The first time I walked into Lincoln Center, I remember thinking of Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, parting ways in the bittersweet ending of "Annie Hall," directly across the street at O'Neals. And then of Cher in "Moonstruck," as the Brooklyn bookkeeper who hears "La Boheme" for the first time here and is forever changed. Lincoln Center is a remarkable, inspirational place that makes your heart flutter as its chandeliers and famous outdoor fountain beckon you from the street into the philharmonic, the ballet, or even the venerable Metropolitan Opera. The next time you're in New York, set foot on this hallowed ground, the largest performing arts center in the world.

The New York Philharmonic, Lincoln Center's resident symphony orchestra, performs sporadically throughout the year at Avery Fisher Hall. Want to listen to Handel's "Messiah" before the holidays? Interested in chamber music or Leonard Bernstein? You can see all this and more at the Philharmonic. Check online for public rehearsals, where you can save money but still see the Philharmonic. Check online at the Philharmonic website, or call 212-875-5709. (In the video on the right, the young violinist Sarah Chang plays Mendelssohn with the Philharmonic. This is music that can make a grown man weep.) 

Once you see the opera at the world-renown and breathtaking Metropolitan Opera House, you'll want to go back. Believe me, I'm not an opera aficionado, but this place turned me into a lifelong fan. You can see the Metropolitan Opera performances from late September through May, but the place really dazzles during the holidays. The November and December calendars include performances of "La Boheme," "Madama Butterfly," and "The Magic Flute."  For information and tickets, go to the Met's website or call the ticket service number at 212-362-6000.  

It's a treat to see a performance by the New York City Ballet, which performs at the huge New York State Theater in the Lincoln Center complex. The Ballet's winter season kicks off on Nov. 25th with a gala opening and then a month's worth of George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker," a must for anyone visiting the city over the holidays. Go to the NYC Ballet website for information and tickets. The video to the right is an interesting look at the development of a new dance by the NYC Ballet. Quelle bodies! 

Not everyone knows that you can see a play or a musical at Lincoln Center, but you can. The Vivian Beaumont Theater generally stages musicals, and the smaller Mitzi Newhouse Theater stages straight plays. If you're heading to the city in the next year, head straight for the Vivian Beaumont to see the Tony award-winning revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic, "South Pacific." I took my mother to one of the previews and she cried twice. Once because it was her first time at Lincoln Center, and twice because "South Pacific" was my late father's favorite show. Go to the Lincoln Center Theater website for more information, and to purchase tickets online. The box office phone number is 212-239-6200. 

For the historic and cultural perspective, take one of several tours offered at Lincoln Center. You can do the one-hour tour of the New York State Theater, Avery Fisher Hall and the Metropolitan Opera House, where you might be lucky enough to catch a live rehearsal in progress. These tours take place at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., and tickets are $15 for adults, $12 students/seniors, and $8 kids 12 and under. For a close-up look at just the opera, take the Metropolitan Opera Guild Backstage Tour. Tours take place during the Met performance season at 3:30 p.m. weekdays and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. It's best to reserve tickets in advance by calling 212-769-7020. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $13 for Guild members, and $8 for full-time students with student ID. 

Whether or not you're holding tickets, you can dine or sip on espresso at Lincoln Center. There's northern Italian cuisine at Panevino Ristorante at Avery Fisher Hall. Panevino is open Monday through Saturday for dinner only, and for lunch when matinée performances are scheduled at Avery Fisher. Call 212-874-7000 to make reservations. If you're holding tickets, you can dine at the Grand Tier Restaurant, which features a contemporary American menu and has a fantastic view of the opera house and the Lincoln Center plaza area. The Grand Tier is open Mondays through Saturdays for preshow dinner and intermission services. The restaurant's Revlon Bar serves sushi, panini and crostini. For reservations, call 212-799-3400. If you're seeing the opera, you can make reservations at the Promenade Café, which is open for dinner two hours before performances and features an American bistro menu. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 212-877-1652.