Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: Experience World-Class Opera, Ballet & Orchestras on Manhattan’s Cultural Campus

Photos of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Spanning 16 acres along Columbus Avenue between 62nd and 66th Streets, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts unites ten resident companies under a sweeping modernist ensemble by Wallace K. Harrison. From the soaring glass lantern of David Geffen Hall to the ornate proscenium of the Metropolitan Opera House, this “city within a city” showcases opera, symphony, dance, jazz, film, and family programming—drawing over 5 million visitors annually.

What to Expect

Begin at the Josie Robertson Plaza’s grand terraces and the Revson Fountain’s shimmering pool, where free performances and film screenings often animate the space. Choose from Metropolitan Opera’s lavish productions in the Opera House; New York Philharmonic concerts in David Geffen Hall; City Ballet performances in David H. Koch Theater; or cutting-edge jazz at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater. Intermissions beckon to elegant cafés and outdoor cafés along the promenade.

Guided backstage tours reveal the Opera House’s vast stage machinery, the Philharmonic’s rehearsal studios, and the Ballet’s costume workshops. Seasonal festivals—Mostly Mozart, Midsummer Night Swing, White Light—bring themed performances, artist talks, and dance parties to the plazas.

Background and Cultural Context

Conceived in the 1950s as part of New York’s urban renewal, Lincoln Center emerged from John D. Rockefeller III’s vision for a centralized arts district. Wallace K. Harrison’s design assembled six landmark venues by 1966, symbolizing postwar cultural ambition. Over decades, expansions like Jazz at Lincoln Center’s campus and the revitalized David Geffen Hall have strengthened its legacy as a living laboratory for the performing arts.

Lincoln Center’s educational and community initiatives—Lincoln Center Education, the National Patron Program, and free “Hear & Now” concerts—extend its reach into every borough, nurturing the next generation of artists and audiences through workshops, school residencies, and access programs.

Best Time to Visit

Performance seasons run year‐round: opera and symphony from fall through spring; dance and jazz festivals in summer. Matinees on Saturday afternoons are less crowded, and Thursday evenings often feature discounted “Rush” tickets. Free events on the plaza—film nights (June–August) and jazz sampler concerts—are best enjoyed in mild weather (late spring and early fall).

How to Get There

Lincoln Center is at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza (Broadway & 62nd–66th Streets). Subway: 1 to 66th St–Lincoln Center; A, B, C, D to 59th St–Columbus Circle; 2, 3 to 66th St. Bus: M5, M7, M11 along Broadway; M104 on Columbus. Bicycle racks and limited metered parking exist nearby; rideshare drop‐offs are on Columbus Avenue.

Photo Opportunities

• Panorama of Lincoln Center’s reflecting pool and buildings at sunset
• Exterior of the Metropolitan Opera House’s sweeping arches framed by plaza lights
• Inside David Geffen Hall’s lobby with its crisscrossing balconies and glass façade
• New York City Ballet’s dancers in flight on the Koch Theater stage during a rehearsal tour
• Jazz at Lincoln Center’s red-steel Rose Theater exterior lit at dusk

Travel Tips

• Purchase advance tickets online for popular Met Opera and Philharmonic performances.
• Arrive 45 minutes before curtain to explore the public plazas and architecture.
• Check “Rush” and “ lottery” ticket options at each venue’s box office for discounted seats.
• Download the Lincoln Center app for program notes, venue maps, and real‐time updates.
• Combine a performance with a pre‐show dinner at the Marea or Café Fiorello nearby.

FAQs

Are guided tours available?
Yes—Lincoln Center Tours run daily, covering multiple venues and behind‐the‐scenes areas; book online in advance.

Is the campus accessible?
All venues and plazas are ADA‐compliant with ramps, elevators, and assistive listening devices; inquire at Guest Services.

Can I attend free events?
Yes—plaza film screenings, fountain concerts, and Dance for Life samples are free; check the seasonal calendar online.

Final Thoughts

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts stands as a testament to New York’s cultural ambition—where opera, orchestra, ballet, jazz, and film converge in architectural harmony. Whether you’re experiencing a world‐premiere opera, tapping to a jazz quartet, or relaxing by the reflecting pool, Lincoln Center offers an unparalleled immersion in the performing arts.