About Activity
Explore the most authentic New York neighborhood in 3 hours with your private guide. Visit the most notable attractions from Harlem must-see list, listen to interesting facts and stories about Harlem with its rich history and specific lifestyle.
You will see the legendary Apollo Theater – the center of African-American music, the famous Strivers Row complex with its incredibly beautiful houses, the Abyssinian Baptist Church - the heart of African-American confession, the Harlem Studio Museum where you can learn more about art history of Harlem, the sophisticated Shepard Hall, and one of the best restaurants to experience soul food in Harlem.
Plunge into unique atmosphere of Harlem and learn more about African-American culture. Finish your tour at a local restaurant in Harlem.
Includes
- Multiple start times available
- Must-see attractions and off the beaten path
- Flexible customizable itinerary
- Private tour
- Meeting in the hotel lobby
- Expert advice where to go and what to do after the tour
- Iconic places for photo shoot
- All taxes
- Friendly local guide
Excludes
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees (if any)
Stop At: Apollo Theater Timing is flexible and you can start the tour any time you prefer.
This tour can be customized to make it a unique experience for you.
*Itinerary and schedule are subject to change.
10.00am Your private local guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and discuss the tour itinerary with you at the beginning of the tour.
10.30am Start your Harlem adventure in the place imbued with the spirit of music. Since early 1900s the iconic Apollo Theatre has heard sounds of jazz, soul and other genres of African-American music and has seen such legendary singers as Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder. Touch the legend here!
Stop At: Strivers' Row 11.00am Feel an aesthetic pleasure looking at elegant houses of Strivers Row. Sophisticated and bright, these houses are one of the highlights of Harlem architecture which will surely make you desire to live here.
Stop At: Harlem Ymca Health Club 11.30am Then you will see Harlem YMCA founded in 1932. It was one of the first YMCA's built for African-Americans which was a big accomplishment for Harlem community. Nowadays it provides a high-class service to make people’s lives better. Shepard Hall is one of the components of very influential and famous New York City College which is known not only for its scientific achievements but also by extremely beautiful Campus built in Gothic style. Shepard Hall is a jewel of Campus: it will surely amaze you by its beauty, elegance, a great combination of dark and light colors and sophisticated ornaments.
Stop At: The Studio Museum In Harlem 12.00pm The best place to explore African-American art is surely Harlem Studio Museum (optional). Over 2000 exhibits, trendy cultural events and a high concentration of different art objects and famous artists make this museum the heart of Harlem art.
Stop At: Abyssinian Baptist Church 12.30pm Feel the sacramental spirit of religious heart of Harlem. Taking its name after the old name of Ethiopia, Abyssinian Baptist Church is a religious center not only for Harlem but also for the whole African-American community. Get excited while visiting the Hamilton Grange - the house where one of the Founding Fathers of USA Alexander Hamilton lived. Listen to interesting historic facts and explore the interior of this house which was declared the National Historic Landmark.
Stop At: Harlem 1.00pm Do you agree that having a gastronomic experience is a must-do while exploring new places? Visit one of the most famous restaurants in Harlem – Sylvia’s Soul Food which met such guests as Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. Authentic atmosphere and tasty food will make your visit unforgettable.
Public transportation options are available nearby Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness Private walking tour with the use of metro The tour can be modified to meet your preferences Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately Operated by Friendly Local Guides For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
Good for private patrice_c
He’s be very knowledgeable , fast talker but it’s because of the limited time of the tour, he actually took me to more places than itinerary and offered pix. He picked me up from the hotel and opted to do the driving tour and not walking. I told him to leave me in Harlem instead of dropping me back off. Then he texted me the subway route from where he dropped me too to the hotel ..I didn’t ask for it he just wanted to make sure I made it back to Brooklyn. He’s a cool dude
Great private tour of Harlem!Regina_T
Monia was excellent and full of interesting knowledge. She did a great job of providing us with a true local experience of Harlem. We will definitely recommend her again!
Harlem by subway. Trudy_F
Adam our guide was friendly and amazing with lots of information. My kids really enjoyed the subway experience!
May 16, 2024, 11:08:02 PM Great tour with Monia a great guide
Very friendly visit very informative about history and places
Made us discover areas we didn t know and put them in historical and architectural context
End of visit at a great Italian cafe where they serve the best espressos of NYC
Totally recommend
Pierre S
“White” view of HarlemYvonne_M
Monia was our tour guide. If you are looking for a very bland, white perspective view of Harlem, she is the tour guide for you. She can explain the architecture and history-book views very well. If you are looking for an understanding of the black and brown perspective, she doesn’t have any understanding. Worse, she gave us inaccurate information. We were very disappointed in this tour.
Get into the Harlem groove Andrea_H
Just walking around and finding out information about some key historical events in the US.
My guide was extremely intelligent and knowledgeable. I learnt a lot also about the subway system and New York. I would have liked more historical focus on Black American history but when I asked about it my guide was able to tell me about it.
My Hotel was in a Tourist...Dj_S
My Hotel was in a Tourist hub. It was wonderful to actually get away from the hub to see how beautiful NYC is. My first ride on the Train. My favorite spots were Julliard and Histories of Harlem's development versus East Harlem.
Not enough African American Knowledge Alvina_B
Guide did not know intimate daily life of African American history in Harlem. He focused on architecture and churches.
Vibrant, rich Harlem!Jennifer_N
I really enjoyed learning more about Harlem from and its' incredible history, on all scores (historical, cultural, architectural), and John was a great tour host.
Harlem at it's bestTaTanisha_E
Monia was our tour guide, and she was great!! Very informative and we got to see a lot of great sights.
Amazing tour of HarlemMarla_G
Monia Bonaldo was a fantastic tour guide! She had an encyclopedic knowledge of Harlem, the history, and the culture. She was delightful and personable and entertaining.
Today, I have spent three marvelous hours visiting Harlem with Monia, enjoying the places I didn't know existed (after living in NY for seventeen years). Monia is not only a very pleasant person, she is a skillful guide who loaded me with interesting information. I can't help but recomment her as a guide if you happen to be in New York. In her company, you'll enjoy every minute of the tour as I did.
Private Harlem Tourrkaratsu
It seemed apparent from start that our (unnamed) guide was not particularly excited to be doing the tour. Didn’t introduce himself to us and at beginning of tour didn’t mention what we would be doing. Also, just setting up logistics for where and when to meet was never made very clear until the last minute. But Harlem was interesting and did get to visit Alexander Hamilton’s home (in his birthday no less so there were special programs going on all day. But then again, we didn’t know this until we got there...)
Not much depth to the tour. Visited many sights, but not able to go inside many notable spots. Could not go past the lobby of the Apollo theater , for example.
Overall enjoyed the time spent and the guide Chris.
Great trip through historyMike_M
Enjoyed our walk with Chris. The tour was much more than we had hoped for. The weather was incredible...not sure if Chris had any say in that.
Harlem is a fascinating community...Rosanne F
<p>Harlem is a fascinating community with a rich history. This tour highlighted the architecture, culture, and historical significance. Amazing to see where George Washington and Alexander Hamilton lived and see the famed Apollo Theater, a cultural icon. Our guide Monia was fantastic and to see Harlem through her eyes she was born and raised in Italy was truly special. Stop at the Sugar Hill Cafe and walk through The City College of New York founded in 1847. You will not be disappointed.</p>
This was fabulous, our guide was...Karen F
<p>This was fabulous, our guide was knowledgable and we really enjoyed his company. I highly recommend this tour</p>
AJ, our young and enthusiastic...William J
<p>AJ, our young and enthusiastic guide, met us at our hotel so he could guide us through the subway system up to Harlem. He covered a good deal of history and culture in this unique neighborhood. So fiver stars for him. Be prepared for LOTS of walking. Our only issue with the tour was that the description did not match what we actually received. We were supposed to see the Studio Museum and have lunch at Sylvias, but the tour schedule did not accommodate either of these, so only two stars for that.</p>
