Destination profile of Harlem neighborhood

Welcome to Harlem:

As the center of African-American life in New York, Harlem is one of New York City’s most vibrant neighborhoods with many exciting offerings in culture and the arts. It’s the birthplace of bebop and jazz, where greats like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald got their start on stages like the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater, and where today’s stars like comedian Amy Schumer still appear.

Harlem also offers lots of fine architecture, from classic brownstone buildings to historic churches, beautiful parks, and a wide variety of places to eat. There’s history in Harlem too. Major events of the American Revolutionary War took place there, as well as significant events in the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. In fact, you’ll notice that many of the streets and buildings are named for influential civil rights figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

Harlem, in upper Manhattan, begins at the northern end of Central Park at 110th Street and spreads as far north as 155th Street. With all the amazing things this great neighborhood has to offer, we know you’ll enjoy your visit to Harlem and want to return again and again.

Arts and Culture:

In Harlem, there’s never a shortage of museums, restaurants, theaters and clubs, and historical monuments to visit. For instance, there are hundreds of museums and galleries throughout Harlem that pay tribute to African culture. One of the most popular is the Studio Museum whose “Artist in Residence” program has supported more than 100 artists. To view a full list of museums and galleries, click here.

Harlem still bears its historical marks with many well-preserved monuments such as Grant’s Tomb located in Riverside Park where Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia, are buried. There are also a wide variety of historic places of worship such as the magnificent Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which was first built in 1892 in Gothic Revival style and still remains unfinished! You can view a full list of historical monuments by clicking here.

Unique or Little-Known Facts:

• Harlem was settled by Dutch colonists in 1658, with the name coming from a city in the Netherlands, and was spelled “Haarlem”. When the British took over in 1664, they took out the extra “A”.
• The Battle of Harlem Heights began on Sept. 16, 1776, when George Washington ordered his Continental troops to maintain their position at Harlem Heights to prepare to fight the British Army.
• African Americans began moving to Harlem in 1904, when many of them living downtown were displaced due to the construction of Pennsylvania Station.
• The Harlem Renaissance began in the 1920s when more and more black writers, artists, and other intellectuals began moving there, leading to a boom in artistic activity.
• Since the late 1990s, Harlem has become more upscale, with middle-class people attracted to the somewhat more affordable rents and the easy accessibility.

Where to Stay:

Aloft Harlem on Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 124th Street is the first hotel from a major brand to open in Harlem in nearly a century.

Harlem also offers many charming bed and breakfast locations and guest houses. You can view the full list by clicking here.

Annual and Seasonal Events:

Throughout the year, there are numerous special events that are held in the neighborhood including parades, concerts, food tastings, and more. To view the full list click here.

Dining:

Harlem offers a diverse selection of culinary offerings at restaurants, bars, and cafés that are often accompanied by live entertainment. One of the most popular restaurants is the Red Rooster founded in 2010 by chef Marcus Samuelsson who brings soul and flavor to each dish. The cornbread with honey butter and tomato jam is simply delectable. There’s also lives entertainment every night as well as a Gospel Sunday Brunch. Click here to view more dining options.

Shopping:

You can get just about anything you want or need in Harlem with its widespread selection of markets, boutiques, gift shops, thrift shops, bakeries, and more. One major highlight is the Malcolm Shabazz Market of Harlem which is a unique, outdoor market where you can find African style clothing, urbanwear, and wooden African-style figurines. To view more places click here.

Getting There:

Harlem is one of the most easily accessible neighborhoods in New York with 10 subway lines, nine bus routes, a commuter rail stop, plus several sightseeing hop-on, hop-off buses that make stops throughout the neighborhood.

New York City’s subway system runs 24/7 and train lines such as the A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 make several stops throughout Harlem. You need a MetroCard to ride, which you can buy at the station and add value to. It costs $2.75 per ride, and you can view the train schedule by clicking this link. Subway maps are also available inside the station and at MTA booths.

New York City’s subway and bus system runs 24/7, trains that stop in Harlem are the A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 stop in Harlem. You need a MetroCard to ride, which you can buy at the station and add value to. For information about routes and fares click here.

The Metro-North is a commuter railroad to suburban New York and Connecticut. It makes a stop in Harlem at 125th Street and Park Avenue before its final destination at Grand Central Terminal. You may view schedule and fare information by clicking here.

The double-decker sightseeing buses that serve Harlem are City Sightseeing New York, Gray Line, Big Bus New York, Go New York Tours, and Open Loop.