Red Rocks has been a landmark for almost a century and in the last 40 years, it's become a legend.

It's close, and the drive's easy, and even when there's no show, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre still rocks.

When the Beatles played there back in 1964, no one really cared about the near-perfect acoustics or the grand setting in the foothills. It was the show that mattered. But after more than 70 years as a concert venue and after thousands of concerts, you wonder what could change. Well, something has.

The rocks at Red Rocks are 700 million years old, but there is something new this year. There a new visitor's center and it's underground.

Inside you will see plenty of historic information and a few artifacts that go back to the first rock era (when those red rocks were formed.)

The new interactive Hall of Fame also takes you back to the first shows on a primitive stage in the early 1900s, and also to the 1950s when big names of that era performed in concert -- icons such as Ella Fitgerald, Ricky and the pretty, perky Peggy King. Step forward in time and you'll see the history of U2, the Beatles, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Cliff, Bruce Springsteen and the Grateful Dead.

There's a room for exhibits and video, along with some neat memorabilia that, until now, was mostly in storage. All this is free and open to the public and it's air-conditioned. There's also a brand new bar and restaurant that's removed from all the hustle and bustle.

Admission to the new visitors center at red rocks is free, but on days when there's a show, public access is limited.

For more information, check out RedRocksOnline.com.

Bill's Trip Notes

Anyone who's been to Red Rocks prior to this year has some memories about the primitive "facilities" up at the top. And on days when there was no performance on stage, the only place to get any sense of the history of the place was down at the Indian Trading Post. The Visitor's Center has changed that.

I found the web site RedRocksOnline somewhat confusing and difficult to navigate. But the Visitor Center itself is a true joy. There's plenty of information on the geology of the area. And the Interactive Hall of Fame, already a fun place to visit, will be even better when the reminiscences of Barry Fey are added to the menu. The only thing better than an interactive Barry would be the real thing, and I think he's too busy to spend his days up there.

The restaurant is decent, prices are fair, and they have a great Sunday brunch. The Visitor Center is free and it has a gift shop with the premise of more red Rocks "branded" merchandise (think t-shirts, caps, coffee cups, etc.) to come. Open during normal business hours seven days a week, except on concert days when access ends at about 4 p.m.

The day we were up there, the Walnut Street Gallery of Fort Collins was hosting a three day exhibit, including Grateful Dead musician Bill Kreutzman's work and photographs documenting the Dead's history going back to the 1960s. On stage those days the Grateful Dead was performing. We're told the Gallery hopes to have more exhibits at Red Rocks to coincide with performer appearances.