Lincoln Center

Overview

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a sprawling 16-acre campus on the Upper West Side housing the world's most prestigious performing arts companies — the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, and New York City Ballet.

Highlights

• The Met Opera House: The centerpiece building featuring the famous Chagall murals visible through the massive glass facade, and arguably the world's greatest opera productions.
• The Plaza Fountain: The iconic Revson Fountain in the central plaza, surrounded by the three main venue buildings — a quintessentially New York cultural gathering space.
• David Geffen Hall: The recently renovated ​home of the New York Philharmonic, reopened in 2022 with dramatically improved acoustics.

History

Built in the 1960s through the controversial demolition of the San Juan Hill neighborhood (depicted in West Side Story). The campus was designed by a team including Philip Johnson, Eero Saarinen, and Wallace Harrison.

Visitor Tips

• Rush Tickets: The Met Opera sells $25 rush tickets at the box office on Monday through Friday mornings.
• Free Events: Lincoln Center hosts numerous free concerts and events throughout the year, especially the summer "Lincoln Center Out of Doors" festival.
• Duration: Varies by performance.