St. Louis Soulard True Crime Walking Tour: Murders & Mafia

Walk Soulard’s cobblestones hear wild mafia tales see infamous duel spots

You’ll walk through St. Louis’ Soulard neighborhood with a local guide who doesn’t sugarcoat its wild true crime past. Expect Mafia tales, infamous duels near Bloody Island, historic photos in hand, and unexpected laughter between dark stories. You’ll finish near the city’s oldest public market feeling like you’ve seen another side of St. Louis entirely.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Soulard's true crime history

• Begin at Molly’s bar & restaurant
• Stroll through historic Soulard neighborhood
• Pass oldest public market west of Mississippi
• Visit a dozen historic homes
• Hear tales of murders and Mafia stories
• Learn about duels on Bloody Island
• See historic photos and crime evidence
• End near Soulard Farmer’s Market

The experience

“He died right over there,” our guide said, pointing at a spot next to a cracked brick wall I’d probably have walked past a hundred times without noticing. I think it was the way she said it: like she half expected the guy’s ghost to still be lurking behind the trash bins. The air smelled like rain and old beer from Molly’s bar where we started, and honestly, I didn’t expect to laugh as much as we did on a true crime tour. But somehow the mix of dark stories and our guide’s dry humor made it feel… weirdly alive? Like Soulard itself was in on the joke.

We wound through these narrow streets, passing old shotgun houses and that market: Soulard Farmer’s Market, which is apparently the oldest west of the Mississippi (I googled that later just to check). The bricks felt uneven under my shoes and there were moments when I caught myself glancing over my shoulder, half expecting some old-time gangster to step out of an alley. Our guide had this battered folder with grainy photos: she’d flip them open just as she told us about some duel or riot or Mafia shootout. One story about Bloody Island actually made me shiver. I swear you could almost hear echoes if you listened hard enough.

There was this one bit where we stopped outside a house with faded shutters, and someone in our group asked if any of these ghosts ever showed up for real. Our guide just grinned and shrugged: “Depends how many drinks you’ve had at Molly’s.” I liked that she didn’t try to make it too spooky or dramatic. Just honest, sometimes even blunt about what happened here. The whole thing felt more like hanging out with someone who really knows (and maybe loves) this city’s messy history than any kind of rehearsed tour script.

I still think about that last stretch near the market. The light was kind of golden and soft by then, people shouting over produce stands in the distance while we stood listening to stories about riots and lost lives. It wasn’t glamorous but it stuck with me longer than I thought it would. Maybe because you can feel both the weight and weird warmth of all those old stories lingering around Soulard.

What’s included

Your day includes all fees and taxes for the guided walk through historic Soulard (with stops outside notorious homes and markets) plus plenty of time for questions along the way before finishing near Soulard Farmer’s Market.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to Sunday

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 12 years): free · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Tim Metcalf

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (2 to 12 years): free; Infant (under 2): free.

Is this St. Louis true crime tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the walking tour is wheelchair accessible throughout Soulard.

Where does the Soulard true crime tour start?

The tour begins at Molly’s bar & restaurants in Soulard.

Does this tour include visiting Soulard Farmer's Market?

You’ll pass by Soulard Farmer’s Market but not go inside during the tour.

Are infants or strollers allowed on this walking tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

How long does the St. Louis true crime walking tour last?

The exact duration isn’t listed but covers several stops through historic Soulard.

Are service animals allowed on this St. Louis crime tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted during the walk.

What days is this true crime tour available?

The tour runs Friday at 5pm, Saturday at 5pm, and Sunday at 12pm.

Do I need to book ahead or can I just show up?

You can show up without advance booking. Additional guests are welcome.