Wicked St. Augustine: Bootleggers, Brothels & Gambling in the Ancient City

4.8 (97 reviews) 1 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

97 reviews

4.8

Your tour begins right here! This is the Lightner Museum, which during the Gilded Age (Flagler Era) was the Alcazar Hotel — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Join the author of 'Wicked St. Augustine' Ann Colby on select nights. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

The Wicked St. Augustine tour delves into the unwritten history of the nation's oldest city. You will hear stories of the illicit industries that made the town a financial success, all while avoiding the reputation of a sinful city. From its founding St. Augustine had a thriving tavern, gambling and prostitution industry, even while portraying a city founded on religious principles. See the locations of high stakes gambling, speak easy taverns, and private clubs which skirted around the laws of the day, like prohibition. Learn how the political powers knew of these activities, secretly supported their providers, all while keeping a squeaky clean image.

Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Crime Tours Seasonal Excellent Quality Low Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 30 min
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 26 people
People per booking: 1–13
Guide: English
Operated by: Spyglass Tours

Ages: Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Guided narrative of the illicit activites that took place in the 'family friendly' tourist town'

Itinerary

Lightner Museum

10 min

The courtyard in front of the old Alcazar Hotel, now the Lightner Museum, also in full view of the old Ponce de Leon Hotel, now Flagler College.
Historic Tours of Flagler College

10 min

Location of the old Ponce de Leon Hotel, built by Henry Flagler. This was the epitome of luxury and decadence during the Gilded Age.
St. George Street

10 min

Here the stories of the private clubs that lined this and the adjoining streets, gambling halls, speak easies, and boarding houses for upscale vacationers, to the working men of the city.
Plaza de la Constitucion

10 min

From here guests will hear stories of gambling halls, speak easies and boarding houses (which were code in the day for brothels).

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Guide will meet guests at the fountain in the front courtyard of the Lightner Museum in between the museum and Flagler College.

End point

Guide will meet guests at the fountain in the front courtyard of the Lightner Museum in between the museum and Flagler College.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.