New York City Center, New York

If New York City is the cultural capital of the world, then the historic New York City Center might be its artistic throne room. An arts hub since 1943, it serves as home base for Encores!, a Tony-recognized musical theater series, and the acclaimed Fall for Dance Festival. City Center also hosts world-renowned companies such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Manhattan Theatre Club. With its 2011 renovation and its ever-changing roster of artists, New York City Center might look a little different than it did 70 years ago—or even last week—but it retains a commitment to entertaining, arts education, and keeping its block of 55th Street from floating off into the air.