East Harlem travel guide

East Harlem, United States

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

East Harlem

Introduction

East Harlem sits at the top of Upper Manhattan, north of the Upper East Side and bounded by 96th Street to the south, Fifth Avenue to the west, and the East and Harlem Rivers to the east and north. You'll also hear it called Spanish Harlem or El Barrio, and it was once known as Italian Harlem. Despite the name, it generally isn't considered part of Harlem proper, though it is counted among the neighborhoods of Greater Harlem.

Getting around

East Harlem sits in Upper Manhattan, bounded by 96th Street to the south, Fifth Avenue to the west, and the East and Harlem Rivers to the east and north. Public transportation is the easiest and most practical way to reach the neighborhood and to move around within it. Subway lines run uptown into East Harlem and connect it to the rest of Manhattan; travel between Midtown and the neighborhood's main corridors, including 125th Street, Frederick Douglass Boulevard, and Lenox Avenue, takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes on the uptown lines. Buses are another strong option: many Manhattan routes run from downtown into Harlem, and the bus is often a fast choice for crosstown travel on long streets such as 125th Street. Several routes also traverse or cross East 116th Street, linking riders to the B, C, 2, 3, and 6 subway lines.

If you prefer not to use public transit, yellow cabs and green taxis accept cash and major credit cards, and ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft operate in the area — useful for trips that are awkward by subway or bus, or for late-night travel. East Harlem is compact and densely built, so walking is practical for short distances, though some blocks are strenuous: Duffy's Hill at 103rd Street is one of the steepest in Manhattan. Recent street-safety planning has added or proposed pedestrian improvements, including sidewalk and curb extensions, speed humps, pedestrian islands, and hardened daylighting, along with parking-protected bike lanes on Pleasant Avenue between 116th and 120th Streets. Red-painted bus lanes have been planned for East 116th Street in both directions, from Fifth Avenue to Pleasant Avenue, and automated camera enforcement on M116 buses tickets double-parking and blocking of bus stops. Allow extra time on weekends, when track work can disrupt subway schedules, and check a travel planner before you set out.

Three days in East Harlem

Day one: Start by getting your bearings in East Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem or El Barrio, at the eastern edge of Upper Manhattan. Walk the streets to take in the neighbourhood's layered history, from its days as Italian Harlem to its present character, and notice how the area sits between the Upper East Side and the Harlem and East Rivers. For getting around, the subway connects you to Midtown and the rest of Manhattan, and buses serve the area too; if you prefer, Uber and Lyft are options. End your day with a stroll along Fifth Avenue and the surrounding streets.

Day two: Spend the day exploring the wider Harlem area, including Greater Harlem, and follow Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Lenox Avenue to see how the neighbourhoods shift block by block. Take time on Pleasant Avenue and the nearby streets to sense the old Italian Harlem heritage that still marks this part of Upper Manhattan. Use the subway or buses to link your stops, or call an Uber or Lyft if you are covering more ground.

Day three: Slow down and wander the residential streets of East Harlem, looking toward the Harlem and East Rivers and the red brick of the older buildings. Head south toward the Upper East Side and Midtown by subway when you are ready to move on, or stay local and explore on foot. Allow time for a final walk along Fifth Avenue and the side streets before you leave Upper Manhattan.

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