Soul of Harlem History and Heritage 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.
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 us uptown on our signature, award-winning two-hour Harlem walking tour.
Options
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.
What's included in Soul of Harlem History and Heritage Walking Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
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, Civil Rights Era, & The Black Lives Matter Movement.
Abyssinian Baptist Church
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
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.
Inclusions
- 2 Hour Guided Walk through the History of Harlem
- Led by local Harlem residents & Award winning Tour Guides
- Most immersive Harlem Tour of New York
- (SUNDAYS ONLY) Skip the Line Access to Gospel Experience at Local Church
- Gratuities
- 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
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- 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 Points
- 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.
