Harlem & Gospel History Half Day Walking Tour
Joined 2025
Experience Harlem’s soul on this top-rated Gospel tour led by a licensed NYC guide in English or French. Visit 10+ historic sites tied to Black history, music, and faith. Discover Gospel’s roots from Africa to today. End with a live Sunday service and powerful Gospel choir. A moving, unforgettable experience—now honored with a Badge of Excellence for outstanding quality and guest satisfaction!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Dunkin Donuts Stire 525 Malcom X Blvd
- Please be aware that other tour companies are in the area. Do not go to any of their tour guides. One of our guides will come to meet you directly. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, located at 515 Malcolm X Boulevard (Lenox Avenue) between West 135th and 136th Streets, is a cornerstone of Harlem's cultural landscape. As part of The New York Public Library, it houses over 11 million items documenting the global Black experience. Visitors can explore exhibitions, attend events, and engage with a vast array of resources celebrating African American and African diasporic history.
The Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
The Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, located at 140 W. 137th St., New York City, NY 10030, is the oldest Black church in New York State and a cornerstone of Harlem’s spiritual and social history. Founded in 1796, it played a vital role in the abolitionist movement, serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad and a platform for leaders like Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. Visiting this historic church offers a powerful glimpse into the legacy of faith, freedom, and resilience that shaped a nation.
The Abyssinian Baptist Church
The Abyssinian Baptist Church, located at 132 West 138th Street in Harlem, is a historic institution founded in 1808. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Adam Clayton Powell Sr., the church became a beacon of faith and social activism. Today, it continues to serve the Harlem community through spiritual guidance and various outreach programs.
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, located at 204 West 134th Street in Harlem, is the oldest Black Episcopal congregation in New York City, founded in 1809. Designed in 1910 by pioneering African American architects Vertner W. Tandy and George W. Foster, the church is a Neo-Gothic landmark. Beyond its architectural significance, St. Philip’s has been a center for civil rights activism and community service, hosting leaders like Thurgood Marshall and Langston Hughes.
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building 163 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027
This iconic Harlem landmark is named after Adam Clayton Powell Jr., the first African American elected to Congress from New York. Completed in 1973, the building stands as a symbol of Black political empowerment and pride. It also hosts cultural events, public services, and features a striking plaza often used for community gatherings.
Apollo Theater 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027
Apollo Theater
253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027
The Apollo Theater is one of the most legendary music venues in the world and a cornerstone of Harlem’s cultural heritage. Opened in 1934, it became famous for launching the careers of countless Black artists through its iconic Amateur Night, including Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, and Lauryn Hill. The Apollo remains a vibrant hub for music, performance, and Black excellence.
Church Service
*What to Expect:
Lively and Soul-Stirring Music: Prepare for vibrant gospel music, featuring dynamic choirs and often accompanied by enthusiastic participation from the congregation.
*Energetic and Powerful Sermons: Sermons are typically delivered in a passionate, engaging, and sometimes rhythmic style, aiming to connect emotionally with the congregation.
*Warm Welcome: Visitors are generally welcomed warmly, and you might even be briefly introduced to the congregation.
*A Focus on Worship: Remember that the primary purpose of the service is worship, not a performance.
Respectful Participation:
*Arrive Early: Especially for Sunday services, as popular churches can get crowded, and you might be turned away if seating is full.
Dress Appropriately: Choose conservative attire, avoiding shorts, tank tops, or flip-flops.
Ending Point
Bethel Gospel Assembly 120th Street 2-26 East, New York City, NY 10035-2707
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
*Licensed tour guide
*Tablet and speaker, Microphone
*Tips for your tour guide
Tour Important Information
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
*Wheelchair accessible
*Stroller accessible
*Near public transportation
*Infants must sit on laps
Health restrictions
*Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Level of difficulty
*Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour is only on Sundays
Important message from the supplier
I can give tours from 7 AM to 7 PM
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2025
About Tour Guide Sylvie D.
My journey to becoming a tour guide is rooted in a lifelong passion for culture, creativity, and connection. I’ve always been drawn to the richness of human expression—through travel, music, art, and fashion—and how these elements reveal the true spirit of a place. Over time, I realized that what moved me most wasn’t just seeing new places, but feeling them: understanding their rhythm, their stories, and their soul.
New York City has long held a special place in my heart. Its energy, diversity, and layered history constantly inspire me. Becoming a tour guide felt like a natural step—a way to share that inspiration with others. For me, guiding is not just about pointing out sights. It’s about offering an experience that awakens curiosity, fosters understanding, and helps people connect with a place on a deeper level.
This work allows me to combine everything I love—storytelling, cultural exchange, personal connection—and turn each tour into a moment of discovery for both the traveler and myself.
$90/ per person
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