Galveston Red Light District Tour
- 1h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Step into Galveston’s most scandalous secret, where the police stopped at the bridge and vice ruled the island. Return to an era where Galveston was known as "America’s Playground", a wide-open paradise of sin where gambling, booze, brothels, and back-room deals flourished under the protection of organized crime. As long as the money flowed, visitors were treated like family and indulgence came without consequence. Casinos pulsed through the night, and The Red Light District thrived behind unmarked doors. Corruption was no longer whispered, it was expected. This was Galveston’s own Vegas dream, complete with world-class entertainers like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin performing just steps away from prostitution, payoffs, and illicit pleasures. On this tour, you’ll uncover the stories they tried to bury, the places where power was bought with favors, and how Galveston became one of the most notorious Red Light Districts in America, all hiding in plain sight.
Inclusions
What's included
- Guided tour of Galveston's red light district
What's not
- Gratuities
Itinerary
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.
The starting point of the Mace Empire. Formally Sam and Rosarrio first barber shop where they bootlegged wine and spirits for their thirsty guest.
Formally the home of Molly Waters. One of the most famous houses on the island. Molly is Galveston's most infamous Madam as she retired a millionaire. The house is currently being restored.
At the height of the Red Light district, the railroad brought in 40,000 men a day all looking for love.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.8
- 5252
- 412
- 35
- 22
- 13
Ratings come from 274 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- We will meet outside of the Leeland House.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 25 travellers
- Operated by
- Historic Galveston Ghost Tours
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Active military personnel free
How it compares in Galveston
- Its from-price is 23% below the median of the 103 experiences we list in Galveston.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 6 of 103.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Galveston
Galveston is a Texas barrier-island city on the Gulf of Mexico, with Victorian streets, a long seawall beach and a cruise port.
Galveston is a barrier island city on the Gulf of Mexico, about eighty kilometres south-east of Houston, joined to the mainland by a causeway. In the late nineteenth century it was one of the wealthiest cities in Texas, and the Strand, a street of ornate iron-fronted commercial buildings, and the Victorian houses of the East End recall that period. The hurricane of 1900 killed thousands, and a long seawall and raised ground were built afterwards.
Special offers in Galveston
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
