Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The Pavilion sits in The Woodlands, about 30 miles north of downtown Houston, and the wooded setting is the whole pitch - this doesn't feel like a parking-lot amphitheater. You've got around 6,500 covered reserved seats under the roof and an enormous lawn that pushes total capacity past 17,000. Our honest take: the lawn is the best deal in Houston live music. Bring a blanket, post up, and let the summer headliners come to you.

Get there with time to spare, because Waterway Square and Market Street are a short walk away and built for a pre-show meal. Grimaldi's for pizza, Cru if you want a wine bar before the gates open - and most shows start just after happy hour, so the timing works in your favor. Parking is plentiful all around the venue.

Summer is the season here, with major touring acts back to back, and the Houston Symphony plays its outdoor run on this same stage. Find upcoming Pavilion shows on Evil Tickets and map out your concert summer.