Johnny and Joshua
Nice bus
Anastasia U.
Oct 2, 2024
We really enjoyed this tour! The actors play off each other with corny jokes and accents, it's so fun! The tour was about 90 min, kind of educational, more interesting to us as we like to learn and read about the gangster eras. It's on a short bus, I wouldn't go with a large group, it's two by two seats and one long seat in the back for about 4-5 people. You can't always see out the window but they describe what happened at that area. It's something different and fun to do, worth the $30 something we spent.
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Stacy P.
Nov 9, 2021
**Covid Times - Just wear your damn mask**When looking for touristy things to do when visiting KC, Kansas City Gangsters Tour kept popping up on the list of things to do. Highlights:+ Tickets are secured via EventBrite for $29/person (Plus whatever fee EB charges for processing). Due to reduced capacity, make sure to purchase tickets ahead of time.+ Current schedule is 3x on Saturday for 1.5 hours (10 AM, 12 PM , and 2 PM) + Pick up is in front of Union Station 15 minutes prior to tour departure time. As this is bus tour with no stops, make sure to use the facilities prior to boarding.+ Mask up, as they are current still required+ Benny (the driver) and Johnny ( guide) had their routine down pat in terms of banter back and forth. The tour is also includes the use of video with a cast of characters. Yes the comedy is a bit corny at times, however, it is a bit of a throw back.+ The tour is very informative and the information is presented in a fun way so as you don't feel like you are attending a lecture. One of the major individuals the tour focuses on is political boss T.J Pendercast and his interesting dealings and why there is so much damn concrete in K.C., including the MCI's runways. + You get a "free gift" at the end of the tour, which is a nice little booklet with additional information on the K.C. gangesters.Overall a fun way to tour downtown K.C.
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Rachel X.
Aug 1, 2021
When in Kansas City, after having some barbecue, go on this tour! Kansas City is a fascinating town with a rich history. This is the BEST city tour I've been on. Informative, interesting, interactive and just plain enjoyable. Both Johnny and Ben are entertaining and engaging. Don't miss this tour!!!
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Darla B.
May 19, 2018
This was a great tour. Our tour guide was dressed as a 1930's gangster and played the part well. He was funny and engaging. The tour bus was brand new with a TV in the front that would have intermittent clips about different things. I learned a lot about not only the Gangsters of KC, but history as well. This 90 min tour was well worth the time and money.
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Rita L.
Apr 22, 2019
Very engaging and fun tour of Kansas City. I've lived in the area my whole life and learned many new things. The political and social information was delivered in a fun and original way. Learning about the state of the city during the era was eye-opening. Mob bosses everywhere! I recommend the tour for all people interested in history and even those that aren't...you will be surprised!
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Sarah M.
May 26, 2018
Good tour. It was interesting and fun. I learned a lot not just KC gangster history but other fun KC facts.
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T. R.
Aug 21, 2013
When I planned a girl's weekend in Kansas City, I knew it had to include something involving gangster history. Fortunately, the Kansas City Gangster Tour fit the bill very nicely and in an entertaining way.I called ahead of time to make reservations. The cost is $29 each but you can mention the $4 off coupon on their website to get the discount. Tours are held every Saturday at 1 p.m. We were told to get there by 12:45 because the tour actually leaves at 1p.m. Good to know. The bus usually parks in front of Union Station but on this day, a big back to school event was being set up so the street was blocked to all traffic. Fortunately, I ran into Johnny, our tour guide, in the lobby. He told me where the bus was (side of the building, easy walk). Johnny was easy to pick out because he was wearing his flashy brown pinstriped suit and fedora. All of the other passengers managed to make it to the bus with only a few minutes past 1 p.m. The set up of the tour is like this. Johnny tells you about the city's gangster past as the bus goes by different sites. Interspersed with Johnny's insights, you watch a black and white video with actors dressed from the 30s, talking further about what Johnny talks about. You get to hear all about city boss Tom Pendergast and his control of the city.It is true that the bus does not stop for you to get out. However, since most of the sites are either closed on a Saturday or are now something totally different, there's really no point of doing so. One of the great things about the tour is that it goes all over Kansas City, parts that I doubt I would have known how to find as a tourist. You see quite a lot in only 90 minutes. Kudos, also, to the actor who played Johnny. He had a great rapport with the bus driver and got us involved in his banter. He clearly knows a lot about the time period and was happy to share it. His acting out of the shooting of mobster Johnny Lazio in front of his home (now apartments) was hilarious. If you want to learn all about Kansas City's not so pretty past, and want to see a lot of the city, this is the tour for you. It's well worth it!
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Marie F.
Aug 15, 2010
Not too bad. We had bought our tickets months ago. A flight cancellation caused us not to make our scheduled tour. No refunds, but they allowed us to apply it to another date. The tour is offered Saturday's at 1pm only.The meeting place is Union Station where an air conditioned bus picks you up. They do accept walk in reservations and this is where things got to be a little disappointing. They oversold the bus and there weren't enough seats. My husband and I were split up and some people had to sit on the edges of already occupied seats. Once in motion, the tour information comes from two sources, The tv at the front of the bus has clips that lead the tour guide (complete with hat and pin striped suit) into a more informative narrative. They point out a a few significant buildings and give some background of what KC was like in the 1920's I found it strange that this tour had no stops to allow photo opportunities. You stay on the bus the entire time. There aren't any bathroom breaks either. It's only a 90 min tour so that isn't such a big deal. I'd recommend this tour for older groups that appreciate not having to walk or frequently load and unload the bus. Get there early so your group can sit together.
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Mark J.
Nov 18, 2024
The tour was great. The bus driver and tour guide were funny and informative. There's a lot of great history in Kansas City and it was a fun way to learn about some if it.
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Rated: 4.3 (4 reviews)
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