Harlem self-guided walking tour -- feedback wanted
 

Am thinking about putting together a self-guided daytime walking tour of Harlem and would like some guidance, as I’d like to steer clear of obvious problem areas. Some of this itinerary seems pretty self-evident, some not so much.

Would like to start at the Studio Museum in Harlem (144 W. 125th St.), then turn left on Malcolm X Blvd., heading north. Will take a right onto 130th St. to see the Astor Row Houses between this boulevard and 5th Ave. Go back to Malcolm X Blvd. and turn right, heading north to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (515 Malcolm X Blvd.). Will see the Mother A.M.E. Zion Church (W. 137th St. between Malcolm X Blvd.and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd ) and the Abyssinian Baptist Church (W. 138th St. between Malcolm X Blvd.and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.). Next to Strivers Row (W. 139th St. between Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. and Frederick Douglass Blvd.). This part seems pretty self-evident.

Would next like to see Sugar Hill, a clutch of brownstones, limestone town houses, and row houses (145th to 155th streets, between St. Nicholas and Edgecombe avenues?). This all seems a little vague as to which streets to seek out here, and also how best to get safely between Striver’s Row and here.

Would finally like to see the Jumel Terrace Historic District (west of St. Nicholas Avenue between 160th and 162nd streets?), Sylvan Terrace, and the Morris-Jumel Mansion (65 Jumel Terrace). Am not sure how close all these are to each other, nor am I sure how most safely to get between these sights and the Sugar Hill area.

A few other questions:

-is it safe to assume this walking tour could be completed between, say, noon and 6 PM?
-what’s the best subway stop to take back from the Morris-Jumel Mansion to downtown?
-are any of these sights not worth seeing or in an unexpectedly bad area?
-are there other sights I’m leaving out that I should include?
-would like feedback on the advisability of doing this as a walking tour (no car).

I'll ignore the questions about safety. Nowhere in the world is safe and nothing said will have any affect on the outcome of your visit as with any other corner of the world. Sounds like a fine and interesting walk.

Suggest you get a metrocard and study the manhattan bus map http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf

This will help you get through longer patches of walking and you'll be able to look out windows and find scenic routes to downtown.

"I'll ignore the questions about safety. Nowhere in the world is safe"

True, but some areas of the "world" or just areas of a city are a whole lot less safe than others. He/she is perfectly correct in inquiring about avoidable areas and it is logical to avoid high crime or troublesome areas. Let's not get all politically correct here.

No the problem is statistically speaking you are safe in this city but no one can guarantee that anywhere. That is reality. And the chances of one finding someone who patrols the streets in question in the times in question are slim and none and even there answers will not affect the outcome.

Please note you did not give him an answer about the streets in question.

I don't think the OP is looking for a "guarantee" of safety. If they are, then Sue is right...there are no guarantees anywhere in the world.

But what I think the OP is looking for is "relative" safety. Although there may be nowhere that is guaranteed safe, there ARE some areas of every neighborhood/city/state/nation/planet that are relatively safer than others.

THAT is reality too.

You are generally safe in that area - but I can't guarantee every building and every block - since I know the area in only a general way.

There are a few areas of the city that I reco you stay away from - but not many in Manhattan - esp in the daytime.

Did a little further sleuthing, and if I were to do this itinerary from noon to 6 PM, it looks like it would need to be done in reverse, as the Morris-Jumel Mansion closes at 4 PM while the Schomburg and Studio Museums don't close until 6 PM (at least most days). The Studio Museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and the Morris-Jumel is only open via appointment those two days, so it's likely wise to avoid those days for this walk.

I guess the general answer to the question "are any of these sights not worth seeing or in an unexpectedly bad area?" is a "no?" And the answer to "would like feedback on the advisability of doing this as a walking tour (no car)" is "yes, advisable?" It also seems that the closest subway stop to the Morris-Jumel is 163rd St. on the C-Line.

Would still like an answer to these:

-is it safe to assume this walking tour could be completed between, say, noon and 6 PM?
-are there other sights I’m leaving out that I should include?

Anyone? Thanks.

Not safe. Hide under a rock.

There is some terrific shopping in Harlem at the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market. Really cool Afro-Centric items. On West 116th Street

DO go inside the Schomburg library and the Studio Museum and Morris Jumel -- a bit farther up is the Audubon ballroom - I've seen the exhibits up there but am not sure when they are open to the public
http://www.washington-heights.us/his...llroom_73.html

Again - hop buses if you feel you are short on time but it's probably doable