20 Awesome Things To Do In Harlem, New York

1. Stroll Through Harlem Walk of Fame

This is an open-air installation situated at 125th Street and is a walking guide to those pioneers who have left their imprint on society in the areas of civil rights, arts, and music. As you walk along the sidewalk, read about the lives and works of these illustrious personalities depicted here.

From celebrated poet and writer Langston Hughes to the American civil rights lawyer, Thurgood Marshall, every name written on the ‘Walk of Fame’ is a ‘jewel’ to the African American community and the rest of the world.

The walking of the fame can be deemed a constant reminder of the uniqueness, the resourcefulness, and the commitment of the Haremen’s populace.

2. The National Jazz Museum In Harlem

If you are a jazz lover or planning to explore and learn more about the history of Harlem, then a trip to the National Jazz Museum Harlem New York, will be of great benefit. This museum is situated at 58 West 129th Street, New York, between Malcolm X Boulevard and 5th Avenue.

It gives a good account of the history of jazz in Harlem and the current and the latest music productions. Visit the visitors center from Thursdays to Mondays from 11 in the morning to 5 in the evening to peruse through numerous photo items and symbolic pieces.

One can attend several weekly programs, for instance, "Harlem Speaks" and "Jazz for Curious Listeners," in this museum in Harlem.

3. Experience Legendary Performances At Apollo Theater

Music welcomes you at this spectacular attraction at 253 West 125th Street, creating a remarkable showpiece of America's music and culturally-enhancing city. It opened its doors in 1934 and has yearly hosted great performances from famous artists like Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown, among others.

This makes it a perfect destination for anybody interested in the arts with a strong Harlem base. On Wednesdays, the Apollo Harlem comes alive with Amateur Night, where anyone can go up on stage and perform, and the audience decides their fate.

4. Engage With Contemporary Art In Studio Museum in Harlem

This is a famous museum that is dedicated to African American art after 1968. Even though the overall displays at the museum are still planned and under construction at the moment, the viewers are welcome to several new temporary galleries at Studio Museum 127.

It is open only from Thursday to Sunday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Apart from acquiring artworks from well-known artists like Romare Bearden, and Kara Walker, the museum still encourages artists to produce new artwork through its Artist-in-Residence standards.

This museum, situated in West Harlem New York, is inclusive of both the famous artists and the up-and-coming artists.

5. Stop By Langston Hughes House

While on the Harlem tour, one should not miss the chance to experience the Langston Hughes House situated at 20 East 127th Street. The brownstone historic place that was built in 1869 was the home and office of the famous poet of the Harlem Renaissance icon from 1947 till his death in 1967.

It is here that Hughes penned some of his most influential poems, such as Montage of a Dream Deferred. The house was recently renovated and duly transformed into a house museum where one can spot souvenirs, pictures, and pieces of writing.

6. Enjoy Classic Soul Food At Sylvia’s Restaurant

Whenever one mentions soul food in Harlem, there can only be one restaurant that is referred to. It is the Sylvia's Restaurant. The restaurant has expanded its horizons to accommodate many souls, not to mention celebrities from far and near.

It is possible to taste dishes that are already known, for example, fried chicken, greens, and sweet potato pie, in a home-like environment. These make the restaurant among the best restaurants in Harlem.

7. Visit Bill’s Place

This is another place for anyone interested in immersing themselves in Harlem's legendary jazz scene. This lovely speakeasy is situated at 148 West 133rd Street between Lenox and Seventh Aves and recreates the scene of the jazz prohibition era.

Established by Bill Saxton, the Saxton Specialist Club is a venue where visitors can enjoy the talents of the Harlem All-Star Quartet every Friday and Saturday evening. It is a BYOB place, which means guests come with their bottles. This is one of the things that sets Bill's Place apart.

8. Relax In Collyer Brothers Park

Collyer Brothers Park, situated northwest corner of Harlem, between 128th Street and Fifth Avenue, can be regarded as one of the most concealed oases of the city where everyone is welcome to relax amid historical surroundings.

It is named after two famous brothers who resided in a brownstone nearby. This park is more of a natural paradise in a very complex city. It is expansive with lots of trees, frost-green grass, and comfortable benches, and most people go there to take a walk during the day or even have a picnic.

Whether you are a resident or a tourist, it is possible for you to briefly sit on the benches of the park and be humbled by its beauty and history.

9. Attend Gospel Tours

One of the most heartwarming things one can do in Harlem is take a gospel tour or attend a gospel service. The suggested route includes visits to famous landmarks such as the Apollo Theater, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Abyssinian Baptist Church, etc.

It is a memorable experience listening to the soft voice of the choir, accompanied by their feet that rhythmically pat the floor during the gospel service. The tours are available every Sunday in English, French, and Spanish. The English tour is scheduled at 7:45 am at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

10. Dine In At Red Rooster Harlem

If you want to know more about Harlem's food culture, try visiting Red Rooster Harlem, situated at 310 Lenox Avenue. This restaurant, which is inspired by a well-known Harlem speakeasy, is a showcase of true American culture, based on the legacy of the neighborhood's diverse culinary traditions.

The dishes are familiar comfort foods such as fried chicken, mac and cheese, and cornbread. They have a new-age twist and an ethnic flare derived from Harlem's influences. This place stands out among other Harlem restaurants due to its Southern comfort food and live music events.

11. Enjoy Live Music And A Laid-Back Atmosphere At Shrine

Shrine presents the artist line-up for every genre, from hip-hop to afrobeat, jazz, and reggae, every day from 4 pm to 4 am. There is no cover charge, making it one of the best venues to explore Harlem nights with new artists and music genres in an enjoyable environment.

As for the food, Shrine shares the kitchen with the Yatenga Bistro located nearby, so you won't be short of good places for snacks and beverages while enjoying the selected music.

Situated at 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, just below 134th Street, this performance venue has an intimate atmosphere and is conveniently reached by the 2/3 train at 135th Street.

12. Explore Graffiti Hall of Fame

This site has been active for more than three decades, proving to be the perfect surface for artists to paint, specifically turning bare walls into masterpieces. You can watch the dynamic artwork that changes with new trends, highlighting the latest styles.

Even though the area is public, it is better to visit it on the weekend when the schoolchildren are not present. Specifically, this particular art gallery is located at the Jackie Robinson Educational Complex. It is open-air and presents some of the most artistic graffiti in New York.

13. Let The Kids Cool Off In Children's Spray Shower At Harlem River Park

When it is a bright sunny day, children undoubtedly become bored, but fortunately, children can now play at the Spray Shower at Harlem River Park. This splash park is situated near Harlem River along 132nd to 138th Street.

The children's play zone is predominantly an installed interactive shower to enable families to have some fun during holidays or a very hot day. The spray shower is active on days when the temperatures are above eighty degrees, which makes the location busiest during summer.

14. Take A Stroll Along 125th Street

Among the most popular attractions displayed in the area, one can take a walk along 125th Street in Harlem. This colorful road, which is typically described as the main center of Harlem, is a bustling and historic area and the most representative part of this neighborhood.

When passing through the streets, you will come across numerous shops, eateries, and institutions that would show the richness of Harlem. As you work your way up 125th Street, you feel the vibrancy that holds Harlem.

From the displaying apparel made from African prints and artificial jewelry to the vibrant murals, walking through Harlem aesthetically captures the artistic flavors of Harlem, New York.

15. Grab A Drink At Corner Social

Located at 321 Lenox Avenue, right at the corner of 126th Street, this joint can be described as a cross-over between a traditional bar and a modern community bar. It is open from 5 pm to 2 am during weekdays and from 11 am to 2 am during weekends, thus creating an ambient environment.

The cuisine offered is American with a modern spin, and their brunch is mostly popular with dishes such as chicken and blueberry pancakes, among others. The atmosphere is incredible; it is made better by the good music and the welcoming nature of people.

16. The Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture

After considering all those things that are done in Harlem above, in case you find yourself still searching for what to do in Harlem, visit this center. It is an old and cultural site with an address situated at 515 Malcolm X Boulevard.

This center is affiliated with the New York Public Library and is dedicated to documenting and sharing the history and the experience of people of black origin globally.

The library now possesses more than 11 million items, including manuscripts, photographs, and even artifacts, to learn more about the African American experience.

17. Take A Guided Harlem Renaissance Walking Tour

Starting on the northwest side of 135th Street and Lenox Avenue, precisely at the Schomburg Center, this harmonic guided tour offers you a briefing of major historical landmarks in Harlem.

Therefore, while strolling through the corridors of the city, you will get acquainted with the renaissance that began in the 1920s and which transformed Harlem into the very heart of Black America.

On the tour, you will be able to visit Apollo Theatre and Abyssinian Baptist Church to add more history to the Civil Rights Movement.

18. Admire Harlem's Historic Brownstones

The brownstone buildings are amazing because one gets to have a taste of old Harlem. These beautifully ornate, multi-story houses of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are primarily constructed of brown sandstone, thus their nickname.

A leisurely walk down West 120 Street or West 122 Street will allow observing magnificent samples, which are incorporated within the Mount Morris Park Historic District.

People can also observe the high levels of design details in these buildings, such as steps to the entrance and special molding and carving. A great number of brownstones have been renovated carefully while preserving the usage of contemporary comfort and the spirit of the nineteenth century beautifully.

19. Enjoy Outdoor Activities At Marcus Garvey Park

Marcus Garvey Park, located on Madison Avenue on 120th-124th Street in East Harlem, is an ideal park for carrying out any outdoor activity. It is a 20-acre site that serves as a community park as well as an historic site.

Several of the facilities that people can use are the basketball hoops as well as the baseball diamonds. There are two playgrounds in the school, one of which was built for disabled children and the other for normal children.

Popular for the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater, which hosts friendly concerts and shows during the summer period.

20. Shop At Harlem Haberdashery

This is a family-run boutique store situated at 245 Lenox Avenue between 122nd and 123rd Streets. The store is much more than an ordinary store and a place of rich cultural heritage.

As a high-end men's and women's clothing store, Harlem Haberdashery has all sorts of clothing and accessories, from bright three-piece suits to hats that define the rich Harlem Renaissance.

The boutique is the retail outlet of 5001 Flavors, a custom clothing company that has dressed many celebrities from the entertainment industry, such as Jay Z and Lebron James.