If you love a good trolley tour and in or visit the Philadelphia area, the Prohibition Mob Tours by Founding Footsteps is for you. It takes you through Philadelphia including South Philly and beyond as you learn about how the mobs of Philly ran the city. Add in Prohibition and it was a lucrative way to make money.
What to do know before you take the tour
This is a strictly 21 and up tour. There are absolutely no kids allowed. This tour is guided and in conjunction with Founding Footsteps. If you remember they are responsible for quite a few tours. The ones I’ve attended for years were the holiday ones. Those are great for families of all ages. This tour doesn’t include walking. You are on the trolley for the duration. Unfortunately there is also no handicap seating at this time. It is BYOB so as always drink responsibly and clean up after the tour.
Is it worth it?
Yes the tour ranges in cost to be about $55. The tour itself takes about 2 hours. You met at Craft Hall. You can go inside and grab some drinks to bring along too or even some small bites. Parking is available there as well as street parking. Plan to arrive between 15-30 minutes before your specified leave time. If you’re late there is no guarantee they can hold the trolley for you. It runs rain or shine but it was comfortable. I will note that for taller people the comfort level decreases since the seats don’t move.
Some of the taller passengers sat in the back for more leg room. As always service dogs are welcome.
The Tour itself
You will get to see so much of the city. Passing through South Philly. If you know then you know that South Philly is the home of many Italians of the city. Not to sound cliche but it matches the stories of some of the most infamous Philadelphia crime mobs of the city. In addition this is a fun but learning tour that also includes music. Yes music! The musical selections were some of the best I’ve heard. This is a really fun and informal tour.
Prohibition in Philly
There were more bars and watering holes than churches. If you are ever in Philly you will notice of patterns still. See a church and you will find a bar. I thought it was weird when I first moved here but the history of how that started was enlightening to see. With prohibition comes the emergence of Black Markets. To get in you had to know someone and thus the crime mobs started.
There is a lot to learn on the tour. As you’re going through the Italian market you will get to see so many Philadelphians shopping. I loved how friendly people were. Since it is a BYOB no one was drunk but it definitely opened up people who didn’t know one another to talk. At points the volume of noise raises from time to time but nothing that is distracting. If you’re looking for a sign to book, many of us had been on many of the other tours before. Founding Footsteps really have the trolley tours in alignment with fun.
For more information and booking go to Founding Footsteps. Thanks to Founding Footsteps and Wooderice for having me on this adventure.
