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Haunted NYC: Gangsters, Ghosts, and the Secrets of the City's Past
1 Nov
Summary
- NYC's haunted history explored through Gangsters and Ghosts Tour
- Locations featured in famous crime movies like Goodfellas and Gangs of New York
- Historian guides share real-life events, murders, and betrayals that shaped the city
As of November 1st, 2025, New York City's haunted history is being brought to life through the Gangsters and Ghosts Tour, led by Steven "Stevie" Garcia, the visionary founder and CEO of Empire Tours and Productions. The tour takes visitors through some of Manhattan's oldest and most infamous neighborhoods, including Chinatown, Little Italy, the West Village, and the old Five Points, where New York's original gangs, bootleggers, and speakeasies once thrived.
The tour not only delves into the city's true crime history but also explores the paranormal, with guides sharing stories of haunted locations and unexplained phenomena. Guests are taken to real-life sites featured in popular crime movies like Goodfellas, Gangs of New York, and The Irishman, allowing them to connect with the history they've only seen on the big screen.
According to Garcia, the tour provides a "nuanced view of the city's history," examining the power struggles and themes of immigration, criminal law, and the rise of New York as a global power. The guides strive to connect this powerful history without glorifying violence or criminal activity, offering a unique and immersive experience for both tourists and long-time residents.
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The tour's popularity stems from the "mix of danger and glamor" associated with the gangsters and the eerie, goosebump-inducing ghost stories that linger in the city's past. As Garcia says, "Every alley, every corner has a story, and some of them are a little eerie once you know what went down there."
