The Crawford Notch, NH hills are alive with the sound of free summer music

If you have adventurous music-loving friends like I do you re seeing more and more euphoric social media posts of them savoring Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado It looks worth the journey placing you smack dab in the middle of one of nature s the greater part magnificent spots while enjoying talented musicians If only you could get there right This summer as is the affair every year you need not voyage all the way to Colorado for that kind of experience The Lynda Cohen Performing Arts Series set under the stars and tucked into the base of the Presidential Mountain Range at Crawford Notch New Hampshire offers a complete summer series of concerts in a setting that s pure bucket list Organized by The Appalachian Mountain Club AMC the concerts are more than just music they re casual laid-back events that are something special for all ages And here s the bonus the concerts are free After all the goal of the campaign is more than spotlighting great musicians It s about music beauty and locality Music has a way of forging deep connections just like time spent in the outdoors disclosed Lynda Cohen benefactor of the series This concert series is about bringing people together welcoming all backgrounds and experiences to share in the contentment of live performance in an extraordinary natural setting The concerts take place at the AMC Highland Center Lodge https www outdoors org destinations new-hampshire highland-center built on the site of the Crawford House Hotel a destination for nature and art lovers in the s The Center has ample parking and is an easy drive just a limited minutes off Journey or a half hour or so from the North Conway area You can make it more than just a fantastic musical adventure Arrive early and use the Highland Center as your base camp for a mountain hike The AMC organization can point you to the perfect hike for your level The Highland Center has trail lunches packed and ready for sale if you don t want to do that work yourself You can pack a picnic dinner it s common to see families spread out on blankets with pizzas at concert time and make it as fancy or simple as you want Or book a pre-concert dinner reservation at the Highland Center and then meander over to the concert venue as the sun begins to set Food and non-alcoholic beverages may be carried in and don t forget to carry out respecting nature is a theme here but alcoholic beverages must be purchased on site The Highland Center has lodging as well though it s pretty much sold out for this summer season book now for next year while you re there but there are plenty of other lodging options in the area should you want to make it an overnight For a comfy family setting consider Attitash Mountain Village https attitashmtvillage com With fire pits a pool and super content condos it s for families of all sizes It s about a -minute drive from the concert venue For a romantic overnight consider Notchland Inn at Hart s Location https notchland com Set along the Saco River it s classic historic and lovely and only about minutes from the concert site And to really go all out explore the a multitude of offerings through Bretton Woods Vacations https www brettonwoodsvacations com a group of local vacation rentals with unique vibes and just about every kind of size and setting you might desire Scattered through the region majority of are within a minute or so drive from the concert spot Taking place on Saturdays throughout the summer the concerts range from blue grass to Skynyrd-esque and everything in between While it is free concerts require reservations and do fill up For details on the schedule and to book your bucket list experience visit www outdoors org concerts And don t forget to share on social media Your Colorado-area friends will be envious Visitors often pack a picnic dinner to enjoy while listening to the summer concerts at the AMC Highland Center Lodge Photo Bill Lee Catch Beg Steal or Borrow this summer at the Lynda Cohen Concert Series in Crawford Notch N H Photo courtesy Appalachian Mountain Club