Galveston Red Light District: Mob History Tour

Step back in time and explore the dark and intriguing history of Galveston’s Red Light District. Discover the secrets of the mob-run casinos and the world-class entertainers who graced their stages.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Antique Warehouse - Originally the Oleander Hotel in 1913. Listed in the Green Book as safe haven in the Jim Crow south. A place where the African American travelers could stay their journey to Galveston.
  • Maceo Spice & Import Company - The starting point of the Mace Empire. Formally Sam and Rosarrio first barber shop where they bootlegged…
What's Included
  • Guided tour of Galveston’s red light district
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Discover Galveston’s most notorious secret, where law enforcement halted at the bridge and vice reigned supreme on the island.
Travel back to a time when Galveston earned the nickname “America’s Playground,” a wide-open haven of indulgence where gambling, alcohol, brothels, and clandestine deals thrived under the watchful eye of organized crime. As long…

Location
2711 Market St
Market Street
We will meet outside of the Leeland House.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(233 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Vinayak_m
Dec 3, 2025
Red Light District - Informative and niche. You notice things that you didn’t realize had deeper meanings and you go inside places you didn’t know you could enter. Would highly recommend to someone who is looking to connect with the city on a deeper level!
Review provided by Viator
Chuck_l
Nov 16, 2025
We were entertained and learned a lot! - We thoroughly enjoyed our Red Light District tour with Robert. Galveston has such a fascinating (and lurid!) history, and Robert really brought it to life. We learned a lot and also had some laughs. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Janette_g
Oct 31, 2025
Night time spookyness - Excellent tour. The night-time setting was perfect to set the mood. Definitely bringing friends to do it again. Great history lesson.
Review provided by Viator
S7910klmelissac
Oct 28, 2025
Very informative. - Our tour guide was very knowledgeable regarding the red light district. She also knew a lot about Galveston in the early years.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marion_d
Oct 18, 2025
Illuminating - with a red glow - Very knowledgeable guide the tours gives you a whole different view. The guide had a-lot of energy and made the tour
Review provided by Viator
Avrilmo
Oct 10, 2025
More history than ghosts. - Fascinating stories about the mob, prostitution, great storm and casinos. Noelle was super knowledgeable and answered every question. It covers people not talked about enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mary_h
Sep 30, 2025
We enjoyed the history of... - We enjoyed the history of the Red Light District. Our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. A very good experience.
Review provided by Viator
536selenab
Sep 20, 2025
Fun and exciting - Rob was amazing! So much energy and excitement when sharing stories and pictures of history. Highly recommend, we truly enjoyed our time. Thank you Rob!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danyele_t
Aug 26, 2025
My fiancé and I had fun.... - My fiancé and I had fun. We enjoyed hearing the history of the red light district. Heard a few good ghost stories as well.
Review provided by Viator
U7944bvkims
Jul 23, 2025
- Noelle was amazing, and so was the tour! We loved the history and all the fun extra facts about the Mob and history of Galveston in general! We loved it all and want to go back and take another one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $31
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).