This post provides information on how to take a tour of Lincoln Center, what you can expect to see, how much the tours cost, how to get discounts on tickets, or even take a tour for free.
Lincoln Center is home to the renowned Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center Theater, Chamber Music Society, and more.
TIP: Lincoln Center Tours are included for free in some tourist discount passes, such as la Explorer Pass and the New York Pass.
To see if a pass is right for you, read our post on New York City tourist discount passes.
What you will see on your tour:
On this 75 minute tour, you will get an inside view of life on and off stage of their most famous venues including:
- Metropolitan Opera House
- David Geffen Hall (previously Avery Fisher Hall)
- David H. Koch Theater
- Vivian Beaumont Theater
- Alice Tully Hall
Note: Due to auditions, rehearsals, and performances, tour routes throughout their 16-acre campus change every day so there is no guarantee that specific buildings will be visited. However, you may have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of a rehearsal in progress.
Tour schedule: Check their website for tour schedules as they vary daily and seasonally.
Ticket Prices:
- General: $25
- Students (30 and under): $20 valid student ID is required
- Seniors (60+): $20
- Child (6 and under): Free
Tickets can be purchased in advance online. Be prepared to show ID at the David Rubenstein Atrium to pick up web tickets.
Location: The David Rubenstein Atrium Zucker Box Office located on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd streets.
Lincoln Center Tour Discounts and Coupons:
Free admission is included with the purchase of either the Explorer Pass and the New York Pass. Read our post on New York City tourist discount passes.
Save 25% when you combine this tour with a Radio City Stage Door Tour.
Both tours together are $32.50 and can be purchased at either Radio City Music Hall or at the information desk of Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium.
Check websites such as Groupon and Living Social for occasional sales on tour tickets.
Good to know prior to your visit:
- Backpacks, hard-sided containers, and bags larger than 12” x 12” x 12” are not permitted on tours. Bags or purses that are 12” x 12” x 12” or smaller are allowed on our tours. There is no storage area for your items, so please leave them elsewhere before arriving at the David Rubenstein Atrium for your tour.
- For nearby luggage storage locations, take a look at our post, Where to Store Luggage in New York City.
- Photography is permitted only of our outdoor spaces and in the lobbies of our halls.
- Restrooms will not be available during the tour.
- Please arrive for your tour at least 15 minutes before the tour start time. Tours depart promptly, and late arrivals will not be permitted to join.
- Food and drink are prohibited on tours.
TIP: To enjoy a totally free opera performance at Lincoln Center, you can check out their Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival which usually occurs in late August through early September.
See an amazing past performance by this world-famous opera for free on a huge HD screen set up in the heart of Lincoln Center’s Plaza.
For more ideas of things to do in August and September in New York, see our posts, August in New York City and September in New York City.
To save even more money in the Big Apple, check out our posts:
- Discounts for other NYC attractions
- Free walking tours
- How a tourist discount pass can save you money
- A Trip Guide for NYC on a Budget
