The Soul of Harlem Walking Tour in New York

101 Reviews4.98 out of 5 stars Based on 101 reviews collected by Cool New York City and TripAdvisor | New York City, USA

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2 hours 30 minutes (Approx.)
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Overview

Our 10,000-step journey will begin with a bird' s-eye view of 125th Street, Harlem's most popular street. The main themes we will discuss are the Harlem Renaissance and gentrification.

We walk by and discuss these famous places:
- The world's famous Apollo Theater
- Sylvia's Soul Food Restaurant
- The home of Langston Hughes
- Astor's Row
- Several iconic murals

This tour is based on a book I have written, "You Are Here: A Geographic History of Enslaved and Free Africans in Manhattan from 1613 to 1865." I will use my tour guide experience (I have given over 700 tours) to make this a fun-filled tour. Best of all, you will have a Harlem experience—see the friendly culture, people, and places of Harlem.

If you are behind schedule, please get in touch with me ASAP. I will have a 5-minute grace period. Afterward, I will proceed to our first stop—the Metro-North Railroad (above-ground train station) directly across the street from the Ginjan Cafe on Park Ave.

What's Included

  • Snacks Only when cake is available and time permitting, I buy a slice of red-velvet cake from the famous "Cake Man Raven" Bake Shop
  • Gratuities (Optional)

Meeting Location

Meeting point

85 E 125th St, New York, NY 10035, USA

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End point

Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027, USA

Start Times

What To Expect

Park Avenue

Get a View of Harlem's Famous 125th Street at the Metro-North Train Station Platform. Also view art works describing Harlem's history.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Harlem

Along with the listed attractions, We will see and discuss the history of the Metro-North train station, Astor's Row, The "White House" in Harlem, The YMCA, several famous murals in Harlem, Lenox Terrace, Harlem Hospital, Harlem State Office Building, and Blumsteins Department store - the place where MLK almost lost his life, walk the streets of Harlem to get a true sense of the culture and people in the neighborhoods.
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1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, one of The New York Public Library’s renowned research libraries, is a world-leading cultural institution devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Langston Hughes House

Langston Hughes House is a historic home located in Harlem. Mr. Hughes is an iconic figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Langston Hughes will be a major topic during the tour.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem

The Museum is open only Thursday- Saturday. Review famous Jazz Musicians associated with the Harlem Renaissance, see current exhibits, vintage jazz photos, maps, books, etc.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Apollo Theater

The World Famous Apollo theater is a mainstay in Harlem. We will discuss the "Walk of Fame" in front of the theater, as well as the many stars that performed there.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

2082 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd

The Theresa Hotel. We will walk by the hotel and discuss its rich Harlem history.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Show 5 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-239046P2

Reviews

4.98
101 reviews

Average 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 101 traveler reviews collected by Cool New York City and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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