Spanish Harlem Public Art Walking Tour

The many colorful murals and mosaics of Spanish Harlem (AKA East Harlem) tell us so much about the history, culture, and politics of this under-appreciated NYC neighborhood and its residents. Some of the public art is dedicated to accomplished citizens of Spanish Harlem, such as the writers Julia de Burgos and Nicholasa Mohr. Others honor world-famous people including Celia Cruz & Che Guevara. Many of the murals and mosaics celebrate the Latin culture of the neighborhood. They also bring into the streets the gorgeous scenery of the tropical islands which so many members of this community left behind. Visitors to Spanish Harlem are always dazzled by the public art there. Here is what some of them said: "The Spanish Harlem tour with Leigh was a great investment of 2 hours. The tour was rich in information & cultural & neighborhood significance. Leigh is a terrific guide to it all. I have done many walking tours, and this is one of the best. Not to be missed if you are visiting New York".

Meeting Point

First Spanish United Methodist Church

163 E 111th St, New York, NY 10029, USA

Nearest subway: 110th Street stop on the #6 train on the East Side of Manhattan

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

First Spanish United Methodist Church

163 E 111th St, New York, NY 10029, USA

There are 4 outdoor murals at our meeting place, and we spend time looking at and commenting on all of them.
We also discuss the church, which is nicknamed “The People's Church” for its association with the Young Lords. They were a social justice and community empowerment group in Spanish Harlem from 1969-76, and they left a great legacy in the neighborhood. We do not go inside the church.

20 minutes

Amor Cubano

2018 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10029, USA

We see one mural on the outside of this restaurant and one on the inside. This stop is one block East of our starting place.

5 minutes

East Harlem

East Harlem, New York, NY, USA

We walk 8 blocks from North to South, zigzagging between Lexington and Third Avenues, which are only a block apart. So, not much walking, but that is because this area is chock-a-block with public art! We stop to look at about 2 dozen murals and mosaics. And, all the while, we are just North of the Upper East Side and only 3 blocks from Central Park. The mosaics are all by the brilliant artist Manny Vega, who was recently celebrated in a year-long exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Sts. George & Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

140 E 103rd St, New York, NY 10029, USA

We talk briefly about why there is a large Greek Orthodox Church in a neighborhood which has never been associated with residents of Greek heritage. But mainly we stop here to see the final mural on our route and say farewell. And because next to the church is the East 103rd St. stop on the #6 subway train. So that is an easy way to get to your next destination.

5 minutes