14 Things to Do in Harlem NYC

If you're in New York, you have to visit the neighborhood that inspired the popular Harlem Shake dance a few years ago. It's home to the Harlem Globetrotters, great jazz, hip hop, and soul food.

Harlem's diversity, history, and eclectic atmosphere make it a truly unique experience. Highly recommended!

The Apollo Theater is more than just an important stage. It was the center of the movement known as the Harlem Cultural Renaissance. Legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Jimi Hendrix performed there. Book an African American cultural tour of Harlem and learn all about its history.

Located at 253 125th Street, the theater is also a gathering place. In addition to hosting the legendary Amateur Nights and the NY Comedy Festival, it offers a series of cultural programs focused on education, family, and the community. With an emphasis on the contribution of African American culture to the development of the United States and global culture.

• Address: 253 West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (125th Street).
• Hours: Guided tours daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (Wednesdays at 1 p.m. only).
• Price of guided tours: $16 (approximately €14.70).

The musical renewal, stemming from the aforementioned Renaissance, was an extraordinary phenomenon in Harlem. Gospel and jazz dominated the streets of New York. And even today, they largely define the unique character of this charismatic place.

If you want to delve deeper into this phenomenon, I recommend taking a gospel tour and attending a service. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with the neighborhood’s spirituality and most authentic values. Plus, with a tour guide, you’ll make the most of your time. Expect crowded venues, a ceremony lasting about 2 hours, and a request for a donation. Always remember that a service is a moment of religious communion; be respectful and follow the venue’s rules.

Here are several options that will allow you to learn more about their lifestyle, customs, and history:

• Harlem tour with a gospel mass (Sunday), starting at $85
• Sunday Gospel Mass with locals in Harlem, starting at $61

If you want to visit the place where Billie Holiday ’s career began, you must head to Bill’s Place. This club was a genuine speakeasy during Prohibition in the 1920s and still retains its spirit.

Run by Dr. Theda Palmer and Bill Saxton, “the king of Harlem jazz,” the venue promises visitors a night of the purest jazz. You can enjoy a jam session with exceptional musicians. The venue is small, intimate, and lively. It offers an unforgettable experience for those who love live music. This will be one of the stops you’ll visit if you book a tour of Harlem’s jazz venues.

• Address: 148 West 133rd Street (between Seventh and Lenox Avenues).
• Hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Price: $30 (approximately €27.50).

Continuing with this musical tour, you must make a mandatory stop at 656 125th Street, the Cotton Club. This legendary jazz club opens its doors every Monday and Saturday at 8:00 PM. There, you can order dinner and drinks while enjoying a jazz or blues performance. There’s also a Brunch & Gospel option on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM.

Although this isn’t the historic club—since the original building no longer exists—it retains the charm of the era when stars like Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Slappy White, Chuck Jackson, Art Blakey, and Count Basie performed there. If you like this idea, I recommend booking a tour of Harlem’s jazz venues.

• Address: 178 South 7th Avenue (between Perry Street and Waverly Place in the West Village).
• Hours: Mondays and Thursdays from 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM, Saturdays from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM and from 9:00 PM to midnight, and Sundays from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
• Price: starting at $20 (approximately €18.30).

It’s very easy to get to the Columbia University campus from Central Harlem. In fact, there’s some debate about where one area ends and the other begins. If you’re interested in educational tourism, you can plan a stop on your Harlem tour to visit the university.

You’ll notice that the differences between the two areas are striking. You can also book a “contrasts” tour, which are quite popular.

Harlem is known for its cuisine, soul food, with its roots in Southern cooking. Fried chicken with waffles, burgers and BBQ, chocolate cake, or banana pudding. All delicious dishes that will make you feel right at home, and at affordable prices. Here are three recommendations for places to enjoy the soul food experience in Harlem. Don’t hesitate to book a guided tour of Harlem with food tastings and try the best dishes, and if you prefer to eat at a specific spot, I recommend several options:

Sylvia’s Restaurant

Sylvia’s Restaurant Sylvia’s Restaurant, founded in 1962 by Sylvia Woods, “the queen of soul food.” It’s located on Malcolm X Boulevard. This is probably the best-known restaurant in Harlem. It will soon celebrate its 60th anniversary and is still run by the Woods family.

Amy Ruth’s

Amy Ruth’s opened its doors in 1999. A charming spot where dishes are named after prominent African American figures. Here you can enjoy dishes named: President Barack Obama (chicken), Michelle Obama (fish), Gabrielle Union (pork chops), Judge George B. Daniels (shrimp), and C. Virginia Fields (carrot cake).

The house specialty is waffles. On the menu, you’ll find waffles topped with chicken, bacon, and chorizo; strawberries; blueberries; cinnamon; bananas; and walnuts, among other options.

Red Rooster Harlem

Red Rooster Harlem is a favorite among locals. Conceived by Marcus Samuelsson, the renowned Ethiopian-Swedish chef, it opened on Lenox Avenue in 2010. In its own words, the restaurant “celebrates the roots of American cuisine and the diversity of the neighborhood’s culinary traditions.”

If you head downstairs, you’ll be surprised by Ginny’s Supper Club. A club that emulates the spirit of the speakeasies of the 1920s. Here you can enjoy live jazz and a private dinner.

New York is a city of irresistible museums, and Harlem is no exception. The Studio Museum, opened in 1968 at 144 West 125th Street, was the first art gallery in the area. Due to renovations, it is now located at 429 West 127th Street.

However, you can stay up to date on the latest news through the website and its social media (@studiomuseum). Check the calendar for the schedule and actively participate in the life surrounding the institution.

The museum exhibits the work of more than 400 artists of African descent, Afro-Latinos, or from the diaspora. In addition to its collections and events, it supports the Artist-in-Residence program. This program offers an 11-month residency to three local, national, or international artists. I also recommend booking a tour of African American culture.

• Address: 144 W 125th St, New York.
• Hours: Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Price: starting at $20 (approximately €18.30).

If you’re looking for a place to have a drink in Harlem, there’s no shortage of trendy little bars. You’ll find everything from beers, margaritas, and mojitos to the most exotic cocktails.

Accompanied by appetizers, music, and entertainment. You can enjoy them with your friends, family, or partner. Or you can take the opportunity to go out on your own and meet new people.

Here’s a list of some suggestions for a great time. The highest-rated bars, cocktail bars, breweries, and clubs on Google:

• Room 623 Harlem’s Speakeasy (Jazz Club).
• Lucille’s Coffee and Cocktails (Bar).
• Harlem Hops (Brewery).
• The Honey Well (Cocktail Bar).
• Sugar Monk (Cocktail Bar).

Harlem is a living work of art. Tradition and modernity blend in its streets. The 19th century meets skyscrapers, brownstones, and graffiti. So, taking the subway and wandering aimlessly to appreciate the local architecture can be a delightful experience in itself.

A unique attraction is the Langston Hughes House, located at 5th Avenue and 127th Street. The poet lived here from 1947 to 1967. The house is a brownstone, as the brown-toned buildings with staircases leading down to the sidewalk—which we so often see in movies—are known. These picturesque buildings adorn the Harlem landscape, becoming a hallmark of the neighborhood.

The Latino community is one of the largest in New York. Spanish Harlem is home to the city’s largest concentration of people of Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican descent.

• The Graffiti Hall of Fame is an exciting showcase of street art. It emerged in the 1980s, when graffiti wasn’t even considered a serious art form. Its founder was Ray Rodríguez, a New York graffiti artist known as Sting Ray. Today it is considered a dedicated space for public art. The murals invite artists and enthusiasts from all over to contribute to the space and admire the results. This iconic spot has become an open-air traveling gallery.
• Another key spot in Spanish Harlem is La Marqueta. The market, open since 1936, is located at 1590 Park Avenue. There you can buy food, fabrics, flowers, and other products. Mostly organic and local products are sold. La Marqueta also functions as a cultural hub, bringing Latinos together around food and community.

The part of Central Park near Harlem is an area rarely visited by tourists. If you want to take a moment to connect with nature, head to the Central Park Conservatory Garden or Harlem Meer.

• The Central Park Conservatory Garden will transport you to a little piece of Europe. Surrounded by the beauty of its gardens and its Italian, French, and English-style statues.
• Harlem Meer offers incredible views of the lake. You can even take an audio-guided tour.

At both locations, you’ll get to experience a less-visited part of the park, allowing for a more peaceful and private experience. It’s also a great way to take a break from exploring Harlem. Plus, if you want to delve deeper into Central Park, sign up for one of the many available tours:

• Central Park Tour, starting at $44
• Central Park bike taxi tour with a driver, starting at $49
• Electric scooter tour of Central Park, starting at $87
• Central Park tour featuring movie locations, starting at $45
• Horse-drawn carriage tour of Central Park, starting at $116
• Horse-drawn carriage tour of Central Park and Times Square, starting at $284
• Photography tour of Central Park, starting at $104
• Bicycle tour of Central Park, starting at $46
• Two-hour bike tour of Central Park, starting at $60
• Private bike tour of Central Park, starting at $89

The same is true of Museo del Barrio. Founded in 1969, it is located at 1230 5th Avenue and 104th Street.

With over 8,000 pieces, its mission is to preserve Latin American culture in the United States. The museum produces bilingual publications and programs. It organizes exhibitions, educational activities, and festivals. And it promotes the work of artists from the Caribbean and Latin America.

Through its virtual platform, you can explore the available activities. The museum recommends purchasing tickets in advance. And keep in mind that certain health and safety measures are required. Among them, you must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the facilities.

• Address: 1230 5th Ave, New York.
• Hours: Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Price: $8 (approximately €7.40).

The Theresa Hotel is a symbolic place. Not only was it one of the first establishments to admit Black people, but it also became a cultural hub linked to the civil rights movement in the United States. An interesting fact is that among its most famous guests were Fidel Castro, Nikita Khrushchev, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Patrice Lumumba. It also hosted intellectuals such as Allen Ginsberg and C. Wright Mills.

For history lovers, Harlem is a special destination. Districts like the Mount Morris Historic District and the St. Nicholas Historic District preserve the area’s original character. Other major buildings of public interest are linked to the founding fathers of the United States, including:

• The Morris-Jumel Mansion, located in Washington Heights, where George Washington stayed in 1776.
• The Hamilton Grange National Memorial, the last home where Alexander Hamilton lived.

Between the 1970s and 1990s, Harlem experienced serious social conflicts caused by drug trafficking. However, today it is a safe and prosperous place. It is also a multicultural space where cultures as diverse as Puerto Rican and Senegalese converge.

Another thing to see and do in New York and Harlem is to visit the George Washington Bridge, a suspension bridge. It is the only bridge that crosses the Hudson River and connects New York and New Jersey. The structure is 94 years old and 1,451 meters long.

For many people, walking across the bridge while taking in the views of the river is a very rewarding experience. You can also cross it, or ride a section of it, by bicycle. But you should pay close attention to the information that authorities provide for pedestrians and cyclists.