Mafia History Walking Tour in Little Italy, New York City

Step into the heart of Little Italy, New York City, and uncover the captivating history of the Mafia. The Mafia History Walking Tour offers an immersive 2-hour experience that delves into the evolution of organized crime, from the days of Lucky Luciano to the reign of John Gotti. Explore iconic sites, such as the Ravenite Social Club and Umbertos Clam House, while learning about the area’s infamous past. With a strong overall rating, this tour promises captivating storytelling and valuable insights for history enthusiasts and curious visitors alike. Where will this journey take you?

This experience made our article of Which New York City City Tours To Choose? We Rank The 10 Best.

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Good To Know

This 2-hour walking tour explores the historical Mafia presence in New York City’s Little Italy neighborhood, including stops at notorious hangouts and sites of mobster assassinations.
Participants will learn about the evolution of organized crime in the area, from the impact of Lucky Luciano during Prohibition to the influence of the Gambino crime family.
The tour provides insights into the criminal past of Little Italy, with a focus on the violent history and significant moments that shaped the development of the Mafia in New York.
Guides are praised for their captivating storytelling and deep historical knowledge, offering an engaging and informative experience for participants.
The tour is suitable for individuals with an interest in American organized crime history, providing a unique opportunity to explore the landmarks and legacy of the Mafia in New York City.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Details

The Mafia History Walking Tour in Little Italy, New York City, offers an immersive exploration of the neighborhood’s notorious criminal past.

Priced from $30 per person, the 2-hour guided tour leads visitors through key mob sites and divulges historical insights.

Highlights include the Ravenite Social Club, Lt. Petrosino Square, The Police Building, and Umbertos Clam House.

Guests can also opt to visit locations featured in The Godfather and the infamous Five Points district.

With a live English-speaking guide, the tour provides a compelling look at the rise and evolution of organized crime syndicates.

Flexible booking allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

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Itinerary Highlights

The walking tour begins at 44 Spring Street in Little Italy, on the sidewalk next to the DaSalvio Playground.

The guide takes visitors to the Ravenite Social Club, where infamous mob boss John Gotti held court.

Next, they stop at Lt. Petrosino Square, named after an NYPD officer killed by the Black Hand gang.

The tour then moves to the Police Building, where gangsters once evaded law enforcement.

Afterward, they visit Umbertos Clam House, the site of mobster Crazy Joey Gallo’s assassination.

Finally, the tour explores the Five Points, a notorious neighborhood that birthed organized crime in New York.

Historical Insights

This walking tour offers in-depth historical insights into Little Italy’s criminal past and the rise of notorious mobsters.

Guests will learn how gangster Lucky Luciano transformed organized crime during Prohibition. They’ll discover the evolution from black hand gangs to modern crime syndicates.

Participants will see where John Gotti, boss of the Gambino family, held court. The tour also visits the site of mobster Crazy Joey Gallo’s assassination, providing a vivid window into the violent world of the Mafia.

Exploring these locations brings the history to life, leaving guests with a deeper understanding of Little Italy’s notorious past.

Customer Reviews and Experiences

What do customers have to say about this Mafia History Walking Tour in Little Italy? According to reviews, the tour delivers an engaging and informative experience, with a 4.6/5 overall rating based on 60 reviews.

Customers praise the knowledgeable guides, who bring the neighborhood’s criminal past to life with captivating storytelling.

The tour provides:

Valuable historical insights into the evolution of organized crime in New York.
An up-close look at key Mafia hangouts and crime sites.
A deeper understanding of notorious mobsters like Lucky Luciano and John Gotti.
Excellent value for money, with 4.7/5 rating for value.

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Important Information and Guidelines

Participants should arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts and look for the guide in a white cap on the sidewalk next to DaSalvio Playground at 44 Spring Street, the corner of Mulberry.

The tour isn’t suitable for those with mobility issues. Pets aren’t allowed, except for service animals.

The tour may be canceled due to inclement weather or insufficient bookings, with full refunds provided. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

The tour focuses on Little Italy’s criminal past and notorious mobsters, so it may not be appropriate for all audiences. Participants should follow the guide’s instructions for a safe and informative experience.

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Exploring the Ravenite Social Club

The tour’s first stop is the Ravenite Social Club, a former hangout for notorious mobsters. This unassuming storefront was the headquarters of the Gambino crime family, where boss John Gotti held court.

Visitors will:

Learn how the club operated as a front for criminal activities.
Discover the role it played in the power struggles of New York’s five families.
Hear stories of the high-level meetings and backroom deals that took place within its walls.
Understand the club’s significance in the evolution of organized crime in America.

The Ravenite Social Club offers a glimpse into the shadowy world of the mafia’s inner sanctum.

Discovering Lt. Petrosino Square

Next, the tour moves to Lt. Petrosino Square, named after the first Italian-American police officer to reach the rank of lieutenant in the New York City Police Department. Petrosino was known for his crusade against the Black Hand gang, an early Italian-American organized crime group. At this stop, the guide shares key details about Petrosino’s life and assassination in 1909 by Sicilian mafiosi in Italy.

| Petrosino’s Legacy | Career Highlights | Tragic Assassination |

| — | — | — |

| First Italian-American NYPD lieutenant | Undercover investigations of Black Hand | Killed in Palermo, Sicily in 1909 |

| Pioneered early organized crime investigations | Deported suspected mafia members | Ordered by Giuseppe Morello crime family |

| Targeted Italian gangs terrorizing immigrants | Infiltrated Little Italy social clubs | Silenced an influential anti-mafia crusader |

| Considered an early hero in the fight against the mob | Worked to expose mafia’s growing power | Part of a larger campaign against mafia expansion |

The Notorious Five Points Neighborhood

After visiting Lt. Petrosino Square, the tour continues to the notorious Five Points neighborhood.

This former slum was known for its high crime rates, gangs, and corruption.

Visitors will:

Discover the dark history of this infamous area, once considered the most dangerous neighborhood in 19th century New York City.
Learn about the black hand gangs and how they evolved into modern crime syndicates.
Understand the impact of the Bloody Fifth, a violent gang war that ravaged the streets.
See where the Mafia solidified its grip on the city’s underworld.

The walking tour provides a glimpse into Little Italy’s gritty past.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Accessible Is the Tour for Individuals With Disabilities?

The tour is not suitable for individuals with mobility impairments, as the itinerary includes some walking. However, assistance dogs are permitted. Customers should consider their physical abilities before booking to ensure they can fully participate in the experience.

Is There an Option to Book the Tour in a Language Other Than English?

The tour is only offered in English. It doesn’t mention any options to book the tour in other languages. Participants should be able to comfortably understand and participate in the tour conducted by the live English-speaking guide.

Can We Take Photos During the Tour or Are There Any Restrictions?

Photography is generally allowed during the tour, but visitors should be respectful and avoid disturbing the guide or disrupting the experience. Some locations may have restrictions, so participants should check with the tour guide beforehand.

Is There a Minimum Group Size Required to Book the Tour?

There’s no minimum group size to book the tour. Individuals can reserve a spot on their own, and the tour runs as long as there’s at least one participant signed up. Larger groups may be accommodated with advance notice.

Do the Tour Guides Offer Any Exclusive Insights or Personal Anecdotes About the Mafia?

The tour guides on the Mafia History Walking Tour are known to share exclusive insights and personal anecdotes about the mafia, providing an engaging and informative experience for guests. They draw on their deep knowledge of mob history to bring the stories to life.

The Sum Up

The Mafia History Walking Tour in New York City’s Little Italy offers an enlightening glimpse into the neighborhood’s notorious past. Visitors can explore iconic sites, uncover captivating stories, and gain valuable insights into the evolution of organized crime. With its strong ratings and engaging storytelling, the tour provides a unique and immersive experience for history enthusiasts and the curious alike.