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Newport "Sin City" Mobster Tour
4.8
33 Ratings
Newport
Experience the Newport Mobster Tour and uncover the hidden history of the mafia in comfort. Explore historic sites from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle while learning about Newport’s notorious past.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Wooden Cask Brewery Company - We will begin our tour at the Wooden Cask Brewery, former site of the 633 Flamingo Club and learn about its connections with the notorious Cleveland Syndicate mafia and the famous celebrities who performed there, including Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra!
- Newport - We will visit 518 York Street, home of the former Yorkshire Club, one of the largest premiere “carpet club” casinos and perhaps the biggest illegal Horse Racing bookmaking clubs in the 1930’s. You will learn about the owner’s feud with the mafia and the club’s eventual takeover by the mob.
- Newport - We will view the exterior of The Brass Ass Gentleman’s Club, home of the former Stardust Casino (the Neon star is still on the building!) and the Silver Slipper brothel. You will learn about the indictment and conviction of one of Newport’s most notorious mobsters, and how prostitution fueled the local economy.
- Thompson House - We will visit the John Thompson house, home of the inventor of the Thompson machine gun (“tommy gun”) and you will learn about how this weapon became a favorite of mobsters in the 1920s and 1930s and its role in the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre!
- Bobby Mackey’s Music World - We will visit Bobby Mackey’s Music World and talk about the sordid history of the place as a slaughterhouse, the Primrose Club, and the Latin Quarter. You will also learn about the ghostly appearances of Pearl Bryan and other well-known local spirits, featured on Ghost Adventures and Paranormal Lockdown! And you will learn about the demonic possession and exorcism of the building’s caretaker.
- Southgate - We will visit the historic marker and the Memorial in Southgate, KY, former site of the Beverly Hills Supper Club and the third most deadly night-club fire in U.S. history. You will learn about the troubled history of the club, the owner’s feud with the Mafia, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the fire that eventually destroyed it, killing 165 people in the process.
- Newport - We will visit the Gangsters Dueling Piano Bar and the Syndicate Restaurant, former home of Glenn Schmidt’s Playtorium, where you will learn about the history of the Mafia’s feud with Schmidt and their eventual take-over of both of his clubs.
- Newport - We will visit the old Mustang Club where you will learn about another mysterious fire where a gruesome discovery was made!
What's Included
- Visual Tour Guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Bottled water
Additional Information
While there are a few walking tours about the “Sin City” years of Newport, our tour is the only one where you can view all of the historic sites from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle (minivan). This allows us to explore far more historic sites in less time than a walking tour can! You will relax from the comfort of your seat while you are transported from site-to-site and will learn all about the unique history of each site, it’s connections with the mafia, illegal gambling, bootlegging, and prostitution that earned Newport the name “the sin city of the south”! You will also have an opportunity to get out of the vehicle at each tour stop and do some exploring of your own, with your tour guide there to answer any questions you may have.
Location
Wooden Cask Brewing Company
York Street
All tours will meet on the sidewalk in front of the Wooden Cask Brewery on York Street. Check-in 5 minutes prior to your tour departure time. Park in the lot across the street from the Wooden Cask Brewery. Please do not park in the brewery parking lot unless you intend to patronize the brewery.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(33 Ratings)
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Cbrandohio
Jul 27, 2024
Great tour! - We had a great time learning about the "activity" in Newport! Chris is very knowledgeable and takes you to some really interesting places. There was so much information--I should have taken notes! It was a fun two-hour tour. We would definitely recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q3257mqjamiem
Jul 20, 2024
Really cool!! - Chris was very knowledgeable! This was a really cool, informative tour about how the mob from other areas had so much power & corruption over Newport! Gave to my Husband as a Father’s Day gift the whole family enjoyed! Will go back this fall for the Haunted Covington tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Neesha_e
Jul 12, 2024
Worth the money! - The whole trip was memorable and Chris was so knowledgeable. We enjoyed our trip so much. Thank you Chris.
Review provided by Viator
Janet_w
Jul 8, 2024
Great tour! - Our guide was very, very informative; such a wealth of knowledge. We all enjoyed the tour. The only drawback was the vehicle provided. When we made the reservation, the description did say Van, however, we weren’t expecting a mini van since it said max 15 people. The mini van did have great air conditioning but the it was a bit rundown.
Review provided by Viator
Erica_f
May 28, 2024
Mobster tales and places - The sites of the former clubs were well explained by Chris and the accompanying booklet with old pictures, postcards and stories really enhanced the tour. I highly recommend this if you love history and the period of prohibition and the tales of gangsters.
Review provided by Viator
Traci_g
May 20, 2024
Great way to spend 2 hours! - Chris was very knowledgeable about the various locations around town. I like the historic postcards of the time period showing the buildings.
Review provided by Viator
Romanrd703rf
Jul 17, 2024
Worthy tour, interesting information, something new! - My mother and I both enjoyed this tour! Our guide, Chris was friendly and very informative, providing an organized tour of the many locations in Newport. I was unaware of how much the mob attracted the attention from other outfits from other states! Our transportation was comfortable and air conditioned; Chris had also provided refreshments such as water. I will revisit for the additional tour haunted locations.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dale_k
Jul 3, 2024
Our guide was very... - Our guide was very knowledgeable and loved answering questions about the period. My husband and I learned a lot about the different people in the mob.
Review provided by Viator
Mary_s
Jun 5, 2024
Knowledgeable and interesting guide. - We really enjoyed the history as explained by our guide. He was really knowledgeable. Could have used a better vehicle.
Review provided by Viator
J_wenner
Jul 16, 2024
Chris was knowledgeable! Tour van a/c did not work and smelled like smoke. - Driving tour was awesome! Chris was very knowledgeable and interesting as our tour guide. The booklet he gave us to look at during the tour was very informative. We were able to get out at the Beverly Hills Supper Club Memorial and take several photos of it. Unfortunately, the tour van needed lots of maintenance (roof material hanging down, interior smelled like smoke, air conditioning did not work that great) and the tour description also said that we would be provided bottle water, but we were not. :( This was bad since it was an extremely hot day and we could've used the water.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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