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

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

Outty Ranking 74 4.8 · 96 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom $32

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September 2026

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Adults

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From, per person$32
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Outty Ranking

74/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 96 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Wicked St. Augustine: Bootleggers, Brothels & Gambling in the Ancient City worth booking?

Wicked St. Augustine: Bootleggers, Brothels & Gambling in the Ancient City is a 1.5-hour experience in St Augustine, United States, from $32 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 96 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
74 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (96)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
$32 per person

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

What you get

    About this experience

    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.

    What's included

    Included

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

    What you'll see and do

    1. Lightner Museum

      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.

      10 minutes here

    2. Historic Tours of Flagler College

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

      10 minutes here

    3. St. George Street

      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.

      10 minutes here

    4. Plaza de la Constitucion

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

      10 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    St Augustine

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

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

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

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Tue, Thu, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 13 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Spyglass Tours

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Join the author of 'Wicked St. Augustine' Ann Colby on select nights.All of our guides are knowledgeable, entertaining and licensedToday a fine confection provider, in its past a much more nefarious historyBootlegging was big business in St. AugustineTour based on the popular book Wicked St. Augustine, you may even get a tour with the author!Our tour begins right at the fountain in between the Lightner and Flagler College

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 96 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    9 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    96 verified traveler reviews for Wicked St. Augustine: Bootleggers, Brothels & Gambling in the Ancient City. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    86
    4 star
    6
    3 star
    2
    2 star
    2
    1 star
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    Sort
    436ritah · May 2026

    Good info but far too long winded

    Most frontier or new towns had brothels, booze and gambling for men who wanted that type of entertainment. Henry Flagler’s reputation is suss for other reasons which are alluded to on other tours. Author/tour guide is nice enough with some very fun info to share but needs to find the most interesting and compelling arguments for her tour. Not having a timeline saying ‘one of my tours went until 3 am’ had me planning my exit as soon as we started. We sat in front of the Lightner Museum for over 90 minutes in more of a lecture than a tour. Again, some good info you might not hear on other tours but needs to be more planned out and succinct.

    Response from the operator: We appreciate your review and will pass the information along to Ann. She does tell guests that she can adjust the tour length to their schedule. Also, thank you for taking the time for such in depth feedback, enjoy the rest of your visit.

    via Tripadvisor

    cheryljF3484YC · April 2026

    Awesome, Well Worth Every Penny!

    This tour blew me away! There were 7 of us, and we were the only ones. We read that it will be longer than what was said in the description. When we got there, the wonderful tour guide said it could be 3 or 4 hours or however long we want it to be because she can talk for hours and hours about St. Augustine! It ended up being about 3.5 hours for us. But you have the choice with how long you'd like it to be. Ann, the tour guide, was very informative. She did her own research, and she even wrote a book about it. She told us things that most of the other tours in the area won't tell you about bootlegging, brothels, gambling, and Mr. Flagler. We didn't have to walk much. We stayed mostly between Flagler College and the Lightner Museum, then slowly walked towards the main street by the water. In between, she brought seat cushions, and we were able to sit while she shared details about the magnificent city. The tour was definitely worth the price. If she does any other tours, I would gladly book another one!

    Response from the operator: Thank you. Ann is very passionate about the subject matter and gives the passion every tour. We are so glad you enjoyed her experience.

    via Tripadvisor

    Jeff K · March 2026

    Saint Augustine‘s historical wicked tour

    This was our first night in Saint Augustine. I’m glad we started with Ann’s tour as she gave an awesome historical view of the city and how it came to be. She is very knowledgeable and she did an amazing job of helping us see into a part of history that is not normally shared. Her deep dive into historical archives on a city she was raised in and loves was much appreciated.

    Response from the operator: Glad you enjoyed Ann's tour. She shines a light on history that usually remains in the shadows.

    via Tripadvisor

    786jaden · February 2026

    Hidden History of St. Augustine

    I grew up in Florida and have visited St. Augustine many times, so I’ve heard all the usual ghost stories and the standard tour information. This experience was completely different, in the best way. It offered a wealth of knowledge about the lesser-known parts of St. Augustine’s history, diving much deeper than the typical tours. I learned fascinating details and stories I had never heard before. It’s definitely geared toward someone who truly enjoys history and wants more than just the popular highlights.

    Response from the operator: Excellent! There is always so much more to history. Ann takes a less traveled historical path that most have never thought about. Glad you enjoyed the experience.

    via Tripadvisor

    Kimberly_W · February 2026

    Excellent tour guide. She will give you more than 90 min if you have the time!

    Wicked and very informative. You'll learn about all the vices in St. Augustine's long and colorful history.

    Response from the operator: This is the shady side of our history, but no less important!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Tue, Thu, Sun
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    34
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 74

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)85
    Review evidence (18% weight)59
    Booking momentum (14% weight)53
    Value for money (12% weight)82
    Listing quality (10% weight)80
    Local standing (8% weight)58
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

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

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for St Augustine.

    How much does Wicked St. Augustine: Bootleggers, Brothels & Gambling in the Ancient City cost?

    +

    Prices start at $32 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in St Augustine usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Wicked St. Augustine: Bootleggers, Brothels & Gambling in the Ancient City take?

    +

    Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in St Augustine is not rushed.

    Is Wicked St. Augustine: Bootleggers, Brothels & Gambling in the Ancient City worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 96 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in St Augustine, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Wicked St. Augustine: Bootleggers, Brothels & Gambling in the Ancient City?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Wicked St. Augustine: Bootleggers, Brothels & Gambling in the Ancient City suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Wicked St. Augustine: Bootleggers, Brothels & Gambling in the Ancient City?

    +

    Around 34 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in St Augustine can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in St Augustine and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Wicked St. Augustine: Bootleggers, Brothels & Gambling in the Ancient City start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central St Augustine within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in St Augustine?

    +

    St Augustine is walkable history: Castillo de San Marcos, Spanish quarter walking tours, trolley loops, lighthouse climbs and some of the best-attended ghost tours in the country. Guide storytelling quality is the main variable. On Outty we rank every St Augustine experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Medieval Torture Museum with Ghost Hunting and Tiny Art Gallery, St. Augustine's Wine, Cocktail and Food Experience, Dolphin and Wildlife Adventure of St. Augustine. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit St Augustine?

    +

    February to May and September to November. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in St Augustine?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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