Red Rocks Amphitheatre

18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison
303/697-4939
www.redrocksonline.com [1]

HOURS: May–Sept. daily 8 a.m.–7 p.m.,
Oct.–Apr. daily 9 a.m.–4 p.m.,
box office opens two hours before doors open, show times vary

Given its worldwide reputation as a premier outdoor concert venue, Red Rocks Amphitheatre hardly needs any introduction. The Beatles, U2, the Grateful Dead, and many more big names in music have played here over the years, even immortalizing the events in concert movies.

Red Rocks has a summer concert lineup that includes some annual gigs such as Reggae on the Rocks and 1964: The Beatles Tribute Band, as well as whoever is touring that year, such as John Tesh or R.E.M. Plan to come early on concert days to be able to park and walk around a bit.

Though Red Rocks is known for its phenomenal open-air acoustics and live concerts, the scenery can be enjoyed here anytime even without music. This nearly upright ring of red sandstone cliffs to the west of Denver [2] is surprisingly close to the city and offers more than just great concerts.

Depending on the weather, visitors can either choose a hiking trail around the red rocks, where wildlife such as deer can be seen wandering about, or check out the visitors center at the top of the amphitheater to see photos of previous concerts. This is also a popular place for mountain biking and cycling.

On days when there are no shows scheduled, visitors are allowed to roam the amphitheater for free. There is no climbing allowed on the rocks anywhere in the park, however, as they can be slippery and fragile.