Discover Harlem: Soul food and all that Jazz!
Forgive us for being old romantics here, but we believe that you can’t just hear jazz… you have to see it in action too. Kenny G and elevator music have their place at cocktail parties and, well, elevators, but this tour puts jazz in the spotlight — exactly where it should be.
While jazz may have been born in New Orleans, it truly comes alive in historic Harlem — especially at night, when the lights go down and the mood sets in. Each year, thousands of people flock to New York City to take in the sights of the Big Apple, but for those of you looking to sample the sounds too — we wouldn’t blame you for heading straight to Broadway. While you’re guaranteed a show to remember in the Theatre District, for a night you definitely won’t forget, you simply have to head downtown on this jazz tour to hear the real thing.
You’ll start the night in Times Square, but you’ll instantly head up north to the jazziest hotspots in town. Your guide will fill you in on all the legends of the Harlem neighbourhood (James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan), and you’ll stop off to hear about the stars that performed at landmarks like the Apollo Theatre and Savoy Ballroom through the evolution of jazz and blues.
The show can’t go on without stopping at Sylvia’s restaurant for some world-class comfort food. Whoever heard of dancing the night away on an empty stomach? The ‘Queen of Soul Food’ is famous for its family-style dinners and down-home cooking. You’ll be filling up on southern-style favourites like fried chicken (we recommend the hot sauce for the ultimate combo), BBQ ribs, cornbread, sassy rice and battered fish to name a few.
Your Harlem tour ends up in the only place it should — with an evening at a club where you can indulge some of the best live jazz in town. After all, that’s what real jazz is all about — indulgence. The artists up on stage hijacking the song, composing on the fly and running with their own ideas to create some of the most epic soulful-solos you’ll ever hear.
If you’re heading to Harlem on a Monday night, your tour guide will take you back in time to the Cotton Club, with it’s unchanged 1920s vibe. You’ll see some true jazz improvisation, complete with a 12-piece band and some superb tap dancing. You may even fancy twinkling your own toes on the dance floor with a free dance class (we challenge you not to with these tunes)! On other nights, you’ll be whisked to some of the hottest contemporary New York jazz clubs for some toe-tapping, finger-snapping fun. You’ll be hooked on the diverse and youthful world of jazz that New York is known for. To top it all off, your visit to the club will include two drinks on the house, and a drop-off back in Times Square around midnight.
Harlem Jazz Tour – New York Highlights:
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5-hour nightlife tour of the historic neighbourhood of Harlem with a knowledgeable guide
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Home-style dinner at Sylvia’s legendary soul food restaurant
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Drive past Harlem's landmarks, including the Apollo Theatre
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Delight in jazz music at a venue like the famous Cotton Club
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Sip on two complimentary drinks
Inclusions
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Harlem tour
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Jazz show
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Family style soul food dinner
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Two complimentary drinks at the club
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Subway ticket to Harlem on the A train and return to midtown by minivan
Exclusions
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Gratuities (optional)
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Drinks (during dinner)
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Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional
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Confirmation will be received at time of booking
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Wheelchair accessible
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A small amount of walking is involved
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Adult pricing applies to all travellers
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Minimum drinking age is 21 years
Cancellation Policy:
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Cancellation fees may apply, please contact your agent or refer to our terms and conditions
Add this experience to your holiday now...
Our experiences can be added to any of our holidays. Whether you’re exploring on a tour, sailing on a cruise or seeing more of the world with a multi-destination holiday, you can do more on your holiday that ever before. Just give us a call on 0344 557 1725 or pop into your nearest Virgin Holidays store to book this experience today.