Marcus Garvey Park New York
SummerStage Harlem
I've been aware of Marcus Garvey Park for decades - it was a place to never go near. Too dangerous. In the 1970s and 80s, Harlem's anger hung in the air like high heat and humidity, and its expression was a fearsome thing. Things have changed. Now, I ride to there often. It's pastoral, tree-filled, with a rocky peak and an outdoor theater. The surrounding neighborhood is full of impressive-looking residential buildings of a mollifying warm, red-hued brick, especially beautiful in the afternoon light.
Its Richard Rogers Amphitheater hosts some of the SummerStage series. SummerStage is important and HUGE, covering all five boroughs, and largely free. It might be TOO big. Check its calendar.
When it's not music onstage at the park's amphitheater, plays are presented by Classical Theatre of Harlem - soon to be announced for 2023. They're the other 'Shakespeare in the Park', the one that's possible to get into. Well, if you join the line at the other one, the Delacorte, at 6 or 7 am, you might get tickets to that production.
Less structured is the fair weather drum circle, near the theatre. Soul stirring, it is.
Location Details:
Enter Marcus Garvey Park at Fifth Avenue and 124th Street. Follow the walkway southwest and you will find the amphitheater which seats 1800 people on a first-come, first-served basis.
Consider a pre-show dinner at Sisters, a kitty-corner from the northeast corner of the park which happens to be Madison Avenue and 124th Street. Call ahead, others may have the same idea.
Stirring video!
Find your way with 301 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
La Casa Bella
Bay Ridge Italian
The White Clam Sauce linguine is classic. So much is served that what can’t be eaten on the spot can be taken home and easily reheated the next day,
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
American Legion Post 398
Hot Harlem night
At the "American Legion Post 398" in New York City I get to hear jazz played the old fashioned way, Harlem in the '30s, '40s and '50s...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
"A Great Day in Harlem" Site
Historic jazz site
"A Great Day in Harlem" is an important photo of 58 jazz greats taken in 1958 in NYC. The building on 126th Street where it was taken is still there...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Hudson River Greenway
Hudson River bike route
The 13-mile Hudson River Greenway in NYC, which begins at the George Washington Bridge, is the most heavily used bike trail in the USA...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
New Plaza Cinema
Art house cinema
"New Plaza Cinema" in NYC has one mission: to show independent, foreign and classic films. It is run by a grassroots group; how long will it survive?
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Manny's Bistro
French bistro, UWS
"Manny's Bistro" is a French bistro in my neighborhood in New York. Susan & I prefer to sit at the bar, which makes us belong & contribute to the scene...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Elevated Acre
Quiet, hidden elevated park in FiDi
"The Elevated Acre" is in the middle of the Financial District in NYC, but you would never see it when passing by - this park is hidden above street level!
by
Christian
Neely
John's Pizza / Times Square
Pizza Tabernacle
John's Pizza is situated inside a former tabernacle with a domed stain glass ceiling about 50 feet above, and ‘sliced’ into 8 sections, just like a pizza.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
'Fearless Girl'
Wall Street History
On Broad Street stands a bronze sculpture named Fearless Girl which exudes bravery, pride and strength but not, according to the artist, 'defiance'...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Hungry and Healthy Marketplace
Comedy / Deli
The space functions day to day as a bright and modern-looking upscale deli and on certain evenings, it doubles as a performance space for stand-up comics.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Manhattan Community Boathouse
Free kayaking
It’s all free, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll get a life jacket, a paddle, a 'kayak', and a locker, for a session of approximately 20 minutes.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heading to New York?
301 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 301 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves New York
Get to know our other Spotters from New York
As featured on:
