Although world-famous, Harlem may just be New York's best-kept secret, with some of the city's most interesting architecture, food, music, and people.
For our full tour calendar, click here.
Harlem's history is also one of the city's most dramatic, having gone through many ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic changes over the past roughly 400 years.
This has resulted in a diverse array of places of worship, theaters, homes, and eating establishments.
Join New York Tours by Foot uptown on this two-hour Harlem walking tour.
Discover the streets where Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and other cutting-edge Harlem Renaissance players put American music on the world map.
And where Fidel Castro slept after being kicked out of a midtown hotel for having chickens in his room.
Come hungry if you want to treat yourself to some great soul food after the tour!
We'll also show you some places where you could visit to experience a live gospel service.
Our Sunday Tour includes a Gospel Experience.
Sites we cover on our Harlem Walking Tour:
- Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: 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, the Civil Rights Era, & the Black Lives Matter Movement.
- Abyssinian Baptist Church: Established over 220 years ago in New York City, and in Harlem since 1902, it is one of the oldest Baptist churches in the United States.
- Striver's Row: Walk in this historic district of beautiful row houses with alleyways and shared rear courtyards built in the 1890s. 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: 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.
- Sylvia's Restaurant of Harlem: A 3rd-generation family-owned business started by Sylvia Wood, also known as the "Queen of Soul Food," that has served authentic soul food to the community and notable people alike since 1962.
- Clinton Foundation: Located in Harlem since 2001, the Clinton Foundation is one of the top sponsors and supporters of small businesses in the community by way of grants and scholarships.
- Sites Related to Malcolm X: This civil rights activist revolutionary made Harlem his home base. His impact on Harlem, as well as Harlem's impact on him, is woven throughout the tour.
- Apollo Theater: "WHERE STARS ARE BORN & LEGENDS ARE MADE." Celebrating 90 years this year with concerts by USHER, Smokey Robinson, Mary J. Blige, and Babyface, just to name a few!
Sunday Harlem Gospel Experience
Our Sunday Harlem Walking Tour is part historic walking tour and part gospel experience at a local church.
- Apollo Theater
- Several historic landmarks & statues relating to Harlem Renaissance, civil rights, & BLM movement
- Murals that capture Harlem's colorful and vibrant impact on society
- Award-winning Restaurant Row (Option to dine afterwards, if interested—cost NOT included)
- Former Synagogues from Harlem's Jewish history
- Picturesque Brownstone Row seen in several movies & TV shows
- Groundbreaking School that changed the educational demographic of Harlem's youth of today
- Largest African market in the United States
- Famous historic sanctuary of 100+-year-old Missionary Baptist Church with original stained glass windows
- Headquarters for former President of the United States
- Newly renovated & reopened 1917 theater & hotel
NOTE: We do not enter these buildings on the tour.
We also have a GPS-led audio tour of Harlem that you can take whenever it fits your schedule.
Tour information
Reservations: Required. Click here to reserve.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours. The tour distance is approximately 1.5 miles (2.7 km).
Start point: The tour starts from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (map). The Sunday Gospel Experience tour begins at the Apollo Theater.
Endpoint: The tour ends near the Apollo Theater. The Sunday Gospel Experience tour ends at the Memorial Baptist Church at 141 W 115th St in Harlem.
Language: English
GPS-LED AUDIO TOURS OF HARLEM
We also offer a GPS-enabled audio tour as well as a self-guided tour.
The 1st option is our GPS-led audio tour.
This option is our full tour of Harlem and was researched and recorded by one of our tour guides from the neighborhood. Listen to a sample.
You'll need to download our free audio tour app. Downloads are only $2.99. We also offer 9 other NYC audio tours.
Here is how it works:
- Purchase an audio tour.
- Get a confirmation email with an .mp3, a pdf, and an embeddable Google Map.
- Enjoy the tour(s).
Even if you don't download any tours, you will still have access to valuable information on sightseeing, eating, and playing in the Big Apple.
Our second option is totally free. You can take this tour by viewing or downloading this Google Map.
This version isn't as in-depth as the audio or public tours, but it will give you a good overview nonetheless.
Tip: To learn about the economic, political, and cultural changes in Harlem over time, check out Social Justice Tours.
Tickets are just $16 and a portion of the proceeds goes to a worthy non-profit organization.
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