Spend Sunday morning in Harlem, the ethnically diverse borough of New York. You'll join a local church congregation and experience the soul-stirring power of gospel music on this special visit to one of New York City's most vital neighborhoods.
During your visit to legendary Harlem, you'll learn about the area's early days as a rural Dutch community. You'll hear how Harlem became home for African American writers and artists at the turn of the 20th century. You'll also learn of the suburb's troubled past during the 1960s and 70s, and of today's community brimming with pride and reveling in its new renaissance.
Harlem has an amazing story to tell at every turn! On your tour of the neighborhood you will see famous sights and landmarks such as City College, Morning Side Heights, the Morris Jumel Mansion, Sylvan terrace, Strivers Row, the Abyssinian Baptist church, Duke Ellington's home on St. Nicholas Avenue, famed 125th Street, Harlem USA, the Cotton Club, and the Apollo Theater. You'll visit the charming residential enclaves of Sugar Hill and Hamilton Heights with their elegant apartment buildings.
If you choose the gospel tour with brunch, you'll enjoy a soul food brunch at one of Harlem's local restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is "Soul Food"?
A: Soul Food is traditional African American cuisine that originated in the South in the United States. Today it has become a highly sought after cuisine. It consists of spicy ribs, collard greens, fried fish and chicken, freshly cooked corn bread, and a few side dishes like black eye peas, okra, or macaroni and cheese to mention a few.
I was disappointed: Our guide was unwell and although we hopped off the coach to take pics 10 Mins St. Patrick's, Apollo etc I would not decribe the experience as a walking tour. Tour returned half hour earlier than expected. Service was good but it was a pity that another guide could not have been found.
Review by: Raymond W, February 2018
Did this some time ago but still have great memories. A must to sample the real New York.
Review by: DIEU THANH TRUC D, January 2018
inoubliable tour avec guide française, fumeuse comme un pompier mais avec pleins d'anecdotes racontées. echanger le voucher avant la date du tour. point de rencontre, transport impeccables....surtout qu'il faisait -8...
Review by: Mirella R, January 2018
Loved the church we went to and our guide was really nice and told us all kind of stuff about Harlem and New York. Loved the experience!
Review by: Irene K, January 2018
The tour was okay but I think I would not book it again. We only ride the bus to the Gospel Church with a really really short stop at the Apollo Theatre. There was NO walking tour of residential sections as told!_br/_ Also I expected a Gospel Choir but I think that was my fault. At the gospel church of course were gospel singers but the instruments have been so loud that the charme of the gospel singers got lost - but I think I had a wrong imagination
Review by: Janelle N, January 2018
Excellent tour. The walking tour was interesting and the church service inspiring! Thoroughly recommend.
Review by: Martin D, January 2018
This was a fun Sunday morning. Our tour guide unfortunately I can't remember his name was terrific and even had the entire bus singing along with him to Frank Sinatra tunes. We enjoyed the tour of Harlem and the visit to the church gave us a good glimpse of gospel singing. The people at the church were most welcoming and friendly... I am not a church goer but this experience was very nice. I would recommend this tour.
Review by: Jeralyn S, January 2018
The singing and the service was not very professional, but the sincerity of the people made up for it. Totally enjoyed the service and being with such beautiful people that were so sincere in their faith.
Review by: Alan W, December 2017
Well prepared, informational history lesson of Harlem, plus an inspirational church visit. We loved it!
Review by: Karen B, October 2017
Good tour but a little disorganised at boarding
Review by: Carol P, October 2017
Great tour - I thought it was just a church service but was pleasantly surprised to get an informative funny quirky tour of New York and an incredible 1 hour spectacular- the pastor , the congregation and the choir was straight out of “COMING TO AMERICA “ - you have got to see it to believe it.
Review by: Jacquelyn K, September 2017
A good experience, it was so much fun and entertaining. if you get a chance do it
Review by: Rene C, September 2017
While it was good, I was expecting more. The Gospel music was more shouting than gospel for me._br/_ Yet the brunch at the Cotton Club was quite enjoyable.
Review by: Jozef N, September 2017
The tour is ok. But the gospel music at the church was not good at all. Especially the acoustics were terrible, the music very very loud. Have seen much better in previous visits to Harlem.
Review by: Stephane L, September 2017
Funny and entertaining. Nice to see how people of Harlem really live their religion with passion and devotion.
Review by: Brandon B, August 2017
Great to see Harlem to tick it off the list. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and pointed out some great sites along the way. The time at Church was a good amount not too long.
Review by: Ada, July 2017
I really enjoyed this morning tour. The guide was kind and knowledgeable. Harlem experience was very good as well as the gospel experience. I would have expected more stops in Harlem. We had only one stop!!!! The gospel/church experience was really good albeit short. The church managers requested that we leave the church at a certain point. Would be good if the tour organizers find well in advance what the church protocol is. Thanks very much.
Review by: Deborah B, July 2017
This tour was so disapponting and a waste of money. The guide was very knowledgable and decent. However, the tour of Harlem included 2 stops and very little exploring. The church was cute and the congregation friendly. However, the choir consisted of 3 people and very average singing. Not at all the Gospel Choir we expected. I would certainly not reccommend this tour to anyone who is expecting a memoriable musical experience.
Review by: Debbie L, March 2017
This tour Is a wonderful way to see Harlem and get the feel for the roots of Gospel Music. The only improvement would be brunch a better more known restaurant in Harlem. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of Harlem and it's many changes thru the years.
Review by: kbertrand, January 2017
This tour was very interesting and the church service was very enjoyable and a lot of fun! Tour guide and driver let us get off the bus at Yankee Stadium on our way back which was very kind and saved us making another trip out. We had a lovely time on this tour!
Review by: Verna D, January 2017
If I could give a lower rating, I would...Ride to Harlem was interesting but when we got to the church, we were not allowed on the lower level. Instead, we had to climb 3 flights of stairs to the nosebleed section and then later move down a few steps. Music was good but Had to leave in the middle of the service and went to the Cotton Club. TERRIBLE!!!!! three of us seated at a table for 2 in the back corner. I got the broken seat on the chair. Lucky me! They put the container to place the dirty dishes and garbage right behind our feet. Brunch was no way Soul food. Kentucky fried chicken...no ribs dry cornbread. cannot say anything good about this. complete waste of time and money!!!!!
Review by: ekaterina.latella, January 2017
I really enjoyed the tour. The Gospel Service was very warm, energetic and welcoming! A very special experience. The guides from Harlem Spirituals were very knowledgeable. The also helped me to catch a taxi after the tour, as I wanted to see the Brooklyn bridge afterwards and still catch my flight on the same day. Many thanks!
Review by: Jane E, January 2017
We left half way through the service.
Review by: Michael G, January 2017
We commenced our journey in downtown Manhattan and traveled by bus up to Harlem. The tour around Harlem near the Apollo Theatre and the house that Gen.George Washington used were both interesting. We went to a Baptist Church in the Bronx. The church was ear piercing with many Alleluias and much praising of the Lord. It was a little intimidating at first being in a group of 40 people filing into a church and staying for approx. 1 hour as others performed around you.. The choir was great. The plate went around once and then all were invited to come to the front of the church and make a donation minimum 10 suggested. Fortunately the tour leader and advised people to feel comfortable about the experience and put in what they wanted. All up a interesting morning
Review by: Don S, January 2017
This tour was nothing like I expected. Harlem singers were terrible, out of tune basically could not sing. Singers were chatting amongst themselves while others were trying to sing. I left the chapel with the worst headache. The bus tour was OK as we saw parts of Manhatten and Harlem. The guide was so hard to follow as he flipped fron English to French all the time. My observation was that everybody on the bus was over him and glad to get off._br/_ Viator I'm sure you can do better than this in a city the size of New York. Shocking trip no value, give it a miss.
Review by: Åsa H, January 2017
The church was not at all worth a visit as I expected more Christmas songs and carols and it was just waiting there for nothing to come!_br/_ The brunch ws ok and good food to test!_br/_ Our guide this day was good and was very good to describe things we went through by bus!
Review by: Debra H, December 2016
While I enjoyed our tour, and I thought our guide was excellent, I really feel some confusion shortchanged us of the entire package. We went directly to a church with a 5 minute stop to see the Apollo Theater. At the church, we were escorted to the basement for a lovely Christmas celebration, but when we went upstairs to the actual church, plans changed. We were asked to leave, board the bus and we were whisked off to another church. The celebration at that church was wonderful, but we then needed to leave midway through the service, at which time we were brought back ... tour over. No walking tour, no Cotton Club. Things seemed unorganized, and I truly felt shortchanged. I guess I at least expected to get all that was included in the tour description ... and we definitely did not!
Review by: vickim58, December 2016
Not up to my expectations. Woman at office was rude. Too much preaching and not enough singing. Lunch was very average. Very touristy. Disappointed !!!!
Review by: Pat N, November 2016
This was a great tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and added some interesting facts to make this tour a wonderful experience.
Review by: Paul R, November 2016
Confusing situation loading buses at the beginning. But, the guide was excellent and made it a very successful tour.
Review by: Lesley S, November 2016
Just a wonderful experience, very good knowledge guide and commentary.
Review by: Kim N, November 2016
What a wonderful tour the guide went above and beyond
Review by: Robert S, November 2016
As a soul music afficiado seeing the Apllo theatre and the Cotton Club is a must see. However on my tour it was 45 minutes late departing and the departure arrangements were shambolic. A minimum amount of time was spent in the Church for the Gospel singing and service followed by attending the Cotton Club whereby we had to sit anywhere were they could find a spare seat. Upon departure back to downtown we ended up on a bus full which had a majority of French speaking tourists and a guide called Christine who only spoke French on the return journey and insisted on shouting out any conversation we had in English....obviously she was either ignorant or unconcerned that anyone speaks a language other than French.....I would recommend anyone to make their own way to see the shrines
Review by: TANIA P, October 2016
Amazing experience, what a privilege to attend this beautiful community church. I think the tour directors need to make it very clear this is a real church service and remind people NOT to take photos. I was slightly embarrassed to see people taking photos. There are signs asking people not to take photos. Relax and enjoy the service it was a wonderful experience, well worth it.
Review by: HELENA A, October 2016
Wonderful experience full of feith and joy._br/_ I recomend ir.
Review by: Antony A, October 2016
The tour guide was very good. He was very clear and directed our attention to points of interest. We enjoyed the singing, however would have liked to hear the sermon but time did not permit.
Review by: Denise R, October 2016
Really well organised tour. Staff were friendly and professional. A wonderful experience
Review by: Judith R, September 2016
Great gospel experience and tour of Harlem. Recommended.
Review by: Tracy B, September 2016
As a first time visitor to New York, I had hopes and expectations for this tour.I wanted to know about the rich cultural history of Harlem.We spent very little time in Harlem and not enough time talking about its history. We didn and #39;t even get the chance to get photos of the area.I was disappointed..
Review by: Sandra C, September 2016
This was a great tour and well worth the money. We drove round Harlem, met The Great Franco artist who sells his work and paints all Harlem's shop fronts whilst stopping at the Apollo and also did some walking. The highlight, however, was the church visit. It was like being in Sister Act! Quite a surreal experience and the congregation were welcoming. Ellen, our host, was fabulous and very knowledgeable. I would urge anyone to do this tour.
Review by: susan d, September 2016
We loved the gospel signing but the tour through Harlem and our tour guides information was only OK. We stopped at the Apollo theatre, Hamilton and Burr houses, and that was it. We rolled by some interesting things, a fountain, church etc. which I would have also liked to have seen in more detail. The guide seemed knowledgeable but there was a lot of time with no narration, which is unusual for a guided tour in our experience..
Review by: Mary L, September 2016
A great experience and tour. After a short journey through the highlights of Harlem and a visit to the Apollo Theatre it's on to the Gospel Service. Very inspiring and the locals certainly don't let the visitors impact on their level of emotional abundance during their singing and praising. They make all visitors feel very welcome.
Review by: Monisha S, August 2016
Really great tour with a very friendly and informative guide. The music at the church we visited was fabulous.
Review by: john h, August 2016
Very informative on Harlem history. Church service was very moving. A great morning.
Review by: gilles.riviere-prost, July 2016
Excellent tour, very friendly guide. The church is not a tourist trap
Review by: colin b, July 2016
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Janet F, July 2016
Our guide was terrific! He was fun and knowlegeable. He gave a comprehensive history and timely information. Would love to go on more tours with him.
Review by: Victoria L, June 2016
Our tour of about 40 guests, led by Glenn, was excellent. It was interesting that we were the only Americans on the trip, it was enlightening and taught us a great deal about the neighborhood. Glenn was terrific - informative and enthusiastic. I would recommend this trip to anyone.
RSS Feed