New York City: Carnegie Hall

On May 5, 1891, Tchaikovsky conducted on opening nigth at Andrew Carnegie’s $1.1 million gift to the city. The risk was that music lovers might not venture to the then out-of-the-way corner 57th Street and Seventh Avenue—but they did. Saved from the wrecker’s ball in the early sixties and renovated top to bottom in 1986 at a cost of $60 million, Carnegie Hall remains the nation’s most prestigious stage. Charming docents lead anecdotal 75-minute tours.

Photo courtesy: beatcrave