125th Street

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Marrakech Hotel on Broadway

Hotel Belleclaire

[Flickr/CarbonNYC]

Just a quick subway or cab ride from many Upper West Side properties, like the Marrakech Hotel or the Belleclaire Hotel, Harlem has heaps to offer for culture vultures. If that’s you, don’t miss the following spots.

The Dwyer Cultural Center, which opened in June 2009, is New York’s first destination devoted exclusively to celebrating all things Harlem, specifically its traditions and history. The 7,000-square-foot space showcases works in many media by emerging and established Harlem artists. And a roster of activities includes theater, music, dance, guided tours, film screenings, and educational workshops. 258 St. Nicholas Ave.

Around for awhile but still packing a punch in terms of art by solely black artists, the Studio Museum Harlem is a must-stop on the neighborhood’s cultural circuit. It features frequently changing exhibitions in its intimate space. 144 W. 125th St.

Over in Spanish Harlem, El Museo del Barrio celebrates the arts and cultures of the Caribbean and Latin America. The current temporary exhibition, Nexus New York: Latin/American Artists in the Modern Metropolis, explores the works of artists living in New York before World War II. It’s on view through February 28. 1230 Fifth Ave.

–Anja Mutić of EverTheNomad.