Home / Neighborhoods
Neighborhood 2 of 4East Harlem
East Harlem is El Barrio and Spanish Harlem, a neighborhood that runs to the East and Harlem Rivers and has its own food, music and street life.
Names and boundaries
East Harlem sits in Upper Manhattan, north of the Upper East Side. It is described as running from 96th Street on the south and Fifth Avenue on the west to the East and Harlem Rivers on the east and north. It is known as Spanish Harlem and El Barrio, and it was once called Italian Harlem.
Marcus Garvey Park separates Central Harlem from East Harlem, so a walk can cross from one to the other through the park.
Places to know
La Marqueta is an enclosed street market under the Park Avenue railroad viaduct between 111th and 116th Streets. Thomas Jefferson Park fills blocks along First Avenue between 111th and 114th Streets. The New York Public Library's Aguilar branch is at 174 East 110th Street, and its 125th Street branch is at 224 East 125th Street.
The Harlem River is crossed by the Willis Avenue, Third Avenue and Madison Avenue Bridges, which connect to the Bronx. The Triborough (Robert F. Kennedy) Bridge links Queens, East Harlem and the Bronx, and the 103rd Street footbridge reaches Wards Island.
Getting here
The Lexington Avenue Line carries the 4, 5 and 6 through the neighborhood. The 125th Street station is an express stop for the 4, 5 and 6, and the 6 also stops at 116th, 110th, 103rd and 96th Streets. Metro-North's Harlem-125th Street station serves trains to the Lower Hudson Valley and Connecticut.
Bus routes that serve East Harlem include the M15, M35, M60 SBS, M96, M98, M101, M102, M103, M106, M116 and M125.
Tours with East Harlem roots
Two operators in the directory have East Harlem addresses. Their tours often cover the wider neighborhood, so ask where a particular tour starts and ends. The food tour guide and the gospel and jazz guide explain how the themes work.
Neighbors worth knowing in East Harlem
Hush Hip Hop Tours is at 1220 Fifth Avenue and leads hip hop tours on foot and by bus, plus private tours. Fifth Avenue marks the western edge of the neighborhood.
Lady Altovise NYC Tours is at 1969 Madison Avenue and leads Harlem tours with soul food and gospel themes.
Questions about East Harlem
What is East Harlem called?
East Harlem is also known as Spanish Harlem and El Barrio. It was formerly called Italian Harlem.
Where is La Marqueta?
La Marqueta is an enclosed street market under the Park Avenue railroad viaduct between 111th and 116th Streets.
Which subway lines serve East Harlem?
The 4, 5 and 6 on the Lexington Avenue Line. The 125th Street station is an express stop, and the 6 also stops at local stations at 116th, 110th, 103rd and 96th Streets.
Can I reach East Harlem by train from outside the city?
Yes. Metro-North's Harlem-125th Street station serves trains to the Lower Hudson Valley and Connecticut.
What is the border with Central Harlem?
Marcus Garvey Park separates Central Harlem from East Harlem.
Other neighborhoods
To plan a visit, read how to choose a Harlem tour or browse the tour operators.