Stories from the Dark Side: Criminals, Gangs & Mafia Tour of NYC

Ever wondered what goes on behind the closed doors of New York City's notorious criminal underworld? For the first time, you don't have to be convicted to get a peek inside. During this excursion with an expert guide (some of whom are retired NYPD officers and detectives), you'll learn the shocking truth of New York’s old immigrant gangs, organized crime rings and modern white collar criminals.

Starting near Wall Street, you'll explore the long history of political corruption in NYC and how it shaped the growth and development of the city. You'll also stop off near the stock exchange to discuss the Wolf of Wall Street and various waves of white collar crime that have often brought the city to its knees.

Next you'll head over to the Lower East Side to immerse yourself in the history of the famous gangs of New York that dominated this area in the 19th century. At the infamous Five Points junction, your guide will tell you about the Irish, Chinese, and Italian gangs that waged bloody warfare for control of the turf.

As you move into Chinatown and Little Italy, the stories become more modern. From Chinese gangs in 70s and 80s to mafia families that brought Old World crime to New York, networks of criminality spanned continents. Those days aren't over yet though. There are rumors that beneath these very streets lurks a whole network of tunnels that lead from Chinatown to the Hudson, allowing free access for smugglers.

History and legend, fact and fiction are all teased out and explained by your guide, who has an extensive background in studying the criminal elements of the city. Of course, it isn't all darkness, and degradation; you'll also enjoy a doughnut and coffee, on us.

This tour appeals to a wide range of people, from history buffs and true crime heads all the way down to children who are thrilled to see the city in a whole new light.