• Visitors to Manhattan can learn much about New York's cultural history by heading to Harlem. This Manhattan neighborhood contains churches and parks dating to the early 20th century. Since the 1920s, Harlem has hosted poets, musicians and artists who have contributed to the city's rich heritage. Film directors have used Harlem as the setting for independent and studio films since the 1930s.
  
  

Studio Museum in Harlem

• The Studio Museum in Harlem opens its display of photos and paintings Thursday through Sunday. The museum offers free admission on Sundays. Kids learn about art while having fun with museum programs such as Lil Studio and the Eye Spy Gallery Hunt. Art lovers can meet with writers and art historians as part of the monthly Books & Authors series. Teens living in Harlem can use photos by James VanDerZee as inspiration for exhibits during the Expanding the Walls program. The Store at the Studio Museum has books, T-shirts and sketching supplies.
  
  Studio Museum in Harlem
  
  144 W. 125th St.
  
  New York, NY 10027
  
  212-864-4500
  
  studiomuseum.org
  
  

The Apollo Theater

• The Apollo Theater hosts nationally touring comedians and musicians in the heart of Harlem. The theater also features Amateur Night every Wednesday, with prizes for the best singers. The Salon Series invites promising local musicians to the theater's Soundstage for intimate shows. The Apollo Theater Academy trains young students about comedy and drama during Saturday workshops. Visitors can learn about the theater's architecture and history by joining daily tours. The Apollo Store in the lobby carries postcards, T-shirts and other souvenirs with the theater's famed logo.
  
  The Apollo Theater
  
  253 W. 125th St.
  
  New York, NY 10027
  
  212-531-5305
  
  apollotheater.org
  
  

Hip Hop Culture Center

• The Hip Hop Culture Center in Harlem maintains a collection of 1,000 concert fliers in the main exhibit space. Visitors can watch local rappers every other week during the center's Emcee to Emcee series. The annual Rapathon hosted by the center features collaborations, rap battles and discussions about hip-hop. Kids and adults can learn more about hip-hop with classes ranging from Hip Hop 101 to Civil Rights and Hip Hop. The Graffiti Wall on the exterior of the center is maintained by the Shirt Kings and celebrates graffiti's relationship to hip hop.
  
  Hip Hop Culture Center
  
  2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd.
  
  New York, NY 10027
  
  212-234-7171
  
  h2c2harlem.com
  
  

Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts

• The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts hosts classes in music, dance and theatrical production. Young students can learn about classical, Latin and jazz music from beginning to expert levels. The dance curriculum covers 16 weeks per session with lessons available to kids up to 18 years old. The Theater Arts Program offers Saturday workshops about acting skills and production. The conservatory hosts monthly recitals and productions open to the public. This venue works with other Harlem venues to organize annual events such as the Salsa Sunday Festival.
  
  Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts
  
  1 E. 104th St.
  
  New York, NY 10029
  
  212-427-2244
  
  harborconservatory.org