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

Tue 24 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

Tue 24 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)

mary25b

Jun 2022

Our guide, Mia, was super sweet, but the walking part of the tour was very short and you didn't see much. Then, when came time for the gospel mass, we saw it was full of tourists and not a all an authentic experience. I was pretty sad to ''lose'' half a day of travel of that tour.

Response from Host

Jun 2022

Thank you so much for taking the time to review our tour. The walking portion of our Harlem Gospel Experience is 90 to 100 minutes long where you observe landmark buildings and locations that many influential people lived and worked for equality, civil rights and Entertainment. The Church is very welcoming to all. There are multiple tours each Sunday from Inside Out Tours; on the Sunday you attended, we had the only tours in attendance. There are a very limited number of Churches that are open due to COVID, many churches are permanently closed. The congregation does vary in attendance as they are still working with COVID regulations keeping many members home. We carefully select our partners for our tours. We gratefully are thankful to be a welcomed part of a truly authentic Gospel Mass with wonderful reviews.

silvia l

Jun 2022

The guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the area and points of interest. It was a really nice walk and enjoyable tour in which we learn many interesting things! Nice thing as well, she made us listen to some traditional jazz music on the way, in particular points of interest. The Gospel service was an amazing experience as well! Highly recommended

Seekandyeeshallfind

Apr 2022

The guide was knowledgeable about the history of the area and points of interest. The gospel experience was too lengthy & I did expect a choir and more energy in the congregation.