PAC NYC guide: Everything you need to know about the Financial District venue

The Perelman Performing Arts Center is one of New York City's newest performances paces delivering new, imaginative works of theatre, music, and art downtown.

Erin CavotoSeptember 3, 2024, 04:00

One of the newest performing arts centers in New York City, the Perelman Performing Arts Center, or PAC NYC, is a massive venue featuring three performance spaces in the heart of lower Manhattan. Part of the World Trade Center complex in the area's Financial District, PAC NYC opened in September 2023 and was designed to celebrate all types of performing arts — music, theatre, film, dance, opera, and more. This 129,000-square-foot building features a stunning marble and glass exterior that lights up at night, creating a dazzling scene to walk into when you attend a performance.

With a mission to create intimate performances that push boundaries and encourage dialogue, PAC NYC has quickly made a name for itself as a New York City venue despite only recently entering the scene. Offering all types of live experiences, PAC NYC allows lovers of the arts to enjoy choral performances, thought-provoking conversations, dance festivals, DJs, and many other types of entertainment and cultural events.

Expand your day at PAC NYC even more by taking advantage of all that lower Manhattan has to offer, with many different museums, restaurants, and attractions — all of which we’ve included here in our guide to PAC NYC and its neighborhood.

Get tickets to PAC NYC shows now.

Why you need to visit PAC NYC

With so much to offer, PAC NYC is a must-visit for lovers of the performing arts. The venue's events calendar is brimming with so many different types of productions, so you’re guaranteed to find something that will interest you. PAC NYC has everything from one-night-only shows to multi-week-long performances, all nestled in a beautiful building that casts the World Trade Center campus in a glowing amber hue at night.

The inside is quite intimate, with three stages seating a combined total of only 1,200 people. You can also enjoy a stellar meal before your show at celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s in-house restaurant, Metropolis.

The history of PAC NYC

Although PAC NYC opened its doors in 2023, its history dates back decades. After the September 11 attacks, the new World Trade Center site was envisioned to have a performing arts complex that would bring new life and energy to this part of Lower Manhattan. It wasn’t until 2019, however, that construction began after a somewhat rocky path of aligning on both finances and design.

Once finished, this marble-covered structure joined the ranks of the other creations that redesigned and reimagined the site of the 9/11 attacks, including One World Trade Center, the reflection pools honoring those who died on 9/11, the Oculus shopping center, and Liberty Park.

Famous productions at PAC NYC

Despite its short existence as a New York City performing arts center, PAC NYC has held numerous shows, concerts, and theatre productions. The venue has hosted several celebrities for in-depth intimate conversations, including Kerry Washington, Jada Pinkett Smith, and David Letterman, as well as one-night-only performances from artists like Ben Platt, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and LaChanze.

Learn more about recent high-profile theatrical productions at PAC NYC.

Cats: The Jellicle Ball

A reimagined version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Cats, Cats: The Jellicle Ball combines the brilliance of the dance-centric show with the energy and inspiration of the queer ballroom scene of New York City. The show received rave reviews during its run in summer 2024.

Like They Do in the Movies

Written by and starring multi-award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne, Like They Do in the Movies is an original one-man play that premiered at PAC NYC in which Fishburne told the story of his life and career.

Between Two Knees

Between Two Knees spans hundreds of years of Native American history — with a comedic twist. Led by the 1491s, an intertribal comedy troupe behind TV shows Reservation Dogs and Rutherford Falls, the acclaimed play features stories from Native American history about love, loss, and family between the 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee to the 1973 occupation of the site.

Fun things to do in the Financial District before a PAC NYC show

Situated within the World Trade Center campus, a 16-acre space which runs along Church Street in the Financial District of Manhattan, there is much to do when visiting PAC NYC. You don’t have to choose between cultural endeavors like museums and activities like shopping or sightseeing — you can do it all. Here are some recommendations in the neighborhood to get you started.

9/11 Memorial & Museum

One of the most frequently visited places in this part of Manhattan is the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, which commemorates the lives lost in the 2001 attacks. You can visit the museum, which explains the impact the 9/11 attacks had on the country and the world, and tour the Memorial Plaza, which is open to the public. Here you’ll find the two reflection pools that stand where the Twin Towers stood, as well as other features like the Memorial Glade and the Survivor Tree.

One World Observatory

Also directly next to PAC NYC is One World Trade Center, home to the One World Observatory. The tower stands 102 stories above the city and allows visitors to get a bird’s-eye view of the sprawling Manhattan below. The observatory has one-of-a-kind panoramic views of the city (it’s the tallest skyscraper in the country!) and features an animated history of New York in the elevator on your way to the top.

Brookfield Place

Whether you want to window shop or treat yourself to a designer bag, the shopping at Brookfield Place is unmatched in the area. High-end stores like Gucci, Ferragamo, and Louis Vuitton exist alongside shops like Lululemon, Madewell, and J. Crew. You’ll also find plenty of other activities at Brookfield Place depending on what time of year you visit, including an ice skating rink in the winter and tennis courts in the summer.

St. Paul’s Chapel

St. Paul’s Chapel was famously unscathed during the 9/11 attacks and became a place of refuge and symbol of hope in the aftermath. It has great historic significance as a place where George Washington used to worship, and it is also the oldest public building in continuous use in Manhattan, dating back to 1766.

Where to eat and drink around PAC NYC

The Financial District is a great place to grab a bite before your show or a drink afterwards. There are even plenty of eateries and bars within easy walking distance of PAC NYC. Of course, you can (and should!) visit Metropolis, the restaurant inside PAC NYC from chef Marcus Samuelsson, which serves contemporary American fare that explores the rich history of New York City’s food scene. However, you may also want to check out some other nearby options, including:

Eataly

The famous Italian food hall is home to tons of classic Italian fare, offering sit-down restaurants serving pizza and pasta as well as wine bars providing drinks and bar bites. The complex also includes cafes and counters for grab-and-go food. Ravioli & Co offers fresh, handmade ravioli, the Foccaceria has a wide array of traditional Italian flatbreads, and Il Gelato serves — you guessed it — fresh gelato, to name a few.

Dim Sum Palace

Craving dumplings, pork buns, and shu mai? Look no further than Dim Sum Palace, a New York City mainstay serving traditional Cantonese food. It’s an especially great spot if you have a bigger group and no reservation, as the restaurant is flexible and accommodating.

The Dead Rabbit

A little bit of a walk from PAC NYC, The Dead Rabbit is worth the extra effort for an excellent cocktail experience. The building is divided into separate spaces, The Taproom and The Parlor, each of which serves up a different drinking environment. The Taproom is your best bet for a more casual, pub-like experience, while The Parlor is a more intimate space serving craft cocktails.

Casual fare

You’ll also find plenty of grab-and-go food options in the Financial District area, from fast food like Five Guys, Shake Shack, and Taco Bell to more unique spots like Hudson Eats, an indoor food hall in the Brookfield Place shopping center.

Get tickets to see a show at PAC NYC

Now that you’re caught up on all that PAC NYC and its neighborhood have to offer, from its place in the city’s history to its contributions to the performing arts world, it’s time to get tickets to one of the many special events taking place at this exciting venue. Click the link below to find out what current and upcoming shows are on sale, and see them for yourself!