Print this page

Ticket Info

Location Map

More @ This Location

Soul Food and Jazz

Come and relive the high-stepping, fun-loving nights of the 1920’s! Tour the neighborhood with one of our professional city guides and learn about Harlem’s role in the history of jazz and the roles of its noted jazz musicians in giving New York its musical edge.

See the site of the original Cotton Club, where Duke Ellington and Lena Horne spent hours wowing crowds from around the world. Drive past the site of the Savoy Ballroom where Benny Goodman and Chick Webb fought it out during their “Battle of the Bands,” and where the “Charleston,” “Lindy Hop” and the “Big Apple” dances were firmly cemented into American culture. See the world-famous Apollo Theater, where Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald won the popular “Amateur Night”, which still boasts standing room only audiences every Wednesday night. Pass by the Lincoln Theater, where Fats Waller passion underscored Vaudeville shows, and Minton’s Playhouse, where bebop was born and where Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Thelonious Monk started the tradition of jam sessions.

On Mondays, dance the night away shaking your proverbial “leg” at Harlem’s new Cotton Club, where you’ll swing to the beat of a terrific, twelve-piece band for almost two hours. (Free dance lessons included!) On Thursdays and Saturdays, discover Harlem’s hottest bebop spot, where jam sessions and musical intrigue go on into the wee hours of the morning. At both clubs, enjoy the easy-going, convivial atmosphere as you mingle freely with the locals and experience the shared essence of Harlem. (We pick up the tab for your first two cocktails!).

On the way to the music, you’ll dine at Sylvia’s legendary restaurant---famous for its soul-shattering “soul food” . So forget the A Train. Join us for a great night out in Harlem.

What is "Soul Food"?

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.

Tour Times: Please note, this tour is NOT suitable for children. This tour runs on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays, beginning at 7.00pm and ending at 12 midnight. Clients must meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.

THIS TOUR DOES NOT RUN ON THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS DAY OR NEW YEARS DAY.

Running Time: Tour duration is approx 5 hours

DON'T FORGET
Proper dress is required. No shorts please. Harlem Spirituals reserves the right to refuse clients with shorts at the last minute and will not refund the tour.

Do you offer complimentary drop-offs?

Yes. Complimentary drop-offs are offered on all late night tours and most daytime tours from uptown, down to 34th Street. The drop-offs are made along Columbus Avenue, Broadway, and Seventh Avenue.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Tours are not wheelchair accessible. However, if the customer has a fold-up wheelchair and can get out of the wheelchair, with assistance from their companion, they can do the tour and the wheelchair can be stowed in the luggage section of the bus.