Soul of Harlem: Harlem History, Music & Gospel Experience

4.9 (104 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

104 reviews

4.9

Soul of Harlem: Harlem History, Music & Gospel Experience — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Soul of Harlem: Harlem History, Music & Gospel Experience, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

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At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 18 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: New York City By Foot

Ages: Children (0–15 years) · Adults (16–99 years)

What is included

Included

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

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Passing 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

30 min

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

20 min

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

Passing 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

Passing 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!
Stop 6

Passing 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.
Stop 7

Passing 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

Passing by

Sunday only: See this important Harlem cultural institution dedicated to artists of African descent.
Stop 9

Passing by

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

Passing by

Sunday only: Explore this Harlem cultural and community landmark.
Memorial Baptist Church

one hour Admission included

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

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

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.
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
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.

Using your ticket

515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10037, USA This is for Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat Schedule

Apollo Theater, 233 W 125th St 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10027, USA This is only applicable to Sunday 945AM Harlem Gospel Tours.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

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

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.