I had a full day in Denver to kill after driving down from Winter Park and before my evening flight back to Houston. I wanted to spend it exploring the city since I have never been to Denver before. One stop I definitely wanted to make was the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. After listening to DMB on loop in high school and college many moons ago, I have always wanted to see Red Rocks in person. I always hear that it is one of the best venues to watch a concert in America. So let’s see where Dave Matthews was jamming 20 years ago.
Driving from the mountains, Red Rocks is an easy pit-stop. It is located not too far from I-70 which is the freeway that takes you to/from most of the ski resorts. The admission to the park and amphitheater is free, unless of course, there is a concert going on. Driving up to the park, you immediately see what makes Red Rocks special… large red sandstone outcrops. What makes it so unique is that these red sandstone outcrops are condensed within this small park.
After finding a place to park, I started walking up to check out the amphitheater. You have to be in pretty good shape to see a concert here! Ramps and stairs, so many ramps and stairs! I’m going to blame the elevation on how winded I got climbing to the top. There were a bunch of people working out in the amphitheater and I can totally see why, it’s a great workout! From the top, you get an amazing view of the whole amphitheater surrounded by all the red sandstone and a glimpse of the Denver skyline in the background. It really is an amazing sight.
So cool! I'm sure a concert there would be incredible!
Oh my gosh – isn't the blue sky and the red rock a match made in heaven?! It certainly injected some colour into a really cold winter's day here! Such great photos 🙂
I LOVE Red Rocks! I saw OneRepublic and Sarah Bareilles there in August 2013 and it was absolutely amazing. I live in Colorado Springs so it's juuuuust far enough away to be inconvenient, but I know if I lived in Denver I'd definitely get some workouts in over there!
Yet another place to visit when we go to Denver next time. I first heard about it when I saw a video of a choir group from my country sang there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clg2dc-9hPA Pretty cool. Looks similar to Sedona, my favorite place in AZ!
Wow, that looks incredible! I've heard a lot about Red Rocks, but have not yet visited. Next time we plan an out of state trip we'll have to keep it in mind if we go to Colorado. Thanks for sharing, although I've heard of it I haven't seen pictures before!
Your pics are gorgeous! I've only driven through Denver on my way to . I really want to
Your pictures are so pretty!! I've only driven through Denver on my way to Aspen. I really want to go visit. I always tell Travis we should move there when we come back to the U.S. since his company has a big office there!
How awesome! I would looove to see a concert there! I was jealous at all the people working out there… what a beautiful place to get a workout in!
Thanks Courtney! Red Rocks totally puts the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion to shame! lol Denver would be a really cool place to move to especially with the Rockies in your backyard!
Thanks Marcella! Glad I could help 🙂 Heard you guys got a bit of snow in London!
It's definitely worth a stop if you're going to be in or near Denver. I would check their calendar too if/when you go, your favorite band might be playing there 🙂
I would love to visit Sedona… it's like Red Rocks on steroids ha! How awesome that (awesome) choir got to sing at Red Rocks!
Beautiful pictures! Glad you liked the climb all the way up 🙂 I almost fell climbing on the rocks in the park when I was 16, luckily the guy I was with turned into the Hulk and pulled me over the ledge. Needless to say.. it's one the most special places on earth!
I'd love to make it to a concert at Red Rocks someday. So, so pretty! I love live music, so combined with such a gorgeous natural space = amazing.
Wow, gorgeous! That looks like an awesome concert venue! And I love your pics of the red rocks with the Denver skyline – so cool!
Girl, I had to stop at least once while climbing those stairs! ha I told Jim, if we go to a concert here, we are getting front row seats! See you soon! xx
We had a little scattering… but an hour later it was gone, boohoo. But it has been so, so cold. Waiting for spring now 😉
I'm right there with you! Would be such a cool experience! I bet it looks awesome at night with the amphitheater lit up and you can see the lights from the skyline!
The venue is surprisingly close to Denver, it's only about 10 miles out! Our outdoor music venue is about an hour from where I live and not even half as pretty as Red Rocks, boo! lol
Whoa– this is just as stunning as Washington's Gorge amphitheater! I like the idea of "using nature" to make the music sound better 🙂
Haha, so awesome. I kind of despise DMB, but a friend gave me the Live at Red Rocks tape back in the late 90s, so I definitely listened to it a lot…. great to see the actual location!
Live music + nature = can't get better than that! I just Googled the Gorge Amphitheater and it looks amazing as well!
Thanks! Denver is a great city! Especially for any outdoors lover! I can only imagine what the weather is like there in the summer… when it's over 100 in Houston lol.
Ha! I have to admit, I was one of those DMB obsessed HS/college kid back in the 90's and early 2000's. Had a giant DMB poster in my dorm room. I wasn't a fan of his newer music… guess I kinda outgrew it after college lol.