You can't ignore that Harlem is one of the New York's most famous neighborhoods and therefore, it would be advisable to invest some time of your trip in knowing it. There's a lot things to see and do in Harlem, the most musical neighborhood in New York, where you can listen from the best jazz, to Latin and Caribbean music, in many of its corners.
The neighborhood occupies a large area north of Manhattan in which the African-American and also Hispanic population predominates in the east, less visited by tourism.
Historically Harlem was a troubled neighborhood at the time of Malcolm X, in which racism was fought and unfortunately, it continued with a reputation as dangerous despite having changed in recent times. During these last years the neighborhood has been revitalized and there is nothing left of those times, now Harlem is totally safe to travel freely.
We have made a list of 10 essential things to see and do in Harlem based on the experience of our first trip to New York in 11 days, on which we spent a Sunday morning, and on the last trip we stayed in an apartment with AirBnb in the Harlem neighborhood, for 40 days, so we have been able to travel it with more time and get to know it a little more closely
1. Attend a gospel mass in Harlem
One of the Top Things to Do in Harlem It is to see and hear a gospel mass in one of its many Baptist churches. The only day to attend a gospel mass in Harlem is a Sunday morning. The schedule of the Mass depends on the church and it is advisable to check its schedule on its website, especially if you only come on a Sunday and want to attend one in particular.
The churches celebrate several gospel masses that can last almost 3 hours and in some of them they start from 8 in the morning.
There are some gospel church recognized as Bethel Gospel Assembly, The Trinity Church, Abyssinian Baptist Church, Greater Refuge Temple or the Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, among many others.
You can go to the church of your choice on your own, arriving at least half an hour before the session, since space is limited and the sooner you are in the queue the more chances you will have to enter and find a good place.
Mass is free but it should be almost mandatory give a good tip, since both the place and what you will see deserve it and it is a good occasion in which scratch your pocket.
Another more comfortable option is to book this tour that includes Mass and a tour of the Harlem neighborhood with a guide in Spanish or take this offer that includes the famous Contrast Tour. In the two excursions they will pick you up at the hotel and you will have the entrance to the insured mass.
Mass Gospel in Harlem
2. Visit the historic Mount Morris district
One of the best places to visit in Harlem is the historic district of Mount Morris where the famous and beautiful are located "brownstone"These rows of houses of the nineteenth and twentieth century owe their name to the brown brick that was used for its construction and stand out, among other things, for their beautiful entrance stairs.
This district was declared of historical interest in 1971 and is located on the square that forms West 118th with 125th, and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard with Fifth Avenue. In this area there is also Marcus Garvey Park, a perfect park to relax or have a picnic, located on Mount Morris Hill.
Mount Morris Historic District, one of the things to see in Harlem
3. Have a brunch in one of its famous restaurants
After attending a gospel mass on a Sunday morning, it is almost obligatory to take a Harlem brunch.
Brunch is a combination of breakfast and food that has become very popular in New York and is usually served on weekends. The restaurants serve brunchs from early in the morning until mid-afternoon, although between 12 and 13 it is the rush hour and in the most famous places you will surely have to queue.
The emblematic harlem brunch It is based on quite copious southern food, which includes fried chicken, sausages, waffles, eggs ..., so it is better not to have breakfast and take the brunch a little before the usual meal time so you can fully enjoy it.
There are many restaurants in Harlem that serve a good brunch, we recommend Amy Ruth's with its delicious fried chicken with waffles and the Sylvia's Restaurant.
Brunch at Amy Ruth's
4. Tour Malcom X Avenue
One of the Top Things to Do in Harlem is walking and seeing the atmosphere of Malcom X. This avenue next to Adam Clayton Powell Jr., are the most important in Harlem. In 1987, in honor of the murdered civil rights activist, he was called Malcolm X Boulevard.
In this long street that runs through Harlem, starting with Central Park, many of the restaurants, shops and churches in the neighborhood are concentrated.
Touring Malcom X Avenue, one of the best things to do in Harlem
5. Enter the Apollo Theater, one of the things to do in Harlem
The Apollo Theater is located in the heart of Harlem since 1914 and it took the first steps stars like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, James Brown or Ella Fitzgerald.
It was and is a great reference for African-American music, in which concerts and all kinds of performances are held to promote their culture. One of the big nights is the Amateur night, dedicated to artists who start and who in the future can become great music stars.
It is one of the places you have what to see in Harlem in which you can also take guided tours inside or watch one of their shows. You can see the schedule of the performances and book tickets on the official website of the theater.
Apollo Theater in Harlem
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6. Eat some cookies from Levain Bakery
If something we do not stop doing every time we visit the city is to enter the Levain Bakery to try the best cookies in New York. There are two Levain Bakery patisseries throughout New York and one of them is located in Harlem on Frederick Douglass Blvd.
The premises open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., yes, we warn you that at peak times you can find long queues, although they go quite quickly serving.
His most famous cookie is the one that carries pieces of chocolate and nuts, although we always take advantage of the trip to order four different flavors for 4 dollars each. Although it seems expensive, they are huge and with one you can have a great snack.
Levain Bakery, the best cookies in New York
7. Listen to Jazz
In New York there are many places to attend a jazz concert and many of these venues are concentrated in the trendy neighborhood of Greenwich Village. Although we will not deny that going to a jazz club in Harlem It has a special flavor.
Jazz was born at the end of the 19th century in the southern United States, forming a perfect blend of Western harmonies and African rhythms.
In Harlem you have several recommended clubs such as Bill's Place, Paris Blues or Minton's Playhouse, some of them being old, very small clandestine bars, where you feel very close to the musicians.
The places in the clubs are limited, so you have to get to the place soon or book early online or by phone. In some of these places you have to pay entrance as they do not serve food or drink, although you can bring it outside and enjoy it during the performance.
8. Find a bargain at the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market
Another of the things to do in Harlem It is touring the Malcolm Shabazz market full of African crafts. It is located near Central Park, on West 116th with Malcom X and you will find from beautiful handmade wood carvings to handmade African-style clothes.
Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market
9. Tour the St. Nicholas Historic
The historic district of St. Nicholas is one of the most beautiful places what to see in Harlem and is located on West 138th and 139th between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard. These rows of houses, known as "Strivers Row", are similar in architecture to the brownstone of Mount Morris, but they stand out for their buildings of yellow brick and white limestone, of Renaissance style, with its beautiful entrance staircase, many of them decorated with flowers and plants.
This district was included in the register of historical places in the United States.
St. Nicholas Historic District
10. See the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
Although the Cathedral of San Juan Divino is located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood, next to Harlem, we have included it in a route through the neighborhood because of its proximity and because it is very worthwhile.
It is the largest Anglican cathedral in the world and although it began construction in 1892, it has not yet been completed and for this reason it has the nickname of "the incomplete".
You have to enter inside to see its large rose window and the work chapel that honors firefighters. It is also worth visiting its beautiful garden with a striking sculpture. And if you still have time do not forget to walk a few minutes more to visit the University of Columbia and the Grave of General Grant, both also in the Morningside Heights neighborhood.
Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
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If you feel like helping us complete the list of 10 things to see and do in Harlem, add your recommendations in the comments.
