Elton John called Madison Square Garden the "center of the universe." According to the legendary singer, who has played the venue over sixty times, it has the best acoustics, the best audiences, and the best performance history. It's hard to argue with that statement.
Following the tragic September 11 attacks, an effort at cultural reparation for the city's open wound produced a sellout concert.
Just before his premature death during an Elton John concert, John Lennon gave his final performance at Madison Square Garden on Thanksgiving night, 1974.
The King gave his first and last performance in New York City at Madison Square Garden in 1972. Four sold-out shows capped off his meteoric career and some of the most memorable moments in Madison Square Garden history.
First opening its doors in 1879 on Madison Avenue, Madison Square Garden is the oldest sporting arena in the New York metropolitan area and the busiest music arena in the country. In the shadow of the Empire State Building, it is an icon of culture and a mecca for both sports and music fans. Vacation rentals near Madison Square Garden locate you in the heart of New York City, in the epicenter of world-class culture.
As you might expect, tickets at this legendary arena sell fast. The box office can be flooded with people clamoring for tickets, so keep your eyes on the secondary market but beware of frauds.
Once you have your ticket, getting to Madison Square Garden is easy. On 31st and 33rd streets and 7th and 8th avenues in Manhattan, the 1/2/3 and A/C/E subway lines will deposit you right outside the venue.
Refreshments at the venue reflect some of New York's greatest street food traditions. A favorite is the corned beef on rye or turkey sandwich from Carnegie Deli stand. Sausage Boss from Andrew Carmellini is popular, along with Hill Country's brisket sandwich.
