Harlem Gospel Experience: Historic Black Culture Tour
4.2
181 Ratings
New York
Immerse yourself in the vibrant history and culture of Harlem on this unforgettable tour. Discover iconic sites, walk in the footsteps of legends, and experience the soul-stirring power of gospel music.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • 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.
What's Included
  • Professional guide
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Transportation to/from attractions
Additional Information

Take a local exploration through the cultural heartland of Black America and immerse yourself in the spiritual reverberations of gospel music. Wander the same pavements once graced by luminaries like Billie Holiday, Malcolm X, and Michael Jackson, visiting iconic landmarks such as the Apollo Theater, the Abyssinian Baptist Church, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Strivers’ Row, Hotel Theresa and so on. On completion of the local exploration, there is the opportunity to witness a gospel production during a service at a nearby church.

  • 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)
Location
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Malcolm X Boulevard
Meet in front of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture located at 515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10037
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(181 Ratings)
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Eeelmi
Jun 5, 2024
Interesting tour! - Last Sunday we went on the Gospel Tour through Harlem, where we attended a church mass at the end. Thanks to tour guide Donald, it was not only very interesting, but also fun with his jokes along the way. Recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Josefal379
May 21, 2024
Brilliant! - The experience was great! The guide, Sergio, was great and very pleasant and thanks to him we learned well the history of how the Harlem neighborhood began, the Gospel mass! Delighted, I recommend it 100%, also in Spanish.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J457jipatriciam
May 20, 2024
Fantastic experience - One of the best experiences in NY. Our guide Sergio was the best. A 10! Many thanks for everything. 100% recommendable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G4580izbenjamins
May 10, 2024
Great visit of Harlem and Gospel - Very interesting tour, we learned a lot about the story of Harlem. Our Guide Jess was very entertaining during the entire visit The Gospel was also a Great moment. Thanks for the visit Jess
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Wekshaw
May 6, 2024
Highly recommended informative tour - Had an excellent morning on the Harlem Gospel Tour. Ludie, our guide, was so knowledgeable and passionate on the subject and we gained a huge insight into Harlem's history and also the growth and development of gospel music. It really is a delight to learn from those who enjoy telling and are so well-informed on their subject. She even burst into song on a regular basis to help us understand the insights. We would definitely recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ruth_m
Apr 8, 2024
Fascinating Harlem Tour - Our tour guide Alejandro was just great. Knew so much about the history and building. I learned a lot . Also the music was terrific
Review provided by Viator
Leems4657sp
Jun 4, 2024
Highly recommend - The tour was amazing and Maia (our guide) knowledgeable and passionate. Walking the same streets as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King was amazing. I loved hearing about the origins of gospel music and its place in the civil rights movement. I learned a lot and it’s inspired me to learn more. Highly recommended. Just to manage expectations- I was hoping the gospel service would have had a gospel choir which it didn’t. There are many more visitors on tours than parish members. The churches have opened their doors as a means to continue to fund these beautiful buildings and their work in the community and for me it was still an absolute privilege to worship with local Christians in their own parish. We were welcomed but I was disappointed not to see a gospel choir as it was one of my reasons for booking. There was still music and the singer was phenomenal. It was the only reason I didn’t rate 5 stars but yes I’d love to hear a gospel choir in authentic surroundings. Otherwise book the tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rj_reisender
May 20, 2024
It is worth it - It was a very interesting Sunday morning, getting up early was worth it. Our guide Donald made the Harlem tour (in the pouring rain) very interesting and gave us lots of historical and current information in a very entertaining way. The service was also really interesting and very different to what we are used to here. We also really enjoyed the gospel singing, which continued throughout the entire service. The only time we were literally left standing alone in the rain was after the service, as our guide had already left without saying goodbye.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elasei
Apr 24, 2024
An exciting tour in Harlem - The tour was interesting, varied and at the end came the highlight: the mass with gospel music. Our tour guide told us lots of information, facts, stories and details. It was great. :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Giomaxi
Apr 26, 2024
(little) Gospel Mass.... - Very crowded tour and somewhat chaotic organization in the initial distribution between the various linguistic groups. Tour around semi-deserted Harlem, led by Sergio, a nice and engaging Spaniard, of course, but who sometimes focused too much (and in the cold!) on general aspects of New York, to the detriment of the specific ones of Harlem, its history and culture. The biggest disappointment was that of the Gospel mass in the Canaan Methodist church: very little gospel, on the other hand long sermons, electoral propaganda, fundraising... In short, a bore. Many more tourists than faithful, crowded together in a pigeon loft with a very limited view of the choir and the church. It's not worth the money and getting up early: in hindsight, you can organize yourself very well, choosing a more intimate and authentic function.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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