“Nobody’s bigger than their neighbourhood,” says our guide and hip-hop artist Rayza as we set off around one of the US’s most influential areas to see the sites that gave rise to the genre.

With its musical roots, soul food and strong Latino population, Harlem in Uptown is the centre of multicultural Manhattan and one of New York City’s most multifaceted ’hoods.

As Rayza attests, Harlem is emblematic of the power of creativity and community. Home to prominent sites in US history, including the Black Panthers’ headquarters, music superstars, mom-and-pop-style eateries, jazz clubs and restaurants, this is one of America’s most concentrated cultural pockets.

Best tour

Specialising in hip hop-themed tours on foot or bus, Hush Tours offers a number of different experiences led by animated guides such as Rayza. The Birthplace of Hip Hop tour explores sites that were pivotal to a cultural movement that emerged from Harlem and the Bronx in the 1970s, including the Graffiti Hall of Fame (pictured), Rucker Park and the corner where DJ Kool Herc hosted the first ever hip hop party in 1973 over the bridge in the Bronx.

Picture: Jules Antonio/Flickr

Best music venue

The smoothed tree stump inside Harlem’s Apollo Theater – one of America’s most storied concert halls – has been rubbed for good luck by the likes of Etta James, James Brown, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Opened in 1914, the neoclassical venue propelled jazz, swing, gospel and blues singers to stardom and today it is a non-profit that still hosts concerts and film screenings.

Best soul food

Fried chicken? Check. Mac and cheese? Check. Sylvia’s is a family-run Harlem institution that’s been serving hearty soul food for more than 55 years. Pop in for Gospel Brunch every Sunday or grab a spot on weekdays and weekends to feast on barbecued pork ribs, grilled catfish, chicken and waffles and banana pudding. It’s a popular spot, so make sure you book.

Best market

The heartbeat of Spanish Harlem (also known as El Barrio and East Harlem), public market La Marqueta exists on the spot where pushcart vendors from all over Latin America and the Caribbean gathered during the ’50s and ’60s. Nowadays it’s both an event space hosting Salsa Saturdays every week and a market that serves up everything from Caribbean food to Puerto Rican cuisine.

Best jazz club

For the full Harlem jazz experience, BYO booze and settle in for an intimate night of live swing at Bill’s Place. This hole-in-the-wall jazz speakeasy has been around since the Prohibition era, and legendary saxophonist and owner Bill Saxton leads the Harlem All Stars on a toe-tapping jam every Friday and Saturday night at 7pm and 9.30pm. Book tickets online to reserve your spot. h2

Best brunch

Lower Manhattan isn’t the only place for a boozy brunch in NYC. Harlem gives good brunch, too. The bottomless Mimosa brunch at Italian concept Lido, named after the famed beach in Italy, is all sorts of sunshine, with pasta and eats such as biscuits and gravy.

Best museum

Many of us get so sucked into the addictive energy of the Big Apple that we forget to pause to understand how it came to be. Opposite Central Park in Harlem, the Museum of the City of New York is one of Manhattan’s most underrated. It documents the history of New York City through photos, and hosts regular exhibits that interpret the city’s identity through pop culture, art and politics. Don’t miss the free block parties every Thursday during summer. 

Best happy hour

The Honey Well basement bar in West Harlem is straight out of the ’70s and shakes up drinks with names like Jolly Rancher and Dat Joint Thicc. Happy Hour is 4pm-6pm daily, with $16 classic cocktails and $3 off dips and skewers. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Best culture fix

It’s hard to miss the Masjid Malcolm Shabazz mosque, named after political activist Malcolm X, who was assassinated in 1965. Don’t just soak up the architecture from afar. Inside you’ll find the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market, open daily until 8pm. It’s a gem for West African crafts and traditional African dishes.

How to get to Harlem, New York City

New York’s subway system is affordable and efficient. And it’s the easiest way to get to Harlem from Lower Manhattan. You might need to switch trains to get to the right stop. In New York, Downtown means south and Uptown means north, the direction to head in for Harlem. A seven-day MetroCard costs $US34 (about $50).

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