The Best Concert Venue In Every State

TicketCity’s rankings take into account historical legacy, upcoming events, acoustics, ambiance and attendance relative to capacity. Our first annual rankings of the best venue to enjoy a concert in every state are below.

Alabama
The Wharf Amphitheater, Orange Beach

Located on the gulf coast of Alabama, the open air venue boasts ocean views. The concert line up is always a hit with fans of country music. Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton are part of the strong 2019 line-up.

Alaska
Borealis Theatre, Palmer

The venue is one of the main attractions of the Alaskan State Fair. The open air amphitheater offers outdoor oriented Alaskans a great option for enjoying the pleasant summers while watching notable acts.

Arizona
Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix

The world class arena is great place to beat the heat and see top acts like The Chainsmokers and Paul McCartney in 2019. It’s location in the heart of downtown Phoenix makes it great option for a date show.

Arkansas
Verizon Arena, North Little Rock

Serving Arkansas’ largest city, the arena is the first choice for major artists visiting the state. Catch Jimmy Buffett and Carrie Underwood in 2019.

California
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles

One if the most unique and recognizable venues in the world. The Hollywood Bowl easily tops the list in a state with many top notch venue choices. The LA weather, venue acoustics, ambiance and performer line-up make this venue the best in the Golden State.

Colorado
Red Rocks, Morrison

Set between huge red rock formations, Red Rocks is famous for both it’s natural beauty and natural acoustics. The most picturesque of all the venues, Red Rocks pulls double duty as state park and an amphitheater. The venue motto says it all “There’s no better place to see the stars”.

Connecticut
Xfinity Theatre, Hartford

The indoor/outdoor amphitheater expands it’s capacity to 30,000 during the summer. The 2019 line-up while eclectic, features the strongest country line-up in the northeast.

Delaware
The Woodlands, Dover

The home of the Firefly Festival easily takes the top spot in the Blue Hen State. PATD, Travis Scott, and Post Malone headline the 2019 festival.

Florida
Amway Center, Orlando

Despite opening in 2010, the Amway Center is still one of the most technologically advanced and well designed arenas in the world. The sound system, concourses and video boards are all best in class. Which allows it’s performers to put on world class concert productions.

Georgia
Fabulous Fox Theatre, Atlanta

A venue with much grandeur, the Fox dates back to 1929. Despite stiff competition from newer venues, Mercedes Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena, the Fabulous Fox is still able to book top acts looking to put on a defining concert.

Hawaii
Aloha Stadium, Honolulu

It’s not just for football anymore. In a span of 30 days last year the stadium featured performances by concert industry heavies Bruno Mars, The Eagles and Guns N’ Roses. Each playing their only shows on the islands.

Idaho
Knitting Factory Concert House, Boise

One of the smaller venues on the list. The Knitting Factory is the best venue in Idaho to catch fast rising and niche genre defining acts in an intimate setting.

Illinois
Wrigley Field, Chicago

It’s hard to beat Chicago in the summer, and it’s even harder to beat a day in Wrigleyville. Legendary acts like Billy Joel and Pearl Jam were instant sell outs. Dead and Company with Bob Weir are among the first to announce for 2019.

Indiana
Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center, Noblesville

The largest outdoor music venue (24,790 capacity) in Indiana, is a featured stop for all major summer tours. A popular offering here is the Country Megaticket which includes seven star studded dates. The 2019 Megaticket includes Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, and Dierks Bentley among many other top acts.

Iowa
Iowa State Fair Grandstand, Des Moines

The most attended event in the state of Iowa, the State Fair draws over one million attendees. The concert line-up is diverse. 2019 has the Chainsmokers, Slipknot, and Zac Brown Band performing consecutively to kickoff the opening weekend.

Kansas
Providence Medical Center Amphitheater, Bonner Springs

This outdoor amphitheater is one of the few that is independently owned and not operated by Live Nation which enables it to present a line-up that is more tailored to local tastes. A notable offering in 2019 is the Mega Metal Ticket. Each ticket has access to Knotfest, Slayer and Rob Zombie/Marilyn Manson Twins of Evil show.

Kentucky
Louisville Palace, Louisville

The KFC Yum! Center may draw the bigger acts. The regal setting, acoustic design and history of the Louisville Palace offer an atmosphere can’t be replicated in any arena. That is why it draws the top spot in Kentucky.

Louisiana
Saenger Theatre, New Orleans

A recent renovation overseen by the National Parks Service has restored this historic theater (built in 1927) to her former glory. While the line-up is heavy in theater productions, it is frequented by jazz, country, and rock acts looking to make a statement by taking advantage of the venues acoustics.

Maine
Darlings Waterfront Pavilion, Bangor

Easily the most popular venue in Maine. The park setting on a Maine summer day by itself is worth the price of admission.

Maryland
Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia

One of the top ranked amphitheaters in United States. It was originally built as the summer home of The National Symphony Orchestra. The venue’s design stands out thanks to it Frank Gehry designed, low slung, wedge shaped pavilion cover.

Massachusetts
TD Garden, Boston

New England’s premier arena. The waterfront arena is located in the heart of Boston. Its line-up features top established acts. One of the last chances to see Elton John stateside is at The Garden.

Michigan
DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston

Despite it’s relatively small size (15,274), the DTE is one of the top venues in the world in terms of tickets sold. It’s a stop for nearly every major summer concert tour. It has also been honored as the best outdoor music venue by multiple industry publications.

Minnesota – MN
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul

The Xcel Center tops it’s twin cities rivals the Target Center by almost every measure. The modern stadium was built to attract an NHL expansion team, but ended up attracting a lot more becoming the premier concert venue in the state. While not the first consideration, every seat in the building is cushioned adding to experience.

Mississippi
Brandon Amphitheater, Brandon

The newest venue to garner the top spot for their state. Chris Young with Kane Brown played the inaugural concert on April 18, 2018. The venue 8,300 maximum capacity hasn’t slowed it down in terms of luring top talent. Widespread Panic, The Avett Brothers, Luke Bryan, and Lynyrd Skynyrd headline a rich summer season.

Missouri
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Maryland Heights

The 20,000 seat amphitheater on the outskirts of St Louis, plays hosts to the top shows in the Show Me State.

Montana
KettleHouse Amphitheater, Bonner

Located along a Blackfoot riverbanks, the KettleHouse features a glorious backdrop of pristine nature including mountains. The KettleHouse rivals the The Gorge and Red Rocks on scenic beauty. Despite it’s small size (4,000) it is still able to draw touring acts used to playing venues five times it’s size.

Nebraska
Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln

Since opening in 2013 this modern arena has played host to to the likes of Elton John, Bruno Mars and P!nk. It’s location in the Historic Haymarket District allows for dinner and drinks before of after the show all within walking distance.

Nevada
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

The hottest venue in America right now is the T-Mobile Arena. Barely three years old this multi-purpose arena is located on the strip and plays host to artists looking to perform tour defining shows. The arena is such a phenomenon that guests pay upwards of $25 for guided tours when no events are scheduled.

New Hampshire
Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, Gilford

The summer season is always booked solid with a fairly even split of country acts and tried and true rock & roll bands. The 8,000 capacity outdoor venue is know for it’s distinct gabled roof covering the pavilion seating.

New Jersey
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel

This popular outdoor amphitheater averages over 50 performances a year despite only being open from May – Sept. The line-up is eclectic and star studded. This year the venue is playing host to two festivals the Gaana Music Festival and the Disrupt Festival.

New Mexico
Isleta Amphitheater, Albuquerque

This large outdoor amphitheater is one of the few of it’s size to offer no covered seating. Concert goers appreciate the open air given Albuquerque’s moderate summer weather and average annual rainfall of less than 10 inches.

New York
Madison Square Garden, New York City

The most famous arena in the world. Could it have been any other venue?

North Carolina
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh

Commonly known as the Walnut Creek Amphitheatre, this outdoor venue is the center piece of a 77 acre outdoor complex. It’s surrounding vegetation gives it a park like feel. Parking is ample and convenient.

North Dakota
Fargodome, Fargo

The Fargodome is large venue that plays hosts to the North Dakota State Football team. The venue doesn’t get a lot of shows, but when it does it makes them count. Celine Dion is playing a show in the fall utilizing the full stadium set-up.

Ohio
Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati

One of the oldest outdoor venues on the list, the RiverBend Music Center opened in 1984 with a performance by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra who have remained a permanent tenant to this day. A statement to the venues acoustics.

Oklahoma
BOK Center, Tulsa

The venue has played host to every notable touring act since it’s opening in 2008. A very well designed venue, it’s notable for prominent artwork that is exhibited through the arena through its partner ship with the Tulsa Arts Commission.

Oregon
Roseland Theater, Portland

A concert hall that is distinctly Portland. This cozy no frills venue features up and coming acts in a rustic dive like venue that makes no apologies.

Pennsylvania
Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey

There’s a lot going in Hershey, PA. The city loves it events with four official venues that all draw capacity crowds. The Giant Center, Hershey Park Arena, and Hershey Theater are the others. Hersheypark Stadium is the largest in central PA and brings in the biggest acts.

Rhode Island
Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Providence

Its downtown Providence location and popular artist drawing power make the DDC an easy choice.

South Carolina
House of Blues, Myrtle Beach

The most active concert venue in the state. The HOB is unique in that it offers a full service restaurant and bar to deliver a complete experience. It is well known for it’s Gospel Brunch.

South Dakota
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

The largest indoor arena in South Dakota with a capacity of 12,000. The relatively new venue has no peers in the state.

Tennessee
Ryman Auditorium, Nashville

Home of the Grand Ole Opry. The Ryman is a mecca for fans of country music. Built in 1892, it may be the most significant venue in American music history. With over 200 shows a year there is never a bad time of year to take in a show at the Ryman.

Texas
ACL Live at Moody Theater, Austin

The coolest venue in the coolest city in Texas. The Moody Theater plays host for the live tapings of the long running Austin City Limits television production.

Utah
Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City

Operated by the University of Utah. The beautiful outdoor Amphitheater is part of a 100 acre project that includes a Botanical Garden and Arboretum.

Vermont
Shelburne Museum, Shelburne

The museum of art’s grounds play host to Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green. The unassuming outdoor venue boasts a surprisingly strong summer concert line-up.

Virginia
Filene Center at Wolf Trap, Vienna

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is partially run by the National Park Service as a “performance venue for cultural heritage”. The Filene Center is one of many venues on Wolf Trap Farm. It’s all wooden facade and modern design elements make it truly a work of art.

Washington
The Gorge Amphitheatre, Quincy

The Gorge is renowned world wide for its scenic beauty. It’s garnered many awards as one of the top concert venues in the United States. Aside from it’s natural beauty The Gorge is also notable for it’s adjacent campground which caters to concert goers.

West Virginia
Charleston Civic Center Coliseum, Charleston

The publicly operated facility is impeccably maintained and has gone undergone numerous renovations with the last one being completed in 2018. It’s the largest indoor venue in West Virginia.

Wisconsin
Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy

Alpine Valley is celebrated for both its scenic beauty and size. It’s a massive outdoor venue with a capacity up to 37,000. It’s ability to draw a crowd is not left unnoticed, it’s always stop on every major summer tour.

Wyoming
Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne

The over 100 year old celebration draws well over 200,000 attendees over the 10 day event in July. The concert line-up is always top notch with a heavy dose of country music royalty. In 2019 the surprise addition Post Malone was well received, as the first of the line-up to sell out.

DC
9:30 Club, Washington, DC

The well renowned nightclub/concert venue has played host to the best rock has to offer. It’s wheeled stage can be moved back and fourth depending on the crowd size to give every show the excitement of a packed house.