Red Rocks Amphitheater is an outdoor concert venue situated in a rock structure in Morrison, Colorado (only 20 miles from Denver). The venue is naturally formed of red rocks and hosts approximately 10,000 people. It’s known for being one of the most stunning outdoor concert venues in the world. But ever wonder why?
Here are 10 reasons why Red Rocks Amphitheater is the best venue in the country.
#1 The Red Rocks
The red rocks are magical. You can feel the soul of a thousand years as you enter this spiritual wonderland. The colors are vibrant and warm and greet you on all sides. The red sandstone found throughout Red Rocks Park is geologically identified as belonging to the Fountain Formation, which means these rocks are considered to be between 290 and 296 million years old.
#2 Acoustics
This venue is a favorite among many performers because of its near-perfect acoustic surroundings. It is one-of-a-kind and its excellent acoustics are a result of the two giant monoliths that surround the seating area. Dubbed the Ship Rock and the Creation Rock, the sandstone structures are taller than Niagara Falls. The arena area used to be called Garden of the Angels but was recognized for its unusual acoustics by John Brisbane Walker during the early 1900s. He is believed to be the first to perform in the rock formation. Heard that name before, Walker also built the castle on Mount Falcon. Read more about Walker’s castle on Mount Falcon here.
#3 Views
With steeply tiered rows of seats, Red Rocks Amphitheatre provides excellent, unobscured views at every level of the venue. So every seat has a good view of the concert, but this is not the view I’m talking about. At 6,450 feet above sea level, you have some of the most breath-taking views of the surrounding area. Views of the Rocky Mountain Foothills, views of monolithic red rock formations, and a view overlooking Denver skyline. Check out this view…..
#4 Open all year round
One of the best things about Red Rocks Amphitheater is that you don’t have to buy tickets to go. Red Rocks is open to the public to explore for free during the day when no concert is scheduled. You can visit the venue, climb all the stairs and experience all the scenery and beauty for free. You can hike through the Red Rocks, or just explore the concert venue. You can also visit Red Rocks Performer’s Hall of Fame, Interactive Hallway and the Geological and History Exhibits, as well as a small cafe (Ship Rock Grille) where you can eat lunch.
#5 Outdoor
Outdoor venues are the best. Yes, you have to contend with the weather but that is part of the fun of Red Rocks. You can see the stars and feel the wind in your hair while you are listening to your favorite band. Fans can be seen bringing in blankets and other ways to stay warm as you never know exactly what the weather is going to be like. It makes for a very rustic and magical setting. Imagine being wrapped in a blanket with your sweetheart as you listen to Michael Franti’s “Life is Better With You”!
#6 Plenty of space
One of the best parts of Red Rocks is the seating. Unlike an indoor venue where the seats are jammed together to squeeze as many people in as possible, Red Rocks seating is spread out. The seats are designed to cover the space between the stage and the top of the monolith rocks, so there is a big walking space in front of each row of seats which leaves plenty of space for other people to walk by without you having to stand up. However, the best part of that is that it leaves plenty of room for dancing around at the concert. Including plenty of room for knocking beach balls around (since those tend to come out at almost every concert).
#7 Hiking
Some people may not consider this a good thing about Red Rocks, but I do. There are so many steps and each concert visit is like a mini-hike (sometimes a major hike depending on where your seats are and where you park). I love the opportunity for climbing and really breathing deeply the Colorado Rocky Mountain air.
#8 Friendly
This venue is one of the most family and budget-friendly venues. First, free parking. There is no charge to park in any of the lots. We also we able to ride a free shuttle up to the top when we parked in one of the lowest parking lots. You are also allowed to bring in food and drinks (no alcohol). Be sure to check the restrictions as there are a few, but I don’t think I’ve been to many venues that would let you bring in a soft-side cooler. So snack away to your heart’s content.
#9 Cool Events (other than Concerts)
I have attended several concerts and comedians at Red Rocks and I have several more scheduled. Concerts are great, but given this unique situation of this venue, there are several other really cool events scheduled here, like Drumming up the Sun, which is the first morning after the winter solstice (and closest sunrise to the solstice) – celebrating that days are now getting longer. Another great event is Yoga on the Rocks where the entire venue is filled with yoga mats and everyone doing downward dog.
#10 Overall Experience
The overall experience of Red Rocks is just amazing. In one venue, you get the best music, the best views, the best acoustics, hiking, natural environment. It is definitely this total package that makes Red Rocks the best venue in North America!
Have you been to Red Rocks? What was your experience like? Comment below!
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