City: Albuquerque, NM

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (505) 452-5100

Address: 5601 University Boulevard SE

Description: This is Albuquerque’s mega outdoor arena for big-name bands on national tours. The Journal Pavilion has a capacity of 12,000 people and hosts 20 to 25 concerts a year. Performers have run the gamut from Def Leppard and Iron Maiden to Kanye West, Gwen Stefani, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, and Willie Nelson. Most shows offer a family area on the lawn where smoking and alcohol are not allowed. There are ATMs and concessions for food, drink, and merchandise in the venue. Parking fees are included with the ticket price for most shows, but some concertgoers have found access and parking slow, so allow plenty of time to get there before the performance. A limited number of VIP parking spaces are available for $20 per vehicle. A Park & Ride Rock Star Shuttle is sometimes provided for selected Journal Pavilion concerts (www.cabq.gov/transit/park-ride). Driving to the venue along University Boulevard, you’ll know you’re nearly there when you pass the second of two enormous snake sculptures serving as road dividers.