Soul of Harlem: Harlem History, Music & Gospel Experience

Duration2h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

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TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 18 travelers

Overview

Discover Harlem, one of New York City’s most culturally significant neighborhoods, through its music, history, and people.

Walk the streets where Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and other Harlem Renaissance legends helped put American music on the world stage. Stop outside the Apollo Theater, the legendary Harlem landmark where generations of artists have performed and where Harlem’s musical legacy continues today.

Learn how Harlem evolved over the years through changing communities, cultural movements, and historic events. Discover the stories behind Harlem’s churches, theaters, homes, restaurants, and the people who shaped this iconic neighborhood.

Join us uptown for a memorable Harlem walking tour filled with history, culture, and local stories.

Sunday Gospel Experience Option: On Sundays, enjoy a shorter Harlem history walking tour through another area of the neighborhood, followed by an authentic gospel experience at a local Baptist church connected to the community.

Options

Soul of Harlem History and Heritage Walking Tour

515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, : This meeting point location is available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Starting point:
515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10037, USA

Gospel Sundays

Gospel Experience: On Sundays, we alter the walking tour to include a Skip The Line access to a local church for a Gospel Experience.
New Meeting Location: Meet your guide outside the Apollo Theatre - https://maps.app.goo.gl/fM2MrV2m8u3H2e916.
Apollo Theater, 233 W 125th : This meeting point location is only available on Sunday, and this is exclusive only for the Gospel Sundays.

What's included

Explore historic sites, churches, theaters, and neighborhood landmarks.
Sundays only: Separate Gospel tour itinerary with priority access to an authentic gospel service.
Learn how Harlem has evolved through changing communities, cultural movements, and historic events.
Discover the Harlem Renaissance and the people who shaped American culture.
Guided walking tour through Harlem’s history, culture, and landmarks.
Local guide sharing stories of Harlem’s music, artists, activists, and communities.

Gratuities

What to expect

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Pass by

Tuesday–Saturday only: Start your exploration at one of New York Public Library's renowned research libraries, which serves as a cultural institution for the exhibition and preservation of African-American experience. Experience periodic exhibitions dedicated to The Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, & The Black Lives Matter Movement.
Abyssinian Baptist Church
30m

Tuesday–Saturday only: Established over 220 years in New York City, and in Harlem since 1902, it is one of the oldest Baptist churches in the United States.
Strivers' Row
20m

Tuesday–Saturday only — Harlem History Tour stop: Walk in this historic district of beautiful row houses with alleyways, rear shared and courtyards built in the 1890's. Home to the likes of tap dancer and actor Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, heavyweight boxer Harry "BLACK PANTHER" Willis, Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. & William Marion Cook - 1st Black Broadway Musical composer.
Bill's Place
Pass by

Tuesday–Saturday only: Located on Harlem's original Swing Street, owner and Harlem jazz icon Bill Saxton performs with the best in the business, including American jazz and swing singer Billie Holiday.
Apollo Theater
Pass by

Tuesday–Saturday: End point. Sunday: Meeting point: "WHERE STARS ARE BORN & LEGENDS ARE MADE." Celebrating 90 years this year with concerts by USHER, Smokey Robinson, Mary J. Beige, Baby face, Just to name a few!
Pass by

Tuesday–Saturday only: See Sylvia’s, the legendary Harlem restaurant and longtime gathering place, and learn about its important place in Harlem’s culinary and cultural history.
Pass by

Sunday only: See the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Building, a landmark of Harlem’s political and community history named for the influential Harlem congressman.
The Studio Museum in Harlem
Pass by

Sunday only: See this important Harlem cultural institution dedicated to artists of African descent.
Pass by

Sunday only: See this historic Harlem mosque and learn about its connection to Harlem's African-American Muslim community.
Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market
Pass by

Sunday only: Explore this Harlem cultural and community landmark.
Memorial Baptist Church
1h · Admission ticket included

Sunday only: Continue to the historic church for the Gospel Experience.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Our Sunday Gospel Version of the tour meets at the Apollo Theatre. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/fM2MrV2m8u3H2e916) This is only applicable to Sunday 945AM Harlem Gospel Tours.

Meeting point

The tour starts from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture where the guide will be waiting for you.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Sunday Gospel Version of the tour meets at the Apollo Theatre. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/fM2MrV2m8u3H2e916) This is only applicable to Sunday 945AM Harlem Gospel Tours.

End point

PLEASE NOTE: Our Sunday Gospel Version of the tour ends at a local church for a Gospel experience. This is for our Sunday 945M Harlem Gospel Tour only - Memorial Baptist Church on 116th St

End point

Our regular tour ends outside the Apollo Theatre.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Sunday Gospel Version of the tour ends at a local church for a Gospel experience. This is for our Sunday 945M Harlem Gospel Tour only.

Additional information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.9 (104)

From

$39.00 per person

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