Great Gatsby Boat Tour

28/10/2024

On 27 October 1941 “The Last Tycoon” was published posthumously. When F. Scott Fitzgerald died in 1940, he left behind an unfinished draft of this poignant novel, inspired by his own experience working in Hollywood as a screenwriter. His dear friend and Princeton classmate, Edmund “Bunny” Wilson, edited Fitzgerald’s notes and material to publish the text of “The Last Tycoon” in 1941. It contained six completed chapters, an abridged conclusion, and some of Fitzgerald’s notes. Fitzgerald died well before he could complete his story of Hollywood romance and industry politics, or even finish conceptualizing it.

15/10/2024

In October 1920, 104 years ago this month: Following the publication of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s first short story collection “Flappers and Philosophers” (eight short stories from magazines), the Fitzgeralds rented an apartment in Manhattan. It stood at 38 West 59th Street, right across from Central Park. The building was demolished and today the Park Lane Hotel is in the spot.

07/10/2024

In October 1909, at the age of 14, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s name appeared in print for the first time. “The Mystery of the Raymond Mortgage” was accepted in the student publication of St. Paul Academy, “Now and Then.” Scott attended the school from 1908-1911. The building is still standing today. It’s located at 25 Dale Street North, St. Paul, Minnesota. Today it’s not a school, it’s a law office, but there is a sculpture of Young Scott sitting on the building steps.

05/10/2024

This is our fall read and recommended book: “The Great Gatsby: The 1926 Broadway Script” edited by James L. W. West III and Anne Margaret Daniel.

In 1926 Scott was happy that his novel was being adapted for a show (not a musical, and definitely not of course). This long-lost play is now in print by and for devotees of The Great Gatsby, it is an incredible find. Will make a great holiday gift. The Tour will share more about the book in our offseason.

You can order this book from any local bookstore and it’s online, Old Sport.

01/10/2024

One hundred and two years ago this month, in October 1922, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald rented a house in Great Neck, Long Island. Their daughter, Frances Scott “Scottie” Fitzgerald, was one year old. They lived there until April 1924. During their time on Long Island, Scott produced a few short stories for magazines and one unsuccessful play. The couple’s interactions with Gold Coast society provided the setting and mood for the novel germinating in Fitzgerald’s head. The house they rented is on 6 Gateway Drive, near Cedar Drive and Middle Neck road, in what is today called Great Neck Estates. In 2016 it sold for north of $3 million.

24/09/2024

Happy Birthday, Scott. 481 Laurel Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota, is the birthplace of Francis Scott Fitzgerald, born on this date. Fitzgerald was born on the second floor on 24 September 1896 and lived there as an infant, until his family moved to Buffalo in 1898. The columned Victorian apartment was home to the infant Fitzgerald until he was two. There are two other Fitzgerald homes in Saint Paul, but this one was named a National Literary Landmark by Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and Friends of Libraries USA in 2004. Raise a glass to Scott today on the 128th anniversary of his birth.

23/09/2024

Photo of the day from our last tour taken by who was cheating on Suffolk County to join us! Tag with your tour pix!

20/09/2024

There is one ticket for the 1 pm tour on Sunday. If you are quick, you just may sn**ch it up!

Cruise the bay that is the setting of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic American novel. The Great Gatsby was set on "that slender riotous island which extends itself due east of New York" otherwise known as Long Island. Join us on a two-hour boat tour of the "courtesy bay" separating the "enormous eggs"...

16/09/2024

Big news, there are still tickets available for the last sunset Great Gatsby Boat Tour of the season on Sunday, September 22. Boarding at 4 PM. You’ll be on the water for sunset. Bring your sunglasses and your friends for a magical time on the water! We will talk all things Gatsby and Fitzgerald. Get tix here:

Cruise the bay that is the setting of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic American novel. The Great Gatsby was set on "that slender riotous island which extends itself due east of New York" otherwise known as Long Island. Join us on a two-hour boat tour of the "courtesy bay" separating the "enormous eggs"...