9. All Points West Music and Arts Festival (Late July/Early August)
Jersey City, New Jersey
New Yorkers don't like to be left out, even if they have to travel to New Jersey to find a festival to call their own. In turn, one of the newest additions to the summer festival calendar—All Points West had its inaugural year in 2008—also has the perk of panoramic views of the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty in the not-so-far distance. Located on New York Harbor, the festival site at Liberty State Park comprises 80 acres with plenty of room for more than 65 bands to spread out across multiple stages, but there is no camping. Like Lollapalooza, APW has an urban flavor, mixing indie-minded hard-rockers with hip-hop and downtown club kids, including acts like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and MGMT. Organizers avoid making this a flavor-of-the-month fest by including heavyweights such as Coldplay. This combination offers something for the bridge-and-tunnel crowd as well as festival greybeards willing to cross the Hudson.

Hot tip: The main breakdown of this young festival was transportation, though this year festival organizers have worked to alleviate concerns from last year. Festival goers can ride free on the NJ Transit light rail, or take the ferry from Battery Park in Manhattan at a reduced price. Or, go the green (and scenic) route and bike there along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.

New Jersey Travel Guide
New York City Travel Guide