Things to do and see in Harlem New York

Harlem in New York is one of Manhattan’s most northern neighbourhoods, located in Upper Manhattan. There aren’t many tourist attractions located in Harlem, but if you want to get to know the ‘real’ New York, with a lot of cultural heritage, it’s worth paying a visit. Along one of Harlem’s main streets, Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, you find several shops, restaurants and the famous Apollo Theater. You can take a subway to explore this diverse Manhattan neighbourhood. These are a few things to do and see in Harlem that I recommend.

Things to do and see in Harlem

Harlem is, of course, known for its rich musical history, and there is still a lot to see and do with regard to this. And there are some other notable sights to see as well.

Apollo Theater

Certainly visit the illustrious Apollo Theater on 125th Street (between Frederick Douglass and 7th Avenue). They hold a weekly Amateur Night, where the audience determines the winner by booing or applauding accordingly.

And when you’re there, take a look at the sidewalk in front of the theatre as well. Here you find Apollo’s Walk of Fame, with the names of black artists who have made substantial contributions to the performing arts and cultural landscape. Look for the names of Stevie Wonder, Prince and Aretha Franklin, among others.

Gospel Tour

I also recommend taking a Gospel Tour in Harlem. Walking into any old church on a Sunday morning is certainly ‘not done’, so make sure you book a tour in advance. Tours run weekly on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Harlem Walking Tour

Do you want to explore Harlem, but don’t know where to go for the best spots? Then download my Eric’s New York app and view my walking routes. On the Upper West Side – Harlem tour, I’ll take you along dozens of highlights in these Manhattan neighbourhoods, and give you an insight into the area and the special places and sights you will encounter.

If you want to see the other side of New York with a local guide, you can also go for the Hip-Hop, Street Art & Alternative Neighbourhoods Tour. It’ll take you off the beaten track to visit unique places in Harlem, Hell’s Kitchen, the Bronx and Brooklyn.

Is Harlem safe?

Tourists often question the safety of Harlem, New York, thinking that New York is a dangerous city. However, this opinion comes from the ’80s and early ’90s, when there was a huge crack problem. Since then, a lot has changed. These days, New York is one of the safest cities in America.

Harlem, in particular, used to have a very bad reputation, but now, it’s heading in the right direction. I am comfortable walking around here alone during the day or in the evening, but always take a taxi if you feel like it. Most noteworthy, Bill Clinton also walks around here: his personal office is located in Harlem.

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Eric’s Tip: “Harlem is made up of a lot of different areas, some of which are safer than others. As a rule of thumb, up to 125th Street and west of Park Avenue is a safe area to visit. If you want to go sightseeing here, do it during the day. If you want to go to another part of Harlem or have plans for an evening visit, I recommend taking a taxi and avoiding wandering around too much.”

Where to eat in Harlem

If you’d like to have an authentic food experience in Harlem, then go for traditional African American cuisine, Soul Food. It’s a lot like the food available in the Southern States of America (Louisiana, Mississippi etc.). With fried chicken, sweet potatoes and beans, it’s not the kind of food to eat if you’re on a diet!

A nice place to go is Red Rooster Harlem at 126^th Street and Lenox Avenue. You will probably have to reserve at least a few weeks in advance, but I have also just dropped by and was seated within 15 minutes. On Sundays, they organise a gospel brunch called Rooster Sundays.

Jam-packed? Walk one block down the same street to Sylvia’s Restaurant and enjoy Soul Food with a rich history. Alternatively, Shrine on Adam Clayton Jr Blvd and 134^th Street offers live music and a few tourists.

Hotels in Harlem

As Harlem is located all the way north of Central Park, you will need to use the subway to get to Midtown Manhattan. To get back to Harlem at night, it’s safer to take a cab. And although the neighbourhood is generally safe these days, I don’t recommend walking around at night either. If you still would like to book a hotel in Harlem, Aloft Harlem is a good choice.

How to get to Harlem

Travelling to Harlem from Midtown or Downtown Manhattan is easiest by subway. If you, for example, take trains 23ACBD to the 125 St or 116 St station, you can start exploring the neighbourhood from there.

The History of Harlem

Harlem, New York, has a very interesting history with a lot of tragic twists and also some beautiful events. In short, it all started in 1626 when the Dutch named this area “Nieuw Haarlem” (New Harlem).

Towards the end of the 19^th century, it became a very chic area. This can be seen in its architecture: there are many beautiful houses. After the real estate crash in the 1930s, most of the wealthy residents left the neighbourhood. Soon thereafter, inhabitants from the South moved into Harlem, looking for work in the area.