Things to do in East Harlem for self travelers

This self-guided audio walking tour explores Manhattan’s great cultural landmarks, famous avenues, and unforgettable city scenes. It is ideal for first-time visitors, art lovers, architecture fans, and travelers who want a broad introduction to New York through its museums, public spaces, and classic skyline views. The route begins at Harlem Meer in the northeast corner of Central Park, then follows Museum Mile along Fifth Avenue past El Museo del Barrio, the Museum of the City of New York, the Jewish Museum, Cooper Hewitt, the Guggenheim, the Neue Galerie, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From there, you continue through Central Park to Bethesda Terrace, then head south toward the Frick Collection, Grand Army Plaza, MoMA, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Chrysler Building, the New York Public Library, and the Empire State Building. The walk then swings through Broadway, the Intrepid Museum area, Times Square, Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center, and The Dakota before ending at the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. Along the way, the most memorable moments include Central Park waterside calm, a remarkable run of world-class museums, the glow of Midtown landmarks, the spectacle of Times Square, and the grand finish beside one of New York’s most beloved museums.