Back to all New York City places

New York City, New York / Theaters and music

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

A world-leading performing arts campus in Manhattan's Lincoln Square, hosting iconic organizations like the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic.

Open prototype Official site Get directions
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
www.lincolncenter.org, og_image_www.lincolncenter.org

What is the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts known for?

It is described as the world's leading performing arts center, offering the best in music, dance, opera, theater, and cinema. It is a cornerstone of NYC culture and consists of a campus of 11 organizations focused on these arts.

Which organizations are located at Lincoln Center?

The complex houses the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the Juilliard School.

What can visitors do there?

Visitors can see a concert or play, attend Tony-winning Broadway productions or nationally touring shows, or take a guided tour of the theaters.

Where is it located?

It is a 16.3-acre complex of buildings located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

How many venues are at the complex?

Lincoln Center has more than 20 performance venues, ranging from intimate spaces with fewer than 100 seats to concert halls that seat more than 3,700. The complex overall has thirty indoor and outdoor facilities.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a sprawling 16.3-acre complex of buildings situated in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. This cultural cornerstone of New York City hosts between five and 6.5 million visitors annually, attracting a global audience to its thirty indoor and outdoor facilities. The campus serves as the home for several distinguished resident arts organizations, including the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the Juilliard School. Together, these 11 organizations focused on music, dance, and theatre create a vibrant civic institution that offers the best in opera, cinema, and theater. Lincoln Center's architectural scale is impressive, featuring more than 20 performance venues. These spaces range from intimate settings of fewer than 100 seats to massive concert halls that can accommodate more than 3,700 people. The complex continues to be supported by significant funding, such as the $88.3 million provided by The Starr Foundation since 1963. Visitors can experience the arts in various ways, from attending Tony-winning Broadway productions and nationally touring shows to watching internationally acclaimed artists and musicians. For those not attending a show, guided tours of the impressive theaters are available to explore the inner workings of the performing arts world.

Visitor tips

  • Book tickets for a performance or a guided tour of the theaters in advance to ensure entry.
  • Explore the outdoor facilities and the campus grounds to appreciate the architecture.
  • Allow at least two hours if you plan to attend a show or take a guided tour.

Nearby context

Located in the Upper West Side's Lincoln Square neighborhood, Lincoln Center is the central hub of the performing arts in Manhattan, anchoring the neighborhood's surrounding cafes and galleries.

Sources

Evidence and links