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At Harlem One Stop, we offer unique tours of Harlem and upper Manhattan: neighborhood walking tours of West, Central, and East Harlem, Gospel tours, music, and jazz themed tours, Harlem Renaissance tours. Our programs feature Harlem’s Culture, Heritage, Architecture, and History and explore uptown neighborhoods in a unique and inspiring way. Harlem One Stop is a community-based organization. We are deeply involved in serving the interest of the community and preserving what makes Harlem great. We work hard to make sure our visitors get a unique and authentic experience of Harlem. All our tours guides live in Harlem and are involved in the life of the community. They know all about Harlem’s History as well as Harlem as it is Today .

Tours are free for guests with a valid New York Pass or Go City Pass, but a credit card is required to secure your space when booking your tour. The card will only be charged in the case of "no show" without advance cancellation.

Tours are currently offered in English only.

NEW! Harlem One Stop™ Selected Cultural Walking Tours are now available with purchase of the NEW YORK PASS. The New York Pass offers you must-see attractions, museums and tours for one low pre-paid price . This saves you up to 40% off compared to regular admission plus gets exclusive extras others miss out on. You can even skip the line at the most popular attractions. Learn more .

Harlem One Stop tours included in the New York Pass:  NEW! HALLELUJAH GOSPEL WEDNESDAY!

• Hallelujah Gospel Wednesdays , Inspirational gospel and spirituals with local church, Wednesday at 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm    BOOK NOW
• Neighborhood Walking Tours on Tuesday, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 10:00 am - 12 pm  BOOK NOW
• Swing Stroll and Dance Class , Mondays at 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm  BOOK NOW
• Sunday Gospel with Locals , 9:00 am - 11:00 am (Central Harlem) NOT INCLUDED IN THE NEW YORK PASS.
• Sunday Walking Tour and Gospel in West Harlem , 9:30 am -12: 30 pm (West Harlem) NOT INCLUDED IN THE NEW YORK PASS.

Advance purchase recommended. Tours can quickly sell out!

Questions: 212-939-9201

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SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!

Celebrate your Holiday Season in New York City with a mouth-watering soul-food brunch and a mind-blowing soulful gospel performance. Enjoy a traditional, home-style southern buffet at one of the premier restaurants in the village of Harlem, the historic Londel's Restaurant.

Immerse yourself in the sensational sounds of seasoned gospel singers, Déjà & the Harlem Soul Singers accompanied by the Nate Lucas All-Stars band.

Harlem One Stop Tours

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Private Group Tour: Harlem is Home Tour: Alexander Hamilton - His Life, Times, and Harlem

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Harlem Heritage Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Harlem Heritage Tours offers a unique set of products and services that serve to highlight the rich history of this New York neighborhood and its many contributions to American culture.

Creating authentic experiences is the company's main goal, therefore all tours are conducted by those who were actually born and raised in the community.  As of late many companies now offer tours in Harlem, but few really know and have lived the true culture of the community - NONE will state anywhere on their sites that they were born raised and still live in Harlem .  Come with us and get an insiders view of Harlem from guides who have lived in the community our entire lives.

Your warmly invited to not only learn about and celebrate Harlem's past, but to participate with us in the cultural and economic renaissance taking hold presently. Tour the historic streets of America's African-American Capital, visit cultural institutions, enjoy jazz, gospel, dine on delicious soul food and shop at Harlem's many outlets - so much fun.

Harlem is centrally located in Manhattan, and easy to get to from practically anywhere in the Tri-State area, so come with us and.....  

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Harlem Heritage Tourism & Cultural Center 104 Malcolm X Boulevard New York, N.Y. 10026 Call (212) 280-7888

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Historic Harlem Walking Tour

Emphasizing the harlem renaissance, this guided walking tour looks at the history, architecture & people of this remarkable neighborhood..

Harlem is the center of African American history and culture not only in New York City but in the entire United States. Our historic Harlem walking tour explores the history of Harlem, from its origins as a Dutch village in the 17th century through its transformation into the “Capital of Black America” in the early 20th century. We place the evolution of Harlem into the context of American history by learning about how the Great Migration drove the neighborhood’s ethnic transformation through several incarnations before Harlem finally became the black metropolis we think of today. Our Harlem guided tour emphasizes the artistic, literary, and musical flowerings of the 1920s Harlem Renaissance. Learn how this period laid the intellectual foundation for the early Civil Rights Movement. Stops could include the Abyssinian Baptist Church, Striver’s Row, the Apollo Theater, The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Hotel Theresa, and sites associated with W.E.B. DuBois, Madame C.J. Walker, Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Carl van Vechten, and many others.

Health & Safety Guidelines For our in-person walking tours, see our FAQs below for information regarding our Stay Well NYC Pledge.

Give a Big Onion Gift Certificate! Give an experience they'll remember! All tours are available as gift certificates. Purchase This Tour As A Gift Certificate

Public Tour

Private tour, tour schedule, tour reservations.

Big Onion requires all walkers to reserve and pay in advance. Prepayment helps us determine group size and appropriate guide numbers.

NOTE: You will select your date in the next step.

Reserve Your Spot Refund Policy

For bigger groups, consider a private walking or virtual tour!

Whether you are looking to integrate a tour into your academic curriculm or entertaining out-of-towners, a Big Onion walking tour is a great way to experience the city.

For more information, or to arrange, please call (718) 499-3001 or email [email protected] .

Meeting Location

Location: Northwest corner of 135th Street & Lenox (Malcolm X) Avenue – in front of the Schomburg Center.

Subway Trains 2/3 to 135th Street.

FAQs for In-Person Street Walks

Social Distancing On in person tours, Big Onion will follow the current recommended outdoor social distancing protocols.

Contact Tracing Big Onion will securely retain client contact information for one month, for contact tracing purposes, if necessary.

Guides The finest group of tour guides anywhere. Most of us are full-time graduate students researching and writing doctoral dissertations in history passionate about the history, architecture and people of New York. More about our guides .

Finding Your Guides All guides carry an 8×11 sign that says “Big Onion Walking Tours”.

Time & Distance All tours last approximately two hours. We start on time and walk between one and two miles at a moderate walking pace, stopping at various sites along the tour.

Rain/Inclement Weather Big Onion generally presents tours rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather please check our home page for notifications or call our hotline [(888) 606-WALK (9255) ext. 1], to confirm our schedule.

Tips Gratuities are always appreciated, but never expected.

Reschedule Policy With 24+ hours prior to a walking tour, Big Onion offers a full credit for the value of the booking. Credits will be given as Gift Cards in dollar amounts. Gift Cards are good for two years and can be used on any Big Onion outing. Cancellations with less than 24 hours prior to the tour or no shows cannot be credited.

Walks are held rain or shine, but may be cancelled for severe weather or if museum is closed. In the event of a Big Onion cancellation or museum closure, full refunds or rescheduled tickets will be offered.

More Questions? Check out How it Works for more details.

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Harlem Sunday Morning Gospel Tour

Harlem wednesday morning gospel tour.

• Private Harlem Soul Food & Jazz Tour

Harlem Food Tasting Walking Tour

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All Harlem and NYC Tours

Welcome to Harlem Spirituals where we offer a range of exciting and unique tours to explore the best of the Big Apple. From the bustling streets of Manhattan to the charming neighborhood of Harlem, our tours provide a glimpse into the diverse culture and history that make New York City one of the most iconic cities in the world.

We offer both private and public Harlem tours . Harlem is a vibrant neighborhood in Upper Manhattan known for its rich cultural heritage and significant contributions to African-American history. Some of our offerings include a Sunday and Wednesday Gospel Tour with an optional brunch, a Food Tasting Tour, and a Jazz Tour, each showcasing the unique flavors and sounds of this historic neighborhood.

In addition to our Harlem tours, we offer a range of NYC tours that cover the city’s most popular attractions and landmarks. Our Dumbo & Brooklyn Heights Tour provides stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline, while our NYC Sightseeing Tour takes you on a comprehensive journey through the city’s most iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Central Park.

For those who want to explore the lesser-known parts of the city, our Triboro Tour offers a unique opportunity to discover the hidden gems of the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. And for those interested in African-American history, our African American Tour offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and contributions of some of the city’s most prominent African-American figures.

Join us on one of our tours and experience the energy and excitement of New York City like never before.

Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO Walking Tour

Private Harlem Soul Food & Jazz Tour

Private Triboro Tour of Bronx, Brooklyn & Queens

Harlem Gospel tour le dimanche en Français à New York

Additional information.

• Wheelchair lifts are 49″ X 28″ and can carry a maximum weight limit of 700 lbs. We kindly ask that you submit the dimensions and model of the chair. A maximum of one person in a wheelchair can be accommodated per bus.
• For passengers with no mobility or non-foldable wheelchairs, we recommend giving us at least 3 weeks’ notice.
• With advance notice, wheelchair-bound customers with some mobility can be accommodated in the front rows of the tour bus with their wheelchairs folded away in the luggage compartment. Someone must accompany customers with special needs to assist them on the coach.
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Things to Do in Harlem NYC

This post covers things to do in Harlem, NYC. We include the best things to see and do, where to eat, hear live music, and how to attend a gospel service.

Harlem is a neighborhood that I and my fellow tour guides love. It’s especially fun to share with our tour guests and visitors of our own.

It’s a vibrant neighborhood rich with history, art, architecture, culture and…great food!

Below I tell you about the places I think one must visit when in Harlem. Many of these are stops on our pay-what-you-wish Harlem Walking Tour . 

I also took into account suggestions from some of the 230,000 members of our NYC Travel Tips Facebook group and you can read them at the bottom of this post.

The group is made up of locals, visitors to NYC, and those just getting to know the city.

There's no need to join the group to read the posts, comments and recommendations. So take a look at our group for more ideas. You can even ask a question yourself!

• Plan Your Visit
• Top 14 Things to Do
• Places to Eat and Shop
• Gospel Services
• Guided Tours

Watch a 22-minute abridged version of our live Harlem tour.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Harlem is referred to by many as the Black Mecca of the World. If you want to understand African-American history and culture, Harlem is a must-visit neighborhood.

It's a place where you can see historic sites and diverse architecture, hear amazing jazz and gospel, taste succulent ‘soul food’, and feel the unique vibe that Harlem offers.

Historic brownstones line the sidestreets while along the avenues you may come across a live African-style drumming circle.

You can see innovative art and huge murals just a block away from ancient African artifacts.

I can't emphasize enough that if you have time in your itinerary, head up to Harlem.

If you don't want to go it alone, join our pay-what-you-like   Harlem Walking Tour .

If you prefer to explore on your own, you can enjoy our GPS-led audio tour , which can be taken at any time of day or night.

You might even look into staying in Harlem. Some accommodations have prices lower than many NYC hotels. See what's available at Hotwire and TripAdvisor .

How to Get Here

Harlem is a large neighborhood, stretching from the Hudson River to the East River and from 110th to 155th Streets.

For those who ask "Where is Harlem?", this can be answered in a few ways!

Some will say "Upper Manhattan", and some say "Uptown". New Yorkers sometimes use these interchangeably. Find out why from our post Things to Do in Upper Manhattan

For the sake of this post, let's say it's at the northern tip of Manhattan as the map shows.

Many areas within Harlem have their own vibe. Some streets are bustling with restaurants, bars, and shopping while others are entirely residential.

A good place to start your exploration is at 125th Street and Lenox Avenue, the center of Harlem.

125th Street is one of Harlem's most famous streets where you will find many of the attractions listed in this post.

Use this  Google map  to get directions from your point of departure.

• Take the A, B, C, or D trains to 125th Street
• Take the 2 or 3 trains to 125th Street
• Take the 4, 5, or 6 trains to 125th Street and then either take a taxi or a bus Westbound to 8th Avenue/Frederick Douglass Boulevard

If you are unfamiliar with NYC's subway system, then read our posts on how to master the subway and tips on choosing the right MetroCard for you.

• M1, M7, M10, M101, M102, M103, M104, M103, M106, M116

TIP: If you are considering using a hop-on-hop-off bus to get around NYC, keep in mind that many tours stop in Harlem. Find out which bus tours do by reading our post comparing the different New York bus companies .

Best Times to Visit

Harlem is at its most energetic when the weather is pleasant and locals and visitors are enjoying time outdoors. The weekends are the liveliest, both day and night.

During the peak tourist season, you may find that restaurants, jazz clubs, museums, and historic sites are a bit more crowded than on weekdays.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Best Of Harlem (@tbo.harlem)

Sunday is the busiest day of the week in Harlem as locals are out and about, enjoying brunch, shopping, and for many, going to church.

Sundays are also the best if you want to see Harlem at its liveliest, but if you are coming for the art centers and museums, you may want to visit on a weekday.

IS HARLEM SAFE TO VISIT?

This excerpt below was taken from our post, Is Harlem Safe?

The reputation Harlem once had as a dangerous neighborhood is no longer the case.

With urban development along 125th Street and the surrounding streets, most of Harlem is safe, especially during the day.

Since you may be new to NYC, for your comfort we recommend the following:

• During the day, use the same precautions you would when visiting any other New York City neighborhood. Keep your eyes on your bags and pockets as a precaution.
• Feel free to ask locals for directions if you are lost. Most people are friendly, just like in other parts of the city. Note that not all locals are thrilled that their neighborhood has become a tourist destination. Still, it is unlikely that you will have any negative interactions.
• At night, use your common sense. If a street is not well-lit and you don’t have a particular destination on that street, take another route.
• As everywhere in NYC at night, pay attention to your surroundings. It’s best not to be flashing your wallet about in the street.
• Avoid parks in Harlem at night. This applies to many parks in NYC, even certain areas of Central Park.

TOP 13 ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN HARLEM

Here is a list of what I think are the best things to do in and around Central Harlem. Throughout the year there are some special events, so I've included those as well.

Most places listed are stops on our pay-what-you-like   Harlem Walking Tour  as well as our GPS-led audio tour of Harlem .

Everything on the list is  family-friendly . Most are free or affordable, which is just how I like it!

Click the map to open an interactive version .

When I plan an afternoon in Harlem, I sometimes tack on a visit to some Uptown museums or Central Park, so I've included some things you might want to check out beyond Central Harlem .

1. Take a Walking Tour

We offer a pay-what-you-like   Harlem Walking Tour  that stops at more sites than covered in this post.

You'll be entertained and educated by one of our personable and knowledgeable guides who'll tell you stories of Harlem's past and present.

See all our tour offerings on this calendar .

If you can't join our Harlem tour and want some narration to accompany your walk around the neighborhood, try our  GPS-enabled Audio Tour of Harlem .

2. Apollo Theater

253 West 125th St bet. Frederick Douglass Blvd. and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.

The world-famous Apollo Theater has been a staple in the Harlem community since 1934 and has featured giant musical entertainers for generations.

The list is endless! Performers over the decades include Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown.

Apollo's famous Amateur Night  showcases emerging singers, bands, comedians, and dancers from all backgrounds.

The audience is the judge and a contestant who wins over the crowd is sure to make it to the big leagues one day.

The audience does not hesitate to boo someone off the stage if they are terrible.

I've been several times and am always impressed by the talent. I've also been dismayed by just how bad some performers are. It's all part of the fun!

Many Amateur Night contestants have gone on to stardom, such as 15-year-old Ella Fitzgerald.

Others whose careers were launched at Amateur Night include Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Lauryn Hill.

Amateur night is on Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm. You can also see other shows at the Apollo. (See our Nightlife section below).

Read more about the Apollo Theater here .

3. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

515 Malcolm X Blvd.

This unique public library is located in the heart of Harlem and is also where we begin our  pay-what-you-like   Harlem Walking Tour . It is also included in our  GPS-enabled tour of Harlem .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Malik Khaaliq (@malikabdulkhaaliq)

The Schomberg opened in 1925 and has become one of the world's top institutions devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences.

They have over 10 million objects, artifacts, documents, recordings, art pieces, and more.

The main floor has rotating exhibitions that are always interesting and free to see. Click here for more information.

Special events, readings, and lectures are scheduled regularly. The topics range from Educational Injustice & the Struggle for Liberatory Education and When Sugar Hill Was Sweet: A Woman’s Work Is Never Done .

Visiting the Schomberg Center is so interesting that we include it in our list of the top free things to do in NYC .

4.  Sylvia's Restaurant 

328 Malcolm X Blvd. at 127th St.

Looking for a great place to eat in Harlem? A popular yet affordable place that’s rich in culture and history?

Why not head up to Sylvia’s Restaurant in the heart of where the Harlem Renaissance took place?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rob Ridner (@ridner)

Sylvia’s is simply a must-have to really experience the Harlem culture and is surprisingly reasonably priced for the entire family.

The late founder, Sylvia Wood, was known as the Queen of Soul Food.

For more details on the one and only Sylvia's, click  here .

For other restaurants, see our Where to Eat  section below. Also, check out our post on  Soul Food in Harlem .

5. National Jazz Museum

58 West 129th St. at Malcolm X Blvd.

This Smithsonian-affiliated museum is located just a few streets north of Sylvia's.

It is a small museum, but for Jazz fans, you will leave feeling very satisfied.

While they have access to the Smithsonian's Jazz Collection, this museum prefers to keep jazz thriving through lectures, discussions, and live performances.

You can listen to hundreds of historical recordings of early jazz pioneers, including rare recordings not found anywhere else in the world.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Colin J Warnock (@colinjwarnock)

I recommend you bring wired headphones to listen to the collections at the listening stations. If you don't have your own, you can purchase earbuds at the museum.

Besides listening to early recordings of some of my favorite jazz musicians, I also liked seeing the 'artifacts' like musical instruments from jazz legends, original sheet music and posters.

Take the time to talk to the docents and you will have a richer experience.

The museum is open Thursdays-Saturdays from 12 pm to 5 pm. Admission is free, but they do ask for a suggested donation of $10.

Donations must be made through contactless payment so have a credit or debit card with you.

See their website for more information.

6. Abyssinian Baptist Church

132 W 138th St.

Founded in 1808, considered a ‘mega-church’; One of its most famous leaders was Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., one of America’s first civil rights activists.

The Abyssinian Baptist Church is a popular place for visitors to take in a gospel service.

It's one of the places I've seen gospel, and I can tell you it can get very crowded, so you may want to see gospel at a different church.

To find other locations to witness a gospel church service, see the section below  as well as our post,  Where to Hear Gospel Music in New York City .

7. Check Out Harlem's Murals

As a fan of street art and murals, I think Harlem is one of the top places to see street art in NYC .

At 229 W 135th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Boulevards, you can see the larger-than-life jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, who made his name in Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anna Millan (@annamillan1)

We stop at many of these murals on our tours of Harlem .

Keep an eye out on the 125th Street subway platform on the 2 and 3 subway lines where glass mosaic murals depict Harlem legends and famous Harlem locations.

TIP : The Graffiti Hall of Fame, inside a playground at Park Avenue and E. 106 Street is pretty cool if you have the time to walk over.

8.   Strivers’ Row

West 138th St. and West 139th St. bet. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. and Frederick Douglass Blvd.

As someone with a strong interest in architecture, I adore Strivers' Row, a small, historic set of houses built in 1891.

One special thing about Strivers' Row is the different styles of buildings you will see within just two blocks.

On the north side of West 138th Street, the houses are entirely different, made of yellow brick and white limestone with terra-cotta trim.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Russell Barnes Jr (@russellnycrealestate)

On the south side of West 138th Street, you can find red-brick and brownstone buildings.

Most notable are the plots of land between some of the houses. These were stable mews for the horses to drive carriages -- there weren't cars in 1891. 

On our Harlem Tours , you'll learn about the role these houses played in the growth of distinct socioeconomic classes among the African-American residents of Harlem.

9. Studio Museum

429 West 127th Street bet. Amsterdam and Convent Avenues.

This is a contemporary art museum devoted to African-American artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.

It curates work from emerging black artists and has both a permanent collection and rotating exhibitions.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by SAM (Harlem Girl in the DMV) (@theblackoutlive21)

Note: Its home location at 125th Street is currently closed as they renovate and expand the museum. The work is expected to be done by 2024.

Until then you can visit Studio Museum 127, a temporary programming space between Thursdays through Sundays, from 12 to 6 pm.

Check  their website for schedules of exhibitions and other exciting initiatives.

10. Hotel Theresa

On the corner of 125th Street/Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd.

Built in 1912-13, the Hotel Theresa was a major social hub in Harlem.

The building itself is architecturally handsome and it was known as the "Waldorf-Astoria" of Harlem.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by E Alfil Trece (@ealfiltre)

The building itself isn't what's special. What's special is what took place inside.

Among its guests over the years are Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Fidel Castro - who had his 'friend' Nikita Krushev over while he was visiting New York from the USSR!

11. Marcus Garvey Park

Mt. Morris Park West & Madison Avenue

Marcus Garvey Park has something for everyone.

You can often find live music, plays, and comedy performances put on in the park’s amphitheater.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bryan Hopping (@hopping.bryan)

For those traveling with kids, there are two playgrounds as well as a pool to cool off in on summer days.

See the park's  website for events, hours, and amenities.

Tip:  There is free wi-fi by the Amphitheater. For other free wifi access throughout the city, see our post  Where to Find Free WiFi in New York .

12. The Cotton Club

This legendary jazz club opened in 1920, at the height of Harlem’s jazz scene. Prohibition had been enacted that year and the country went ‘dry’ The Cotton Club opened somewhat in response. 

The club served a dual purpose: providing superb entertainment and providing “bootleg” alcohol. Over the years jazz musicians like Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong played here.

The Cotton Club is still swinging today. You can enjoy a range of music, from jazz to gospel, while eating lunch or dinner. 

The club is located at 656 W. 125th St. See the Cotton Club website for more information.

13. The Langston Hughes House

The renowned African-American poet Langston Hughes was one of the most important figures during the Harlem Renaissance era. 

In 1951, he wrote the deeply moving poem Harlem , better known as A Dream Deferred .

Hughes lived in Harlem for the last 20 years of his life. He died in 1967 and in 1980 his residence at 20 E. 127th St. was given landmark status.

Today, his apartment is open to the public to visit and pay tribute. Also in the building is the I, Too Arts Collective at the Langston Hughes House, a non-profit that offers poetry readings.

EVENTS IN HARLEM

Here are a few of the best events to check out throughout the year.

• Harlem Week is a month-long and takes place annually (usually the last week in July to the last week in August). There are dozens of events with music, dance, cultural films and performances, sports, kids' activities and so much more.

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• Harlem Art Alliance  lists dozens of weekly events on its website calendar including dance performances and classes. Most are free or very affordable.
• Schomburg Center's Annual Black Comic Book Festival - A forum for animators, bloggers, cosplay lovers, fans, families, illustrators, independent publishers, and writers to celebrate Black comic books and graphic novels.
• Annual Christmas Show  by the Harlem School of the Arts. A family-friendly performance put on by the students of HSA.

For other events in Harlem, see our post about  things to do in New York City and our monthly posts about things to do in the city.

BEYOND CENTRAL HARLEM

Central park.

The northern section of Central Park is located on the southern border of Harlem and is less frequented by tourists.

There are flora and fauna and birds not found in other parts of the park.

In the Autumn you can see the colorful leaves and in Spring, see the new blossoms. Plus, you'll find some great playgrounds.

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You can swim in Harlem Meer in the summer or in the winter  go ice-skating  on Lasker Rink.

For more about the north section of Central Park, take a look at the maps on our post about  free tours and activities in Central Park .

Alexander Hamilton Grange National Memorial

414 West 141st bet. Convent and St Nicholas Avenues.  (family-friendly)

This historic house dating from 1802 is in Hamilton Heights, which is part of North Harlem.

The house's first owner was Alexander Hamilton, one of the most significant individuals in American History and whose life (and death by duel) story is fascinating.

He was one of America's Founding Fathers, as well as the founder of the U.S. Treasury system. You can see him on the $10 bill and now the subject of a hit Broadway play!

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At the Grange home, you can see historically furnished rooms either on a ranger-guided tour and talk or on your own. See  the website  for more information. Free to visit.

To see where he is buried and hear about his duel with Aaron Burr, you can join our pay-what-you-wish Lower Manhattan Tour or explore on your own with our GPS-led Self-Guided Audio Tour .

TIP : Find out how to get $20 tickets to Hamilton , the Broadway show!

General Ulysses S. Grant National Memorial

122nd St and Riverside Drive

More widely known as  Grant's Tomb , this is the largest mausoleum in the United States.

You can explore the inside of the large impressive stone monument, with occasional access to the crypt.

There are reliquary rooms on the main floor with Civil War artifacts, a visitors center, a gift shop, and a public restroom. Free.

Museum of the City of New York (MCNY)  

1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St.

As its name suggests, this museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing New York City's history through exhibits of all kinds in addition to its permanent collection.

My favorite special exhibit was the outstanding Robert Moses and the Modern City about the controversial 'master builder' of New York City from 1934 to 1968.

Some say he modernized the city while others say he destroyed it. The debate goes on.

The museum is also fun for kids as well with special educational programs. You can find more information on  the website .  Free entry with suggested admission.

El Museo del Barrio

1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th St.

This museum is the only museum in NYC that showcases Latino cultures so extensively. You can see works by artists of Puerto Rican, Caribbean, and Latin American heritage.

They also host cultural festivities, youth, and educational programming, and literary discussions.

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Click here for more information.  Free with suggested admission.

TIP:  See what other museums are free in NYC . There are dozens!

PLACES TO EAT & SHOP IN HARLEM

Here are a few restaurants that I and my fellow guides enjoy a lot and recommend to our tour guests looking for places to try soul food.

Beneath this list, I recommend some authentic shops for goods unique to Harlem.

Restaurant s

To learn a bit about the history of this fabulous cuisine, read our post on Soul Food in Harlem .

Sylvia’s House of Soul Food   328 Malcolm X Blvd. at 127th St.

Decades-old and world-famous, Harlem would not be the same without this restaurant.

To learn more about this iconic Harlem restaurant click here .

Amy Ruth's Restaurant 116th Street & Lenox Avenue (Malcolm X Blvd.)

Southern-styled cuisine starts with Amy Ruth's Restaurant. Do you want Soul Food?

Amy Ruth's Restaurant responds.

After sampling a popular daily special: the Chicken and Waffles dish, returning to Amy Ruth's will become your wish!

Red Rooster Harlem Restaurant 310 Lenox Avenue between 125th and 126th

A mix of traditional American food and diverse culinary appeals to the “New Harlem" scene.

The chef is award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson, who also was the chef for the first State Dinner of the Obama administration. Fried chicken is a must-have.

Melba's American Comfort Food   300 West 114th St.

This attractive establishment stands out with its charming church pews sitting out front. This is one of the smaller restaurants in Harlem and seating is limited.

Check out the Southern Fried Chicken & Eggnog Waffles featured on the Food Network. Bonus: Tuesday is live music night!

Londel's   2620 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Authentic Harlem food, although a bit more expensive than other places. But they have live music, so the extra money is worth it.

Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too 366 W 110th St.

Spoonbread is a corn-meal-based dish that resembles corn-meal souffle. Think Yorkshire pudding.

Delicious indeed. Norma Darden has been 'making it delicious and soulful' since 1997.

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Make My Cake 121 St Nicholas Ave and also 2380 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

This former home-based family business offers a tasty answer to any sweet tooth. With such yummy delights as cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and pies.

Be sure to check out their “Sweet Brand” of mugs, t-shirts, and hats.

Levain Bakery 2167 Frederick Douglass Blvd (at Eighth Ave)

Levain Bakery is a must for those who love chocolate chip cookies. The famous 6 oz. giant Chocolate Chip Walnut and Dark Chocolate Chip Chocolate cookies are sublime.

You can ask for your cookie to be warmed up for an extra gooey experience.

Yatenga Bistro 2269 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

Yatenga is located in the heart of Harlem and has a very rustic look with matched chairs and festive statues for sale. The mac and cheese is a huge favorite!

They have outdoor seating, which is a treat in nice weather.

Shopping in Harlem

125th street  .

The main shopping area in Harlem.

Grandma's Place

84 West 120th Street near Lenox Avenue

From nostalgic games and dollhouses to talking dolls and wooden puzzles, Its books and toys are carefully picked, positive, and reflect Harlem's community.

Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market

52 West 116th St. just east of Malcolm X Boulevard (Lenox Avenue). 

Traditional African crafts and textiles, carved wooden figurines, wooden baskets, drums, handmade African-style apparel for men, women, and children, and more.

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Harlem Haberdashery

245 Lenox Avenue between 122nd & 123rd Street

This fashion at this upscale men’s boutique is inspired by the rich cultural history and unique style of the Harlem Renaissance integrated into a future-forward exclusive design.

NiLu Gift Shop

191 Malcolm X Blvd

Beautiful unique gifts from books, paper gods, candles and soaps, accessories, home decor and more. Black-owned since 2015.

Harlem Chocolate Factory

2363 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.

Handcrafted Artisan Chocolates in Harlem.

NIGHTLIFE IN HARLEM

Be sure to also check out our post on things to do at night in NYC .

Apollo Theater   253 West 125th Street

There is no lack of live performances at the Apollo. You can see comedy, music, dance, theater, and more. See their calendar here .

Don't forget you can go see Amateur Night At The Apollo.

Shrine World Music Venue   2271 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard

There is no cover charge to see great live music. You'll hear genres such as Hip Hop, African, and the Caribbean.

Be sure to check the Shrine’s website for the musical performance schedule.

Bill's Place   148 W 133rd St.

A visit here is like seeing great live jazz in a friend’s basement. It is intimate, informal, and incredible. You pay only the cover charge of $20 per person (cash only).

You can bring in your own drinks, wine, etc. as well as snacks. Make reservations ahead of time for this “only in New York" experience.

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Harlem Nights   2361 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd (138th Street)

A cozy neighborhood bar with live music most nights, of many genres, including jazz, Latino, singer/songwriter music, and more. It’s a very welcoming atmosphere with playful cocktails and small plates of food.

Harlem Tavern   2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd (at 116th St)

This bar & grill has live music on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It’s authentic and you’ll find native Harlemites enjoying the tunes.

The Cotton Club 656 W. 125th St.

See live music at this iconic Harlem establishment that opened in 1920. Sip on classic a cocktail like Mai-Tais and Cosmopolitans. They also have a full menu for lunch and dinner. Music ranges from jazz, blues, and gospel.

GOSPEL SERVICES

Lady altoviese's harlem renaissance and gospel experience.

Every Wednesday, Harlem resident, Lady Altoviese, a tour guide with Free Tours by Foot, presents her gospel performance.

There's no dress code and this is not a church service.  Learn more here .

There is no shortage of Harlem gospel tours. Before booking a tour, be sure to read our post,  Where to Hear Gospel Music for New York for Free .

If you prefer a guided tour that will ensure that you see some great gospel, here are a few choices:

• New York Pass - this tourist pass includes two free gospel experiences, a 9:30 a.m. Sunday gospel walk and a Wednesday evening walk. Both include gospel experiences. Check out our  review of the New York Pass  to see if it is right for you.
• Harlem Spirituals offers both Gospel Tour on Sunday as well as Gospel Tour on Wednesday . There are also Sunday  gospel tours that include brunch .

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

As we noted at the beginning of this post, I and my fellow tour guides like spending time in Harlem, and have visited all the places in this post.

We each have our favorites, but we like to share suggestions from members of our New York Travel Tips Facebook group. Here are a few recommendations.

We had a lot of locals chime in with their suggestions for sights that must be seen in Harlem. Most are from our list above.

Bruce has it all covered - and threw in City College. Founded in 1847, City College has a gorgeous campus with five landmark Neo-Gothic buildings.

It’s a bit of a hike from Central Harlem, so we don’t include it in this post, but if you are curious read about it here .

Like Bruce, Barbara also recommends the Schomburg Center and Revolution Bookshop. Lit lovers will enjoy this aspect of Harlem.

Rosa, a Harlem local suggests a visit to the Jazz Museum, one of our top 13 list!

She goes on to mention Astor Row, where you’ll see more than 20 three-story red brick houses built in the early 1880s.

If you like architecture mixed with history, take a stroll over to these houses.

Anina liked simply walking around Harlem admiring the brownstones, seeing locals coming from church on a Sunday, and shopping at the Malcolm Shabazz Market.

And she offers a great tip. Wear comfortable shoes if you’ll be doing so much walking!

Here Sandra adds a second vote for the Malcolm Shabazz Market and also mentions the lovely Harlem Meer in Central Park.

These group members stayed in Harlem and found that there were a lot of local cultural events like free jazz concerts and even Shakespeare performances.

Several group members spent their time in Harlem combining a meal at Red Rooster with a musical performance. Rave reviews all around!

In Dawn’s case, she combined her meal with a visit to hear gospel music.

You can switch it up at night by following a meal at Red Rooster with a show at the Apollo.

As for other restaurants, two of our favorites, Sylvia's and Amy Ruth's, were the most often mentioned restaurants.

There was plenty of enthusiasm among our group members about going to the Apollo Theater, in particular Amateur Night.

Like the group members above, Dorothy recommends tacking on a meal at Sylvia’s.

If you have more questions about Harlem (or anything else about NYC) that we haven't covered here, check out our New York Travel Tips Facebook group!

RELATED POSTS

• Guide to NYC Neighborhoods
• Things to Do in NYC
• Guided Tours of Harlem
• Where to Stay in NYC
• 5 Boroughs of NYC Explained

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Harlem Gospel Series

Live Harlem gospel concert

World-class choirs and singers

Unforgettable Live Concert

Why you can’t miss this gospel event in Harlem

Experiencing a gospel music performance is a profoundly uplifting encounter that everyone should have, and what better place to immerse in it than the renowned New York City neighborhood of Harlem?

Attend an uplifting gospel ceremony in a local Harlem church

Enjoy the hand-clapping, foot-stomping and soulful rhythm experience

1-hour experience of powerful gospel music

Open to everyone — from large groups to individuals, and everyone will be made to feel at home

Click the tabs to find out more

Event details, the specifics, price (usd).

Adults: $25 per person Children 3-7 years:  $5 Children under 3:  free

Meeting point

Emanuel AME Church, 37 West 119th Street, New York, NY 10026

Availability

Maximum 350

A world-famous Harlem live gospel event

Not included

Transportation and meal

What to bring

A love for gospel music, an open mind, and heart, a camera, a smile on your face

Good To Know

This event is Free with Sightseeing Pass and NYC Borough Pass.

What you'll experience

No longer must you wait until Sunday to hear gospel in Harlem. Saturday is the New Sunday in Harlem for Gospel! Welcome to Harlem weekly Harlem Gospel Series is the best ticket in town for Gospel on Saturdays. See you soon – 😊    

In Harlem, you will find a multitude of churches rich with history and also where our founding fathers of gospel music made their homes. Some of the most well-known musicians and entertainers started their journeys here, and much of the music that began here is now immortalized in American pop culture for future generations to enjoy.

A Harlem gospel concert is a hand-clapping, foot-stomping, and a soulful rhythm experience of black gospel music. You’ll be able to celebrate this with some world-famous congregational choirs, whose renowned singers will have you jumping in your seat. What are you waiting for?

Check out what our guests are saying

Lynne montague-clouse | 2017.

A great way to spend a couple of hours when visiting Harlem!

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