This New York amphitheater was just ranked the best outdoor music venue in the U.S.
The Pavilion at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts just snagged the top spot on the list of the 10 best amphitheaters in the U.S., beating out heavy hitters like Red Rocks, The Gorge and the PNC Bank Arts Center. The kicker? It's built on the exact site of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair and, yes, it still channels that flower-power energy.
Located about 90 miles northwest of the city in Bethel, New York, the venue has become a pilgrimage-worthy spot for music lovers and not just for its history. It features 5,000 covered seats, lawn space for 11,000 more and a sweeping roofline that feels more like an art installation than a stage canopy. Each seat offers a clear view and solid acoustics, even from the back of the lawn.
Since opening in 2006 with a performance by the New York Philharmonic, the Pavilion has hosted a dizzying lineup: Elton John, Dave Matthews Band, Sting, Pitbull, Jimmy Buffet, Lady Gaga, Van Halen—the list goes on.
This summer's roster is no slouch either. Pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne plays June 27. Heavy metal legends Def Leppard hits the stage on July 20. Cyndi Lauper follows on July 25, and Blink-182 rolls through on September 6. Other shows include the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Offspring, Bonnie Raitt, Dierks Bentley, Heart and Neil Young.
And while the concerts are the draw, the rest of the site is worth exploring. There's a museum dedicated to the '60s, packed with artifacts, immersive exhibits and original Woodstock memorabilia. The surrounding 800 acres of rolling farmland and forest don't hurt, either.
So sure, you'll need to rent a car. But once you're camped out on the hillside with a beer in hand and a legendary act onstage, New York City will feel like a distant memory—in the best way possible.
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