TOURS & EXPERIENCES
Step inside El Reloj, America’s last traditional cigar factory, and learn how cigars built Tampa and made it world famous as Cigar City. Admission to El Reloj is free, and you do not need a reservation to visit.
Explore our cigar museum and exhibits at your own pace, take a self-guided audio tour narrated by third-generation owner Eric Newman, or head upstairs to watch our cigar makers hand roll cigars.
Our guided factory tours, cigar-rolling classes, and other experiences offer more ways to explore the people, traditions, and craft behind cigar making. Learn more about each activity below.
GUIDED FACTORY TOUR
60 minutes
Go behind the scenes of the historic El Reloj factory with one of our historians. Visit production areas not open to the public and see nearly every step of the cigar-making process, from preparing and aging tobacco to rolling and packaging cigars. Along the way, learn how the cigar industry helped shape Tampa and see pieces of cigar history preserved inside El Reloj, including our archives and collection of historic cigars and tobacco.
HAND ROLLING CLASS
75 minutes
Take a seat alongside our cigar makers in The American Room and learn to hand roll your own cigars the same way that J.C. Newman has been doing for more than 100 years. Using five cigar bunches and wrapper tobacco leaves, you will learn how to apply the wrapper and finish each cigar by hand. The five cigars you roll are yours to take home.
TOBACCO TASTING CLASS
75 minutes
Learn how master blenders combine different tobaccos to create unique cigar blends. Taste individual tobaccos side by side to experience how their flavors and characteristics differ, then learn how they work together in a finished cigar.
CIGARS 101
75 minutes
Learn the basics of enjoying premium cigars, from choosing and cutting to lighting and smoking. Whether it is your first cigar or you have enjoyed them before, we’ll walk you through what to know and answer your questions.
What Visitors are Saying
Frequently Asked Questions
Admission to El Reloj is free, and you do not need a reservation to visit our cigar museum, factory store, or public exhibits. Reservations are recommended for guided factory tours, classes, and tastings. Walk-ins are welcome when space is available.
Yes. Guests of all ages are welcome to visit El Reloj and take a guided factory tour. Some classes and experiences have age requirements. Please check the individual experience listings for details.
Yes. A ramp is available at our main entrance, and elevators provide access between floors. Our guided factory tours involve a moderate amount of walking. If you have specific accessibility needs or questions, please contact us at tours@jcnewman.com so our team can help plan for your visit.
Our cigar museum, factory store, and public exhibits are open during regular visitor hours. Tours and experiences are offered on select days and times. View our current hours and experience schedule here.
Smoking is not permitted during factory tours or in public spaces. Cigars may be enjoyed across the street in Cigar Workers Park or at Stanford’s Cigar Club (opening late 2026).
Complimentary visitor parking is available next to El Reloj and across the street. View our parking map here.
Guided factory tours, classes, and tastings can be reserved online through this page. Advance reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome when space is available.
Yes. Private tours and group experiences are available based on availability. Please email tours@jcnewman.com or call +1 813-248-2124 to learn more.
El Reloj is a working cigar factory, and guided tours involve walking throughout the building. We recommend comfortable, closed-toe shoes. Photography is welcome, so feel free to bring your phone or camera.
