Shiny, organic blobs provide cool shade and cover for the venue bordered by the city skyline on one side and Lake Michigan on the other.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Denver, Colorado
With a location in the foothills of the Rockies overlooking the twinkling lights of Denver and the Great Plains beyond, Red Rocks has the most majestic backdrop of any concert venue anywhere.

Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood, California
Notable because of the acoustics. And because it's Hollywood.

Blossom Music Center
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
This spot is the warm-weather home of the Cleveland Orchestra and hosts a packed lineup of rock, pop, and rhythm and blues acts in
summer.

Miller Outdoor Theatre
Houston, Texas
This 1,500-plus-seat venue in Hermann Park draws an eclectic crowd (and their dogs). More importantly, it features the diverse the Free Season, with plenty of Shakespeare, films, and other attractions in addition to concerts galore. BYOB (bring your own blanket).

Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Springs, New York
Opera, ballet, symphony, chamber music, jazz, and other fine arts hit all the right notes at this genteel, tradition-bound getaway in upstate New York.

Central Park SummerStage
New York, New York
The free summer series draws huge crowds to the 30-plus shows at Rumsey Playfield, featuring the best in American and world music, as well as dance, ballet, poetry, and other performing arts.

Tanglewood Music Center
Lenox, Massachusetts
The summer home of the Boston Symphony and the Boston Pops also presents a stellar lineup of national talent.

Monterey County Fairgrounds
Monterey, California
This splendidly sited stage on the most picturesque peninsula on the Pacific hosted the groundbreaking 1967 pop festival that launched the careers of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix and continues to welcome stellar talent.