Marcus Garvey Park

Park Historic Harlem park with amphitheater and community events

A public park in Harlem with an amphitheatre, playgrounds and community programs; visitors attend concerts, local events and seasonal outdoor gatherings.

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Marcus Garvey Park is a public park in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, established in the mid-19th century and renamed for Marcus Garvey in the 1970s.

The park is best known for the 19th-century Mount Morris Fire Watchtower, a Gothic Revival stone structure built in 1856 that stands on the park’s rocky outcrop and is a focal point for visitors. The park also includes lawns and an outdoor amphitheater used for concerts and community events.

The green spaces and recreational facilities provide year-round use for walking, passive recreation, and organized performances, attracting local residents and visitors from the wider Harlem area.

Originally created as Mount Morris Park in the 19th century, the site included the watchtower which served as a fire lookout for the surrounding neighborhood. The park was renamed in the 1970s for Marcus Garvey and has been the focus of preservation and community restoration efforts since the late 20th century.

The park sits in central Harlem in Manhattan within the Mount Morris Park Historic District in New York City, surrounded by residential streets and urban blocks and served by nearby city transit.

  • Watchtower date: The watchtower dates to 1856 and is the park's most prominent historic structure; it sits atop the park's rocky hill and is visible from surrounding blocks.
  • Events and use: Outdoor performances and community events occur seasonally in the park's amphitheater and lawns, with the park used year-round for recreation.

What to See #

  • Mount Morris Fire Watchtower: A 19th-century Gothic Revival stone watchtower built on the park's high rocky outcrop, constructed in 1856 and historically used as a fire lookout.
  • Amphitheater: An outdoor performance space used for summer concerts and community events, located on the park's sloped lawn and serving as a local cultural venue.
Marcus Garvey Park
Marcus Garvey Park, Madison Avenue & 120th Street, Harlem, New York, NY 10027, United States
40.8043, -73.9435
Daily dawn-dusk (specific facilities vary)

How to Get to Marcus Garvey Park #

Marcus Garvey Park sits between 120th and 124th Streets, bounded roughly by Madison and Mount Morris/ Fifth Avenues in Harlem. Subway: 2/3 to 125th Street and walk east, or 4/6 to 125th Street and walk north; several MTA bus lines run along Madison and 125th. The park is an easy walk from the 125th Street corridor.

Tips for Visiting Marcus Garvey Park #

  • Visit on weekdays or early mornings to avoid weekend crowds and events; the park has many scheduled programs and festivals that draw large groups.
  • Walk the higher paths for views over Harlem's cityscape-there is a small overlook that is good for skyline photography at golden hour.
  • Check the Marcus Garvey Park Conservancy website for concerts and ice rink schedules (seasonal).

Best Time to Visit Marcus Garvey Park #

Spring through autumn is best for events and outdoor activity; winter hosts seasonal programming but is quieter.

Spring
April-June · 10-24°C
Cherry blossoms and warmer afternoons draw locals for picnics and outdoor concerts.
Summer
July-August · 20-30°C
Community events, daytime heat; evenings are lively with music and small gatherings.
Autumn
September-November · 8-20°C
Crisp air and fewer pests-good for longer walks and neighborhood festivals.

Weather & Climate near Marcus Garvey Park #

Climate

Marcus Garvey Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1196 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
-4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm).

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 22°

Weather

111 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 27°

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (113 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
19° 30°

Weather

113 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
19° 29°

Weather

108 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
15° 24°

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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