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Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is home to prestigious performing arts organizations including the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic and the New York City Ballet. A beacon for some of the world’s finest musicians, dancers and actors, the sprawling 16.3-acre campus is situated on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

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The History of Lincoln Center

The development of Lincoln Center in the 1950s and 1960s involved distinct but complementary roles played by John D. Rockefeller III and Robert Moses. John D. Rockefeller III was the primary philanthropic leader of the project. He spearheaded fundraising efforts to gather private and public funding, rallying support from donors and organizations that believed in the importance of a centralized cultural hub.

As the city’s most powerful urban planner and “master builder,” Moses oversaw the project’s planning and execution, aiming to modernize the Upper West Side and establish Lincoln Center as a cultural hub to rival the world’s great arts institutions.

However, Moses’s vision came with significant consequences. The construction of Lincoln Center required the demolition of 18 city blocks, displacing over 7,000 families and 800 businesses, predominantly affecting lower-income Black and Hispanic residents. While the project brought new cultural prestige to the city, it also deepened economic and racial divides. Promises of relocation assistance for displaced residents largely went unfulfilled, and few of the newly constructed housing units were affordable for the original community. Critics argue that Moses prioritized grand architectural statements and the interests of the city’s elite over the needs of vulnerable populations, making Lincoln Center a symbol of both cultural achievement and urban inequality. Many displaced families moved to low-income areas like Harlem and the Bronx, exacerbating segregation and creating new slums.

The site, which later became Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, was immortalized in the classic film West Side Story (1961). The large swathe of land served as the gritty, authentic backdrop for the movie’s iconic opening scenes before being demolished to make way for the cultural complex.

Here is a glimpse of a neighborhood captured in a piece of cinematic history:

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At the heart of the complex is the Josie Robertson Plaza, highlighted by the Revson Fountain. It’s a convenient spot to meet before you go off to any one of the performances that day or evening. Moonstruck fans. Remember this scene?

Resident Organizations: A World of Excellence

Surrounding the Plaza are the key venues, homes to some of the world’s most critically-acclaimed organizations:

David Geffen Hall: Home to the New York Philharmonic

I grew up knowing it as Avery Fisher Hall, but in 2015, the entertainment mogul David Geffen gave Lincoln Center a $100 million gift to help renovate the hall. This warranted the renaming of the venue which serves as the official home to the New York Philharmonic.

Founded in 1842, the New York Philharmonic is one of the world’s oldest and most revered symphony orchestras. Its history is a tapestry of illustrious conductors, including Leonard Bernstein, who brought a modern sensibility to classical music, and the composer/conductor Gustav Mahler, one of the most important composers who has ever lived.

Metropolitan Opera House

Established in 1883, the Metropolitan Opera is synonymous with productions renowned for casting world-class vocalists and innovative interpretations of classic, contemporary and newly-commissioned works. Notably, the vast lobby is adorned with 2 murals by Marc Chagall titledThe Triumph of Music and The Sources of Music. These were commissioned in 1966 as part of the Met Opera’s move to Lincoln Center. Invited by general manager Rudolf Bing, Chagall created two 30-by-36-foot works that now define the opera house’s lobby. Exploring the power and origins of music, the murals incorporate musical instruments, abstract figures, and celestial elements in a style that captures movement and emotion.

David H. Koch Theater: New York City Ballet’s home

Formerly known as New York State Theater, this venue is the home to the New York City Ballet. This sleek, modernist structure was designed by the architect Philip Johnson.

The New York City Ballet, co-founded by visionary choreographer George Balanchine and arts patron Lincoln Kirstein in 1948, revolutionized ballet with its emphasis on modernity and precision. Each winter holiday season, families attend sold out performances of The Nutcracker which has become a tradition for many locals and tourists.

In this video you see the Koch Theater, the Metropolitan Opera House, and on the right, the David Geffen Hall:

The Library for the Performing Arts

A treasure trove for scholars and performing arts enthusiasts, this library houses a vast collection of books, recordings, and archives related to theater, dance, and music. Its resources are indispensable for anyone seeking to delve deeper into the history of the performing arts.

The Vivian Beaumont Theater:

Lincoln Center’s resident theater is a stage for world-class dramatic productions. Known for its thrust stage design which you can see a bit in the video below, the theater creates an intimate connection between the audience and the performers. As I write this, they have just finished a run of a new play titled, “McNeal” starring Robert Downey Jr.

The Film Society at Lincoln Center

Dedicated to the celebration of cinema, this organization hosts the annual New York Film Festival and screens a diverse array of films throughout the year. It’s a haven for cinephiles, offering retrospectives, premieres and themed film series as well as current art house-y films.

The Juilliard School

A cornerstone of artistic education, Juilliard has cultivated some of the world’s finest talent in music, dance, and drama. Alumni like Yo-Yo Ma, John Williams, Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Robin Williams and Philip Glass have gone on to redefine their respective fields. Here is a glimpse of the Juilliard School and Lincoln Center Theater. Those sculptures in the reflecting pool are by the British sculptor, Henry Moore.

Where to eat before and after the performances at Lincoln Center

When hunger strikes, there are a number of culinary options within a few blocks, for pre- or post-show dining:

Tatiana – This got a rave review in the NYTimes which might explain why it is impossible to get a reservation here. It’s located inside David Geffen Hall, so you are within a few minutes walk from any Lincoln Center performance!

Nougatine – This is a few blocks down Broadway, but worth the trip if you like Jean- Georges Vongorichten’s food.

Lincoln Ristorante – This is run by Lincoln Center and situated right on the campus. You are just steps away from any of the performances you will be attending.

Le Pain Quotidien – Across the street from the Lincoln Center complex, you can find simple, organic food here.

Cafe Paradiso at the Film Society – Conveniently located in the same building as some of the film theaters.

P.J. Clarkes – Situated just across the street from Lincoln Center Plaza, I go here when I am in the mood for a burger and fries.

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Conclusion: A Cultural Epicenter

If you are performing arts fan or want to be more exposed to the best of the best in music, theater or dance, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a must-visit destination!