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

Fri 27 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

Fri 27 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)

Lena M

Apr 2019

I dont remember the name of our guide but i do remember that it was very cold and i believe that the first part of this tour could take place indoors so that we wouldnt freeze. We thought that there would be some more historic details and not consider so much at the religious aspect. Many people left the group early. At the church despite the fact that we were supposed to be "invisible", sometimes i had the filling that we were the "show". Wouldn't recommend it. Instead, someone could just walk alone into the neighborhood to get the feeling and enter a church to feel the gospel experience.

Response from Host

Apr 2019

Thank you for your feedback. We suggest you consider taking our tours during warm weather as often there is no indoor place that a tour guide can bring a group at 8am in the morning to start a walking tour. During really cold days, some customers do leave early, in which case we give the name of the church so that they can still enjoy some of the experience. As for not being interested in the religious aspect, there is both historic and religious detail to this tour because Gospel Music is a religious form of music and religion is a part of NYC/Harlem history. We cannot change the significance of this sacred art form. You did not attend a "show" but an authentic service. We wish you the best.

emmamartin_08

Feb 2019

We did the Tour for free with the New York Pass. We wanted to do it mainly because we wanted to see the gosspel chorus in live but this tour is a lot more than that. We learned a lot thanks to our great guide Tauren. She knew almost everything about Harlem and its history and encouraged us to sing some of the gospel songs. We can't get out of our heads the "This is the day that de Lord has made" hahahahah.

giovo87

Jan 2019

Tauren is one of the best guides I've ever known. Thank you for sharing your passion and your professionality with us! These things made the difference. With you we made a jump back into the past and we felt like the people of your stories..