Harlem Gospel Multimedia Walking Tour
Description
On this tour you will visit one of Harlem’s most historic churches consisting of outstanding soul stirring gospel music and the power of prayer. After the church service, you will embark on a cultural walking tour conducted by a lifelong born and raised Harlem resident equipped with portable video, sound and pictures presented along the way at sights of cultural significance. The media component will heighten your enjoyment and understanding of Harlem history.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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
Reviews(57)
I enjoyed learning from Neil aka “Mr. Harlem”. Born and raised in Harlem, he is full of knowledge and passion. I got to see some tucked away corners of Harlem I wouldn’t have known before thanks to this friendly local. Mr. Harlem introduced me to some great local foods like fried fish and Amy Ruth’s. Would highly recommend his tours :)
The guide was a delightful surprise. He is incredibly charismatic, with the soul of an artist and a wealth of knowledge about Harlem. He shared insights on everything from the neighborhood’s development and architecture to movies filmed there. As a local, he brings an authentic and slightly eccentric charm—in the best way possible—paired with a genuinely kind heart. Beyond the gospel experience, we received a profound history lesson on Black culture, civil rights activists, and more. It was far more enriching than simply attending a gospel service and watching from the pews
Excellent tour with an excellent guide. The tour was full of surprises and changed my opinion on Harlem completely. Highly recommended.
Excellent walking tour that brings Harlem history alive. Guide was amazing. Highly recommend this tour. Church service was great
The tour description said we were to meet at the Harlem Heritage Tourism and Cultural Center at 9:15 am. Several of us waited outside until around 9:30 am when our guide Neil looked out through the door and then quickly closed it. The tour was to begin the Cultural Center with a "light morning snack, water, juice, and coffee." None of the above were ever offered. The walking tour was to be complimented wit portable video and audio. None was ever offered. We were to have bathrooms at the beginning of our tour. We were never invited into the center and no bathroom stops were ever provided during the almost four hour tour. The church service was good though we heard only the preliminaries and not a word of the sermon. The rest of the stops and descriptions were minimal and gave us only a small impression of the Harlem area and its impact on history. The tour was to end with a visit to the lobby of the Apollo Theater but we never entered the building. In total we were very disappointed with the tour and our guide. That he did not wear any identification or badge even left us wondering if it was the real tour guide or a scam.
Neil ,our guide was very entertaining and connected well with our whole group.He had an excellent knowledge base and as he was local seemed to know everyone when we were out and about on the streets of Harlem. The Gospel Service with the Gospel Singing was very uplifting.We were also privileged to witness someone being Baptised. Overall it was a great insight into Harlem and well worth the fee.
The guide was a no show! There were at least 15 people disappointed today. Voicemail was full so couldn’t leave a message and they never responded to email. Luckily for us, a fellow tour member worked out which churches were doing gospel and we were able to visit and experience an amazing service. Don’t waste your time or money with these amateurs - google which churches are open to visitors and do it yourself!! So easy and each church super welcoming to visitors! We’ve now lodged claims with our credit card company - should have read the reviews here. This is a common occurrence.
The guide was good although he spoke to the front of the crowd most of the time. Us oldies at the back. He was very knowledgable and funny. The chapel service was moving and the choir all I anticipated- could have listened to them all day. Thank you. Bea
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.
Wonderful Harlem History tour and Gospel experience. Knew many locals and the relevance of the different buildings.