The tour of Sopranos Sites is based on the popular television show created by David Chase for HBO. The Sopranos stars James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, a New Jersey mafia boss. The television show’s many successful seasons revolve around Tony Sopranos difficulties as he tries to balance his family life and running his criminal organization. The show gave a bird’s eye view into mob life and allowed viewers to see the inner workings of this New Jersey crime family. Season 1 and half of Season 2 were focused on Tony’s relationship with his mother Livia, played by Nancy Marchand. Ms. Marchand passed away half way through Season 2’s filming, which was eventually written into the story line. From that point on, Tony’s wife, Carmella (played by Edie Falco), his daughter Meadow (played by Jamie Lynn Siegler), along with his son AJ (played by Robert Iler) vie for Tony’s attention in between the dirty deals and beat downs that take place on a daily basis in this mob boss’ life.
The tour begins in New York and starts out with sites from the opening credits, including the exit of the Lincoln Tunnel and the famous Manhattan skyline. As you arrive in Jersey, you’ll see more sites from the credits like The Muffler Man, Pizza Land, the Valley Landscape silo, a featured Tudor house, a building in the center of the Meadowlands that Tony often passes, and the ramp to the Pulaski Skyway seen at the end of every episode.
The tour then hits some of the most recognizable places from The Sopranos: Barone Sanitation (Tony’s business), the Skyway Diner (where Christopher gets shot), Big Pussy’s auto body shop, and Satin Dolls, also known as the Bada Bing.
The tour visits major sites that were used in filming the show such as Carmine’s Funeral Parlor; Party World and Car Wash; La Cibelle’s Restaurant, used as the locale for Nuovo Vesuvio, Artie Bucco’s (played by John Ventimiglia) restaurant in the show; Searchlight Diner; and St. Cecila’s Church, all of which were locations for majors scenes in the show. Get off the bus for a fun stop at Holsten’s (where the final scene of the last episode was shot) and enjoy complimentary onion rings just as you see Tony and his family indulging in in that final scene. Sit in “Tony’s” booth with your family for a nostalgic photo to share with friends.
Another major location for the television show, Satriale’s Pork Store, was a fictional establishment that was housed in an empty warehouse next to the Irish American Club in Kearny. The set was dismantled after the filming of the series concluded, and the building was torn down to make way for condominiums.
More Sopranos filming locations include the back of Big Pussy’s house; the batting cages used by Pussy, AJ and Kevin; the Gold Driving Range where Tony takes his first Prozac; the marina where the Season 5 poster was photographed; Harrison High School where AJ vandalizes the pool; Seabra’s Rodizo, used as the Searchlight Diner where Pussy turns FBI informant; the statue of Christopher Columbus where the Sopranos get into a fight with the Native Americans; St. Cecilia’s (Carmela’s church); the funeral home used for Carmine’s wake; what’s left of the bakery where Christopher shot the guy in the foot; the Nuovo Vesuvio; the cemetery where Livia was buried, and many, many more.
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