another time as you gaze at the majesty around you, only to be pulled back by the magnificence of the sound around you.

Located in the Rocky Mountains, just 15 miles outside of Denver near Morrison, Red Rocks is easily accessible, with lodging and camping in the surrounding towns and cities.

Great Stage Park

Located in Manchester, Tennessee, Great Stage Park is home to the Bonnaroo Music Festival. A four-day music festival on a 700-acre farm, Bonnaroo features an eclectic and stunning array of music on its many stages.

Started in 2002, this “Really Good Time” (the meaning of Bonnaroo) has grown quickly, allowing the festival to own the land it sits on and allowing the organization to become a major contributor to many significant charitable organizations. Traveling to Bonnaroo and experiencing the Tennessee vibe is one of the best parts of the festival.

Central Park, New York City

A visually unique environment, Central Park in NYC offers an experience like nowhere else can. Concerts range throughout the spring, summer, and fall, ranging from classical to large rock concerts. Some of the most iconic concerts in history have taken place on the Great Lawn, Elton John, Dave Matthews, The Three Tenors, and more. Attending a concert in Central Park is a New York experience that shouldn’t be missed.

The Hollywood Bowl

On the opposite coast and the world apart is the Hollywood Bowl. A legendary venue famous for the acts that have appeared on its stage in its nearly 90-year history. The iconic shell sits in front of the largest outdoor amphitheater in the country and plays host to some of the most famous acts in history performing in front of some of the most famous people in history. Truly a west coast experience.

Originally posted on September 5, 2016 @ 3:51 am