Recently Viewed
Harlem Gospel Experience: Historic Black Culture Tour
4.2
205 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.
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:
24 hours
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.
- 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
- Professional guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
- 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…
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.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.2
(205 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
F8592pxnicolec
Aug 29, 2024
Ludy was phenomenal! - Our tour took place on Sunday morning with our guide Ludy. The group consisted of about 30 participants. Ludy could still respond individually to questions and problems. It was also very clear that the stories she told meant a lot to her! She even sang with us in part. The tour was very informative. We were brought the history of the gospel, the neighborhood and much more interesting. This made us optimally prepared for the right service. This went about 1.5 hours and was definitely a real service with very good Gopsel singing. Definitely an experience to have.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H933syrosalbac
Aug 23, 2024
Amazing experience - we had this tour and it was an amazing experience, we are sure that our Guide made the difference, she was so passioneted and even if everyone of us thought we all knew about afroamericans' history, we felt the shame on us and we felt engaged to be more sensitive about history ...
thank you to give us this opportunity and even we are atheists we must say God bless you all! Surely there's an energy which connects all of us,
Review provided by Tripadvisor
694jeanbaptistec
Aug 5, 2024
To do! I recommend! - Great visit in French.
Kaissa explains the history of Harlem beautifully and really puts us in the mood before evangelical mass. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Albertoclarizio11
Aug 1, 2024
LOVED IT! Highly recommended! - Amazing experience! My girlfriend and I love black culture and especially gospel, and this tour left us speechless! The gospel mass has been an incredibly emotional moment we'll remember for ever.
Jess, our guide, let us get in the true spirit of Harlem and gospel, and he was very funny too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Olgah203
Jul 29, 2024
Incredible passion of gospel choir - The walking tour of Harlem and being able to attend gospel mass were very interesting. What would change would be the start time because we did not understand why the tour had to start so soon (7.30) as it could be first Mass and then the tour of the neighborhood.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janhf1683gw
Jul 29, 2024
One thing you have to do in NYC. - It was an amazing time. We got lots of interesting information during our walking tour and then we had an incredible and profound time in the church. God was in the house.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Donatellal477
Jul 25, 2024
Great way to get to the heart of Harlem - It was very interesting. Our guide (who, by the way, was a history teacher) gave us so much information that, at a certain point, I started taking notes! We learned about the origins of gospel music but also about human rights, the architecture, history and socio-economic context of Harlem. The gospel mass was very good!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
364marges
Aug 17, 2024
Interesting visit - Interesting tour with a Guide (Jesse) who informed us well about the history of Harlem before attending a Gospel Mass for 1h30. This last hour and a half was a very good experience.
The only downside of this type of tour: we are several groups of about thirty people to leave at the same time and meet continuously in the neighborhood. As a result, the visit loses its charm...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roseo759
Aug 18, 2024
Only ONE Singer - The Tour guide was wonderful, therefore, the two stars, however, the gospel choir was only one person. She was a fantastic singer but we were expecting a choir... We were very dissapointed. The guide had warned us not to expect a "sister act", however, to have only ONE girl sing and the Minister seemed liked he was an Actor. Not to mention the "envelope" scene, I understand the donating purpose, but it was very exagerated. It all seemed like a movie scene. :(
Review provided by Tripadvisor
354bardb
Aug 21, 2024
What regret! - I was very disappointed by the organization of the visit. This took a lot of time on the distribution of guides with language groups and thus less time to visit gospel places in Harlem. On top of that the rain was there. Fortunately Guide Kaissa by her personality was the only positive thing. Otherwise, not terrible at all. The gospel session was very very disappointing. Far from the image we get of gospel in dreams, in movies or in American series. It was bland, with no flavor or color. I thought it was a joke. And the security person when we arrived outside the church was completely insane. A big sick man. No respect for people and shouting at visitors "nor phone,...". I sincerely regret my choice and I do not think I am wrong in saying that I was not the only one in the French group to be very disappointed. It could be seen on their faces. To escape.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
