Revson Fountain New York
Lincoln center
Lincoln Center, in its entirety, is the result of a Robert Moses project announced in 1956. The neighbourhood housing the people who provided inspiration to the creators of the musical West Side Story was razed, the complex built, time passed and recently the plaza was ‘reopened’ following its multi-year, $1.3 billion renovation, which began in 2006. That’s a lot of money for a renovation.
Some of it went to remaking the Revson Fountain. I’ve heard around $10,000,000, from insiders with whom I used to work while a stagehand at the Met Opera House, when I was a student, then lighting director for the Bolshoi Ballet (Moscow) and the Peking Opera (Beijing).
I’m proud of having been part of the history of Lincoln Center, and happy to see it restored and crowded with concert goers and tourists.
The fountain is spectacular --- a must-see! Show times are listed to the right.
And there is outdoor summer dancing, with a full New York-sized orchestra at the Midsummer Night Swing.
The patterned plaza pavement was designed by Philip Johnson, who was inspired by the Campodiglio in Rome. The renovated fountain closely resembles its former incarnation but actually looks finer and more delicate, because the ‘collar’ surrounding the pool was changed to become a floating seating ring. What's beneath the seating ring?
PSI—who built the seating ring—also built Cloud Gate in Chicago, aka 'The Bean', by sculptor Anish Kapoor.
WET Design built the waterworks spectacle.
About this spot
10 Lincoln Center Plaza
- 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30, 19:35, 19:40, 19:45 & 19:50 daily (weather permitting)
US$
free
Find your way with 301 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
Professional Baseball
April 4 opener 2025
Games of Professional Baseball in New York doesn't just mean watching the Yankees play and paying 100s of dollars: watch a Class A game for much cheaper!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Rubenstein Atrium
Lincoln Center free concerts
"Rubenstein Atrium" in New York's Lincoln Center has a free performance every Thursday night. I recommend you try to arrive around 18:30 to catch a seat.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Gray's Papaya
Traditional NY hot dogs
"Gray's Papaya" in New York equals classic hot dogs. This place has been here at least 45 years, and it's easy to see why. Great people-watching spot too.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Paris Cinema
Last single screen cinema in NYC
"Paris Cinema", est. 1948, is the last single screen cinema in NYC today; what irony that it was saved from closing by Netflix itself...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
La Casa Bella
Bay Ridge Italian
The White Clam Sauce linguine is classic. So much is served that what can’t be eaten on the spot can be taken home and easily reheated the next day,
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
American Legion Post 398
Hot Harlem night
At the "American Legion Post 398" in New York City I get to hear jazz played the old fashioned way, Harlem in the '30s, '40s and '50s...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
"A Great Day in Harlem" Site
Historic jazz site
"A Great Day in Harlem" is an important photo of 58 jazz greats taken in 1958 in NYC. The building on 126th Street where it was taken is still there...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Hudson River Greenway
Hudson River bike route
The 13-mile Hudson River Greenway in NYC, which begins at the George Washington Bridge, is the most heavily used bike trail in the USA...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
New Plaza Cinema
Art house cinema
"New Plaza Cinema" in NYC has one mission: to show independent, foreign and classic films. It is run by a grassroots group; how long will it survive?
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Manny's Bistro
French bistro, UWS
"Manny's Bistro" is a French bistro in my neighborhood in New York. Susan & I prefer to sit at the bar, which makes us belong & contribute to the scene...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Elevated Acre
Quiet, hidden elevated park in FiDi
"The Elevated Acre" is in the middle of the Financial District in NYC, but you would never see it when passing by - this park is hidden above street level!
by
Christian
Neely
John's Pizza / Times Square
Pizza Tabernacle
John's Pizza is situated inside a former tabernacle with a domed stain glass ceiling about 50 feet above, and ‘sliced’ into 8 sections, just like a pizza.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heading to New York?
301 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to New York?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 301 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite New York
Our team loves New York
Get to know our other Spotters from New York
As featured on:
