The John F.Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Reviews

Just a wonderful place to experience anything live!

We participated in a congressionally-arranged of the John F. Kennedy Center; we were stunned at the depth of the information and access we were given. I highly recommend that you set up a tour through your Congressman's office.

This place is amazing! Went to see Hamilton and loved it. There is not a bad seat in the place!

Very good performance. ..A little long, 2.5 hours with 15 min intermission.

The view of Washington DC from the terrace is truly panoramic

Wonderful place for music. I come here several times a week for the free 6pm shows and other events they host.

Programs are not clear. Spoke several times w agent trying to find when Misty Copeland comes w American Ballet? Told me to check back or try 2019.

Top venue for performing arts in Washington DC area. Jazz performance was outstanding.

Seating is comfortable as compared to some really uncomfortable theatres.

Enjoyed rooftop dining at restaurant during previous visit. Good food but a bit costly. Views are great.

Wonderful experience. We were near the back in orchestra level, but could hear and see perfectly. The ushers were friendly, and we were able to get in and out easily despite the crowd. The only negative is that photos aren't allowed even before the show starts.

Great show with NSO...view from terrace is specatcular and free

Very nice venue for shows. Multiple spots for a good selfie to remember your night.

Beautiful building. Our box seats had a perfect view of the stage. We also enjoyed the Terrace Restaurant with its magnificent views of Georgetown along the Potomac River and the National Monuments!

It was beautiful and the sound inside the concert hall is magnificent. It is everything I imagined it to be

I've seen Footloose and Wicked both here in the last few years. The Kennedy Center is an incredible building with multiple performing arts spaces/stages. I love walking down the hall of nations, getting to see all the flags. Ticket prices are sadly a bit higher than I can usually afford to pay, but each show I see here is very well done, professional, beautiful, and worth every penny.

Awesome place and so cool to see the President' s seat..

The opera house is a beautiful room and perfect venue to catch Hamilton. Legroom is very cramped however.

Wonderful treasures and a fascinating tour. Special place and the cafe is above average food with fabulous views

Loved the performance and the friendliness of the staff. However, the parking was terrible. Even though I paid to park in the garage and was in time to park, I wasn't permitted to park because they said the garage had gotten "crazy" and there was nowhere to park. I'm still waiting on my refund. Giving it four stars because the performance made me forget about it all.

Beautiful venue, comfortable seating. Free shuttle to and from the Metro.

The roof is open to the public and has some excellent views of the city.

What can I say. It's an amazing venue, and the show was well worth it.

We saw a concert at Millenial Hall.

It was a little warm at the top, but cooled off rather well once the show started.

Wonderful concert. Professional and courteous staff.

Dougla by the dance theatre of Harlem was one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed in my life. There were no bad seats in the Opera Theater. I can't wait to go again.

I dropped People off and then I pick some more up. I hope to go there in the Future.

Just saw WICKED and I must say it was a great experience. The terrace restaurant was good and was able to get us 2 apps, 2 entrees and 3 glasses of wine each in 30 mins . Grounds are beautiful and orchestra seating area has large comfortable seats.

Beautiful, accessible, great programming, free shows

It's airy and beautiful inside and out. American Brutalist architecture. Great theatre, entertainment in lobby. Avoid the gift shop it's a rip. Dinner is about 30$ per head with an alcoholic drink. The staff are lovely. Its a treat as it isn't cheap. But yes worth it for a little treat

Always a wonderful visit. You can always find an affordable event. Parking is a bit expensive though.

Great art work and got to learn what animal each of my family members are from the Chinese Year of which ever year you were born in.

Pretty architecture and lighting. Friendly staff. Great views and good performances

Imposing. Huge a bit cold without European elegance

Great venue for musical shows a beautiful center and homage to a great man.

This is one of the nicest performing arts centers in the US, rivaling Lincoln Center in NY.

I had to pay $23 for parking when I was only picking up tickets from the box office. The parking garage staff was unprofessional. I suppose to get a refund but they would not give me a receipt for the refund. I'm disappointed. I expected better service from the Kennedy Center.

The Kennedy Center has always been a majestic and almost fairytale-like place. I definitely enjoyed my time watching the Lion King in it's theatre.

Despite some tense ushers trying to manage the human chaos before events, the place still retains its staid (if a tad shabby) elegance and romance; balcony night views always compelling; concert house acoustics and fellow music lovers will keep me coming back

Saw shear madness. Hilarious show with an awesome cast. The Kennedy Center was beautiful inside and out

They have steered themselves to find a nice blend of decorum and grace. The free events are authentic not corny, and the theaters are traditional and small enough to deliver a memorable experience. Parking garage has got its system well organized; much better than decades ago.

I absolutely LOVE The John F. Kennedy Center for the arts. I grew to adore the arts by attending my first performance there, way back in the 1970s. It is a jaw dropping experience EVERY time I visit there.

I ways go to the Broadway shows here. Love the free concerts. Wonderful place to visit.

Always an amazing experience, love the Kennedy Center.

Acoustics we're great the atmosphere was wonderful the show with highly entertaining

Book of Morman was outstanding especially Kim Exum.

Sumptuous dinner option at the Kennedy Center with great views of the sunset

Gorgeous venue, gorgeous performances. Don't hesitate to go to any show, but do resist the urge to save money on any tier above the second in the Concert Hall. One exception would be if you don't care to actually see the entire stage and/or are very hungry and need to eat during the performance.

The seats on the sides of Tier 2 are single file, like you are sitting on a bus. You have to lean over the rail if you want to see anything and you will still not be able to see the side of the stage you are on. I would avoid this section at all costs!

Always loved this place, especially after a tour guide informed me of the history and acoustic qualities of each individual houses. Saw MAXWELL with the wife, she and I both loved it!

The Kennedy Center is always a wonderful place to experience the performing arts. They have free performances daily. Staff is welcoming. They have a shuttle. Onsite parking is available for a fee. Because it's a historic theater much of the seating is not ideal for very large patrons. The locations and theaters are handicapped accessible.

Beautiful venue for music and theater. They offer free concerts every day!

Very impressive place. Reserve parking ahead of time if you are going to a show.

A very good place for musicals, opera or any other audio permonance. Also a perfect place for nice views (and photos). The have a cafe and a restaurant too.

One of my favorite places to visit. I love the diversity of the shows here. Saw Common tonight, will be back for Dear Evan Hansen this summer.

I have been to the Center before in one of the smaller venues. This time I was in the Opera House. Great time watching Hamilton.

The Kennedy Center is a gem! The Opera House is particularly beautiful and it was a wonderdul venue for the Washington Valley's production of Romeo and Juliet this evening.

Great place. I saw "sound of music" here a d it was wonderful, beautiful singing and performance. Tickets are very expensive, I paid $80 and I think that's cheap for here.

I'd recommend prepaying for parking since there is limited space, it was $20. Also keep in mind that you'll have to wait a really long time to get out of the parking lot since tons of people are trying to leave at once.

I'd definitely recommend going to a play/musical here.

Amazing performances.. free on Wednesday.. do visit the rooftop.. you can see Potomac and skyline

A beautiful venue for the performing arts, John F. Kennedy Center is actually the busiest performing arts facility in D.C. Some of the greatest performing artists have sung, danced, played instruments, and acted in this center. It's supported by both companies and private donors/foundations. Both the exterior and interior of this building is beautiful.

Through one set of plaza doors is the Hall of States, which hangs the flags of all 50 states of the U.S., as well as its territories. Through the second set of plaza doors to the Kennedy Center is the Hall of Nations. This hall hangs the flags of every country with which the U.S. has diplomatic relations, so it's a parallel to the Hall of States. As you walk past these halls, you'll enter the grand foyer, which acts as a lobby and is considered one of the largest rooms in the world.

The grand foyer has 16 hand-blown crystal chandeliers, gifts from Sweden, 8 high mirrors from Belgium, and red carpet. From the grand foyer, you can go to the concert hall, opera house, or the Eisenhower theatre. As the names suggest, the opera house is mostly for ballet, opera, and musical theatre; the concert hall is for classical music performances, symphony orchestras; and the Eisenhower Theatre is for theatrical performances. At the north end of the grand foyer is the Millennium Stage, where the Kennedy Center holds free performances at 6pm every day of the year. These free performances are a mix of symphony orchestra, chamber music, dance, jazz, and even storytelling and theatre.

Be sure to check out the roof terrace, which overlooks the Potomac River. You can see Georgetown, the National Cathedral, and Roosevelt Island from here. It's a great place to hang out while you're waiting at intermission or before/after the performance. On a beautiful, sunny day, it's a great spot for photo ops.

I've been here to see the Army/Navy bands play winter concerts, the Russian ballet perform Nutcracker and Giselle, the National Symphony Orchestra, and Li Yundi, a famous pianist. All the performances were breathtaking. The acoustics in the concert hall and opera house are equally fantastic. It's always such a thrill to come here, because I know the space is exquisite and the performances will be phenomenal. Everyone around you is equally excited too, so that just adds to the atmosphere. In my 20+ years of living in the D.C. area, I've never grown tired of coming to the Kennedy Center. It is definitely worth a visit if you're a tourist and if you can catch a performance, that's even better.

There's a free shuttle that runs every 15 minutes from 9:45am-midnight on weekdays and 10am-midnight on weekends from the Foggy Bottom Metro stop to the Kennedy Center. You can also park at the Kennedy Center for $22. If you spend more than $10+ at their gift shops, you get 60 minutes of free parking (need to validate at the box office or gift shops).

It's a wonderful place for a whole array of cultural events.

Great shows, wonderful music! Most recently attended show: The Sound of Music. It is a must see!