From its southern tip to its northernmost neighborhoods, thereās no denying that Manhattan is full of history. However, when it comes to historically and culturally significant sights, Harlem trumps them all. From the Harlem Renaissance to today, the neighborhood has been home to some of New Yorkās foremost visionaries, from writers to chefs, each imbuing the neighborhood with a little bit of magic. While the neighborhood is more desirable than ever today, thanks in no small part to elegant new residential developments likeĀ The Rennie on Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, it hasnāt lost a bit of its vintage charm along the way. If you find yourself in Harlem, make sure to hit up these must-see sights.
The Apollo TheaterĀ |Ā 253 West 125thĀ Street
One of the most famous performance venues of all time, The Apollo Theater is a must-visit for anyone who loves the arts. The 1,506-seat theater, which opened for business in 1914, has been designated a New York City Landmark both inside and out, and with good reason: in addition to its famed amateur nights, the theater has hosted a long list of top-tier talent, including James Brown, Patti LaBelle, B.B. King, and Ella Fitzgerald.
Abyssinian Baptist ChurchĀ |Ā 132Ā Odell Clark Place
Even if youāre not personally religious, the Abyssinian Baptist Church on Odell Clark Place (formerly 138thĀ Street) is well worth visiting during your trip to Harlem. This stunning Gothic Revival-and-Tutor-inspiredĀ Ā church, which was designated a New York City landmark in 1993, has hosted countless notable guests and worshippers over the years, from Adam Clayton Powell to Nat King Cole, the latter marrying there.
SylviaāsĀ |Ā 328 Malcolm X Boulevard
Feeling peckish on your trip through Harlem? Better stop at Sylviaās. Owner Sylvia Woods, known as āThe Queen of Soul Food,ā has been serving up the cityās best soul food from this modest eatery since it opened its doors in 1962. In addition to its famous clientele, which includes pasts guests Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, and Magic Johnson, the menu here canāt be beat, with everything from grits to cornmeal-dusted catfish to chicken and waffles gracing her famed menu.
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black CultureĀ |Ā 515 Malcolm X Boulevard
Want to learn about the visionaries who made Harlem tick? Head on over to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. This New York Public Library research unit has beenĀ Ā integral in terms of recording and preserving the black culture that has shaped Harlem over more than 100 years, from the original manuscript for Richard Wrightās Native Son to more than 5,000 hours of recorded oral history.
The Studio Museum of HarlemĀ |144 West 125thĀ Street
Harlem is home to one of the cityās dynamicāif often overlookedāmuseums. If you find yourself in the neighborhood, take some time to explore the Studio Museum. This unique arts institution not only champions work from artists like Firelei BĆ”ez, Maren Hassinger, and Jamel Shabazz, but offers inventive teaching programs where aspiring artists can listen to lectures from experts in the industry andĀ Ā hone their own skills, as well.
Manhattan is loaded with must-see sights, but thereās perhaps no neighborhood with as much history as Harlem. From storied 125thStreet to Malcolm X Boulevard, the neighborhood is packed top to bottom with sights you just canāt afford to miss.
Note: This is a guest post byĀ Candace Schaffer; the views and opinions expressed are those of the author.Ā Candice Schaffer works at Knightsbridge Park, a leading digital marketing firm for luxury real estate brands such asĀ The Greenwich Lane, EVGB, One Dalton, andĀ Modern Spaces.
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June 11, 2018 at 2:40 pmThank you for sharing! I’ve never been to Harlem, but I know it has a lot of history and beautiful sights to see! I’d love to visit these sites one day. I’ll definitely be bookmarking this for future travel considerations. Thank you, again!
Carmen Edelson
June 11, 2018 at 3:05 pmYou are so welcome! Now you have a reason to visit NYC š
Agathe
June 12, 2018 at 5:22 amSo many sites to add to my list next time I am in New York! I tried to catch an exhibition at the Studio Museum unfortunately it was closed, so I ended up just walking around the neighbourhood, such a good memory. Thanks for sharing these places!
Carmen Edelson
June 13, 2018 at 8:41 amAw, that’s too bad! Now you have a reason to return though š
Pamela
June 12, 2018 at 8:39 amImpressive!!! I was a little surprise by this post from you but pleasantly surprise!! Thank you!! Pamela (a Black girl who travels)
Carmen Edelson
June 13, 2018 at 8:42 amI’m glad to hear it, Pamela! Thank you. New York has so many incredible neighborhoods to explore, and I don’t want to just highlight the more well-known touristy ones.
Kavita Favelle
June 12, 2018 at 8:45 amI’ve never been to Harlem, but would like to next time we are Stateside, and appreciate the suggestions for top places to visit when there. I’d not come across that Abyssinian church before, and I do love that style of architecture, so that’s now on my list!
Carmen Edelson
June 13, 2018 at 8:42 amSo glad to hear it! I think you’ll have a wonderful time.
Danila Caputo
June 13, 2018 at 12:16 pmThe Apollo Theater is quite iconic and we’ve seen it from outside. Only we had no idea that it was so big inside! 1506 seats is quite a lot, especially for a theater with so much history! Have you ever been inside?
Carmen Edelson
June 14, 2018 at 9:55 pmI know, it’s bigger than it looks! It’s very cool inside.
Heather
June 13, 2018 at 2:52 pmI am embarrassed to admit that I never knew the Apollo was in Harlem! I haven’t thought about it but I guess I always thought it was in Manhattan, although now that I think about it, on all my gazillion trips to Manhattan, I’ve never seen it. There would be a reason for that! I have been to Harlem, but only once. My goal for my next NYC trip is to spend more time in the other boroughs like Brooklyn and Harlem. I would love to see the Abyssinian Church too!
Carmen Edelson
June 14, 2018 at 9:56 pmYes, you now have several reasons to return! Thanks for reading š
Maggie
June 13, 2018 at 3:23 pmAs many times as I’ve been to NYC, I’ve never been to Harlem! I’d go just for some of that soul food though. My dad is from Louisiana, so I love some real soul food!! And that church is beautiful! I had no idea something like that was in Harlem.
Carmen Edelson
June 14, 2018 at 9:56 pmI think you need to return, Maggie! š
Michael Hodgson
June 13, 2018 at 6:15 pmLove NYC, love Manhattan, just danced around the edges of Harlem and clearly, been missing out! This post has just inspired our next visit to NYC and will for sure use it to see Harlem and experience the history and sites. And gotta see the Apollo!
Carmen Edelson
June 14, 2018 at 9:56 pmThis makes me so happy to read, Michael!
Jenia
June 14, 2018 at 12:46 amI’d love to go one day! Schomburg Center sounds like a must-visit and the Baptist church is beautiful! Have you eaten at Sylvia’s?
Carmen Edelson
June 14, 2018 at 9:56 pmYes, Sylvia’s is delicious and great service too!
Alice Ford
June 14, 2018 at 2:00 pmI have been to New York many times over the years, but never walked the streets of Harlem. I might have to check out some of these museums., and Sylvia’s that fried chicken looks delicious.
Carmen Edelson
June 14, 2018 at 9:57 pmThe fried chicken is amazing, Alice! You must go š
Bernie Jackson
June 14, 2018 at 3:33 pmI’ve not been to Harlem for close on 20 years – oops! Still – that has to be a good reason to return. Soul food and catfish – yay! I think I’d have to be exploring the Studio museum; I love that they have educational extras. The Schomburg Centre looks fascinating.
Carmen Edelson
June 14, 2018 at 9:57 pmThe food is reason enough to visit! It’s a very fascinating neighborhood.
Hillary Moss
June 19, 2018 at 7:35 amGood post! It seems like i was there for some time! Intriguing place for visitors! We will be linking to this great information while traveling in Harlem!
Carmen Edelson
June 22, 2018 at 5:40 pmGlad to hear it, thank you!
Jess Pacheco
June 23, 2018 at 11:36 amHi Carmen, when I was in NYC last, I unfortunately did not make it into Harlem, but this list inspires me to travel out there again and spend some time in such a historic part of the city. I have been wanting to visit Sylvia’s since I saw Conan’s visit on the show, as well as the Cotton Club because of its incredible history and considering those famous who frequented the place. Matter of fact, NYC is a lifetime of adventure!
Carmen Edelson
June 25, 2018 at 2:22 pmYes, you must go back to NYC and visit all of these amazing places!
Lynn Foy
July 3, 2018 at 5:28 amVery informative post and surely help people who are going to plan their vacations in Harlem.
Carmen Edelson
July 5, 2018 at 2:56 pmThanks for reading, Lynn!