Soul of Harlem: Harlem History, Music & Gospel Experience
Description
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 nearly 400 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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
Reviews(88)
Truly enjoyed the tour. My family and I truly like the history of Harlem and historic landmarks. The church service was excellent. The tour guide was very patient. I enjoyed her personality snd enthusiastic, Great job.
Lady Altovese is a wealth of Harlem knowledge! She presents the information in a very sequential and interesting format. She has a beautiful personality!!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your Harlem tour with Lady Altovise. Her deep knowledge of the neighborhood and her engaging storytelling style are exactly what make her tours so special. We'll be sure to share your kind words with her. Thank you for choosing Tours by Foot, and we hope to welcome you back for another New York City experience soon!
It is a one of a kind experience. Our tour guide, Ronald, was knowledgeable on the history of Harlem and other topics.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted you had such a memorable experience exploring Harlem with Ronald. His passion for sharing the neighborhood's rich history and culture truly makes each tour special. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
Excellent way to see and experience Harlem from the perspective of a local resident who loves their neighborhood
Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad you enjoyed experiencing Harlem through the eyes of a local who truly loves the neighborhood. Sharing its rich history, culture, and community is what makes this tour so special. We appreciate you joining us and hope to see you again on another NYC adventure!
Our first time in Harlem, and Ronald was a perfect guide! We learned so much about Harlem and its history, heritage and culture! He also showed us wonderful initiatives that are being created and sustained by volunteers in the community! Ronald made it fun by asking our group questions about Black History, and showing us where famous Black artists, musicians, writers, inventors, scholars, and leaders lived. He was funny (when you go, try to get a "high five!), endearing (made a point to connect with a story with the places that each of us was from), and truly a beloved neighbor (saying hello to folks as they passed by our group and stopping to say "hi" to his friends who were sitting outside.) After the tour, we stayed in Harlem to find the stoop where A Great Day in Harlem photo was taken (thanks, Ronald for telling us where to find it!). And then, based on Ronald's suggestions, we stayed for dinner at Sylvia's and went to a local speakeasy to listen to amazing Jazz. It was our 27th wedding anniversary, and, we want to thank Ronald for making it a day of exploring, learning, and laughter! Your love and pride of Harlem was infectious - we plan on visiting again! Blessings to you!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and happy 27th anniversary! We're thrilled Ronald made your celebration so memorable. His passion for Harlem, its history, and its community truly shines through. It sounds like you had the perfect day exploring the neighborhood. We hope to welcome you back to Harlem again soon!
Our guide was a wealth of knowledge and full of energy! You are guaranteed to learn something new and I also appreciated hearing from a long time Harlem resident.
Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciated your guide's knowledge and enthusiasm. Hearing Harlem's history and culture from a longtime resident makes the experience even more special. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Altovise was so lovely and informative! Highly recommended this tour. Also be sure to try the chicken in Harlem!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour with Altovise and found her both lovely and informative. It’s great to hear you had such a positive experience exploring Harlem with us. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another tour soon!
Ronald was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. I enjoyed the history and a chance to try food at one of the local shops.
Thank you for your great review! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and that Ronald’s knowledge helped bring the history to life for you. It’s wonderful to hear you also had a chance to experience some local food along the way. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you again on another tour soon!
Altovise was warm, friendly, and quite knowledgeable. She allowed us to ask questions and was well-versed on the rich history of Harlem.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed your tour with Altovise and appreciated her warm, friendly approach and deep knowledge of Harlem’s history. It’s great to hear she made space for your questions and helped bring the neighborhood’s rich story to life. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you again on another tour soon!
I was led by Lady Altovise on a tour, and although I arrived a little late, she kindly texted me with meeting instructions. Despite the rain, the tour was fantastic. Lady Altovise was captivating and shared extensive knowledge of Harlem's history. Her enthusiasm for giving tours was evident, and I highly recommend The Soul of Harlem History and Heritage Walking Tour.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you were able to join the tour and that Lady Altovise made the experience so enjoyable, even in the rain. It’s great to hear her knowledge, enthusiasm, and helpful communication helped make your time in Harlem memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another tour soon!
