Free Harlem History Tour

Duration: 2h and 15min
Languages: English
Guru: Alex
Quality Verified Registered on February 06, 2023

I am a licensed tour guide, professional blogger, and active member of the Guides Association of New York City. My passion is New York’s food, history, and culture, and my walking tours are one of a kind NYC experiences! I also created, own, and operate a tour agency called Food Strolls Guided Tours right here in New York City.

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  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

Join Alex on a Harlem history tour and follow the neighborhood from the American Revolution to the Harlem Renaissance, and beyond.  We’ll learn how the area transitioned from German, Jewish, and Italian, to America’s most influential Black community.

We’ll visit famous churches, theaters, mansions, and some of NYC’s finest residential architecture.  We’ll also discuss events and places considered central to Black identity in the United States, like the Harlem Cultural Festival and the iconic Apollo Theater.

Eventually, we’ll arrive in “Little Senegal”, NYC’s largest West African community. We’ll talk about contemporary West African migration to the United States, visit several local markets, and meet some business owners in the neighborhood.

Along the way, you'll have plenty of opportunities to engage and ask questions.

Tours are casual, flexible, and fun, so bring your curiosity and a comfortable pair of walking shoes!

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Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    334 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10031, USA
    334 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10031, USA
    View on map

    I will be standing at the corner carrying a clear folder full of black and white images.

  • 1
    Outside visit
    Hamilton Grange National Memorial
  • 2
    Outside visit
    The Abyssinian Baptist Church
  • 3
    Outside visit
    Apollo Theater
  • 4
    Outside visit
    Strivers' Row
  • 5
    Outside visit
    Central Harlem Historic District

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

85 ratings
4.9
By category
Professionalism
4.9
Fun
4.6
Expression
4.85
Quality
4.83
Route
4.66
Generic
5 stars
77
4 stars
5
3 stars
2
2 stars
0
1 star
1
סיגל 30 Sep 2023
Tel Aviv-Yafo

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Sep 2023
אלכס מקצועי, ידען ואדיב. הנחה אותנו בשכונה בחן. למדתי הרבה. תודה רבה
Szymon 23 Sep 2023
Poznań

Verified booking
Travelled in family - Sep 2023
Alex is a great tourist guide, he has great knowledge about places that he is exploring and is absouletly professional in his work. It really looks that he loves what he does! We really appriciate this and trully recommend for all tourists!
Yinon 22 Sep 2023
New York

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Sep 2023
Alex is a superb guide, Very attentive, knows a lot and tells most interesting history
Daniela 21 Sep 2023
Milan

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Sep 2023
A very well structured walk, interesting topics, good tips and a good guide. A perfect way to discover Harlem for the first time. For us it was the last day in NYC but otherwise we would have definitely joined Alex's walk in Brooklyn and one of his food strolls.
Felix 18 Sep 2023
Hamburg

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Sep 2023
Alex was an awesome tour guide! He made sure to be easily understandable, picked out-of-the ordinary places + personal experiences, was always approachable for (any) questions and made sure everybody was well attended, also after the tour. Really awesome approach and experience - I can (only) fully recommend him! :)
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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Not suitable for pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
A minimum of 5 people is required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
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