Oldest Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
Avery Fisher Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Founded: 1842
Think the Rolling Stones have been playing a long time? The New York Philharmonic has them beat. In 2010, they played their 15,000th concert. They're not just the oldest orchestra in New York City, but also in the United States. Founded by Ureli Corelli Hill, they performed the American premiere of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (its final movement includes the words from the poem "Ode to Joy") in 1846. Tickets were $2 apiece, then considered quite expensive. These days, you can usually catch their performances at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, though they're also known to show up elsewhere—their free performances in City parks are always a good draw.