Apollo Theater, New York City: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

The Apollo Theater sits at 253 West 125th Street in Harlem, Manhattan, a performance venue opened in 1934 that became the most important showcase for African American musical talent in the 20th century. Amateur Night at the Apollo, held most Wednesdays since 1934, launched the careers of Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Lauryn Hill, and dozens of other artists—performers who fail to win the crowd's approval are famously booed offstage. The 1,506-seat auditorium retains its original Art Deco interior. The theater was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1983. is just one of many options in New York City. Major attractions worth considering include Central Park, Chrysler Building, and Ellis Island.