Historic Mafia Walking Tour in Little Italy 1903 Barrel Murder

New York

From US$40 per person

You book and pay on viator.com. Inclusable may earn a commission.

Per booking: Up to 15 people
Language: English

About this tour

Oscar-winning filmmaker Anthony Giacchino leads this true-crime walk through Little Italy and the lost world of Italian New York in 1903. At the center is a body found in a barrel—and two immigrants on opposite sides of the law: Joe Petrosino, the NYPD's first Italian-American detective, and Giuseppe Morello, a counterfeiter from Corleone, Sicily, building one of New York's first Mafia organizations.

The barrel murder is where their stories collide. Police couldn't identify the dead man, but the trail slowly leads to Morello, whose counterfeiting network was already under Secret Service surveillance.

Giacchino has researched Petrosino for two decades, working from original police and Secret Service documents and newspaper archives. The walk follows the investigation through Little Italy's historic streets and buildings, closing at Petrosino's home with the story of his own unsolved murder in 1909. Groups are capped at 15.

Accessibility, as stated by the supplier

Wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair-accessible transport
Stroller accessible

The nearest accessible public restroom to the meeting point is about 290 m away in a straight line, from the NYC Open Data public restrooms list.

Provided through Viator and not verified by Inclusable. Ask the supplier about your specific needs before you book.

Itinerary

View itinerary · 2 stops

1
In Little Italy, the tour follows the opening moves of the 1903 Barrel Murder investigation, through streets Detective Joe Petrosino knew as both an immigrant and a policeman. Travelers hear how the case began, who the first suspects were, and what it meant to work a case in a neighborhood the rest of the city viewed with suspicion.(1 hr)
2
On the Lower East Side, the investigation closes in. Travelers trace the surveillance and the evidence that slowly revealed who the man in the barrel was, and the case closes at Petrosino's own home before the tour returns to Petrosino Square.(1 hr)

Know before you go

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking route on public sidewalks, with some uneven pavement.

Included

Guided 2-hour walking tour with a licensed New York City sightseeing guide.

Cancellation

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

Nearest accessible public restroom to the meeting point

The nearest accessible public restroom to the meeting point is Mulberry Street Library, NYPL, New York, about 290 m away.

Mulberry Street Library, NYPL · about 290 m away in a straight line

New York, NY (library)

Sunday: Closed, Monday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm, Tuesday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm, Wednesday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm, Thursday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm, Friday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm — Open year round

Walking directions

Source: the NYC Open Data public restrooms list, data as at 30 October 2026. Distances are straight-line, not the walking route, and facilities can change — check before you rely on one.

From US$40 per person

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Location & contact

Area: New York
Meeting point: Meet by the entrance to Petrosino Square on Kenmare Street. Nearest subway: Spring Street (6)
Contact: Questions about access or your booking go through Viator, which handles the booking and passes your request to the operator.

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