Slice of Harlem, New York

Advantages: nice people
Disadvantages: a lot of prejudices

...After I heard about "The Harlem Gospel Singers" (they had some shows on German stages) a friend had the great idea to go to a Harlem Church in New York. Since we don't live too far from New York, that means no problem getting there. Before we went there, we didn't know how to go there. Should we go by car or by subway ? On the one hand, people told us not to walk around in Harlem when you are a "white" person and on the other hand people told when you leave the church your car is going to be stolen. What should we do ? In the end, we took the subway. We heard from travel agencies that taking tours in Harlem in a group. That is safer than going independently. That we didn't want to do. We found the directions to the Gospel Church online. As we got off the subway, we felt a little bit uncomfortable. That's because we had heard too... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Has to be seen to be appreciated.
Disadvantages: Noisy, smelly, crowded, expensive

...New York is a great site, so full of interest.Sights such as the Empire State building, The World trade Centre, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, The United Nations Building, Central Park, The Rockefeller centre, Times Square by night etc really do have to be seen to be believed. Like any major City, however, some care is needed by visitors. Choose a hotel in central Manhattan. Be very observant in Central Park, and dont have cameras or valuables in open display. Only visit Harlem in a guided group. Be aware of the hazards of the underground, especially at night. The restaurants and the night life are superb. The shows on Broadway alone are worth a visit. But use cabs especially at night to and from your destinations. That way you can really enjoy the City and bring home only happy memories!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Too many to mention
Disadvantages: Don't rent a car, you can't park anywhere.

...New York New York, so good they named it twice. It really is , I was there in the summer of 1999 and stayed in Harlem. The prospect of staying there scared me ridgid, and driving through some of the areas did out right frighten me, but I stayed with a friend, who happened to be a public defender, (she saw the worst of everything)in an apartment building which was very nice. Turn the corner and walk on the next block and you're in trouble, but watch where you go and you're fine. I did very little tourist stuff, apart from some shopping but did alot of the nightlife thing, with the locals and found it to be amazing. Bars open late, then onto clubs and after that onto a diner for late night grub. It was a dream come true, and comapered to the UK trouble free. No-one was aggressive even on the subway at 2am, and the whole trip passed off... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic