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

Mon 23 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

Mon 23 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)

mi897

Oct 2022

Very good guide with a lot of knowledge about Harlem. The guide begged for money in the end which was not good. The trip to the church was a disappointment. Only full of tourists. Little singing and no sense of gospel experience. This was too touristic. Afterwards we went to the Red Rooster restaurant, which saved the day. Fantastic place with cool gospel singing and delicious food.

Carla_v

Sep 2022

It was more walking than see gospel singing. I was hoping for a big group of singers in nice costumes. But it wasnt. Just 4 peoples in normal clothes

Response from Host

Oct 2022

Thank you for taking the time to critique our tour. We appreciate your comments. Since Covid the number of people in the choir has been limited. We appreciate that you were hoping for a larger group of singers with colorful robes; the church has chosen this route for keeping exposure possibilities down to a minimum.

maidMH

Sep 2022

Well, we missed out on a splendid hotel breakfast to go on this tour. An early start but worth it. Knowledgeable and at times comedic guide, Russel, took us round Harlem whilst giving us an insight into the history of the area. Not much about Gospel music really but we didn’t mind and were aware this was as much about Harlem as it was gospel. Eventually we reached our church. A large building with beautiful clean toilets. They were keen to collect the offering but we didn’t mind as it appears they do many charitable works such as meals and grocery assistance to those in need. The gospel singing was quality on a small scale (don’t go expecting a big choir) but the highlight for me was the sermon on prayer, really good stuff that made me want to jump up and reaffirm my faith at the end, unfortunately I was too embarrassed in front of the rather large, mostly tourist, congregation. Only criticisms, could have done with toilets in the vicinity of the starting point and secondly I wish Russel had walked a little slower, he’s a man on a mission and I struggled to keep up having been exhausted by the nice chap who did the slavery tour the day before!