Harlem Walking Tour: Apollo Theater & Renaissance History

Ten thousand steps through Harlem's streets, stops, and the people who shaped them

A 2.5-hour walking tour of Harlem led by a guide with over 700 tours under his belt, covering 125th Street, the Apollo Theater, Langston Hughes's home, Astor's Row, and several iconic murals while discussing the Harlem Renaissance and gentrification. The tour begins at the Metro-North Railroad station on Park Avenue and includes stops at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Theresa Hotel, with possible access to one of Harlem's 14 farms depending on availability.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Harlem1h 20m
2. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture15m
3. Apollo Theater5m

Explore Harlem's history and culture

• View 125th Street from Metro-North platform
• Discuss Harlem Renaissance and gentrification
• Walk by Apollo Theater and Walk of Fame
• See Sylvia's Soul Food Restaurant
• Visit Langston Hughes House
• Walk past Astor's Row and The White House
• Discuss YMCA and Harlem Hospital
• View murals and Lenox Terrace
• Pass Harlem State Office Building and Blumsteins Department Store
• Visit Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
• See Theresa Hotel and discuss its history
• Review Harlem Renaissance jazz exhibits

The experience

The tour starts at the Metro-North Railroad station directly across from the Ginjan Cafe on Park Avenue, where you'll get a bird's-eye view of 125th Street and see artworks describing Harlem's history. From there, the walk moves through the neighborhood's streets: past the Metro-North station itself, Astor's Row, the "White House" in Harlem, the YMCA, Lenox Terrace, Harlem Hospital, the Harlem State Office Building, and Blumsteins Department Store, where MLK nearly lost his life. Your guide draws on a book he wrote, "You Are Here: A Geographic History of Enslaved and Free Africans in Manhattan from 1613 to 1865," to frame what you're seeing.

The Apollo Theater gets its own stop. You'll walk the Walk of Fame in front of the building and hear about the stars who performed there. Langston Hughes's home is a major focus, since Hughes is an iconic figure in the Harlem Renaissance and a central theme of the tour. You'll also pass Sylvia's Soul Food Restaurant and see several famous murals around the neighborhood. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, one of the New York Public Library's research libraries, is another named stop. It holds materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. The Theresa Hotel rounds out the walk. You'll pass it and learn its role in Harlem's history.

Depending on availability, you may get access inside one of Harlem's 14 farms, Harlem Grown. The tour runs 2.5 hours and covers about 10,000 steps. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed. If you're running late, contact the guide as soon as possible. There's a 5-minute grace period before the tour departs from the Metro-North station.

What’s included

• The tour includes a live English-speaking guide with over 700 tours of experience.
• stops at the Apollo Theater, Langston Hughes's home, Astor's Row, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Theresa Hotel.
• and possible access to Harlem Grown farm depending on availability.

Information

Lasts 2h 30m, runs every day at 10:00 and 14:00, from US$ 60 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 10 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday: 10:00Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 and 14:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to13h before

AgesAdult (13 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 75 years) · Youth (9 to 12 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by You Are Here Walking Tours LLC

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so the tour works for anyone comfortable following a 2.5-hour walk in that language. If you want to understand Harlem's Harlem Renaissance history and gentrification story through someone who knows the neighborhood deeply, not just pass through it, this guide's 700+ tours and his own book on the subject make the difference.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 12 years); Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Apollo Theater and why does it matter in Harlem's history?

The Apollo Theater is a world-famous venue in Harlem where countless stars performed. The tour includes a stop at its Walk of Fame to discuss the musicians and performers who made it iconic.

Who was Langston Hughes and why is he a focus of this tour?

Langston Hughes was an iconic figure in the Harlem Renaissance. The tour visits his home in Harlem and uses his work and life as a major theme throughout the walk.

What does the guide actually discuss on the walk?

The guide discusses the Harlem Renaissance and gentrification as the main themes, drawing on his book about African American history in Manhattan from 1613 to 1865, and explains the history and significance of each stop along 125th Street and the surrounding neighborhoods.

How many steps is this tour, and what's the pace like?

The tour covers about 10,000 steps over 2.5 hours. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels, though you'll be walking the streets of Harlem to get a true sense of the culture and neighborhoods.

What is the Schomburg Center and why is it on the tour?

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the New York Public Library's renowned research libraries devoted to African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. It's a world-leading cultural institution and a named stop on the walk.

Is there a chance to visit a farm in Harlem?

Depending on availability, you may get access inside one of Harlem's 14 farms, Harlem Grown, as part of the tour experience.