Harlem Walking Tour: Explore Jazz History

Explore Harlem’s rich history and vibrant culture on our award-winning walking tour. Discover iconic music legends, historic sites, and diverse heritage in just two hours.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture - Begin your journey at one of the New York Public Library’s esteemed research libraries, a cultural hub dedicated to showcasing and preserving the African-American experience. Enjoy periodic exhibitions focused on The Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and The Black Lives Matter Movement.
    -…
What's Included
  • 2 Hour Guided Walk through the History of Harlem
  • Led by local Harlem residents & Award winning Tour Guides
  • Most immersive Harlem Tour of New York
  • (SUNDAYS ONLY) Skip the Line Access to Gospel Experience at Local Church
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Explore the streets where legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and other pioneering figures of the Harlem Renaissance elevated American music to global fame.
On Sundays, a unique walking tour is available that skips Striver’s Row but covers other areas of Harlem. This shorter historical tour includes a visit to a local Baptist Church, offering…

Location
515 Malcolm X Blvd
Malcolm X Boulevard
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(73 Ratings)
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F7869
Apr 8, 2025
The very best way to see Harlem - Altovise was our guide and you couldn’t have asked for anyone better. She was wealth of knowledge of Harlem, and was fun to be with. The tour was informative, and we especially loved the gospel singers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laurie_h
Apr 1, 2025
Fascinating! - I highly recommend taking the Soul of Harlem History and Heritage Walking Tour and then stay for soul food! Meredith described music, literature, art, social movements and made them come alive. I feel like I learned more in 2 hours than I had in school. If you're interested in topics like the civil rights movement or jazz or the Harlem Renaissance as a whole, definitely take this tour. It's riveting!
Review provided by Viator
Mona22222
Mar 15, 2025
Finding Out in Harlem - So much information - nice businesses found there. I was looking for something in New York on black culture for the area - this was perfect.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anilmanojm
Dec 3, 2024
A must do tour - This tour is a captivating journey through the neighborhood's rich cultural legacy. It's a must-do for anyone looking to explore Harlem's vibrant history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stacy_t
Nov 13, 2024
100% - Our tour guide was great, you can tell he loves what he does!! I can’t recall his name but he rates high fives lol
Review provided by Viator
Tiffany_r
Jul 20, 2025
Seeing the Soul of Harlem - Informative review of Harlem’s history and highlights! The tour takes you past many known sites and may introduce you to some that aren’t as well known. It weaves in social justice and the struggle for equality faced by Black Americans. Our tour guide Altovise was fabulous! Thanks for a great tour!!
Review provided by Viator
239markp
Jan 19, 2025
Take the tour - Great guide - very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the area. Well worth it. Only complaint is I wish we could have covered more in the two hours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maryjo_h
Dec 16, 2024
Soul of history and heritage walking tour - I had signed up for the woman who got great reviews. Ron was personable but spent too much time showing pictures from a folder of info in very cold weather. We had to leave before it ended because we had a hard stop. We did make one stop for hot drinks that delayed us dome but it was too slow snd focused on the pictures.
Review provided by Viator
R8259ukmariam
Sep 4, 2025
Do a different Harlem tour - I was very disappointed. Didn’t gain much of any additional information. Guide talked using a book but really didn’t add any interesting information. I stayed the whole tour because I wanted to see and learn about the Apollo Theater that was the last stop but got there to find it’s under construction and did not get to go inside at all. Furthermore, there was basically no information provided about it. Would never recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kimberly_f
Oct 20, 2024
Ordinary - I look forward to learning about the locale and interesting history tidbits a long the way. The tour leader (Meredith) didn’t meet my expectations. It was a small group with only 7 participants but we covered very little ground and information in almost 2 hours. I was looking forward to learning more about Harlem and its occupants during the last century - the tour didn’t deliver.
Review provided by Viator
From $39
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).