**Updated : January 2023**
Use the map to see a visual of all our recommendations - click the arrow next to our photo to have a pop up list! This post may also contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase a product via these links, with no extra cost to you!
We recently had the opportunity to house sit in Harlem, NYC, and if you haven't visited the area before - you'll want to after this post. As a large, vibrant community in Upper Manhattan, there are endless possibilities of exploration - parks, shopping, jazz, and soul food - to keep you in good spirits, which is exactly why we recommend spending a day in Harlem! Although Harlem has previously had a reputation of "not safe" and was known as an area to avoid, our entire week and a half there we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and felt completely safe exploring. We do however still want to note that according to locals it is better to visit during the day and to still keep the same precautions you would anywhere in New York. Read on for a local's guide (thanks to our new friends who we house sat for) to the best places to eat, have a cocktail, and what to do when visiting Harlem. We recommend starting near 125th & Lenox (there is a huge train/subway station there) and exploring Harlem from there!
Food, Drinks and Desserts in Harlem
Harlem is known for being a melting pot of different cultures and foods, and you'll see that in our food list as well. We absolutely loved the following restaurants in Harlem :
If you're looking for something a bit different, our local Harlem friends recommend :
If you're looking to have some cocktails or drinks around Harlem, our friends recommend checking out :
Lastly, if you have a sweet tooth you're looking to fix here are their best recommendations :
Exploring Harlem
With so much to do in Harlem, our first recommendation has to be to visit MoonLab 42, a cute boutique owned by our local friends (who gave us most of the recommendations on this list!). Check it out for accessories, clothing, and home decor. Other must do's when spending the day in Harlem include :
There are also plenty of parks in the Harlem area if you're looking to just relax and get some air, however our friends and other locals recommended avoiding them at night. Their best recommendations included :
Have any questions for us? Leave them in the comments and we'll do our best to get back to you!
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Hey there!👋🏽
We're Deborah & Tyler, a pretty average husband and wife duo from a pretty average state that didn't want to live so averagely. After our *Covid wedding we sold everything that didn't fit into the Jeep and moved to Alaska, then decided to take a gap year! We share bucket list itineraries and cost saving guides to help you travel easier and inspire your next adventure! ;) Our favorite travel gear is available on Amazon! Use this link to shop all our favorite products! Our blog and all its content are free to you, however when you purchase through referral or affiliate links on our site we may earn a small commission. Learn more here.
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