It’s Black History Month! What better way to celebrate it than to take a Taste Harlem tour
Celebrate African-American culture by taking a Taste Harlem Food and Culture Tour. There are 3 walking tours that give visitors a feel of the rich history and present culture of one of our oldest and culturally rich neighborhoods in the city.
Historical Food Tour
Six food stops are included in the $65-$75 rate of the Historical Food Tour. Yes, there will no doubt be soul food, but also Caribbean and African cuisine and more. Chicken and waffles will take their place alongside oxtails, yellow rice and red beans, candied yams, and even a popular West African peanut butter stew called maffe.
The walks take place every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday at 10 a.m. For Come with an empty stomach!
Get tickets and information here
The Historical Faces and Places Tour
Every Thursday and Saturday at 11 a.m.
The organizers feel that gaining a true understanding of Harlem’s culture can be conveyed through walking its streets, taking in the architecture, and hearing stories of the historic people and music that was created there.
Residents included Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Maya Angelou, iconic jazz composer and pianist Billy Strayhorn, along with Founding Father and current star of a certain hit Broadway show, Alexander Hamilton.
Tour prices range from $35 to $75 per person.
The Neighborhood Art Stroll Tour
What goes great with food and culture? Well, art of course! The Neighborhood Art Stroll Tour showcases the private collection of Columbia University Community Scholar John T. Reddick.
His exhibition of sheet music, photos and documents present a fascinating overview of Harlem’s historic African-American and Jewish musical history. Yes, you read that right.
Harlem once boasted of the third-largest Jewish community in the world, and Reddick has amassed an amazing collection of artifacts from both cultures dating from 1890-1930.
Tours are every Wednesday at noon and cost $41.50 per person.
Walks take place rain or shine, so dress accordingly and make sure to wear comfy shoes. (But you always do when you visit New York City, right?)
And if you can’t make it this month, remember that these three walking tours are available all year long. To feed your tummy and your mind, head uptown. It’s a subway ride away!
Image via Dr. Wendy Longo/Flickr
