IF YOU GO
WHERE TO STAY
Aloft Harlem: Opened in December 2010 with 124 rooms. Rooms for two from about $255. (2296 Frederick Douglass Blvd. at 124th Street; 1-212-749-4000 or 1-866-716-8143, aloftharlem.com.)
WHERE TO EAT
Red Rooster Harlem: Chef Marcus Samuelsson offers sophisticated comfort food for lunch and dinner. Main dishes $18-$39. Also on site: The Nook, with sandwiches and snacks for less than $8, and Ginny's Supper Club. (310 Lenox Av.; 1-212-792-9001, redroosterharlem.com.)
The Cecil: Executive chef Joseph Johnson's menu emphasizes the African diaspora, but it has plenty of Asian elements, too. Dinner only, main dishes $18-$32. (210 W. 118th St.; 1-212-866-1262, thececilharlem.com. )
Corner Social: Eclectic menu includes empanadas, grits and ravioli. Main dishes $17-$39. (321 Lenox Av.; 1-212-510-8552, cornersocialnyc.com.)
WHERE TO LISTEN
Apollo Theater: Programming varies widely (pop music, comedy, ballet, more), but Wednesdays are amateur night (usually $21-$33). (253 W. 125th St.; 1-212-531-5305, apollotheater.org and amateurnight.org. )
Paris Blues: This welcoming, bare-bones "live jazz dive" opened in 1969. No cover charge. (2021 7th Av.; 1-917-257-7831 or 1-212-222-9878, www.parisbluesharlem.com. )
Big Apple Jazz Tours: 1-917-863-7854, bigapplejazz.com.
TO LEARN MORE
Harlem Heritage Tours: 1-212-280-7888, harlemheritage.com.
