Harlem Historical Landmarks Walking Tour

Our 10,000-step journey will begin with a bird' s-eye view of 125th Street, Harlem's most popular street. The main themes we will discuss are the Harlem Renaissance and gentrification.
We walk by and discuss these famous places:
- The world's famous Apollo Theater
- Sylvia's Soul Food Restaurant
- The home of Langston Hughes
- Astor's Row
- Several iconic murals

This tour is based on a book I have written, "You Are Here: A Geographic History of Enslaved and Free Africans in Manhattan from 1613 to 1865." I will use my tour guide experience (I have given over 700 tours) to make this a fun-filled tour. Best of all, you will have a Harlem experience—see the friendly culture, people, and places of Harlem.

If you are behind schedule, please get in touch with me ASAP. I will have a 5-minute grace period. Afterward, I will proceed to our first stop—the Metro-North Railroad (above-ground train station) directly across the street from the Ginjan Cafe on Park Ave.

Meeting Point

85 E 125th St

85 E 125th St, New York, NY 10035, USA

We meet in HARLEM and INSIDE the Ginjan Cafe.

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Park Avenue

Park Ave, New York, NY, USA

Get a View of Harlem's Famous 125th Street at the Metro-North Train Station Platform. Also view art works describing Harlem's history.

10 minutes

Harlem

New York City, New York

Along with the listed attractions, We will see and discuss the history of the Metro-North train station, Astor's Row, The "White House" in Harlem, The YMCA, several famous murals in Harlem, Lenox Terrace, Harlem Hospital, Harlem State Office Building, and Blumsteins Department store - the place where MLK almost lost his life, walk the streets of Harlem to get a true sense of the culture and people in the neighborhoods.

1 hour, 20 minutes

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

515 Malcolm X Blvd, Harlem, New York City, 10037-1801, New York

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, one of The New York Public Library’s renowned research libraries, is a world-leading cultural institution devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences.

15 minutes

Langston Hughes House

East 127th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues., , New York City, New York

Langston Hughes House is a historic home located in Harlem. Mr. Hughes is an iconic figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Langston Hughes will be a major topic during the tour.

10 minutes

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem

104 E 126th St, between Lenox and 5th Ave., New York City, 10035-1621, New York

The Museum is open only Thursday- Saturday.
Review famous Jazz Musicians associated with the Harlem Renaissance, see current exhibits, vintage jazz photos, maps, books, etc.

10 minutes

Apollo Theater

253 W 125th St, , New York City, 10027-4408, New York

The World Famous Apollo theater is a mainstay in Harlem. We will discuss the "Walk of Fame" in front of the theater, as well as the many stars that performed there.

5 minutes

2082 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd

2082 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10027, USA

The Theresa Hotel. We will walk by the hotel and discuss its rich Harlem history.

5 minutes