How to Tour Harlem, New York
Harlem is one of New York City's most famous African-American neighborhoods. Although it has attracted a fair bit of negative press in the past, this area of New York has always stood as one of its most interesting, offering several historic contributions to art, music and culture. Harlem is changing, and is a rewarding area to visit. If you're interested in seeing a cultural side of New York, here's how to tour Harlem.
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Travel to 253 W. 125th St., the site of the famous Apollo Theater. Tour groups by the thousands visit this iconic stage, where legends like Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker got their start. Wednesday is amateur night; the rest of the week, stars in nearly every genre of music can be seen performing here.
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Visit the Studio Museum to explore the artistic side of African -American culture. Photos from James VanDerZee are on display that chronicle the Harlem renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s. There is no set admission fee, but donations are welcomed and recommended. The museum is located at 144 W. 125th St.
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Know that touring Harlem would not be complete without attending a Sunday gospel service. Some congregations welcome tourists, but smaller churches are best left to the members unless you are invited. The Abyssinian Baptist Church is said to accept visitors: The choir is superb and the pastor's sermons quite moving. Tourists are advised to remember that they are in church, and to make every attempt to dress for the occasion. You can find the Abyssinian Baptist Church at 132 W. 138th St.
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If you're a book lover, don't miss the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture. This is actually a branch of the New York City Public Library, and contains a comprehensive collection of rare books and manuscripts covering black history and culture. The Center is located at 515 Lenox Ave., and admission is free.
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Wander through Spanish Harlem, one of the largest Latino communities is the country. Among the sights to see are La Marqueta--a beautifully laid-out collection of produce stands--and El Museo del Barrio, which boasts a wide collection of Puerto Rican art. La Marqueta is on 112th Street, and the museum is located at 1230 5th Avenue. (Its galleries and museum shop are closed until fall 2009.)
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