Harlem Gospel Tour: Embrace Historic Cultural Heritage
4.1
48 Ratings
New York
Experience the soul-stirring gospel music and power of prayer at a historic Harlem church. Then, join a cultural walking tour led by a lifelong Harlem resident to explore the rich heritage of this iconic neighborhood.
Duration:
3 hours, 15 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Harlem Heritage Tourism and Cultural Center - Guests arrive at the Harlem Heritage Tourism and Cultural Center at 9:30 AM. Here we have wifi and bathroom for our guests. We start with light breakfast and video presentation. At this point we register all the guests. Many guests take this time to relax a bit in our comfortable environment having a cup of coffee and such watching video or listening to jazz music.
- Apollo Theater - We end this tour at the Apollo Theater, we are able to visit lobby area but not for entrance into main theater. Tour guide will tell great stories pertaining to the Apollo.
- Harlem - After leaving Harlem Heritage Tourism and Cultural Center we will visit historic Harlem church fir one hour. The power of pray and beautiful music will leave you enchanted and inspired.
After gospel church service we will engage in 2 hour cultural walking tour covering 400 years of Harlem history with special emphasis on 20th century Harlem. Along the way see beautiful architecture, historic music / jazz clubs, civil rights movement sites, theaters and many historic churches of various denominations.
What's Included
- Walking tour with portable video and audio
- Tours begin with a light morning snack including water, juice, and coffee
- Guided by a local Harlem-born and raised tour guide
- Luggage and bag storage available
What's Not Included
- Hotel Pickup
Additional Information
This excursion takes you to one of Harlem’s most venerable churches where you will experience uplifting gospel music and the strength of prayer. Following the church service, a native Harlem resident, who has lived in the area all their life, will guide you on a cultural walking tour. This tour is enhanced with portable video, sound, and picture presentations at locations of cultural importance. The additional media element will boost your appreciation and comprehension of Harlem’s past.
- Place available to leave bags and belongings inside Harlem Heritage Tourism and Cultural Center while on tour
- Place available to use restrooms and charge cell phones and other devices inside Harlem Heritage Tourism and Cultural Center
Location
Harlem Heritage Tourism and Cultural Center
Malcolm X Boulevard
Harlem Heritage Tourism and Cultural Center located 104 Malcolm X Boulevard between 115th -116th streets. #2 and #3 trains on express IRT lines arrive directly to meeting location.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.1
(48 Ratings)
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Eric_w
Nov 12, 2023
It was fantastic - Going to the church brought back memories as a youngster, the guide was really cool lighthearted really knew his way around Harlem. I would recommend him again.
Review provided by Viator
Fiona_d
Nov 8, 2023
Wealth of Knowledge - Wonderful Harlem History tour and Gospel experience. Knew many locals and the relevance of the different buildings.
Review provided by Viator
Leighi2019
May 15, 2023
Harlem Heritage Tour-Just do It! - This was our final day in NYC and this tour did not disappoint! The guide knows Harlem and everyone on the street which made it very fun. Listen closely and you will gain insight into his love of Harlem and gain fantastic knowledge of the history of the area and its people. We had individuals from all over the world on our tour and everyone seemed to enjoy the enthusiasm and excitment the guide had for this place! We thoroughly enjoyed our time and getting to hear Yusef Salaam a member of the Exonerated Five speak at the Church was an unexpected highlight. I would highly recommend this tour! Harlem is a beautiful area with much history and beautiful architecture.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anthony_p
Apr 11, 2023
Fun tour with a local - Our local guide Neil was fun to be with. Gave us a good feeling for Harlem and its history, in a fun manner typical of the local culture. The gospel mass was interesting and pleasant, and with the group you get priority and skip the line. There is an element of awareness of the presence of tourists, who are indeed explicitly welcomed, but you get a very good idea of the major role of the church in the community and the mass is authentic.
Note: The tour description refers to a light breakfast, which didn’t materialize. Not a problem for us as we had our breakfast before the tour, but worth bearing in mind for planning purposes.
Review provided by Viator
754floriann
Sep 10, 2023
Disappointing start, decided to leave after church visit. - I booked this tour for 3 people on september 10th. We were supposed to redeem our tickets at the Harlem Heritage Tourism and Cultural Center at 9:00, with the tour supposedly starting at 9:15 with a light breakfast, and time to relax in the Cultural Center.
We were several people waiting (around 10-15), until the guide arrives at 9:30. After some talk outside, we went straight to the Canaan Baptist Church nearby for Church service starting at 10:00.
We left the church around 11:15.
After that (and some historical stories told by the guide on the sidewalk) we decided to leave the tour.
The bad weather was part of our decision, but the way it started (late, no apparent organization, no breakfast and Cultural Center visit) didn't enticed us to continue the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura_c
Nov 14, 2022
Average and below my expectations - The gospel mass was very touristic, half of the church were tourists seeing the mass so it was like a show more than a mass
Review provided by Viator
404gittel
Sep 18, 2023
Disappointing and not what was advertised - We were supposed to meet up at the Heritage Center. No Multimedia Show as advertised- went straight to the church, were we just waited. We went to church, the gospel wasn’t present. Our guide seemed to go missing while we were in there, he repeated himself, and honestly he was more interested in greeting other people. We left early, as it seemed unorganised. Also we cancelled a trip last year due to illness, and they told us, we could get a refund. We never did.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
980brynjag
Jun 6, 2023
They didn't show up, they didn't refund us. - They did not show up, they did not email us about the tour being cancelled, when we got someone to call them after waiting for 15 minutes, they said it was cancelled and we could come back tomorrow. Not that we would have taken the train again for one hour to do a Harlem tour but as can be expected when working with tourist we were leaving NY the next day. They don't reply to my email in which I was asking for a refund. Ofcourse they don't need any emails or phone calls to refund a trip they did not show up in. They should just apologise and refund the trip! I would totally have understood that something came up and things went wrong but to continue it like they are doing by not refunding the tour is a bit lame. We walked around Harlem and tasted some Sole Food at Silvia restaurant which was a tasty experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yvonne_d
May 1, 2023
Never again. - They say Gospel 😱 where. A few guys singing. Don't go here. Find yourself a better. Waste of money.
Review provided by Viator
Roving691199
Apr 7, 2023
not a good experience, lack of communication on all levels. - Booked this tour for 15 March for 2, on holiday from the UK - no one turned up, tried phoning to confirm arrangements but went on to voice mail. I have since sent 4 emails but not received a reply. Appreciate unexpected things happen which means the tour might be cancelled but not good enough to ignore phone calls and emails and not refund money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
