Everything you need to know about visiting David Geffen Hall (at Lincoln Center) (W 65th St, New York, 10023).
Home to the world-renowned New York Philharmonic, the oldest symphony orchestra in the country, Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall serves as a cultural hub for critically acclaimed music, film, dance, opera and theater from around the globe. The towering 2,700-seat hall boasts acoustics fit for a king, so go ahead and subscribe to that four-concert Philharmonic package—it’ll award you with no-fee ticket exchanges and immediate presale access to all upcoming subscription concerts. For the more spontaneous symphony-goers, one-off tickets typically range from $30 to $130, letting you treat your ears to the classical sonata-allegro of Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade without breaking the bank. And for the truly budget-conscious, the New York Philharmonic offers free off-site concerts throughout the year—just check its calendar for listings.
Take a tour
Curious as to what happens both on and off the stage? Take a tour of Lincoln Center, where an expert guide will walk you through the stages where iconic artists like Luciano Pavarotti, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Renée Fleming once performed. The 75-minute tours cost between $20 and $25 and are held seven days a week at varying times, so be sure to check the website in advance. And who knows—if you’re lucky enough, you may even catch a live rehearsal in progress.
Bring your appetite
No one likes sitting through a classical concerto on an empty belly, and the folks operating David Geffen Hall get that. Open from 5pm to intermission each night (and from noon on matinée days), the chic café at the hall serves a mélange of coffees, pastries, sandwiches, salads and desserts. For those seeking a more formal dining affair, the Lincoln Center Kitchen serves a seasonal all-American menu sourced from local and sustainable farms. Elegantly dressed dishes like seared dorade and Skuna Bay salmon tartare are complemented by the bar’s local beer, international wine and bespoke cocktail list. But if there’s no time to spare, look for the service bars dotting the promenade lobby where cocktails, wine, beer, coffee, sandwiches and snacks are readily available for quick purchase.
Appreciate all forms of art
David Geffen Hall isn’t limited to just performing arts—its expansive lobby and promenade prominently display iconic pieces of visual art, too. Gaze at the detail of Rodin’s Gustav Mahler bust or contemplate the meaning of Dimitri Hadzi’s 10-foot black-coated bronze sculpture, The Hunt. There’s even a selection of works from Lincoln Center’s Vera List Art Project—the pioneering program that’s been commissioning leading artists since 1962 to create limited edition fine prints and collectible posters as a way of supporting the arts and shaping cultural institutions. The complete selection of available works can be found at art.lincolncenter.org and pieces can be purchased in-office by appointment only Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm.
Our New York editorial team is constantly updating and reviewing the best attractions, activities and venues across the city, so that you're always in the know, with the best of NYC. at your fingertips. David Geffen Hall (at Lincoln Center) was most recently updated with new tips on July 28, 2017.
