Half-day Tours
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$80
per adult
Harlem Spirituals
Harlem Spirituals
4
Cultural ToursHistorical & Heritage ToursWalking ToursSightseeing ToursDay Trips
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Full view
About
For over 25 years, Harlem Spirituals - New York Visions has offered unique sightseeing tours of cultural value that capture the excitement and flavor of New York City. Our Harlem Gospel tours and Harlem Soul Food and Jazz tours guarantee to make you a part of an unique experience. Discover the rich history of this legendary New York City neighborhood and enjoy the soul-stirring power of live gospel and jazz music. Complete your tour experience with a delicious meal at some of Harlem's most fashionable restaurants. Beyond Harlem, our New York sightseeing guided tours take you off the beaten path to soak in the local flavor and really experience the diversity of New York and its fascinating neighborhoods of Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx. All of our NYC tours are offered year round in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese on board deluxe motor coaches. Harlem Spirituals - New York Visions also offers services and packages with hotel accommodation, airport and city transfers, cruises, city passes, attractions and Broadway shows. Whether you are traveling with a group or individually, let us plan your next New York vacation from start to finish!
Tours and Tickets by Harlem Spirituals
Half-day Tours
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$85
per adult
Half-day Tours
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$85
per adult
Private Sightseeing Tours
3–4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$225
per adult
Private Sightseeing Tours
4 hours
from
$270
per adult
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
416 reviews
Excellent
216
Very good
89
Average
38
Poor
32
Terrible
41
LadyBercilak
Auckland, New Zealand3 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
Our guide Peggy was helpful and gave us a fund of information I didn’t know about Harlem. She took us through the history of Harlem in the days of the settlers through different waves of immigrants, to the Harlem renaissance and up to the present day. We visited a church to understand more the Harlem Gospel tradition.
Written December 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave&CindyChandler
Chandler, AZ228 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
If you are first time in New York I suggest this tour. If you've been to Harlem then do this on your own. 90% of the tour was a "TEN" Sylvia's Restaurant Food and Service was great. Walking tour of Harlem was Great. Come to find out the current location is not the Original "Cotton Club" . We went on a Monday Night. The entertainment was really good. When the band took a break, the lead trumpeter started pedaling his personal CD's to all of us. Myself and most of our group were offended by this. When I mentioned it to the front man at the Cotton Club he told me he couldn't help. Great Music was ruined by a cheesy stunt.
Written June 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tamarvalleylady1
Callington, UK19 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
We met Duane our tour guide at the office along with a family of 3 and our unforgettable journey began. Duane is possibly the best guide i have ever met. He has both knowledge and charm. We took the nearby subway to Harlem to a great soulfood dinner at sylvias where famous people smiled from the walls. Barack Obama watched over our table. A short van ride took us to the cotton club. It was great fun and a charming man got all the women dancing followed shortly by their partners. I can't remember when I last danced. The absolute best was king Solomon Hicks who absolutely lit up the stage with his talent. The only quibble was the rather over enthusiastic trumpet player wanting to know why my husband was buying the Solomon Hicks CD and not what he was selling. It was a brilliant fun evening.
Written March 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Tamravalleylady1,
Thank you so much for your kind words about our Harlem Soul food and Jazz tour.
We are so glad that you and your husband enjoyed a fun night out on the town with great food and music.
Solomon Hicks is a prodigy and your husband made the right choice!
You have made our day and we appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
Best regards,
Erika Elisabeth
Vice president
Harlem Spirituals /New York Visions
Written April 12, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John N
Logan City, Australia41 contributions
Oct 2019
An interesting tour with guide Anthony who had personal knowledge of the Harlem district and gave an interesting and informative commentary on the history of Harlem. The church service at the end given by the gospel singers was quite good. Be prepared to give a donation into the collection plate. Tour was around 3-4 hours.
Written October 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear John N,
Thank you for taking the time to review our Harlem Gospel tour.
Your feedback means a lot to us. We are happy that you enjoyed the experience.
Regards,
Erika Elisabeth
Vice president
Harlem Spirituals
Written October 14, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jeannie b
Birmingham, AL129 contributions
Our tour of the gospel singing in Harlem with our guide Damien of harlem spiritual tours was great! Damien is very knowledgeable and will answer all your questions about any area. He know nyc!!!! Great tour, better guide!
Written October 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Jeannie b,
Thank you so much for you sharing your experience on our Harlem Gospel tour.
It means so much to us and we are so glad that you enjoyed.
Sincerely,
Erika Elisabeth
Vice President
Harlem Spirituals / New York Visions
Maven American Journeys
Written January 7, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robert M
Saint Andrews, Canada7 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
This was the Sunday morning tour on Christmas eve, which included a trip to a gospel church service and brunch at Sylvia's, a soul food restaurant. We waited half an hour outside in very cold weather and then had a coach tour, which was adequate.
The gospel "service" was not really a service but a show - not a very good one- put on for us. There were no hymns or sermon and the highlight was a group of people running and swirling to recorded music, with colored fabric in their wake. Beforehand the guide told us that this was going to be an uplifting, authentic and joyful experience. Afterwards he admitted that we didn't really attend the service but just the "warm up", as he put it. Apparently the church gets a per capita fee for everyone that the tour brings in. The church had the good sense to take collection at the beginning, before we knew what was coming.
Next was Sylvia's and our guide rhapsodized about soul food and its therapeutic effects. It was so obviously disingenuous that it was offensive. The food was OK but we were seated together at one end of the restaurant, away from the other patrons. The staff barely spoke to us or smiled while they brought the food and took away our plates. I certainly didn't feel welcome and could not wait to get out of there.
This tour is a bad way to visit Harlem. One would be better off to simply attend a church service and put the price of the tour in the collection plate.
The gospel "service" was not really a service but a show - not a very good one- put on for us. There were no hymns or sermon and the highlight was a group of people running and swirling to recorded music, with colored fabric in their wake. Beforehand the guide told us that this was going to be an uplifting, authentic and joyful experience. Afterwards he admitted that we didn't really attend the service but just the "warm up", as he put it. Apparently the church gets a per capita fee for everyone that the tour brings in. The church had the good sense to take collection at the beginning, before we knew what was coming.
Next was Sylvia's and our guide rhapsodized about soul food and its therapeutic effects. It was so obviously disingenuous that it was offensive. The food was OK but we were seated together at one end of the restaurant, away from the other patrons. The staff barely spoke to us or smiled while they brought the food and took away our plates. I certainly didn't feel welcome and could not wait to get out of there.
This tour is a bad way to visit Harlem. One would be better off to simply attend a church service and put the price of the tour in the collection plate.
Written December 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodrigo R
Florianopolis, SC47 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
We purchased the tour with portuguese translations, but ince we were there, we were told there would not be a portuguese tour (???). We took the english tour, which is not a problem to me, I just translated some of the tour to my wife.
The tour guide knows a lot about NY and the Harlem, and was very detailed about the info he passed to us.
But, looking at the photos from the site, we were under the impression we would be in a bigger church. But that was not the case, the church was very small, but the presentation was really good, with impressive vocals.
It was good, but could be better.
The tour guide knows a lot about NY and the Harlem, and was very detailed about the info he passed to us.
But, looking at the photos from the site, we were under the impression we would be in a bigger church. But that was not the case, the church was very small, but the presentation was really good, with impressive vocals.
It was good, but could be better.
Written November 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Rodrigo R,
Thank you very much for your honest feedback about your experience on our Harlem gospel tour. We are sorry that the Portuguese language was not available and are glad that you were able to follow the English tour.
Harlem Spirituals has developed relationships with over 20 churches in Harlem as well as in the Bronx. Worship services can take place in a variety of spaces, some are more traditional then others; it all depends on which congregations can welcome us on any given Sunday. What is most important to us is to provide our visitors with a truly unique and immersive experience within the communities that we work in.
The choirs are formed by congregation members that volunteer their time to actively participate in their respective church programs. They are not necessarily professional signers but express deep faith through song. So it is touching to read that you were impressed with the service and vocals.
Thank you for taking the time to submit your vote and comments.
Sincerely,
Erika Elisabeth
Harlem Spirituals/New York Visions
Maven American Journeys
Written December 12, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dia Gee
Melbourne, Australia205 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
On our third trip to NYC, we thought we’d try something a bit different and book a Harlem Gospel Tour. We booked and paid through our hotel concierge, and chose a Sunday tour (there’s also Wednesday’s available).
We were on a combined English and Italian tour, so our tour guide Tony was doing half the tour in English and half in Italian. Being of Italian descent, this worked in our favour, as we could understand parts of the Italian explanation too – lucky for us, because the Italian tourists on the bus seemed to like talking loudly during all the English parts; we had to ask them to keep it down at one stage. It also didn’t help that the microphone system in the bus kept cutting out, probably as the bus was so old. Never-the-less, Tony was very informative on-route, pointing out sights of interest, where celebrities lived on the Upper West Side, restaurant recommendations, telling us stories and fun facts about NYC.
We stopped at the Apollo Theatre (outside only), which was pretty cool, then we stopped at a couple of historic landmarks including the oldest house in Manhattan; Morris Jumel Mansion and Sylvan Terrace. I really enjoyed seeing these sights, as it was something new and interesting.
Our next stop was the church; The Greater Universal Baptist Church, which is located in the Bronx; not Harlem (?) Look, to be honest, although I did enjoy the service – it wasn’t what I was expecting. I wanted the full choir at the front of the church wearing bright coloured gowns singing and dancing like they never had before; maybe I watch too many movies? Lol. Everyone was in casual clothes… including the small choir, who actually just ended up sitting in the audience instead of at the front of the church. The songs were great, everyone was clapping and the prayers/ speakers were moving. However, it was a very low-key service. I must say, the congregation were incredibly lovely; what a beautiful bunch of people. We felt very welcomed – the whole congregation even all turned to us at one stage (tourists fill up the back 3 or 4 rows) and sung us a thank you song. The other nice thing that happened was, because we went on Father’s Day, they got all the Dad’s in the church up to the front for a group photo.
Couple of other things to note:
- Tourist groups leave the church before the 2-hour sermon, so you’re only there for about an hour total.
- A donation basket made the rounds, only once, which I think is fine and expected.
- Dress code; I was wearing sandals, but brought heels with me, as the dress code on the brochure/tickets made me think I’d need them; you don’t. Sandals or clean sneakers will be fine. Just no shorts. I was also wearing a spaghetti strap dress, with a cardigan on top. I probably didn’t need it though, as a lot of the female locals had their shoulders exposed.
Although I don’t feel like I got the full ‘gospel’ experience, it was still a good tour and I did enjoy myself. I probably wouldn’t cross it off my bucket list though, and would definitely do some more research and try out another tour next time I’m in NYC.
We were on a combined English and Italian tour, so our tour guide Tony was doing half the tour in English and half in Italian. Being of Italian descent, this worked in our favour, as we could understand parts of the Italian explanation too – lucky for us, because the Italian tourists on the bus seemed to like talking loudly during all the English parts; we had to ask them to keep it down at one stage. It also didn’t help that the microphone system in the bus kept cutting out, probably as the bus was so old. Never-the-less, Tony was very informative on-route, pointing out sights of interest, where celebrities lived on the Upper West Side, restaurant recommendations, telling us stories and fun facts about NYC.
We stopped at the Apollo Theatre (outside only), which was pretty cool, then we stopped at a couple of historic landmarks including the oldest house in Manhattan; Morris Jumel Mansion and Sylvan Terrace. I really enjoyed seeing these sights, as it was something new and interesting.
Our next stop was the church; The Greater Universal Baptist Church, which is located in the Bronx; not Harlem (?) Look, to be honest, although I did enjoy the service – it wasn’t what I was expecting. I wanted the full choir at the front of the church wearing bright coloured gowns singing and dancing like they never had before; maybe I watch too many movies? Lol. Everyone was in casual clothes… including the small choir, who actually just ended up sitting in the audience instead of at the front of the church. The songs were great, everyone was clapping and the prayers/ speakers were moving. However, it was a very low-key service. I must say, the congregation were incredibly lovely; what a beautiful bunch of people. We felt very welcomed – the whole congregation even all turned to us at one stage (tourists fill up the back 3 or 4 rows) and sung us a thank you song. The other nice thing that happened was, because we went on Father’s Day, they got all the Dad’s in the church up to the front for a group photo.
Couple of other things to note:
- Tourist groups leave the church before the 2-hour sermon, so you’re only there for about an hour total.
- A donation basket made the rounds, only once, which I think is fine and expected.
- Dress code; I was wearing sandals, but brought heels with me, as the dress code on the brochure/tickets made me think I’d need them; you don’t. Sandals or clean sneakers will be fine. Just no shorts. I was also wearing a spaghetti strap dress, with a cardigan on top. I probably didn’t need it though, as a lot of the female locals had their shoulders exposed.
Although I don’t feel like I got the full ‘gospel’ experience, it was still a good tour and I did enjoy myself. I probably wouldn’t cross it off my bucket list though, and would definitely do some more research and try out another tour next time I’m in NYC.
Written August 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Dia_Gee,
I hope this message finds you well.
Your opinion is very important to us and we thank you for taking the time to give us such a comprehensive review of our Sunday Gospel tour.
We are really happy that you were able to experience the warmth of the community and learn about the rich history of New York City's diverse neighborhoods. Our sunday tour enables visitors to experience an authentic worship service in either Harlem or the Bronx. We work with lovely congregations in both neighborhoods.
It seems like our Harlem on a Wednesday Gospel Tour would be a good fit for you.
We offer a historic Harlem tour with a musical-style service called the Hour of Power with the ARC Choir part of a local community center that we sponsor. This service brings you 20+ powerful voices singing traditional a cappella gospel and spiritual music.
Please do reach out to us when you come back to New York City.
I would highly recommend adding this experience to your bucket list!
Sincerest regards,
Erika Elisabeth
Vice president
Harlem Spirituals
New York Visions
Maven American Journeys
Written August 10, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Seren899
Auckland Central, New Zealand36 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
The tour included visiting Malcolm X Blvd, Apollo Theatre, and a Gospel Church visit. The Gospel Choir - ARC (Adddicts Rehabilitation Centre) - was outstanding. Just like Sister Act lol.
Written January 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NewcastleDaiseygirl
newcastle19 contributions
I went on the soul food and jazz evening with Harlem Spirituals and I would say it was definitely the highlight of my time in New York, Peggy our guide was fantastic- informative and welcoming and as a solo traveler she made me feel completely as ease. The dinner at Sylvia's was divine but it was the music and dancing at the Cotton Club that really made the night, such soul and grace, it was truly inspiring. I can not speak highly enough of both the entire evening and this company.
Written January 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Daisygirl,
We are so glad that you enjoyed our soul food and Jazz tour.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience on Trip Advisor.
We hope that we will have the opportunity to showcase some of our other
neighborhood tours of New York City on your next trip.
Sincerest regards,
Erika Elisabeth
Harlem Spirituals Inc.
Written January 29, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ho prenotato un tour guidato per Harlem + messa gospel presso Harlem Spiritual. So che il tour è in autobus, questo vuol dire che non scenderà mai o ci saranno delle piccole soste in prossimità delle principali attrazioni, tipo Apollo Theatre, Cotton Club ...?
Written June 13, 2017
Hi
I would like to know if their is any difference between the Sunday Tour or the Wednesday tour, if one is better than the other.
Thank You
Kathy
Written October 4, 2016
Sorry I just saw this. The Sunday tour joined a regular Sunday church service. There was a sermon with local people attending the service. Was great to be part of that .
Written November 21, 2016
salve a tutti. Vorrei un consiglio dato che andrò a New York per Pasqua mi piacerebbe partecipare ad una messa gospel ma senza tour guidati. Posso entrare in una chiesa qualunque ad Harlem ed assistere alla messa ?
grazie mille
Written February 25, 2016
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