One of the best things about summer is getting to do all the things you normally do inside outside, like watching shows. Check out our list of the best outdoor venues in the U.S. and let us know which ones you're headed to this summer concert season. Seen here, Wantagh's Jones Beach Theater, just outside New York City on Long Island, gets a visit from Ringo Starr and friends in 2012.
Gary Gershoff
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
Located in Mountain View, California, Shorline is probably the prettiest outdoor venue to ever be built on a landfill. Here, DJ/producer Tiesto performs during the "I LOVE THIS CITY" music fest in 2012.
C Flanigan
Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA
Both Neil Diamond and Harry Belafonte have recorded live albums at Berkeley's Greek Theatre, so you know this place isn't messing around. Seen here, Ween warms the crowd up for the Flaming Lips in 2006.
Tim Mosenfelder
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Chicago, IL
Chicago's downtown skyline looks gorgeous behind the illuminated outdoor pavilion, designed by famed architect Frank Gehry. The venue has seen the likes of Tori Amos and Ray LaMontagne as well as notable world and jazz acts.
George Rose
Klipsch Music Center, Nobelsville, IN
Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, Roger Waters and Foreigner have all made their mark in this Nobelsville, Indiana venue. Here, Motley Crue perform during Crue Fest 2008.
Joey Foley
The Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA
The Hollywood Bowl might be Los Angeles' most infamous venue, hosting acts such as diverse as Judy Garland and Billie Holiday to Alicia Keys and Carrie Underwood. Seen here in 2011, the Bowl gets the Playboy Jazz Fest treatment.
Earl Gibson III
Starlight Theatre, Kansas City, MO
Kansas City's Starlight Theatre is one of three remaining self-producing outdoor theatres in the country. Pictured here, Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction performs in 2009.
Jason Squires
Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI
Boz Scaggs headlined Alpine Valley's inaugural concert in 1977, and the East Troy, Wisconsin venue has been jamming ever since. In this photo, 2011's Pearl Jam Destination Weekend was in full effect.
Kevin Mazur
Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA
Having only recently opened in Chula Vista in 1998, the Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre has already seen its fair share of top-tier talent. The Spice Girls were the first group to sell it out that same year!
Karl Walter
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
Possibly THE outdoor venue of outdoor venues, Red Rocks opened in 1906. Surrounded by the beautiful Colorado landscape, Rush fans take it all in, pictured here in 2010.
Riccardo S. Savi
DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI
Seen here in 2012, Drake performs during the Paradise Tour at the DTE Energy Center, which is probably Clarkston, Michigan's most famous resident. (Besides Kid Rock, of course.)
Scott Legato
Central Park SummerStage, New York City, NY
Central Park's SummerStage needs no introduction—it's a venue in the middle of the biggest park in one of the world's biggest cities. After opening in 1986, many of the shows at SummerStage are still free of charge.
Joe Corrigan
Gorge Amphitheater, George, WA
The home of the annual Sasquatch Fest (plus many, many other concerts each summer), this natural spectacle a two-hour drive east of Seattle is perhaps the most breathtakingly gorgeous venue in the U.S. Where else can you gaze across the scene of a prehistoric cataclysmic flood (read: the Columbia River Gorge) while listening to Beck?
