Minutes from downtown Birmingham, Oak Mountain is the biggest and best outdoor concert venue in enthralling Alabama. Big names always populate the concert calendar and John Mayer even chose to record a live album at the venue.

Summer doesn't last long in spectacular Alaska, but when it arrives, locals head outside in droves to soak up the vibes. This eclectic Anchorage brewpub and pizzeria has become the city's coolest summer concert venue by bringing in artists like Ben Harper and Modest Mouse on the regular.

The Desert Botanical Garden is a breath of fresh air in the center of up-and-coming Phoenix. The winding trails and gardens here show off a colorful swath of desert plants and during the spring they hold a series of fun outdoor concerts.

The Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion is the home of live music in Northwest Arkansas. The venue is the most up-to-date amphitheater in the Natural State and regularly plays host to huge names like Blake Shelton, Santana and Blink-182.

The Hollywood Bowl-and its grand pearl-white band shell-is nearly as famous as the artists who perform on its stage. Surrounded by hills and located within view of the famous Hollywood sign, it has been a fixture on the Southern California scene since the 1920s and you can catch everything from orchestral to pop concerts here under the stars.

Seeing a show at Red Rocks has become bucket list material for music fans the world over. The majestic boulders that ring the stage improve both the aesthetics and acoustics of the venue and a night spent seeing a concert under the Colorado Sky here is sure to stay with you for years.

Nearly 30,000 people can enjoy an al fresco show here, making it one of the largest amphitheaters in the country. The typical roster of summer headliners here includes A-list talent from across the musical spectrum.

The grand dame of highly-underrated summer heaven Rehoboth Beach, this historical bandstand by the water has been hosting summer concerts since 1963. The best part? Each and every show is family-friendly and absolutely free.

There's no better way to cap a day at the beach than a night at a concert. "The Amp" is a fixture on the Florida concert scene and each year it hosts some of the biggest concerts in the region and since this is South Florida, the outdoor concert season runs nearly all-year-round.

Located just south of sizzling downtown Atlanta, Lakewood Amphitheater is the place to catch A-list talent in the ATL. While the corporate naming rights of the venue have switched hands several times over the years, one thing that hasn't changed is the fact that this is the best place to catch an outdoor show in Georgia, period.

Hawaii's "Hollywood Bowl", concertgoers have been taking in performances at the Waikiki Shell since the 1950s. Sit back, relax, take in the view of Diamond Head in the distance and enjoy the show.

For over 30 years, the Idaho Botanical Garden has been offering the residents of under-the-radar Boise a peaceful place to appreciate the beauty of the botanical world. In 2008, they added Outlaw Field to the fold, which hosts big-name concerts from artists like Sheryl Crow and ZZ Top throughout the summer.

When the legendary Lollapalooza festival was looking for a permanent base, there was only one place in always-hot Chicago they looked: Grant Park. Stop by each August for more bands than you can even dream of seeing in one long weekend.

The top outdoor concert venue in Indianapolis, The Lawn is part of the sprawling White River State Park. Founded in 2003, the venue is still state-of-the-art and regularly hosts huge names like Bob Dylan, The Black Keys and Arcade Fire.

Come summertime, McGrath Amphitheatre is the place to go in Cedar Rapids to see a concert under the stars. While the talent on stage is bound to impress you, the venue's setting-directly on the scenic Cedar River-will leave you breathless.

Wichita is a true hidden gem and tucked away inside the Old Town district is The Brickyard. This seasonal venue puts on a collection of concerts each summer-shows that rock the entire district.

Iroquois Amphitheater is the official amphitheater of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and has been delighting crowds since the 1930s. From April to October each year, you can expect to find top-tier touring acts mixed in with family-friendly events like free movie nights.

In a city where you can stumble across an impromptu jazz concert on a street corner, it takes something special to get people's attention. City Park captures the concertgoing public's imagination each October with the annual Voodoo Fest, which brings world-class talent to the stage.

The Maine State Pier owns one of the most scenic venue settings on this list. You will find this summer stage directly on the water at the historic Portland harbor, which makes the perfect backdrop for the big-name shows.

Surrounded by acres of Maryland forest, Merriweather Post Pavilion is one of the East Coast's preeminent amphitheaters. Artists like the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix have all taken the stage here and so do the biggest stars of today. Come for the show, but fall in love with the setting.

Hidden away in Back Bay, the "Hatch Shell" is a Boston institution. From spring to fall each year, you can catch nearly every genre of music being played here, but the day everyone looks forward to the most is July 4th, when the Boston Pops put on a patriotic performance.

This amphitheater may not be the biggest in Michigan, but its unique heritage and atmosphere make it the best. Originally the home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, leafy Meadowbrook is located on the campus of Oakland University and now hosts a wide range of rock and pop shows each summer.

Sat directly beside spectacular Lake Superior, nearly all seats at Bayfront Festival Park include views of the water. On the water, you will see vessels arriving and departing from Duluth and on stage, you will see singers belting out their hits.

This amphitheater in Brandon (just east of Jackson) is brand new on the scene and it's already a star. This theater has all the modern bells and whistles and is already drawing top-end talent like Imagine Dragons and Alabama to its stage.

The romantic Starlight Theater in cool Kansas City has been entertaining crowds since the 1950s. Each summer, the graceful venue puts on a collection of musicals, which share the stage with first-rate concerts.

Concerts and great craft beer were meant to be together and that's a big part of the magic at KettleHouse. The venue sits just steps from KettleHouse Brewing Company and also benefits from a breathtaking backdrop of mountainous Montana scenery. Just opened in 2017, it's well on its way to becoming a classic.

Surrounded by the evergreens of Pioneer's Park, Pinewood Bowl is the perfect spot for a summer concert in Lincoln. Expect famous names along the lines of Earth, Wind, and Fire and Toby Keith to be taking the stage when you stop by.

Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena sits directly next to the teal blue water of Lake Tahoe and attracts A-list talent. Sitting in the folding chairs of this venue has become a rite of summer on the lake and no season is complete for locals without taking in at least one show.

Located on the lovely shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, Bank of NH Pavilion is regarded as one of the finest venues in the Northeast. The roster of talent gets bigger and better each year but you may just remember your night here more for the warm hospitality the Pavilion has become famous for.

Famous for helping launch Bruce Springsteen, the Stone Pony is considered one of America's most revered concert venues. And when the weather warms up, they take the fun outside. The temporary Summer Stage sits just a stone's throw from the Atlantic and hosts accomplished artists from across the musical spectrum.

If you've had enough rock-n-roll for the summer, then head to Santa Fe for some outdoor opera. This stunning facility has been leaving audiences spellbound for over 60 years and might be the place to kickstart your journey towards becoming an opera enthusiast.

Another venue that benefits from a spectacular locale, Jones Beach Theater on Long Island seemingly juts out into the sea. The stars come out here all summer long as this is one of New York City's only large-scale outdoor amphitheaters.

Their slogan is "Bringin' the get down to downtown" and boy do they mean it. Located in the absolute center of Raleigh, the Red Hat Amphitheater's lineup in 2018 includes names like Lauryn Hill and Barenaked Ladies.

While this venue is technically located just inside the Minnesota border, it is also the go-to venue for outdoor fun for residents of Fargo, North Dakota. If you don't fall for the riverside location, you are sure to be smitten with the summer concert series.

Located steps from the Cuyahoga River, this venue has been a part of summers in red-hot Cleveland since the late '80s. Explore the nearby Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during the day and then see a potential future candidate perform that evening at Nautica.

Myriad Botanical Gardens is a calming green retreat in the center of Oklahoma City. Check out the Crystal Bridge Conservatory-home to thousands of lush plants-before settling in for one of their signature summer Sunday Twilight concerts.

Located inside a picturesque park in Eugene, "The Cuthbert" brings in crowds from across the Beaver State. Renovated in 2009, the venue is home to a soft grass lawn complete with vintage lights and spectacular views of the stage and surrounding hills.

The Mann is the nation's largest non-profit outdoor music venue and it sits in a prime position inside leafy West Fairmount Park. The seasonal stage has been supporting the Philadelphia arts scene since 1976 and audiences are treated to an eclectic mix of musical performances ranging from pops to pop rock and hip-hop.

Set directly on the shores of the Providence Harbor, Bold Point Park has become the summer home of headliners in Rhode Island. Head down to the water to explore the greenspace and get up-close to stars like like Halsey and Michael Franti.

That sound coming from scenic Upstate South Carolina is music and it's coming from Heritage Park. This amphitheater hosts the biggest names in America (think Willie Nelson and Mumford & Sons) each season and with a central location, they attract crowds from all over the Southeast.

Each August, thousands of motorcyclists descend on the beautiful, yet highly-underrated Black Hills for the world famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. So what do they do at night? Cut loose to live music outside at the Buffalo Chip Campground, that's what.

Nashville is hot, and we don't just mean the chicken. With each passing year, more-and-more people are falling in love with Music City. During the summer months, locals and tourists alike rock out at this downtown amphitheater, which hosts gigantic names from all musical genres.

Austin is already known as the live music capital of the world and this new venue might just help it add the word "outdoor" to that nickname. Home to the largest permanent stage in Central Texas, the venue opened in 2013 and has already collected accolades for its sightlines and superb sound system.

Surrounded by the gorgeous mountain peaks, music fans who visit Park City in the summer are richly rewarded. Typically, there will be multiple shows per week, with entertainment ranging from sizzling hot pop acts to Disney tributes and the soothing sounds of the Utah Symphony.

The sprawling Shelburne Museum is a fun and educational tribute to American history, art and design. It also happens to be the coolest outdoor concert space in the gorgeous Green Mountain State. Expect top-notch bands and a bucolic backdrop.

Composed of fine Southern Yellow Pine and Douglas Fir, the rustic Filene Center is one of the grandest venues in all the land. The stage here is nestled amongst atmospheric woods and the artists belting out the tunes are consistently a combination of classic names and up-and-coming stars.

It's safe to say that the Gorge owns the most breathtaking backdrop of any concert venue in America. Sweeping views of the rugged-yet-ravishing Columbia River Gorge and sweet sounds await those who make the trek to this rural locale. For best results, camp on site and turn the concert into an overnight experience.

Built on a lazy bend of West Virginia's West Fork River in 2009, this amphitheater has quickly become a hotspot on hot summer nights. Shows from national recording artists and free movie nights populate the event calendar all summer long, providing fun for the entire family.

Alpine has been packing in the crowds since 1977. Its success has to do with its central location (nearly equidistant from Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago), the fact that it can hold upwards of 37,000 concertgoers and its reputation as a compulsory stop for nearly every big summer tour.

Come summertime, the sound of bluegrass can be heard bouncing off Wyoming's majestic Casper Mountain. It's all thanks to the Beartrap Festival, as this event takes place in August each year and offers multiple days of twangy tunes all topped off with special headliners.