Half-Day Harlem Gospel Experience Walking Tour

Overview

Enjoy a neighborhood tour of the cultural capital of Black America and experience the soulful sounds of gospel music. Explore the streets walked by greats such as Billie Holiday, Malcolm X, and Michael Jackson while viewing legendary sites like the Apollo Theater, the Abyssinian Baptist Church, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Strivers’ Row, Hotel Theresa and much more. After the neighborhood tour, you also have a chance to enjoy a gospel performance at a service in a local church.

City: New York City

Wed 25 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

Wed 25 Dec

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Professional guide

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Dress code is smart casual. Part of this tour will take place inside a church. Out of respect for the congregation hosting us, please dress appropriately and refrain from wearing flip-flops, tank tops and shorts
Visiting the church requires the proof of vaccination and wearing a mask.
Customers require staying for the entire church service (usually 1.15 - 1.3 hours)
Face masks required for travellers in public areas

What To Expect

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

(Exterior Visit) The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is a research library of the New York Public Library and an archive repository for information on people of African descent worldwide.

Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

(Exterior Visit) Mother Zion has played a critical role in every aspect of African-American life during early New York City history.

Abyssinian Baptist Church

(Exterior Visit) Founded in 1808, Abyssinian Baptist Church is one of the oldest African-American Baptist churches in the United States.

Strivers' Row

View beautiful historic homes built by David H. King Jr., who also built the Washington Arch and the Empire State Building.

Apollo Theater

(Exterior Visit) Re-opened to both black and white audiences in 1934 as the Apollo Theater catering mostly to Harlem’s black community.

Harlem

Experience the service of a black congregation and enjoy and participate in the Gospel music with live musicians and choir sharing the joy of Gospel.

Show 3 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (64)

S R

Sep 2019

Such a wonderful tour and terrific tour guide. Marcos knew his Harlem history! The highlight was experiencing a real Harlem church service.

ana-turkina

Sep 2019

Harlem Gospel Experience was one of the most interesting tours I had the privilege of taking, during my stay in NYC. I loved both the "history lesson" part of it and the inspiring, spiritual approach of our amazing tour guide Marcos!

951mjl

Aug 2019

We're from the Netherlands and we choose Harlem because of the name. We have basic knowledge about the history between America and the Netherlands, but during this tour we definitely got our lessons learned about our history in NYC. Our tour guide was Katherine, with a K. It was quite hot during our tour, but she made sure we were able to sit down during the walk if needed. Our group was not the only group having the tour that day, but what I noticed was that Katherine was the only tourguide with a tablet with her. She used the tablet to let us hear music which had hidden meanings to it in connection to slavery and gospel. Very unique! Besides the explanation of gospel she let us hear the beginnings of the music type, which was truly amazing. She also explained some architecture with relations to African Americans. I don't want to give to much away, because you have to experience the tour yourselves. But in my opinion: you can't leave America without this tour done by Katherine! In the end we attended a church service. Our entire group almost filled up the room, but the regular church visitors didn't mind at all and one person even helped me find the song in the little book they gave us to sing along. Our group also gave us a hand fan because of the heat, which was very kind and we used that fan afterwards too. In short, if you do this tour ask for Katherine! She gives you the full experience with some street art, architecture, history and music of which you never knew the hidden meaning behind it. It's definitely worth it.