Central Harlem - New York, NY Area Guide

Harlem found its place in the public consciousness during the artistic renaissance of the 1920s and '30s.. Many Jazz clubs and venues thrived in Harlem, such as the Cotton Club, where Duke Ellington got his start. Since the early twentieth century Harlem has experienced plenty of ups and downs, but the neighborhood is currently undergoing a revitalization, with its emerging dining scene garnering particular attention. Harlem houses a number of museums, with some dedicated to the history of Harlem itself and others to the city of New York. The Studio Museum, for example, showcases artwork of contemporary artists of African descent. Local events include Harlem Week, celebrating the area throughout the summer, and the Harlem Fine Arts Show at the beginning of the year.

Harlem's restaurant scene plays on the area's reputation for soul food and incorporates plenty of West African inspiration. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is located in an old meatpacking warehouse and sets the mood for diners using repurposed gas station signage and barber shop mirrors. The soul food on the menu ranges from fried-green tomatoes and beer-boiled shrimp to expertly prepared barbecue, such as fork-tender beef brisket. Red Rooster Harlem, between 125th and 126th Streets, fuses southern-fried dishes with East African, Scandinavian and French influences to bring new life to the roots of American cuisine. Named to honor a legendary speakeasy, this eatery attracts locals for brunch, lunch or an all-day menu featuring delights ranging from macaroni and greens to shrimp and grits or blackened catfish. Lido, on Frederick Douglass Blvd, breaks the soul-food mold by adding Italian flare, offering dishes such as ricotta ravioli with eggplant and salt-cod fritters served on a pea-shoot salad with mint leaves and burrata. Guests can alternatively opt for a wine-tasting dinner, pairing custom wines with five-course meals for 10 diners or more.

Live jazz music plays in a number of venues around the area, including the Showman's Jazz Club on West 125th Street. 67 Orange Street, also on Frederick Douglass Blvd, borrows heavily from nineteenth century nostalgia, with purple velvet curtains, distressed mirrors and filament light bulbs. The drinks play off traditional recipes that are suited to the mood of the lounge.

In Harlem you can get around via buses or subway, drive your own vehicle, ride a bike, or stick to your own two feet. Yellow New York taxi cabs service the area, as does the Uber car service, which allows you to book a cab via a smartphone app. Parking a personal vehicle can be difficult, but there are a number of parking lots charging varying rates, as well as limited metered street parking and some rentable private garages. Book-ended by Henry Hudson Parkway and the Harlem River Drive, Harlem's location makes it easy to access the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels in mid and lower Manhattan or cross the George Washington Bridge. Friendly to bikers, Harlem also features some excellent biking paths.

The six major parks in Harlem include the Riverbank State Park, Northern Central Park, St. Nicholas Park and Morningside Park. Each offers a range of amenities, from recreation centers and sport courts to family entertainment and nature walks. While the parks themselves are free, most of the activities within require a fee. Visitors must pay an entry fee to use the recreation centers and swimming pools, for instance, while other amenities are available free of charge. Pets must stay on a leash except in designated areas. Carousels and playgrounds are available at most parks for younger visitors. Several of the parks host annual festivals and other activities, such as the outdoor band-shell stage in Jackie Robinson Park, where locals attend SummerStage performances. All the parks in Harlem encourage and welcome exercise-centric activities, with some offering fitness classes at the recreation centers, designated paths for joggers and courts for sports such as basketball and tennis.

While the cost of living in Harlem trends marginally higher than average, the low rental costs in the area offset this to some degree. Multiple amenities cluster within a 1-mile radius, reducing the need to travel far to find what you need. Gas prices average around 11 percent higher than the national average, while the typical cost of a beer at a local bar ranges from $5 to $6. The average rental cost of a one-bedroom apartment in some parts of Harlem sits around $893, which is 23 percent lower than the New York City average.

Harlem's unique specialty stores are concentrated largely on 125th Street but can also be found dotted throughout the neighborhood. The area primarily caters to customers looking for clothing, accessories, and grooming products.

Carol's Daughter on 125th Street started out as a little-known beauty and skincare company. After steady growth, its praises are now sung by celebrities, including Brad Pitt. The softly-lit show floor reflects neatly arranged shelves of products and a luxurious back room.

Several grocery stores service Harlem locals, including the fresh produce at the Best Yet Market on Frederick Douglass Blvd, the Wild Olive Market on East 125th Street, Foodtown on St. Nicholas Avenue, and the health food options at Fairway Market on 12th Avenue. Meanwhile, the new Whole Foods Market at 125th and Lenox has become a local hotspot.