Harlem shares its name with a Dutch city, but is best known for the African-American heritage that continues in great style today. Largely farmland until the 19th century, Harlem became a fashionable residential district filled with elegant townhouses. In the interwar period, Harlem initiated the great creative movement known as the Harlem Renaissance. On a visit to Harlem, delve into its varied artistic past and present with a tour through the bustling streets and illustrious cultural institutions.
Stop at the Langston Hughes House to see the row house where Hughes, a prominent Harlem Renaissance poet, spent his last 20 years. Visit the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, named for the influential scholar and activist Arturo Alfonso Schomburg. His materials on the experiences of people of African descent worldwide has grown into a top-rate research facility holding millions of items. Check in advance for exhibit schedules or to book a guided tour.
Attend a concert at iconic Apollo Theater, a Harlem landmark that has nurtured and celebrated American music for over a century. In the 1930s, the Apollo was one of few venues that welcomed African-American performers and guests. Watch a performance of music, theater or dance and admire the elegant space that was graced by legends from James Brown to Aretha Franklin. The nearby National Jazz Museum in Harlem boasts a vast collection of books and records and hosts educational series such as Jazz for Curious Listeners jam sessions.
Encounter a different era of American history at the Hamilton Grange National Memorial, the country home that Alexander Hamilton had built in Upper Manhattan. Exhibits inside illuminate the fascinating life of this founding father, subject of the hit musical Hamilton.
Harlem is located in northern Manhattan, roughly between Central Park North and 155th Streets. Travel by subway to 125th Street, the heart of the area, or use an uptown bus. Navigate Central Harlem on foot or using city buses. After sightseeing, take a break and experience Harlem’s dynamic restaurant and bar scene.
