CARNEGIE HALL

By Subway: Take the 1, 9, A, C, B, D trains to 59th Street-Columbus Circle; E train to Seventh Avenue; N, R trains to 57th Street.
By Bus: The M5, M6, M7, M30 and M104 stop nearby.

Built by and named for the steel magnate, Carnegie Hall opened in 1891 with Tchaikovsky on the podium. The Hall was bought by New York City and saved from demolition in 1960. Each season, big-name orchestras, world-class pianists and major choral performances take the stage.

In 1986, Carnegie Hall was renovated and new seats, a new lobby and extra space backstage was added to the already-lush decor. The interior is an elegant white-gold and crimson. All of the seats are plush, but the best ones for acoustics are in the balcony.