East Harlem: Puerto Rico’s Heartbeat in New York

When you visit East Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem or «el Barrio,» you're stepping into the heart of New York's Puerto Rican community. It's also home to many New Yorkers with roots in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Mexico.

Like other neighborhoods in upper Manhattan, El Barrio is in the middle of a major redevelopment push, so visit its streets soon, while they're still the soul of Latino New York, before they turn into something else.

The gentrification of Manhattan's Latino neighborhoods is exactly what Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical In the Heights is about, telling the story of Washington Heights, the neighborhood just north of Harlem.

What to see in East Harlem

A good way to ease into East Harlem is to start from Central Park, since the neighborhood borders the north end of the park. While you're there, check out the Harlem Meer, another of the lakes in Central Park.

Once you're walking the streets of El Barrio, you'll notice how proud locals are of their Caribbean roots. There are flags and graffiti on every corner, people playing dominoes in the plazas, and Spanish spoken just about everywhere.

Museo del Barrio

To really get a feel for Spanish Harlem, it helps to visit Museo del Barrio, dedicated to showcasing the work of Latino artists (1230 5th Avenue).

La Marqueta Market

At the La Marqueta street market you can buy everything from tropical fruit to images of Our Lady Mother of Divine Providence, the patron saint of Puerto Rico (1607 Park Avenue).

Graffiti Hall of Fame

Also known as «106 & Park» (its address), this is a space devoted to New York's street art movement, created in 1980 by «Sting Ray,» an artist and activist from Harlem, which is why it's full of political and social messages.

It sits inside an educational campus (the Jackie Robinson Educational Complex), so on school days you'll need to ask permission to visit.

East Harlem celebrities

Plenty of famous artists lived or worked in East Harlem, including salsa greats like Tito Puente, the king of the timbales, and Marc Anthony, plus jazz figures like Ray Barretto.

Another fun fact: Al Pacino was born in Spanish Harlem, though his roots are Italian, not Puerto Rican. Chances are his time in el barrio helped him build those award-winning turns as Tony Montana in Scarface and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way.

Where is East Harlem?

East Harlem sits north of 106th Street, between Fifth Avenue and the East River.

How to get there

The 6 line. Any station from 106th Street north.