Frequently asked questions about Metropolitan Opera House
The new Metropolitan Opera House is 58 years old.
The old Met opened in 1883 and was demolished by 1967. The new Metropolitan Opera House opened at the Lincoln Center in 1966.
The original Met stood at Broadway and 39th Street. The new Met is located in the Lincoln Center Plaza.
30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, United States.
The opera house is accessible via car or taxi, bus, and the subway. Parking is located within walking distance.
The opera house is owned by the Metropolitan Opera Association and operated by the Metropolitan Opera company.
The opera house has a capacity of over 4,000 split across six levels, including a standing section and multiple elevated levels and boxes.
Yes, the opera house offers designated and accessible seating for varying levels of mobility as well as assistive devices and tools for vision and hearing needs. It also has accessible restrooms on the Parterre, Grand Tier, and Dress Circle levels.
The opera house has offered a home to some prominent productions, both at its old and new venues. These include La bohème, Aida, War and Peace, Der Ring des Nibelungen, and Nabucco. The shows Carmen, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot are currently playing at the Metropolitan Opera House.
There is no dress code for this venue, but patrons are encouraged to dress for the occasion. The Met often features its best-dressed patrons on a dedicated Instagram page and a lot of its patrons make full use of the opportunity to don their finest opera attire.
Ticket prices vary based on the show, seating, season, and more. Tickets for Madama Butterfly and Turandot starts as low as $78 while others like Carmen start a bit higher at $86.
The best seats in the house are located in the center Orchestra and offer the best views at premium rates. For the best acoustic experience, however, you'd be better off opting for seats higher up in the opera house. The front and center seats of the Parterre, Grand Tier, and Dress Circle sections offer similarly good views at slightly lower rates. The sections just behind these that wrap around them offer decent views at affordable rates. The rear seats in the Dress Circle, Balcony, and Family Circle as well as seats in Boxes tend to be less favorable due to sight line restrictions.
The Met is located in one of the best spots in the city with stunning views and upscale restaurants. If you’re in the mood to treat yourself, try Marea, Jean-Georges, or Per Se. For something a little more traditional, try Tavern On The Green. If you’d like some pizazz in your dining experience, Rose Mexicano might be just what you need.
The opera house's location allows you to access the district's most prominent landmarks with ease. These include Central Park and the Hudson River. The area is also home to multiple museums and memorials, including the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Arts and Design, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial. Additionally, the opera house is also located in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, a tresure trove of sights for any theater aficionado.
