New York City
Price $85
Min age 5
Rating 4.07 / 5 [976 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Travel bucket list idea:
New York, United States of America (USA)
God-fuelled singing, clapping and dancing Gospel – it really is as uplifting as it looks, and there is no better place in the world to experience it’s rousing effect than Harlem.
This once-notoriously dangerous neighbourhood – now not just safe but ‘up-and-coming’ – throngs with churches that rock the rafters every Sunday morning.
Worth some time to wander around this fascinating neighbourhood packed with African-American history, before rounding it all off with some authentic ‘soul food’.
After the service, round off the experience by going for brunch and ‘soul food’ at the super-trendy nouveau-soul joint Red Rooster or old-school ‘Queen of Soul’ Sylvia’s.
If Rooster and Sylvia’s are mobbed – there are often long queues after services finish – head to Fredrick Douglass Boulevard below 125th Street for some decent, if less authentic, alternatives.
It’s worth a stop are the Studio Museum (144 West 125th Street), which also happens to have great art and gifts, while West 125th Street’s street vendors sell Harlem T-shirts.
Legendary Harlem music venue the Apollo Theater (launched James Brown, Diana Ross and more) is still going strong, and open in the evenings for performances.
To get to Harlem, take the subway A, C, 2 or 3 trains and get off at the 125th Street stop.
The Abyssinian Baptist (132 West 138 Street) is the best-known church for Harlem’s gospel choir tradition, but you need to go 2 hours early to get in.
Alternatives include New Mount Zion (171 140th Street), Mount Neboh 1883 Seventh Avenue (at 114th Street) or Greater Refuge Temple (2081 Adam Clayton Blvd) – or just walk around and try one of the smaller churches for a more authentic, intimate experience.
Dress respectfully and mind your manners.
Services run every Sunday, all year round.
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