Pay a visit to the Bronx's Morris Heights to see the former home of legendary DJ Kool Herc—the first hip-hop pioneer to isolate and loop a record's drum beat. This act of musical genius not only germinated hip-hop for decades but also led to some epic parties. According to NYC hip-hop lore, the block party that birthed the genre happened right here. You can see the famed apartment building, at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue as part of a multiborough hip-hop tour.

Though the current exhibition is temporarily closed—the museum is officially slated to open in 2026—you can still check out interactive displays, vintage ephemera, and multimedia installations and experience hip-hop's cultural impact. Don't miss out on the recreated, graffiti-tagged subway car for a dose of nostalgia.

In the same way early hip-hop music recontextualized pre-existing music, graffiti art helped bring colorful vibrancy to the often-drab urban landscapes of the 1970s. At the Jackie Robinson Educational Complex in East Harlem, New York's street art scene is celebrated at the Graffiti Hall of Fame. This decades-old destination for art fans features graffiti and murals from street artists from all over the world. Be sure to walk around—there's art inside and outside the playground's fence.

Hip-hop heads have flocked to downtown music venue SOB's for decades. Founded in the 1980s and dedicated to the musical heritage of New York's Afro-Latinx communities (the abbreviation stands for "Sounds of Brazil"), this SoHo nightclub quickly emerged as a breeding ground for top hip-hop artists. Numerous hip-hop legends have played here over the decades, including notables such as Kendrick Lamar, De La Soul, and Cardi B. Don't miss the chance to catch a live show when you're in town.

Renowned hip-hop label Def Jam Records started in 1984 in a dorm room at New York University, when would-be moguls Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin combined forces to create a new music venture. They would go on to release albums from famous artists including LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys. Though you can't go inside, you can snap a selfie of the outside—it's just a quick stroll from Washington Square Park.

The Apollo Theater is a performance space with deep roots in Harlem's African-American cultural history and the artistic heyday of the Harlem Renaissance. James Brown, whose music provided many staple samples for classic hip-hop, performed countless concerts here, and later on, the stage hosted some of hip-hop's icons and legends from Big Daddy Kane to Public Enemy to Nas. Music fanatics should plan to attend one of the club's Amateur Night contests, which the Apollo has hosted since 1934.

Don't overlook Queens when it comes to hip-hop's legacy. It's where famous rap artists such as Nas, LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj, and Tribe Called Quest first made their mark. In fact, you can see a mural honoring the latter group (and a street sign dedicated to the memory of former member Phife Dawg) at Linden Boulevard and 192nd Street in the St. Albans neighborhood where they grew up.