Best Things to Do in Harlem New York

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Located north of Central Park in Manhattan, Harlem has long been a creative hub. The cultural renaissance that followed the Great Migration of the 1920s brought new influences and new talents to the region, known for its arts, music, fashion and soul food. Even though the neighborhood may have changed in recent times, there is still a lot of excitement about it. Below, discover 10 of the best things to do and see in Harlem, New York.

Opened in 2010 by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, Red Rooster Restaurant takes its name from an infamous 138th Street speakeasy of the same name that closed in the 1980s. In the basement of the soul food restaurant is finds Ginny's Supper Club, Red Rooster's own speakeasy, where musicians and DJs perform live every day of the week. Samuelsson's menu is another homage to Harlem: dishes include traditional neighborhood favorites such as chicken and waffles (said to have been invented there), shrimp and grits, and a short rib named for President Obama who dined at the restaurant during a 2011 DNC fundraiser.

His special attention to underrepresented artists in color sets The neighborhood museum apart from the city's many art museums. Although it was founded in 1969, its heritage spans more than 800 years, making it the country's “preeminent forum and resource” for Caribbean, Latin American and Latin American art. Certain genres of work in the 6,500-object permanent collection, such as 20th-century Nuyorican prints and contemporary art by New York-based Latino artists, are unique to the museum.

Dedicated to showcasing the works of African Americans, members of the African diaspora, and artists from across the African continent, the Studio Museum in Harlem offers a collection of vibrant and inspiring art from the 19th and 20th centuries. More than 2,600 pieces – including paintings, drawings, sculptures, watercolors, photographs, videos and multimedia installations – attributed to more than 400 artists are on display throughout the museum, along with the permanent archival collection of works by the famous Harlem Renaissance photographer. James Van der Zee.

For almost 60 years, Sylvie's restaurant is a neighborhood staple thanks to its Southern comfort food. The menu features all the classics, from fried chicken and waffles to barbecue ribs, catfish and peach cobbler, and you can even feast while singers perform at weekly events, including the packed Sunday gospel brunch and live music Wednesdays. A popular spot among politicians, Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama dined there, as well as Senator Bernie Sanders, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

Central Park is easily accessible from both East and West Harlem, although the former offers visitors a direct path to one of the park's best-kept secrets. Open the iron gate, made in Paris in 1894, on Fifth Avenue and 104th Street, and be transported to Italy, France And England passing through the Central Park Conservatory Gardens. Made up of three gardens with distinct styles – Italian (tiered hedges and a 12-foot-high jet fountain), French (including the romantic sculpture Three Dancing Maidens by Walter Schott) and English (shrubs and perennials) – this attraction brings a piece from Europe to the United States.

For nearly 40 years, art lovers have made the pilgrimage to New York's Graffiti Hall of Fame, located in East Harlem. Local Ray “Sting Ray” Rodriguez created the attraction in 1980, before Street art had become a respected form, as a safe space for Harlem artists to hone their craft. Today, the open-air Hall of Fame, the concrete walls of the Jackie Robinson Educational Complex schoolyard, are covered in tags. The Hall of Fame always welcomes locals as well as artists from far and wide, as well as photographers and fans of the medium.

Harlem Haberdashery is a family-owned boutique that is the business extension of 5001 Flavors, a custom clothing company established over 25 years ago. Her style favors colorful three-piece suits, all-white ensembles and oversized hats. Celebrities including DJ Khaled, The Notorious BIG, Jay-Z and LeBron James, have all worn pieces from 5001 Flavors. The boutique, which celebrates the spirit of Harlem in the '70s and '80s, isn't just for celebrities, offering ready-to-wear options in styles for men and women.

Opened in 2006 by musician Bill Saxton, Bill's has its roots in the Prohibition era. Visitors take a trip back in time to the Harlem Renaissance with its cozy, elbow-touching underground space. Saxton, a world-renowned saxophonist, leads the Harlem All Stars on Friday and Saturday nights, performing early (8 p.m.) and late (10 p.m.) each night. Over the years, legendary artists including Billie Holiday, Fats Waller and Willie “The Lion” Smith have all graced this show.

Langston Hughes, leader of the Harlem Renaissance, lived in East Harlem from 1947 to 1967. His brownstone built in 1869 at Fifth Avenue and 127th Street is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and headquarters of the nonprofit organization lucrative Harlem, I, Too Arts Collective. Explore the home of a legendary artist while supporting those Hughes inspired at events like public readings and writing workshops.

This is an updated version of a story originally written by Ashlyn Grisetti. Michael LoRe contributed additional reporting to this article.