Opened as part of the 1964–1965 World’s Fair, the David H. Koch Theater (previously the New York State Theater) was the former home of the New York City Opera. Nowadays, dance fans sing the praises of the theater, which stages everything from panel discussions, company premieres, and scholarship auditions, to brand-new works commissioned from leading choreographers.
The ideal way to experience the Koch Theater is to attend a performance. New York City Ballet shows can sell out quickly, so play it safe by booking tickets in advance. If you don’t get tickets, it’s still worth stopping by on an Upper West Side neighborhood tour or a hop-on hop-off bus tour, to marvel at Lincoln Center’s modernist architecture.
The theater is accessible to wheelchairs.
For patrons requiring hearing assistance, infrared headsets are available for rent at the coat check.
At Columbus Avenue and 63rd Street, the David H. Koch Theater is a few short blocks from Columbus Circle. The easiest way to get there is by subway. Hop on the 1 or 2 train to the 66th Street–Lincoln Center station, or the A, B, C, or D train to 59th Street–Columbus Circle.
The Koch Theater box office is open every day—check the theater’s website for hours. If you’re going to a show, arrive about an hour before it starts, so you have time to pick up your tickets. Weekend shows and premieres tend to be crowded, so plan to see a midweek performance if you can snag tickets.
Just a few blocks east of the David H. Koch Theater is New York's Central Park, a must-see green space in the heart of the city. To see more of the park in less time, take a pedicab tour or rent a bike. Be sure to check out the lake views from Bethesda Fountain, the flower displays in the formal Conservatory Garden, and the Strawberry Fields mosaic celebrating musician John Lennon.
