Carnegie Hall is one of the most famous concert venues in the world, on the corner of 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It was paid for by the industrialist Andrew Carnegie and opened in 1891, with Tchaikovsky conducting during the opening festival. Since then almost every great name in classical music has played here, along with jazz, folk and popular performers. Seeing a concert at Carnegie Hall is the best way to experience it, and the old joke about how to get there (practice) still gets told in the lobby.
Why visit Carnegie Hall
The main auditorium is loved for its warm acoustics and its elegant, cream and red interior with several tiers of balconies. It is a hall built for listening rather than spectacle, and the sound carries well even to the upper levels. A programme here might be a world-famous orchestra on tour, a solo recital, a jazz night or a student ensemble getting its big moment. Because the season is so varied, there is usually something on at a range of prices.
How to get to Carnegie Hall by subway
The closest station is 57 St-7 Av on the N, Q, R and W lines. Exit toward 57th Street and the hall is a minute's walk away on the corner.
Other stations within a short walk:
- 7 Av on the B, D and E, at 53rd Street, about five minutes south.
- 57 St on the F, at Sixth Avenue, a short walk east.
- 59 St-Columbus Circle on the 1, A, B, C and D, a few blocks north-west.
Evening concerts end around the same time, so stations nearby can be busy afterwards. A short walk to Columbus Circle often gives you more train options.
Carnegie Hall tickets and tours
Tickets are sold per concert, and prices depend on the performers and the seat. The upper balcony is usually the cheapest section, though it involves plenty of stairs and some seats have partial views. Popular orchestras and star soloists can sell out well ahead, while smaller recitals are often available close to the date. Some concerts offer discounted tickets for students or rush tickets on the day; check the conditions for each event.
Guided tours of the building have been offered during the concert season, covering the history of the hall and its famous performers, though they depend on the rehearsal schedule. The official website, carnegiehall.org, lists concerts, tour availability and current prices. Buying from the official site or the box office is the safest way to avoid resale mark-ups.
Best time to go and how long to allow
The main concert season runs from autumn to late spring, with fewer events in summer. An evening concert usually lasts around two hours including an interval. Arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes early so you can find your seat, which can take a while in the upper tiers. There is no strict dress code, though many people dress a little smarter for evening performances.
Highlights at Carnegie Hall
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
The main hall, with its famous acoustics and five levels of seating. This is where the biggest names perform.
Zankel Hall and Weill Recital Hall
Two smaller spaces in the same building. Zankel Hall, below street level, hosts a wide mix of genres, and Weill Recital Hall is an intimate room for chamber music and debut recitals.
The Rose Museum
A small museum on the hall's history, with photographs, programmes and memorabilia. It has usually been free to visit, open on concert evenings and at certain other times.
Walls of history
Corridors are lined with signed photographs and posters, so arrive early and take a slow walk around before the music starts.
If you have time before an evening concert, the streets around the hall have plenty of places for a pre-show meal, from casual delis to sit-down restaurants, though they fill up quickly around 6 to 7 pm.
Nearby on the same stop
- Central Park: the south edge of the park is two blocks north.
- Columbus Circle: shops, restaurants and the start of Central Park West.
- Museum of Modern Art: a short walk south-east on 53rd Street.
- 57th Street: a long shopping street with galleries and flagship stores.
For more around the station, open Carnegie Hall on Around the Metro, or browse other stops on the New York subway map.