Harlem Gospel Experience: Historic Black Culture Tour
4.2
172 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
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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
(172 Ratings)
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Voyage53615802000
Apr 2, 2024
Authentic Educating Insightful Perfect Easter Sunday Tour - We had such a great tour in Harlem with Inside Out Tours. Our Guide (unfortunately I forgot his name) was risen up in Harlem and gave such authentic inspiring joyful tour to us on Easter Sunday (singing along the gospel songs we could hear from passing cars). He gave such inspiring and educating insights to the history of Harlem and how it connects to the history of the US, the history of African American, Jazz and Gospel and how ist’s still a thing to be continued.
I just learned a lot, got a lot of new ideas and a positiv mindset of his positiv uniting perspectives on people.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sergioagirre
Mar 31, 2024
Excellent Tour - The tour has been very good, and my namesake Sergio has explained the history of Harlem in great detail.
I would certainly remember it, because Sergio has done great.
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Itszezi
Mar 4, 2024
Great Harlem tour - The Harlem tour (in Spanish) with Sadie was amazing! She was very knowledgeable about the history of Black music and gospel, she also engaged us with singing and rhythm. She was open to questions and used a tablet to show us additional things - also, she was very respectful of the neighborhood. 10/10 would recommend!
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Ehayshark8
Jan 15, 2024
Well worth it! - Thoroughly enjoyed this tour! Learnt so much about the history of Harlem and its incredible music scene. Felt very fortunate to be welcomed into the church and to have the opportunity to hear such amazing singing. Absolutely beautiful <3
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Boydj395
Dec 30, 2023
Fascinating Cultural Experience - I don't remember our guide's name, I do remember that he has a background as a high school history teacher, and he was excellent!! Knowledgeable, engaging, fun, witty and interested in the members of the tour group and their backgrounds. We started with the Apollo Theater and then he took us through the streets to various churches gradually building the story of how blues and then gospel emerged from the ring shouts of slaves and also, slaves work songs and providing examples. We then went to the Bethel Gospel Assembly, a Pentecostal church and observed/participated in their service, and they sure can sing the gospel. It was a fascinating morning, engaging and interesting and I feel privileged to have been able to participate in it.
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Vivianlk3928gp
Nov 22, 2023
Vivid, witty and warm - This walking tour was the one of our best tours in NYC. Unfortunately, we do not remember the guides name, but he was excellent. Very competent of what he was doing, showing, telling us and he was also vivid, witty and warm hearted person. He clearly knew what he was talking about and he had a distinct sense of story telling which made it both interesting and also humanized. We would go again and definately recommend this tour and guide. Thank you very much!
/ Hanne & Vivian, Denmark
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Denis
Oct 17, 2023
Fantastique Visite - I had a pleasant day, it was like being in a movie, we were all transported by the emotion that the guide made us feel when he told us the story of Harlem These precise and judicious comments support only Americans who can transport you like this when they tell us the history of their country. Jess was flawless both in these comments and in giving us lots of recommendations for eating, going out etc. A big thank you to her it is certainly one of the most beautiful excursions since I was in New York Many thanks Kind regards Denis Guasch
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637marg27
Oct 9, 2023
I learnt about more than gospel - The gentleman who took our tour was fascinating. I learnt about not only gospel music, but could put it in perspective of the African Americans who were brought from Africa. And we learnt how so music such as blues and jazz and R&B etc also has an African American background.
Our guide was also a history teacher who was able to impart so much knowledge.
It was also fascinating to attend a service at the Canaan Baptist Church.
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Coastal38405827968
Mar 5, 2024
Very good tour - We could not book the tour in French, but as we were running a bit late (do check the subway line), we bumped into the - very large- French group, then Maya, the team lead, took us to our assigned guide , Lourdes, with whom we ended up being 4 French speakers. It was very easy and pleasant to be in such a small group. In addition, Loulou went the extra mile of trying her best French with us, which I very much appreciated as my friend does not speak English. You need to get up early, but it is worth it, and the History of Harlem is undoubtedly a must when visiting New York, let alone the experience of the gospel itself !
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Q1573sucatherined
Oct 10, 2023
Worthwhile and interesting way to explore Harlem - The tour got off to a hectic start as the weather was terrible and there were a lot of people attending so the division of people into the various groups for each of the guides took some time. Our guide though was very knowledgeable and he did a great job given the obstacle of the weather. The walking part of the tour was interesting both in terms of the Harlem district and how it developed as well as the development of gospel music and its evolution through to hip hop. The church service was interesting too - with the music being the highlight. I would recommend this tour to others.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
