Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre

For more than 75 years, the Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre has been the metro's premiere outdoor music venue, a unique experience for headline concerts each spring and summer. Originally constructed from native sandstone in 1935 by the civilian conservation corps, the facility housed pageants, concerts, dance programs, plays and even public meetings for many years. It deteriorated significantly in the 1960's but was restored in the late 1970's.

Today, the OKC Zoo Amp brings some of the bigger names in popular rock, country, and classic rock music to the metro each year. For just a sample of the quality and variety, recent years have featured Maroon 5, Train, Tim McGraw, Bonnie Raitt, Godsmack, Metallica, Styx, Journey, Kansas, Huey Lewis and the News, Chicago and more. For many shows, you'll stand and sing with the crowds; for others, experience the music while seated on the grass or a blanket under the stars.

The OKC Zoo Amphitheatre is located just off Martin Luther King Avenue, south of I-44 and west of I-35, in an area known as Oklahoma City's Adventure District.

Get a detailed map with driving directions.

Tickets vary in price, depending on the show, and can be purchased online or by calling (405) 364-3700. In addition, tickets are often available at select Homeland stores. If you're a big concert-goer, ask about the VIP packages. And if you have a bit to spare, spring the extra 10 bucks for "Expressline" tickets. This allows you to get in and find a spot 30 minutes before the show, definitely worth it for some of the more popular concerts.

At the Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre, ice chests or any kind of outside food and drink are never allowed. In addition, gate security will not permit cameras, tape recorders or video equipment. Do not bring pets or weapons of any kind.

For concerts with ticket sales of 6,000 or less, lawn chairs are allowed, and blankets are always allowed.

The 2012 schedule includes:

• 5/11: Midwest Rock-N-Roll Express with REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent and STYX
• 6/1: Sublime with Rome
• 7/18: Rockstar Mayhem Festival - Slipknot, Slayer, Motorhead, Anthrax and more
• 7/19: Joe Cocker with Huey Lewis & The News
• 8/29: Phish
• 8/31: Poison with Lita Ford
• 9/13: Train with Matt Kearney and Andy Grammer