Harlem has long been known as one of New York City’s most influential cultural neighborhoods. It has played a central role in shaping music, art, literature, and civil rights history.

Visitors who want to go beyond the surface of sightseeing often ask, “What are the top historic sites and museums to explore here?”

The neighborhood offers plenty of answers.

From preserved landmarks to museums that showcase African American heritage, Harlem offers a unique opportunity to experience history firsthand.

If you are making a list of things to do in Harlem, these sites and museums deserve a place at the top.

#1 The Apollo Theater

The Apollo Theater remains Harlem’s most famous cultural landmark. This historic venue opened in 1914 and became the launching pad for countless African American performers. Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and Lauryn Hill all graced this stage during their careers.

The theater’s Amateur Night competitions have been running since 1934. These events discovered some of America’s greatest musical talents. Today, visitors can take guided tours that reveal the venue’s fascinating backstory. The tour includes access to the famous backstage area where performers prepare for their career-defining moments.

The Apollo’s museum displays costumes, photographs, and memorabilia from legendary performances. Interactive exhibits let visitors experience the energy that made this theater special. The building itself serves as a testament to Harlem’s role in shaping American entertainment.

#2 Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Image Credit – Wikipedia 

The Schomburg Center houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of African and African American materials. This research library and cultural center was founded in 1925 by Arthur Schomburg, a Puerto Rican historian and activist.

The center’s collection includes

• Over 11 million items documenting Black life and culture
• Rare manuscripts from prominent African American writers
• Historical photographs spanning centuries
• Audio recordings of speeches and musical performances
• Art pieces from renowned Black artists

Visitors can explore rotating exhibitions that showcase different aspects of black history and culture. The center’s reading rooms provide access to materials that researchers travel worldwide to study. Educational programs and lectures regularly bring together scholars and community members.

Dive deeper into Harlem’s rich cultural history with our Educational and Arts Tours, designed to bring history to life for students and lifelong learners alike.

#3 Marcus Garvey Park and Mount Morris Historic District

Marcus Garvey Park serves as both a community gathering place and a historical site. The park was renamed in 1973 to honor Marcus Garvey, the influential Pan-Africanist leader who lived in Harlem during the 1920s.

The surrounding Mount Morris Historic District features some of New York’s finest Victorian architecture. These buildings date back to the 1880s and 1890s when wealthy white families first settled in the area. The district’s brownstones and row houses demonstrate the neighborhood’s architectural evolution over time.

The park’s fire watchtower, built in 1857, remains the only surviving tower of its kind in Manhattan. This cast-iron structure once served as an early warning system for fires throughout the area. Today, it stands as a reminder of 19th-century urban planning.

#4 Abyssinian Baptist Church

The Abyssinian Baptist Church represents one of Harlem’s most important religious and political institutions. Founded in 1808, this congregation has been led by influential pastors who shaped civil rights history.

Adam Clayton Powell Sr. and his son, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., both served as pastors here. Powell Jr became the first African American congressman from New York. His political career began in this church’s pulpit, where he advocated for civil rights and social justice.

The church’s Gothic Revival architecture creates an impressive presence on West 138th Street. Sunday services remain active community gatherings where visitors can experience the powerful tradition of African American worship. The church’s history intertwines with Harlem’s development as a center for Black political activism.

#5 The National Jazz Museum in Harlem

Jazz music originated in New Orleans but found its second home in Harlem. The National Jazz Museum in Harlem preserves this musical heritage through interactive exhibits and educational programs.

The museum’s collection includes rare recordings, instruments, and photographs from jazz’s golden age. Visitors can listen to performances by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and other legends who made Harlem their creative headquarters during the 1920s and 1930s.

Regular programming includes:

• Live jazz performances in the museum’s performance space
• Educational workshops for students and adults
• Lectures by jazz historians and musicians
• Walking tours of historic jazz venues throughout Harlem

The museum works to connect jazz’s past with its present. Contemporary musicians often participate in programs that demonstrate how this art form continues to evolve.

Experience Harlem’s vibrant history and music scene with our Adult Tours, personalized for travelers seeking an immersive cultural adventure.

#6 Studio Museum in Harlem

The Studio Museum in Harlem focuses specifically on contemporary African American art and artists of African descent. Since 1968, this institution has provided exhibition space and support for emerging and established artists.

The museum’s permanent collection includes paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works that reflect the African American experience. Rotating exhibitions feature both historical retrospectives and cutting-edge contemporary art. The museum’s artist-in-residence program has supported numerous careers in the visual arts.

Educational programs bring art directly into the community. School groups regularly visit for guided tours and hands-on workshops. The museum’s location on West 125th Street places it at the heart of Harlem’s commercial and cultural district.

#7 Langston Hughes House

The Langston Hughes House preserves the former residence of one of America’s most important poets. Hughes lived at this East 127th Street address from 1947 until his death in 1967. During these years, he wrote many of his most celebrated works.

The house operates as a cultural center that promotes literature and poetry. Reading series and workshops continue Hughes’s legacy of making poetry accessible to everyday people. The building’s simple exterior belies its significance in American literary history.

Visitors can see the room where Hughes wrote poems that captured the African American experience. His work documented both the struggles and triumphs of Black life in America. The house serves as inspiration for contemporary writers and poets.

Planning Your Visit

These things to do in Harlem require different amounts of time and planning. Some sites offer daily tours while others require advance reservations. Most locations provide group discounts for educational visits.

The neighborhood’s compact size makes it possible to visit multiple sites in a single day. However, each location deserves adequate time for proper appreciation. The rich history contained within these walls cannot be rushed.

Public transportation provides easy access to all major sites. The subway system connects Harlem to the rest of Manhattan efficiently. Walking between nearby locations also offers opportunities to observe the neighborhood’s ongoing evolution.

Harlem’s historic sites and museums preserve stories that belong to all Americans. These institutions work to ensure that important chapters in our nation’s history remain accessible to future generations.

Explore Harlem With Ease

Discovering Harlem’s history is even more meaningful with the right guide. At EE Tours, we take you beyond the landmarks to share the stories, culture, and spirit that make this neighborhood unique. Our tours are led by local experts, designed for comfort, and planned so you don’t miss a thing. Book your Harlem experience today and see why travelers trust us for unforgettable journeys through New York City.