Harlem offers numerous entertaining activities, so if you haven’t explored this part of New York yet, now is the time to make the trip. As one of the coolest neighborhoods in NYC, Harlem has a distinct culture unlike anywhere else. Harlem’s landmarks provide glimpses into the neighborhood’s artistic and cultural heritage, so it`s worth visiting.
Harlem is most renowned for the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, during which Black writers, musicians, and intellectuals made quite an impression with novel artistic styles. They also sought to embrace and elevate their cultural traditions, making Harlem the Black mecca of NYC that it remains today.
To provide a sense of Harlem’s location, it’s in Upper Manhattan and bordered by Central Park to the south, the Harlem River to the north, and the Hudson River to the west. Fifth Avenue runs along the side of the neighborhood, creating the eastern boundary. Several of the top attractions in Manhattan are near Harlem, so you can easily incorporate this neighborhood into your travel plans.
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Table of Contents
1. Apollo Theater, one of the most famous places in Harlem, New York
First, a visit to Harlem isn`t complete without seeing the legendary Apollo Theater. For over 100 years, this landmark theater has hosted some of the top performers in the country, spanning music, comedy, and more.
During the swing era, figures like Duke Ellington performed on stage, while over the decades, other stars like Richard Pryor, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin took to the stage here. To this day, the Apollo is a well known establishment for Black entertainment, hosting public events every week, including amateur stand-up comedy nights.
In addition to the performances, the Apollo Theater is an architecturally impressive place to explore in Harlem. The Neoclassical-style building has undergone restoration and renovation over the years but continues to be a local gem treasured by New Yorkers. It’s also been designated as a New York City Landmark and is hoped to entertain crowds for many decades more.
2. Attend a gospel service, an unforgettable thing to do in Harlem
Attending a Sunday spiritual gathering is one of the ideal ways to immerse yourself in the local traditions of Harlem, NY. There are over 400 places of worship here, mostly Christian churches, and faith is a major part of everyday living for locals. Don’t worry; you don’t have to be devout to enjoy the gospel music and comradery of Sunday services.
You can attend a local mass independently or embark on a guided tour like this one. I suggest a guided tour if you’re unfamiliar with church services or uncertain about which place of worship to visit. Again, there are hundreds to choose from, which include one of the earliest African-American Baptist congregations in the country. Abyssinian Baptist Church was established in 1808 and stands apart for its Gothic and Tudor architectural style.
Joining the tour provides the opportunity to attend Sunday service with a local church community, experiencing gospel music, prayer, and their welcoming spirit firsthand. During worship, one participates in the spiritual fellowship and Baptist traditions while socializing with congregation members. From musical performances to sermons to elaborate outfits, it is an immersive experience best observed through an educational tour.
This tour additionally involves a brief viewing of Harlem sights to visit a few neighborhood attractions, historic homes, and monuments. You’ll gain knowledge about the Black history of Harlem while having the opportunity to meet new people, making this one of the best walking tours in New York City.
3. El Museo del Barrio, the best museum in Harlem, New York
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The gathering incorporates archaeological objects, traditional artifacts, and contemporary works. It`s worth spending a few hours exploring here to discover modern art, folkloric masks, and other displays. El Museo del Barrio also features an engaging selection of pre-Columbian items as well as an impressive collection of Puerto Rican art.
Not only is this considered one of the highly esteemed museums in Harlem, New York, but admission allows payment based on individual means. So, if you’re looking for an affordable or costless activity to engage in NYC, this is a great place to explore!
4. Bill’s Place, the best place in Harlem for live jazz music
Experiencing live jazz in Harlem, NYC is another way to enjoy the local arts scene. If you’re here on a Friday or Saturday night, I recommend stopping by Bill’s Place, an unassuming jazz club and BYOB. Here, you can enjoy a live performance by Bill Saxton, one of the top names in New York’s jazz scene for the past 30 years.
Bill’s Establishment is one of the prime places to experience Harlem nightlife, and the atmosphere is extremely friendly and intimate. The club has an old prohibition-era feel, and it’s rather small, so reservations are necessary to gain entry.
Another place worth exploring is Minton’s Playhouse, a jazz club hosting various performers. Unlike Bill’s Place, Minton’s Playhouse has a bar and full dinner menu, allowing one to enjoy a nice meal while taking in the music.
5. Eat the best soul food in Harlem, New York
Talking about food, Harlem is the place to sample mouthwatering soul cuisine since there are many excellent restaurants in the area. While originating in the South, soul food has become widespread throughout the country and is a popular culture in the Black community. The top restaurants in Harlem, New York serve up hearty portions of comfort classics like fried chicken and collard greens.
For example, Sylvia`s Restaurant is among the best places to dine in Harlem for those seeking authentic Southern comfort cuisine. Renowned as the “Queen of Soul Food,” Sylvia offers a delectable menu including chicken and waffles, BBQ ribs, mac and cheese, and more. There is even a gospel brunch menu, so you can come here after attending a Sunday service.
Nearby Sylvia’s Jacob Soul Food Restaurant focuses on Southern cuisine and Caribbean meals. Along with Jamaican chicken and short ribs, the restaurant has a fresh salad bar and homemade pies and desserts.
If more options are needed, consider Melba’s Restaurant, an intimate venue with traditional dishes like fried catfish and sweet potato pie; or Red Rooster, which is owned by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. This location has a more inventive take on soul food and is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
6. Studio Museum in Harlem, another interesting place to visit in Harlem
Visiting the Studio Museum in Harlem offers another entertaining activity in Harlem, requiring roughly an hour to explore the collection. This art museum focuses on artists of African descent and maintains a permanent set of paintings, drawings, multimedia installations and more. Additionally, the Studio Museum regularly hosts resident artists, providing a rotating display of pieces.
This is an interesting place where you can explore the history of the African diaspora. The Black Wall Street collection is particularly thought-provoking, while the Diaspora collection provides a thorough overview of the civil rights and Black Power movements, spanning decades and around the globe.
Finally, there’s no cost to enter, so if you’re looking for an indoor activity within the area, consider checking out this free museum located in Harlem, New York.
7. See the Graffiti Hall of Fame, one of the coolest things to do in Harlem
In addition to religious services, soul food, and jazz music, Harlem is home to the Hall of Graffiti Fame, another intriguing attraction worth seeing during a visit. This outdoor art gallery was established in 1980 and has adorned the walls of the Jackie Robinson Educational Complex ever since.
These spray-painted walls offer the ideal surface for up-and-coming street artists to add splashes of color to the community and express themselves. Local and international graffiti artists visit here to develop unique works of art, frequently conveying social or creative messages. Furthermore, the Graffiti Hall of Fame organization picks a new theme each year, so the walls are constantly evolving.
Whether you’re a person who enjoys art or simply passing through the area, do not miss this totally free attraction located in Harlem. However, be aware that since it’s on school grounds, you can only visit on weekends.
8. National Jazz Museum in Harlem, another one of the best places in Harlem, New York
Not only can you witness live jazz performances in Harlem, but you can also explore the history of this music style at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. This is another complimentary museum in Harlem, New York, and the ideal place to briefly visit if you have a spare hour or so to spare.
The museum’s holdings involve audio recordings from the 1930s, with performances by Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, and their contemporaries. There is also a video archive and an presentation with pictures and other media preserving Harlem’s jazz history. Many of these items came from American saxophone player Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis’s personal collection.
The National Jazz Museum is also a superb place to personally experience the culture of Harlem since several live acts and programs are held there. The museum is open Thursday-Saturday and admission is free, though donations are appreciated.
9. Visit Marcus Garvey Park, a free thing to do in Harlem, NYC
To spend some time outdoors, head to Marcus Garvey Park, a lovely green space where you can breathe in the fresh air. Named after businessman and activist Marcus Garvey, the park is one of the finest spots in Harlem to take a break and observe people.
On any given day, you’ll see people engaging in chess, walking their dogs, or watching their kids play. The park is also home to a historic landmark in Harlem, the Mount Morris Fire Watchtower, a 47-foot-tall structure constructed in the 1800s.
There are also various sculptures, playground areas, and fields for activities found within the park grounds, in addition to a community center, an amphitheater, and a swimming facility. Therefore, if visiting during the summer months, one will discover multiple pleasurable pursuits, though the park is ideal for exercise and strolls at any time of year.
10. Langston Hughes House, a legendary place to go in Harlem
Additionally, the Langston Hughes House is another renowned place in Harlem that you shouldn`t miss out on, particularly if you enjoy literature. This historic brownstone row house served as the residence of American poet, playwright, and activist Langston Hughes from 1947 until his death in 1967. He was one of the pioneers of the jazz poetry movement and a well known figure of the Harlem Renaissance.
Hughes’ poems articulated eloquently the struggles of the Black experience while also uplifting and empowering the community. His works are remembered today at the Langston Hughes House as well as the American Poets’ Corner at St. John the Divine.
The residence where he once lived was constructed in 1869 employing an Italianate architectural style and is currently included on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also home to the I, Too, Arts Collective, a non-profit dedicated to amplifying underrepresented creative communities.
And those are the highly recommended activities to engage in within Harlem. I hope you learned more about this neighborhood and are eager to experience all that it has to offer. Be sure to download this map which features all the notable Harlem destinations I discussed.
Lastly, do not hesitate to provide a comment if you have any inquiries or wish to propose another location to explore in Harlem. I would be happy to hear from you! Have a wonderful trip!
