Harlem, New York

This was my first time visiting Harlem since childhood! I can definitely say there’s no question about it being a great place for black travelers. There’s so much diversity, richness in culture, great food, and lots of places to shop. One restaurant you must check out is called Angel of Harlem, located right on Frederick Douglass Boulevard. It had a fusion of contemporary American, Latin, and Caribbean food with portions that were comforting and filling! We stopped there for brunch and I ordered the Tropical French Toast, topped with sweet plantains and strawberries, drizzled in caramel sauce with a side of scrambled eggs. After Angel of Harlem, we decided to check out the Go Africa Carnival, which was nearby on 116th street. Live music, vendors with vibrant African prints, clothing, jewelry, accessories, and of course street food! I did a little bit of shopping and it was hard trying not to spend all of my money. It was all just lovely. Afterwards, we went to Skinny’s Cantina on the Hudson and it was a whole day party. Music was jumpin’, black people looked gorgeous, and the whole ambiance passed the vibe check. Harlem has definitely boosted itself up to one of my favorite cities to visit. Black history, black relevance, and black culture is all up and through there. Since I live in Maryland, I will definitely visit more often because it is only a 4.5 hour drive away.