The Soul of Harlem Walking Tour in New York

158 Reviews 4.97 out of 5 stars Based on 158 reviews collected by Cool New York City and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | New York City, USA

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.

2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

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.

What's Included

  • Depending on the availability, we may have access inside one of Harlem's 14 farms - Harlem Grown.

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    East 125th Street
    New York, NY 10035, USA

    Show on Google Maps

    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    West 125th Street
    New York, NY 10027, USA

    125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Blvd & Frederick Douglass Blvd.

    What To Expect

    Park Avenue

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

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Harlem

    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.
    Read more

    1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

    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.
    Read more

    15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Langston Hughes House

    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.
    Read more

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    The National Jazz Museum in Harlem

    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.
    Read more

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Apollo Theater

    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.
    Read more

    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    2082 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd

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

    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Show 5 more stops

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (7)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the The Soul of Harlem Walking Tour in New York?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT). Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-239046P2

    Traveler Photos

    Reviews

    4.97
    158 reviews

    Average 4.97 out of 5 stars based on 158 traveler reviews collected by Cool New York City and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    154
    4 stars
    4
    3 stars
    0
    2 stars
    0
    1 star
    0

    Loading Options
    Don't miss out!
    On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.

    Similar Tours & Activities

    Guided Tour in the West Village of New York City

    Guided Tour in the West Village of New York City

    4
     2 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
    from
    $50

    Central Park, Midtown, SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown Pedicab Tour
    Likely to Sell Out

    Central Park, Midtown, SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown Pedicab Tour

    New To The Site!
     2 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
    from
    $150

    Private Tour of Boston from New York
    Likely to Sell Out

    Private Tour of Boston from New York

    New To The Site!
     14 hours  Hotel pickup offered  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
    from
    $2,379.41

    Central Park Bike Tour

    Central Park Bike Tour

     2 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
    from
    $45

    Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

    American Dream DreamWorks Indoor Water Park Ticket
    Likely to Sell Out

    American Dream DreamWorks Indoor Water Park Ticket

     1 day  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
    from
    $69

    American Dream Nickelodeon Universe Indoor Theme Park Ticket
    Likely to Sell Out

    American Dream Nickelodeon Universe Indoor Theme Park Ticket

     1 day  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
    from
    $62.91

    NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports

    NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports

     6 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
    from
    $84

    What's Included

    Activity name

    • Depending on the availability, we may have access inside one of Harlem's 14 farms - Harlem Grown.

    Additional Info

    Activity name

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

    Report Product Issue

    Activity name

    Language
    Currency

    Site Settings

    Activity name

    Currency

    Activity name

    Free Cancellation

    Activity name

    100% refund
    No refund

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT).
    • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

    Sorting, ranking, and search results

    Activity name

    Cool New York City wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

    On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

    If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool New York City over a 12-month period.

    The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.