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

Experience the days when Galveston was under mob control, and guests were cherished like family members. Across the bridge lay ‘The Free State of Galveston,’ a land abiding solely by mob laws. A-list personalities like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin were some of the elite entertainers invited to perform in its casinos. Everyone indulged…

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
(222 Ratings)
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M2559aqsams
Apr 23, 2025
Amazing - Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and very friendly. We would definitely recommend for a tour of the downtown area!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H4848lkjessicat
Apr 19, 2025
The best - Amazing tour ! Jeff our tour guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. Definitely recommend! The drinks definitely helped make it better
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A9987uvalicep
Mar 22, 2025
Red Light District - Our guide “Annie” was extremely knowledgeable on the history of Galveston..Kept our interest.. Would recommend this tour..
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amx2890pz
Mar 10, 2025
Interesting - Fun and informative, Annette was a fountain of Galveston knowledge (and a very nice lady!) Next time we are in town we will take her cemetery tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Safari01487926579
Feb 22, 2025
This is the tour group you want! - Fascinating history all around you in Galveston. We absolutely love this tour group (Historic Galveston Ghost Tours) We've gone on other tours they offer and have never been disappointed. Noelle was our guide for the day and she's a delight! So much historical knowledge makes the tour and buildings come alive. Thanks again
Review provided by Tripadvisor
327fabianaj
Feb 16, 2025
Excellent tour of the Galveston Madam business - I went with a group of friends and had a great time. Rob is very engaging and enthusiastic! I learned some more about Galveston's history
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rick
Jan 14, 2025
Fun afternoon in Galveston - Had a fun, enjoyable, informative afternoon tour of Galveston's famed Red Light District. Great way to learn more about Galveston's history, boh past and not so past, while spending time with friends and getting your steps in.Our tour guide was fantastic, can't wait to do more tours with her.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mindynic
Jan 14, 2025
Great time in the red light - Our tour guide was excellent we had a great time! It was a girls birthday weekend and a bunch of us love history 😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travel67169297699
Jan 22, 2025
Wrong tour - We signed up for the ghostly pub crawl and got the red light tour. While the tour was informative, we would have preferred the other
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ronald_c
Mar 25, 2025
So So Tour - There was just nothing to this tour. It was basically the tour guide talking and telling stories. We stayed within a five or six block radius of the starting point, saw a few buildings that had once been brothels or bordellos, and that was about it. Just nothing to it. I wanted to like this tour, but I just can’t recommend it…
Review provided by Viator
From $30
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).