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14-acre complex is billed as the largest cultural arts center in the world. It first opened in 1962 and quickly became a resounding success. It is located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
66th St & Broadway, New York, NY; (212) 875-5000; Parking: (212) 874-9021;

Alice Tully Hall - home of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the New York Film Festival. Located in the Julliard Building. (212) 875-5050.

Avery Fisher Hall - named for the philanthropic manufacture of high-fidelity equipment, it is home of the New York Philharmonic. This auditorium seats over 2,700. (212) 875-5030.

Fountain Plaza - central focal point of Lincoln Center. Most popular on summer evenings when thousands of dancers move to Midsummer night concerts.

Damrosch Park - south of the Met, hosts summer open-air festivals. (212) 546-2656.

Guggenheim Bandshell - outdoor summer concert stage.

North Plaza - features massive Henry Moore bronze sculpture reclining in a reflecting pool. Also look for the spiderlike "Le Guichet" located in front of the library.

Vivian Beaumont - Broadway showhouse, albeit a bit of distance away from Broadway.

Mitzi Newhouse Theatre - playhouse

Jilliard School of Music - four auditoriums and classrooms for music students.

Metropolitan Opera House - home to the Metropolitan Opera and American Ballet Theater. Capable of seating 4,000 it is the largest auditorium in Lincoln Center. Backstage tours: (212) 796-7020.
See also [MainTour World Music Adventure]

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts - Library and museum with extensive archives for music, theater and dance. It just reopened in late 2000 after a major renovation. There are over 200,000 volumes, books, records, video and more, many suitable for children. Four galleries hold rotating exhibits. Open Mon-Sat noon-6PM. (212) 870-1630.

• Dance Collection - With 30,000 volumes just about dance.
• Rogers & Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound -over half million recordings and videos.
• American Collection - specialize in pop, jazz and colonial music.
• Billy Rose Theater Collection - memorabilia for radio, film, television, vaudeville, circus and magic.
• Theater of Film and Tape Archive - 1,600 films and videos of live performances.

Bruno Walter Auditorium - Located inside the Library for Performing Arts. (212) 870-1630.

Walter Reade Theatre - venue for special film screenings.

New York State Theater - home to the New York City Ballet and the New York City Opera. Third largest auditorium in Lincoln Center.

Samuel and David Rose Building - 28-story facility with offices, rehersal studios, dormitories, branch library and fire station.

Guided Tours: - 1 Hour guided tours leave daily from the center concourse at 10:30, 12:30, 2:30, and 4:30 (except holidays). Limit of 19 persons per tour, phone ahead for reservation. $9.50 Adult / $4.75 Child (3-12). Tour Info (212) 875-5350.

The following are not officially part of Lincoln Center, but are popular stopping places for both before and after Lincoln Center performances:

Cafe Mozart - 154 W. 70th St, (212) 595-9797;
Cafe La Fortuna - 69 W. 71st St, (212) 724-5846;

The following performing arts institutions call Lincoln Center home:

New York Philharmonic - (212) 875-5656.

American Ballet Theater - renowned for brilliant renditions of a great 19th-century classics and many contemporary performances also. Season: May-June at Metropolitan Opera House.

New York City Ballet - Performaces at New York State Theater. The company has more than 90 dancers.

• Winter season Nov-Febr, includes annual production of The Nutcracker.
• Spring season April-June,

The Metropolitan Opera - The most famous of all opera companies maintains a massive stage at Lincoln Center and continues to recruit the world's leading singers. Also noteworthy is that all productions (even those sung in English) are subtitled on a small screen located on the back of the seat in front of you. Regular season runs from Oct to Mid-April, however most performance ticket prices can be over $100 per seat. Saturday matinee performaces (early Dec to end of season) are simulcast around the world on the Texaco Radio Hour. (212) 362-6000.

New York City Opera - This company also produces a wide range of contemporary and famous classic opera works. A large number of the world's finest singers have started their careers here. Season: Sep-Nov and Mar-April.

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

The Film Society of Lincoln Center

Jazz at Lincoln Center

Juilliard School of Music

There is always a lot happening here every day, our summary picks up on some of the major annual events.

Lincoln Center Festival - inaugurated in 1996, this internatianal summer performance returns every July and draws huge crowds. The programs range from classical music concerts, contemporary music, dance, opera, stage works and foreign cultural exhibitions. (212) 875-5928.

Jazz at Lincoln Center - hugely popular jazz forum.

Midsummer Night Swing - huge crowds flock to Lincoln Plaza in July for swing dancing, tango and the cha cha.

Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors - series of free concerts held outside at Damrosch Park in August.(212) 875-5108.

Mostly Mozard Festival - Returns to Lincoln Center every August. (212) 875-5135.

Live From Lincoln Center - Live broadcasts of live performances featuring the best artists in the world.

Catskills Alive! By Francine Silverman
Less than a day's drive from New York City, Boston or Philadelphia, the Catskills have long been a popular weekend and summer retreat for city folk. The area offers fine accommodations, top-notch dining and spectacular surroundings. This book profiles hundreds of hotels and restaurants, with an emphasis on the very best places.

Romantic Weekends: New England By Patricia & Robert Foulke
A selection of recommended inns, delightful restaurants, resorts, festivals, the best places to stroll together under the stars or have a secluded champagne picnic – the most romantic places. This book visits special spots in in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Bellweather Group - Professional Meeting and Convention Planners

Colonial Williamsburg Mini-Vacation Getaway
Free tickets to visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg, America's #1 Rated Family Vacation Theme Park. This special MainTour vacation package lets you stay right in the middle of the action. (Free Bonus gift included)

Conde Nast Traveler Magazine - Special discount when you subscribe online!