Harlem

 

A lively mix of culture, creatives, and history, Harlem is one of New York’s most prominent neighborhoods. The neighborhood perfectly rides the line between quietly residential and a thrilling cultural hub considered to be one of the world’s finest. Diverse and eclectic, Harlem is full of community-oriented residents, festivals, and events, plus an evolving mix of historic housing and new development.

 

Famously, Harlem first rose to prominence as the birthplace of the 1920s renaissance movement. Home to world-renowned creatives like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, Harlem has long been a center for art and rich history. A touchpoint for jazz, literature, civil rights history, and so much more, Harlem appeals to anyone seeking iconic landmarks among community-enriched residents.

 

Home to a mix of elegantly historic brownstones and a rise of new, sleek development, Harlem aims to please. Both uber-connected and relatively tourist-free, Harlem’s abundant nineteenth-century apartments and brownstones are only growing in popularity, while the new developments make space for newcomers looking to enjoy the charming, historic neighborhood.

To sum up Harlem in a word, the area is soulful. Characterized by an incredibly involved community with dedication to the neighborhood and its numerous dynamic cultures, the area flawlessly blends tradition and history with boundary-pushing modern atmospheres. Dining, shopping, and locally-established festivals and events create an aura of neighborly kindness throughout its 200,000+ residents. With music being heralded as one of the area’s most important traditions, from jazz lounges to neighborhood bars, styles can be heard from throughout the ages, exemplifying the neighborhood’s mix of history and modernity.

While Harlem is lauded for its quieter, more peaceful streets, it’s by no means a boring location. Just the opposite — the area is bursting with top-rated restaurants and more than enough shopping options to suit any whim.

 

An exciting place to have dinner, Contento is a destination locals love for their extensive wine lists and delicious Peruvian dishes. Meanwhile, Lee Lee’s Bakery serves iconic Rugelach made with the best ingredients from across the world. With a touch of history and tongue-in-cheek menu items, Harlem Biscuit Factory serves everything from breakfast sandwiches to rich lunch meals all with one special ingredient: biscuits.

 

Before heading to any number of fine dining establishments throughout the neighborhood, be sure to schedule a stop at Harlem Haberdashery, where bespoke clothing of numerous styles awaits. Meanwhile, Abyssinia’s Ethiopian food is some of the best in all of not only Harlem but New York as a whole.

Full to the brim of activity, Harlem’s involved residents take it upon themselves to create an atmosphere of festivities and cultural awareness that permeates the neighborhood as a whole. With events, landmarks, museums, and more, there’s never a dull moment.

 

The annual Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival is one of the best ways to surround yourself with music, good food, and good company, while the yearly Museum Mile Festival stretching from Fifth Avenue between 82nd Street and 110th Street is the destination for anyone seeking a better understanding of the myriad of museums throughout the area. A ticket for a show or event at the National Black Theater is a great way to spend an evening, while Northern Central Park is home to a conservancy lush with wildlife and flora.

 

That’s hardly the end to Harlem green spaces, however, as Marcus Garvey Park is known for nurturing the entire community and providing pastimes for all ages, from children to retirees. Morningside Park is yet another premier destination of nature and community, as it’s home to dramatic landscaping as well as barbecuing areas, baseball fields, and some of that rich history Harlem is so famous for.

Served by the nation’s largest public school district, The City School District of the City of New York, Harlem’s public schools are above average. Some of the top educational opportunities include: