The African-American community of Harlem, rich in history and culture, lies north of Central Park. Harlem is hip—an unbeatable combination of stylish cool and spirited sights and sounds. During the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, upper-middle-class professionals, writers and musicians thrived there. Jazz musicians played in such legendary nightspots as the Cotton Club, Savoy Ballroom and the Apollo Theater. Harlem's historic enclaves are a constant reminder of the glory of earlier times. Don't miss Striver's Row on 138th and 139th streets, dotted with Stanford White town houses. Churches have always been a mainstay of the community: The Abyssinian Baptist Church, Salem United Methodist and Metropolitan Baptist evoke a rich history. Visit the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture or the century-old gravestones at the Trinity Cemetery and Mausoleum (770 Riverside Drive). Dining out in Harlem ranges from the casual to far-from-casual: Kitchenette Uptown has the most incredible baking-powder biscuits and perfectly poached eggs, and Amy Ruth's has what some say is the best southern cooking north of Virginia. For shopping, check out Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe at Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 125th Street—the largest African-American-owned bookstore in the nation. Harlem's boundaries are roughly from 116th Street north to the Harlem River and from the Hudson to the East River.
