There are few things that capture the magic of a New York summer quite like an outdoor concert. As the sun sets behind rolling hills, trees or buildings, the first notes echo across the crowd, picnic blankets cover the lawn, and for a few hours, there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.
Lucky for us, one of the country’s very best places to experience that feeling is right here in New York. Tucked away in the scenic Catskills, the iconic Pavilion at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts—built on the legendary site of the 1969 Woodstock festival—has just been named the No. 1 Best Amphitheater in America by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
The History: Born from Woodstock Legacy
The ground beneathcisn’t just scenic—it is hallowed musical turf. The center is built directly on the historic 800-acre site of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair.
Where nearly half a million people once gathered in the mud for three days of peace, love, and music, today stands a world-class, state-of-the-art cultural center. Opened in 2006, Bethel Woods was designed to preserve the historic integrity of the original site while giving music lovers a modern, comfortable place to see their favorite artists.
This Summer’s Lineup
The venue is celebrating its 20th anniversary season with an incredibly diverse roster of talent spanning rock, country, reggae, and pop. Take a look at who is taking the stage this season:
- July 9: Tim McGraw (with 49 Winchester)
- July 10: Lindsey Stirling (with PVRIS & ARKAI)
- July 12: Buju Banton & Stephen Marley
- July 15: TOTO, Christopher Cross & The Romantics
- July 18: Jason Aldean (with Chase Matthew & Mackenzie Carpenter)
- July 24: 20th Anniversary Celebration: The Beach Boys (featuring $20 tickets and fireworks)
- July 31 & August 1: Billy Strings (Two-night run)
- August 8: Jeff Dunham & Gabriel Iglesias Comedy Night
- August 14: Thomas Rhett
- August 15: Turnpike Troubadours (with Muscadine Bloodline)
- August 16: Brandi Carlile (with Jensen McRae)
- August 22: Kidstock / Ninja Kidz Live (Family Festival)
- August 23: Josh Groban (with the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra)
- August 29: Outlaw Music Festival (Willie Nelson, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow)
- August 30: Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration (with Melvin Seals & Tom Hamilton)
- August 31: Tedeschi Trucks Band (with Lukas Nelson)
- September 4: Alabama Shakes (with Mavis Staples)
- September 13: John Fogerty & Steve Winwood
- September 25: Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band
Why It’s Ranked the Best in America
Beating out every other outdoor concert venue in the country is no small accomplishment, and Bethel Woods earns the title for good reason.
The venue pairs world-class acoustics with sweeping Catskill Mountain views, creating a concert experience that’s as memorable as the performances themselves. Instead of feeling like a typical concrete amphitheater, the Pavilion blends natural wood, stone, and rolling green hills into its design, making every show feel immersed in the landscape.
And the experience doesn’t end after the encore—Bethel Woods is one of the few major concert venues where you can turn the night into a full weekend getaway, with on-site glamping and camping that lets you swap post-show traffic for a campfire and a night beneath the stars.
How to Get There From NYC
Bethel Woods is located at 200 Hurd Road in Bethel, NY, approximately 90 miles northwest of New York City.
- By Car (Fastest Route): Take the George Washington Bridge to the Palisades Interstate Parkway North, then merge onto US-6 West to NY-17 West (Future I-86). Take Exit 104 N onto NY-17B West towards Bethel. Follow the highly visible signs directly to the museum and concert parking lots. The drive typically takes between 1.5 to 2 hours depending on city traffic.
- By Bus: Short Line Bus / Coach USA operates scheduled routes from the Port Authority Bus Terminal directly to Monticello, NY (which is about 15 minutes away from the venue). From Monticello, local rideshares and taxis are readily available to drop you at the front gates.