Thursday, May 24, 2012

Top Ten Things to Do in Harlem

Harlem might not have the best reputation in New York, but it doesn’t really deserve its bad image anymore, either. Harlem has lots of sights and attractions to see. By reading through this article you can uncover 10 of the best sights and attractions that you can see in this cosmopolitan district.

10. Astor Row: Astor Row is also known as 130th Street in Harlem. This is a small row of houses on the street which were all built between 1880 and 1883. These are unique buildings in New York City, all of them are built from Brick with small porches made from wood. They are very attractive and beautiful dwellings.

9. Randall’s Island Park: Randall’s Island Park has many different events throughout the year, including something for all of the family. There are also sports and recreational facilities available in the park.

8. Marcus Garvey Park: The Marcus Garvey Park is a green park with a difference. This has a large tower in the middle which was once used to lookout for fires in the days before telephones made communication much easier.

7. Abyssinian Baptist Church: This Gothic style church is one of the oldest churches in New York. The current church was built in 1923, although there has been a religious building on this site since 1808. The choirs at this church have an excellent reputation. The Abyssinian Baptist Church is popular with tourists and there is even a separate queue for tourists visiting.

6. Striver’s Row: Striver’s Row is made up of three separate rows of historic town houses. Construction on these houses began in 1890 and they were designed specifically for middle class white people. The houses are beautifully preserved and are considered as some of the best houses of their age in New York.

5. Riverbank State Park: Riverbank is a fully landscaped park set in 28 acres in Harlem. The park has lots of different facilities. The park provides excellent views of the river. A well equipped sporting complex has a swimming pool, ice rink, and gym. There is also a very popular restaurant in the Riverbank State Park.

4. Hamilton Heights: If you want to take a trip back in time, then you should visit Hamilton Heights. This is a small avenue lined with trees and several rows of perfectly appointed, stone fronted houses. There are also amazing gothic spires that you will see when walking around the area.

3. Saint Nicholas Park: St. Nicholas Park is a very old park in the center of Harlem. The park was built in 1906 and now spreads over a few acres. It is a very popular park with locals and visitors since it forms an important part of history in America. The park is also home to a variety of different festivals and concerts during the year. The website has a list of events planned.

2. The Cloisters: When visiting the Cloisters you would be forgiven for forgetting that you were still in America. This makes you feel like you are in Europe visiting Medieval buildings. It is a very peaceful place to visit and can help relieve some of the stress of city life.

1. The Apollo:
Harlem is home to the Apollo, a very famous theatre in New York City. This is smaller than you might imagine after seeing it on TV, but is still worth a visit. The Apollo is where many famous singers and entertainers have launched their careers. Some of the best known people to perform here include Ella Fitzgerald. It is a good idea to look on the website to see what is on at the Apollo and when. There is a good mix of different musical styles, including traditional and contemporary music.

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